Grab your rodeo hats and dancing shoes because bull riding and concert events make their way to Mansfield this summer! Whether you consider yourself a cowboy/cowgirl or are just looking for an exciting night out, these riders are guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat with some serious competition.
A series of three sanctioned bull riding events will be held at Spitzer Motor Speedway. The Southern Extreme Bull Riding Association, SEBRA, brings riders to Mansfield as one of the 450 competition sites across the nation, making it the largest North American association of its kind. This group of expert riders work to strengthen and sustain one of the world’s most exciting and dangerous sports, while fighting to move up the ranks and hopefully gain a spot with the Professional Bull Riders. The first of these “bucking” good times was held on Saturday June 11th. Winners receive a cash prize and a championship buckle. If you didn’t make it the first time around, don’t worry, there will also be bull riding at Spitzer on August 13th and September 3rd. Gates open at 6:00 pm with the bull riding officially kicking off at 7:30. Admission is $15 and kids 15 years of age and younger get in free. To add to the excitement, concerts will be held each night after the riding event! In June, The Electric Circus preformed covers of your favorite rock and pop songs of the 80s, 90s, and today. You can also expect to see the Jimmy Warner Band preform in August.
Mike Yunker, President of Full Throttle Racing Promotions at Spitzer Motor Speedway, is excited to host the series at the track. “I even rode bulls for about 10 years with the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association),” Yunker shared.
Are three nights not enough bull riding for you? No worries, the Richland County Fairgrounds will be hosting a Rodeo night this year during fair week. Further details are coming soon, but expect similar excitement and high caliber riders.
Bull riding is one of the most dangerous sports known to man where a rider attempts to stay on a bucking bull for a minimum of eight seconds. These massive fifteen-hundred pound animals have fierce bucking power, making it extremely difficult for any rider to stay on a bull. So how exactly does it work? During these intense moments, the only thing that riders can hold on to with one hand is a braided rope. Once the rider falls off the bull, a buzzer will sound and bullfighters, also called rodeo clowns, attempt to distract the bull to prevent an injury to the rider. During the ride, two judges score both the rider and bull with a combined total of zero to one hundred. Due to the wild nature of this sport, it is not uncommon for riders to receive a score of zero because many people immediately lose control of the bull. Points are awarded based on balance, control, and style. Additionally, a rider can be disqualified by touching anything with his or her free hand. Experience the energy and madness yourself this summer at Spitzer Motor Speedway and the Richland County Fairgrounds as official bull riding adds a new flavor to the area’s calendar of events. Visit www.mansfieldtourism.com for more details.
Written by Brigitte Meisse, CVB Intern