Big events to help support competitors
BULL riding is a tough sport, and you have to be tough to make it.
Not only are competitors putting their bodies on the line, they have to pay their own travel and accommodation expenses – and it’s only the winners who take home the pay cheques.
As it stands today, three Professional Bull Riders Australia riders have racked up more than $30,000 in winnings on the tour so far this season.
Clermont’s Aaron Kleier’s $35,214 in addition to PBR Global Cup (Edmonton and Sydney) winnings takes him over the $50,000 mark.
Gresford cowboy Cliff Richardson’s $33,271 plus Global Cup winnings also takes him over $50,000, while New Zealand’s Fraser Babbington’s $33,549 plus Sydney Global Cup is at $40,000.
“There aren’t a lot of people out there wanting to put stickers on riders,” said PBR general manager Glen Young.
“That’s what we’re trying to get ahead of with tours like this – get some TV exposure with quality events, and get sponsors on these cowboys so they can have a little more money in their pockets.”
True bull riding enthusiasts know the bulls as well as the cowboys and, as often as not, are likely to cheer them on.
“A lot of the bulls have more fans than some of cowboys,” Young said.
“Some bulls even have their own merchandise.
“We really have two athletes competing in the arena and they’re both trained to do this.”
The bulls account for half of a rider’s score, and so cowboys typically want to be paired against the toughest ones.
“They’re very much a part of it. If you don’t have a strong enough bull, you’re not going to place, or someone is going to place ahead of you.”
Beforehand, the rider will study whether the bull is a spinner coming out of the chute and which way it’s likely to turn.
“It’s just like a boxer going in the ring,” Young said.
“You’ve got to be ready for anything and everything.”
A successful ride lasts eight seconds because that’s how long a bull can effectively buck before fatigue and adrenaline loss kicks in.
“During those eight seconds there’s no time to think about anything but riding,” he said.
“The riders are definitely relying on different reactions and if the bull is going left or right or moving ahead.
“You’re just watching and being aware of everything around you.
“Your senses are on high alert. Those eight seconds are entirely relative to what’s going on in the rider’s head. If you get at the end of your arm or in a bad spot and you’re just holding on, it can seem like two minutes waiting on that whistle. Other times you’ll have a good seat and you could sit there all day, and the time goes fast.”
Kleier, Richardson and Babbington, along with a list of other riders will be looking to take a fair slice of the $20,000 in prizemoney on offer this weekend at the PBR Monster Energy – Great Northern Invitational in Newcastle Saturday night.
From there the PBRA Tour continues and includes upcoming stadium events at Mackay, Rockhampton and Beaudesert before the PBRA Grand Finals in Townsville November 23 and 24. Tickets are now on sale. To keep up to date with all the latest PBRA news, standings and upcoming events click onto www.pbraustralia.com.au.