Young Buck

Derick Costa Jr., 10, has made up his mind that riding bulls is something that he loves to do. With the support of his parents, who sent him to a bull riding academy in Texas last year, Derick looks forward to Friday nights when he gets to ride bulls. Massachusetts is a long way from the Midwest where bull riding is the norm, but the New England Rodeo in Norton, MA gives Derick an opportunity to do what he loves. With the winter season closing in rapidly, Derick makes the best of the final round of the season, with two successful rides. PHOTOS: PETER PEREIRA
Derick Costa Jr., 10, ties the spurs and tightens the chaps before his first ride at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
1 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa Jr., 10, ties the spurs and tightens the chaps before his first ride at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
 Derick Costa Jr., 10, ties the spurs and tightens the chaps before his first ride at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
2 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa Jr., 10, ties the spurs and tightens the chaps before his first ride at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
 Derick Costa Jr., 10, at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
3 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa Jr., 10, at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
 Derick Costa Jr.'s, 10, belt buckle is set asside as he prepares for his first ride at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
4 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa Jr.'s, 10, belt buckle is set asside as he prepares for his first ride at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
Derick Costa Jr., 10, at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
5 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa Jr., 10, at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
 Derick Costa Jr., 10, ties the spurs and tightens the chaps before his first ride at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
6 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa Jr., 10, ties the spurs and tightens the chaps before his first ride at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
 Derick Costa Jr., 10, enjoys the other evens between his two rides at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
7 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa Jr., 10, enjoys the other evens between his two rides at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
 Shari Costa gives her son Derick Costa Jr., 10, a hand with his riding glove at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
8 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Shari Costa gives her son Derick Costa Jr., 10, a hand with his riding glove at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
Derick Costa Jr., 10, ties the spurs and tightens the chaps before his first ride at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
9 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa Jr., 10, ties the spurs and tightens the chaps before his first ride at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
 Derick Costa Jr., 10, ties the spurs and tightens the chaps before his first ride at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
10 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa Jr., 10, ties the spurs and tightens the chaps before his first ride at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
 Derick Costa Jr., 10, at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
11 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa Jr., 10, at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
 Derick Costa Jr., 10, meets with the event organizers, waiting to see which bulls he will be riding at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
12 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa Jr., 10, meets with the event organizers, waiting to see which bulls he will be riding at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
Derick Costa Jr., 10, is nervous as he waits for his first bull ride at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
13 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa Jr., 10, is nervous as he waits for his first bull ride at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
 Bull riders enter the arena as they are announce to the crowd at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
14 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Bull riders enter the arena as they are announce to the crowd at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
 Derick Costa Jr., 10, at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
15 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa Jr., 10, at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
 Derick Costa Jr., 10, speaks with his friends after a successful first ride at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA. PETER PEREIRA/THE STANDARD-TIMES/SCMG
16 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa Jr., 10, speaks with his friends after a successful first ride at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
PETER PEREIRA/THE STANDARD-TIMES/SCMG
Derick Costa Jr., 10, mounts the first bull he will ride (successfully) at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
17 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa Jr., 10, mounts the first bull he will ride (successfully) at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
 Derick Costa escorts his son Derick Costa Jr., 10, back after successfully riding his first bull at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
18 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa escorts his son Derick Costa Jr., 10, back after successfully riding his first bull at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
 Derick Costa Jr., 10, at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
19 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa Jr., 10, at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
 Derick Costa, left, looks on as cowboys help his son Derick Costa Jr., 10, strap into the second bull he rode at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
20 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa, left, looks on as cowboys help his son Derick Costa Jr., 10, strap into the second bull he rode at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
Derick Costa Jr., 10, successfully rides his second bull at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
21 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa Jr., 10, successfully rides his second bull at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
 Derick Costa Jr., 10, nurses his riding hand after successfully riding two bulls at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
22 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa Jr., 10, nurses his riding hand after successfully riding two bulls at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
 Derick Costa Jr., 10, meets with the other riders, waiting to see which bulls they draw at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
23 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa Jr., 10, meets with the other riders, waiting to see which bulls they draw at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
 Derick Costa Jr., 10, grabs some time alone just before his first bull ride at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.
24 1010157998 manbBoyBullRider Derick Costa Jr., 10, grabs some time alone just before his first bull ride at the final event in the New England Rodeo championship in Norton, MA.