The PBBA Finals and the NBRA Finals

By Catherine Girard The PBBA has invited cowboys from each of several different associations across the country to compete in the finals.Hey there, rodeo fans! It's always a great time for a rodeo, and two terrific rodeo finals are coming our way! The Professional Bucking Bull Association (PBBA) Finals is coming to the T. Ed Garrison Arena, in Clemson, South Carolina, on January 22-23. The National Bull Riding and Barrel Racing Finals will be held on February 12-13 at the J.B. Hunt Arena, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Both rodeos will be showcasing some of the nation's best livestock and finest riders competing for year-end titles and high-point awards! So, let's put on our hats, polish up our boots and head on down to the rodeos! "The PBBA Finals, produced by veteran event producer Bryan Hope and Ernie Treadway, features the top bucking bulls from 16-18 different livestock contractors on the east coast, all competing for year-end points and awards," explains Tom Smith, Vice President of the PBBA, and President of the National Bull Riding Association (NBRA). "These bulls are the top tier bulls in the country and have been competing all year, accruing points all year long to qualify for this. These are the big guys coming in. Each ride is judged by a panel of six judges, one of whom is the stock contractor himself. Competing at this level in this association serves as a stepping stone for their aspirations and dreams to go to the finals in Las Vegas, Nevada." The winning stock contractor will win a brand new, 20-foot Featherlite Stock Trailer, sponsored by Bill Black Featherlite, of Greensboro, North Carolina. The owner of the top bucking bull will win a specialized hydraulic chute, sponsored by W-W Livestock Systems, of Thomas, Oklahoma. In addition to titles, belt buckles, bronzes, and other prizes will be awarded. The cowboys riding these bulls have also been competing all year long across the nation in PBBA-sanctioned events. The PBBA has invited two of the best cowboys from each of several different associations across the country to compete in these finals where, in addition to winning prizes and accruing more points, the top riding cowboys will qualify for berths in the National Bull Riding Finals in Raleigh. The International Bull Riders Association (IBR), The Southern States Bull Riding Association (SSBR), Carousel Farms, and Rafter-K are just a few of the many highly competitive associations from which these competitors have been drawn. The NBRA Finals, produced by Jeff and Linda Mullen of Carousel Farms of Raleigh, North Carolina, showcases the 30 top bull riders and 15 top barrel races in the country competing for year-end championship awards. "This is what these riders have been competing for all year long." says Tom. Both the cowgirls and cowboys are competing for saddles, buckles and boots.Among the bull riders, competition between Jacob Rassau and Ryan Radford for year-end high point award is running head to head, with 7,265 points accumulated so far by Rassau and 6695 points owned by Radford. Rassau, trained early in his career by Radford, has made an impressive series of rides this season, but knows he will have to continue that streak if he is going to be able to best his mentor in this series. Kevin McKeenan currently sits in third place overall with 5,888 points, with Josh Hartrauft (4,157) currently outpacing Wagner Luciana (4,126) for fourth place by a margin of only 31 points. The ladies in the Barrel Racing division have been running hard all year long. With 31 points, Lari Lee Isley leads the ladies in overall points; Paige Horton is next with 19 points; Miranda Blaise, Tera Gauson, Christy Oarker, Tonya Jackson, Jesse Ballato, Kaye Treadway and Brynn Blackwell are each separated from one another in the standings by one point respectively, making for some fast riding coming into the finals. Both the cowgirls and cowboys are competing for saddles, buckles and boots for year-end awards. The winning cowboy and cowgirl will walk away with NBRA Championship saddles and buckles. The event is sponsored by Wrangler, Twisted X Boots, Shorty's Caboy Hattery, Bob Berg Buckles and Montana Lifestyles. "Great family entertainment will be provided by Keith Isley, winner of the PRCA's Barrel Man of the Year, Contract Act of the Year, and Coors Man in the Can award, and John Payne, the One-Armed Bandit, bringing with him a buffalo act that is fantastic!" exclaims Tom. "This year's rodeo will also feature a one-day seminar on rodeo/event production and management, given by veteran event producer, Steve Gander. This will be a great seminar for our producers and anyone else interested in successful event production. Having started the Dodge Rodeo, owned the World's Toughest Rodeo, and run many big league rodeo events, Steve will be sharing his knowledge, tips and insights on promoting any large event, along with instruction on the nuts and bolts of running the business side of these events, as well as how to get sponsorship assistance. "The PBBA has been in existence for four years and is dedicated to promoting the sport of bull riding, maintaining the integrity of the sport, and representing the sport in a positive way," he continues. "The NBRA was begun by the PBBA as a way of providing an additional venue for livestock companies, bull riders and barrel racers to compete in the sport in a positive, meaningful way. Both organizations are heavily committed to giving back to the community and have done so throughout the years, promoting breast cancer awareness through “Cowgirls for a Cause” and “Ropers for a Cause”. In doing this, ten percent of the winnings go back to the groups the associations are supporting. "This year we are going to be partners in the National Patriot Program, which was developed by Wrangler to help our armed service veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Additionally, in a bow to the economy, we have kept our ticket prices to both of these events low so that more and more families can come out and support our riders and these great causes." So come on out to the rodeos and give these riders the support they need! We'll see top-notch competition, great entertainment, have lots of family fun, and have an opportunity to make a difference by helping to support to our nation's veterans in need. More information on these events, along with current point standings for all of the competitors, can be found at www.PBBAnow.com, www.NBRbull.com and www.NBRAFinals.com.