Nineteen-year-old Dustin Muncy is a bull rider on a mission.
The Polk County resident is working hard to try to make his sport more popular in the state of Florida.
Once a week, a quiet farm in Haines City is transformed in to his practice ring. Muncy gears up with a protective vest, and climbs on to a bull.
When the gate opens, he said instinct takes over.
“When you get to thinking you get to freezing up and you just got to let your body react to what it knows how to do,” Muncy said.
Rodeo rules are simple; stay on for eight seconds, holding on to the rope with one hand and not touching the bull with the other.
Bull riders get extra points for being 'flashy.' It's easier said than done.
”What's going through my mind when I'm [riding], pretty much have fun, do what you love it may be the last time you can do it so go at it with everything you got.”
It's a way of life for Muncy. He's been training for what he hopes will be a record-breaking professional career. A dream he's had since he started riding at age 14.
“I'm just always trying to get better,” he said. “Go to the schools, go to the gym and just put it all out there.”
Muncy is already making a name for himself. A recent ride at a Lakeland rodeo earned him 81 points. He's even got the attention of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association - although Muncy hasn't purchased his membership card just yet. He wants to get even better before starting his 'rookie year.'
Rodeo success sometimes comes at a cost.
“I've broke my collar bone, broke this ankle this hand," he said pointing out previous injuries, "I fractured my sternum and bruised my heart."
Some might ask -- why keep going? Muncy wants to make a name for his home state.
“A lot of people's like, ‘Man, I didn't even know there's rodeo in Florida.”
He's got the support of his parents and siblings, the leadership of his coach C.J. Brown, and the bullfighters - who keep him safe in the ring.
“Everybody falls off at some point, and just to watch him stay so determine and keep going - he's got a lot of talent,” said bullfighter Marcus Wise.
The team often travels hours at a time just to find a place to practice for competitions. Muncy's goal is to change that - by stirring up more rodeo excitement.
That, and maybe even one day winning a world championship.
"Don't quit till your head hits the ground," Muncy said.
Muncy also hopes to inspire the next generation to get involved in rodeo activities.