(file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Hang on to your hat

Professional Bull Riders Classic just days away

Jul 24, 2019 | 8:40 AM

North Battleford will soon play host to some of the top bull riding talent from as far as Mexico and Brazil as the Gold Eagle Casino PBR Classic hits the Civic Centre on Thursday.

With 30 riders expected, plus another nine junior bull riders from around the area, the number of riders marks a milestone as the most for the event.

Nearly all of the professional riders were at the Calgary Stampede, but for the juniors, Chairman Corey Chmelnyk said he’s happy to have them participate.

“[The juniors] are our next up and coming riders for this industry, so we have to make sure we can keep them going too,” he said. “That’s why we’re letting them get a chance at this event to ride a bull in front of their hometown [and] families.”

Chmelnyk said the evening is an opportunity for people to enjoy the excitement of bull riding as a main event, rather than just an end-of-the-night finale.

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“When people go to the rodeo, everyone always waits for the bull riding, so this is going to be non-stop professional bull riding,” he said. “Very well-run by the PBR production team, basically it is just non-stop action with a beer gardens and a concession booth.”

Also on the evening will be a Calcutta auction, which will allow spectators to bid on the 10 final riders heading into the championship round. The auction gives the people the chance to ‘own,’ a rider during the championship round, and if their rider wins, they will take home a portion of the jackpot with the rest of the money going to charity.

An event that seems to be only growing in popularity with each passing year, last year’s Classic drew between 1,500 and 1,600 people, raising a total $36,000 donated towards local charities, Chmelnyk said.

This year, as many as 2,000 people are expected to attend the event which will begin at 7 p.m.

All proceeds from Thursday will be donated towards Battlefords Trade and Education Centre and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1