Having absolutely no control over the horse with only your feet to hold you on is the thrill and excitement of bareback riding.

Hoping that the horse will perform well even though it's trying it's best to buck you off goes through the mind of bareback champion Brian Smith when he is competing.

Smith will be one of many riders vying for the big cash prizes at Bullistic Rodeo's Bong Bong Bulls Broncs and Bands event on April 20.

Bullistic Rodeo will offer spectators explosive, dynamic and adrenaline pumping action with some of the best competitors in the country this month.

Smith said the key to winning the bareback event was a riders spurring style as well as the horses ability to perform.

"You just try to do the best you can giving 100 per cent," he said.

Smith has recently been competing with the Australian side at the Royal Easter Show and plans to compete in New Zealand and Dungog before he enters the Highlands rodeo.

"The reason why I am entering is because is the prize money is fantastic. It's a lot more than most rodeos," he said.

"The major sponsors are giving cowboys the chance to perform in big crowds, which is a good advertisement for rodeo.

Organiser Jason Besant said his company wanted to hold the rodeo in the Highlands because of its rural surrounding.

"Plus the area hasn't had a rodeo in quite some time so we thought it would be the best place to kick off the first round of the series.

"It's the first time Australia has seen the combination of rodeo and country music so it should be a hit.

"Plus it's value for money."

The prize money up for grabs is: Bulls: $4000 open bull, $1000 novice bull; Broncs: $1500 open saddle bronc, $1500 open bareback, $750 novice saddle bronc and $750 novice bareback.