This last week and a half have been very busy for the fans and contestants of the Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Series. After putting on the second major of the season in conjunction with the RFD-TV’s The American, the Iron Cowboy event, some interesting news and heartbreaking announcements came down the pipeline. As the popularity of the sport of professional bull riding continues to gain momentum the PBR are giving their fans more of an opportunity to see the action live for themselves.
As with every sport there will be a fair share of news that the fans and loyal supporters never want to hear. This past week after the Choctaw Casino Iron Cowboy Powered By Kawasaki event concluded in Arlington, Texas we were given some of this news that we are not happy to have to share with each and every one of you. We talk a lot about the cowboys but this week we need to focus on the bovine athletes that the PBR brings across the country each and every week.
A huge announcement came out last week as the Professional Bull Riders organization made some exciting changes to the PBR BlueDEF Velocity Tour Finals starting in 2016. As many of you may have noticed, the dates of the PBR World Finals were pushed back a week and that left many people wondering why. That burning question was just answered as the announcement came down that the 2016 BlueDEF Velocity Tour Finals would be held the week before in Las Vegas at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center October 29-31! Tickets are currently on sale at Ticketmaster.com so be sure to join us in Las Vegas for two weekends full of great bull riding action later this year!
Another announcement that was made earlier this week shows exactly how popular this sport has become over the past few years. The upcoming event in Sioux Falls, South Dakota is quickly selling out and the great fans of the PBR are still knocking on the door requesting tickets to this year’s event. Due to the major demand of tickets this year the PBR decided to add another day to make it a huge three day event at the Denny Sanford Premier Center.
Bucking Bull Great Mississippi Hippy Announces Early Retirement
Photo Credit: AVID Visual Imagery Rodeo Photography
One of the most well-known bucking bulls in the arena today will be retired from competition effective immediately. Kenny McElroy and K-Bar-C Bucking Bulls’ Mississippi Hippy made his last in arena appearance inside the grandest stage of all, the AT&T Cowboy Stadium. He was competing at the Choctaw Casino Iron Cowboy event powered by Kawasaki just over a week ago when everyone in the arena and watching at home knew something serious had happened.
Immediately after heading to the back pens his owner requested a veterinarian over to assess the situation at hand. After careful examination it was determined that Hippy had sustained a hip dislocation that was severe enough that everyone involved made the determination that it was enough that it would keep him from ever bucking out again. The good news is that he will live a comfortable and happy retirement and will still make some promotional appearances on behalf of the Professional Bull Riders organization!
Roy’s Last Buck Out This Weekend In Phoenix
Photo Credit: PBRLive.com
Yesterday afternoon the professional bull riding and rodeo industries lost one of the greatest bucking bulls that has graced each and every one of us with his presence. Julio Moreno Bucking Bulls and everyone involved with this legendary stock contractor have lost a huge part of their lives after Roy’s Championship Round performance in Phoenix, Arizona. Julio and Kindra are in our thoughts and prayers as the Rodeo Round Up team mourn the loss of this great bucking bull along with each and every one of you.
In yesterday’s Championship Round Roy had bucked off Cooper Davis in a short 2.43 seconds. Immediately after Davis hit the arena floor everyone in the arena, including Davis himself, and those watching at home knew something horrible had happened. Roy struggled to get back to the back pens and those on the arena floor did all that they could do to help this loved bovine athlete. After analyzing his injuries it was determined that Roy had broken both of his front legs during his buck out.
Julio and Kindra Moreno had to make the heart wrenching decision to put him down so that he would not be suffering any unneeded pain. The world of professional rodeo and bull riding are a close knit family and when one of our own looses a family member like this we will all suffer with them. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Moreno’s, the contestants, stock contractors and staff of the Professional Bull Riders organization and all of Roy’s beloved friends and fans during this difficult time.
As all of this news starts coming forward there is sure to be some further guidance as to how things will work out and information on ticket changes and/or sale dates. The Rodeo Round Up will continue to monitor any news that may be announced regarding these news stories. Be sure to check back to see what information that we have to share with you about the Sioux Falls event as well as the new dates and location of the BlueDEF Velocity Tour Finals this coming October in Las Vegas, Nevada!
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what is happening in regards to the ERA? Are they going to continue or suspend operations? If they are going to continue when & where is the first rodeo going to be held. Fritz Lasante
The ERA is still going and the first event will be in Redmond, Oregon at the end of the month
Thanks Fritz!!