Less than nine months after his brother Casey's life was cut tragically short, Justin Dorrington will honour the rodeo champion's memory with a ride at the world championships in the United States in June.
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Casey Dorrington, 21, was killed in August last year when the small truck he was driving veered off the road and hit a tree just five kilometres from his Geurie home.
He had planned to travel to the United States this year to take up a rodeo scholarship.
Now Justin, 14, will wear his brother's belt buckle as he saddles up at the Wrangler Junior High School Finals in Gallup, New Mexico.
He was selected in the Australian rodeo team to contest the unofficial world championships and the talented young cowboy said yesterday his brother will be right there beside him.
"He will be there in spirit," Justin said.
"He taught me how to rope - I always wanted to be like my big brother."
The Delroy High School student will also vie for a scholarship at an elite rodeo school in the US and do what his brother was never given the chance to do.
Trish Dorrington said it has been hard since Casey's death and the almost $10,000 needed to fund the trip will not come easy.
She was forced to draw money from her superannuation fund to pay the almost $7000 for Casey's funeral.
"We just take it day-by-day," she said, the pain of her son's death pulling her face into a grimace.
"You've just got to keep going.
"The boys deserve the same opportunities Casey had."
Justin's elder brother Travis, 16, is also a champion rodeo rider.
Several other talented riders from the area have also been selected, including rising rodeo star Troy Burtenshaw.
The fearless Gilgandra-based bull rider is said to be the champion incumbent in the Burtenshaw family, who are well known in rodeo circles.
Both families are seeking sponsorship to assist with the cost of travelling to the US.
Justin will host a fund raiser at the Garden Hotel next Friday with tickets available at the door.
Troy has the support of the Tooraweenah community and would be grateful for offers of further assistance.
To support Justin or Troy contact the Daily Liberal at mail.liberal@ruralpress.com.
neil.varcoe@ruralpress.com
