Jared Farley of Australia heads for the ground shortly after leaving the chute aboard All In during the fourth round of the Professional Bull Riders World Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center on Thursday. Farley has not completed an eight-second ride in the first four rounds of the event, which runs through Sunday. Photo by K.M. Cannon.

At 143 pounds, Jared Farley knows he is at a distinct disadvantage every time he climbs aboard the back of a bull.

Trying to control a 2,000-pound animal for eight seconds isn't the easiest thing to do. But from Farley's perspective, it beats trying to tame crocodiles or great white sharks.

The 21-year-old from Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia, comes from ranching blood. His dad rode bulls, and apparently the Koala bear doesn't fall far from the tree.

"I've been doing this since I was a kid," Farley said after Thursday's fourth round of the Professional Bull Riders World Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center. "My two brothers also ride. Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a bull rider.

"I love the competition and the challenge. When you complete a ride, there's no feeling like it."

While the Brazilians have made a name for themselves in bull riding, the Aussies haven't fared that badly, either. In addition to Farley, Brendon Clark and Greg Potter are competing in Las Vegas this weekend. And while none is a contender for the world championship, they have competed well on the PBR circuit.

"There's a lot of good riders (in Australia)," said Farley, who has made $190,000 in his three years as a professional, $76,000 of it in 2006. "It's getting bigger back home, but a lot of city people aren't used to watching it."

Farley, who spends most of his time in Weatherford, Texas, while competing on the circuit, has not completed a ride through the first four rounds.

On Thursday, he was dumped by All In shortly after leaving the chute. He landed on his head and was motionless for a couple of seconds before he regained his composure and got to his feet.

Farley said he was riding well until he sustained a torn groin muscle and a sports hernia. He was out for four months and has been riding again for only a few weeks. He's still trying to regain his timing and said all he needs is to complete one ride and he'll be fine.

"I try not to let myself get too down," he said. "Physically, I feel fine and my confidence is still good."

Staying on was a major problem for most of the riders Thursday. Through the first three flights, only three of 24 riders posted a score.

In the fourth round, six riders had scores, the best being Kody Lostroh's 91.50 aboard Dr. Proctor.

Brazil's Adriano Moraes has the overall lead with 348.25 points. He is the only cowboy to complete his ride in each of the first four rounds.

For Farley, who will get married next month, staying on over the next three days would be a nice wedding present. His injuries deprived him from earning a living, so he really needs to start scoring points and getting paychecks.

"I had been having a pretty good year before I got hurt," he said. "I got a good bull to ride (tonight) and I'll stay on."