Bull riding competitors go international

(sesated)Kolt Black of Scurry, Lane Hopper of Fort Worth, Dalton Von Hoffman of Waxahachie.(standing) Colton Beaty of Seymore, Colby McMahan of Scurry, Bryce Leeth of Terrell. (provided photo) Lane Hopper (grandson of Janie Baton Finney of Kilgore), Kolt Black, Colby McMahan, Bryce Leeth, Dalton Von Hoffman, and Colten Beaty are no strangers to bulls or rodeo arenas. On Thursday the six youngsters from Texas will cross the border into Matehuala, Mexico for a bull riding event in unfamiliar territory. For the first time ever, the Professional Youth Bull Riders Association will take its show south of the border to showcase the young talent in a full-blown competition.

Janie Anne Finney said the kids are anxious to experience something new. "At first we were having a hard time getting everything in order to travel there. Since things have come together, the kids are very excited. It'll be quite an experience for them." All six riders were chosen from two of Texas' elite youth bull riding associations, The Texas Youth Bull Riders out of Saginaw and the Professional Youth Bull Riders out of Scurry.

These riders were picked based on their level of expertise and professionalism in and out of the arena. They are considered to be the best in their age groups and they all have designs on being World Champions. Besides being the best in the arena, all 6 boys have started their own bucking bull breeding programs and plan on supplying the high demand for America's fastest growing extreme sport - Professional Bull Riding.About $2,000 in prize money is up for grabs in the two-night eliminator and the right to advance to bigger competitions. "This isn't an exhibition," Finney said. "We'll go there and the kids will have a good time but this is a real competition. They will compete against six Mexican children at the arena in Matehuala."

Both the American and Mexican teams are scheduled to ride in a parade through the town of Matehuala, during which they will throw candy from the floats to the children of the town. Then they will participate in a live radio interview for a local station before their rides at the rodeo. More important than the fun they will have is the influence they will have on the Mexican cowboys. Gabby Black, PYBR founder and president, will be sending three sets of new equipment for the riders from Mexico, who are underprivileged and often ride without proper gear.

The entire trip is being planned by a special family in Matehuala. Nine brothers of the Santillian family run the arena and handle promotions for rodeo events at El Mesquit Rodeo in Matehuala. They are funding all expenses, travel, meals and lodging, as well as arranging some recreational functions for the riders and their parents from Texas. Now that everything else is taken care of, all the boys will have to worry about is competing and having fun!

If you would like more information about the associations, please contact Gabby Black at the PYBR Office at 972-486- 3407 and Mike Vergari at the TYBR office at 817-822-1108.