ROBIN’S REVIEW: Professional Bull Riders (PBR)


Following three consecutive sold-out performances in 2012, the PBR returns to Madison Square Garden in NYC for the seventh consecutive year to open the 2013 elite Built Ford Tough Series season and kick-off the 20th anniversary of PBR competition.
 
Two decades ago, 20 cowboys with one dream transformed bull riding into a global sports phenomenon that is now televised worldwide. Their vision and determination made PBR one of the fastest growing sports in history which has awarded over $120 million dollars in prize money to date. The 20th anniversary celebration includes stops in at least 15 different states over 27 events on the 2013 Built Ford Tough Series tour.
 
The seventh annual Monster Energy Madison Square Garden Invitational features the Top 35 bull riders in the world and the country’s fiercest bucking bulls.  This was my first time witnessing PBR….friends and I thought it would be a unique experience…and that it was.  To watch these daredevil, though well-trained men, mount and “hustle” with these massive, domineering animals, is something I will never forget.  To say it takes courage is an understatement.  Adrenaline was flying high, and it was amazing to see  the highly diverse fans of all ages in the audience, many diehards, who thrive on action, risk-taking, and the thrill of either defeat or success.  Enjoyed the party atmosphere….great dance music….many were dancing in their seats….and the funny antics and dance moves of the MC.
 
Remaining competition times in NY are as follows:  January 5 – 8 pm; and January 6 – 1 pm. Tickets are $200, $100, $50, $35 and $20 and are available at the MSG box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com and by telephone at (800) 745-3000. For more information visit www.pbr.com.  The show is touring.
 
About the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR)
The PBR is the world’s premier bull riding organization. 2013 marks the 20th anniversary of PBR competition. In just two decades, the dream of 20 bull riders has become a global sports phenomenon that is televised worldwide. More than 100 million viewers annually watch primetime PBR programming on networks around the world and nearly two million fans attend Built Ford Tough Series and Touring Pro Division events each year. 25 riders have earned over $1 million each, including Justin McBride with $5.5 million – the most of any Western-sports athlete in history. PBR World Champion Silvano Alves also reached $2 million in 23 months and 58 events, which is faster than any bull rider in history. The Built Ford Tough Series will make 26 stops around the U.S. before the Built Ford Tough World Finals in Las Vegas on Oct. 23-27, 2013. The World Finals are where the PBR World Champion will be crowned and awarded the coveted championship buckle and a $1 million bonus. Known as the richest bull riding event to take place, the World Finals awards over $2 million to participating riders each year.  Prior to PBR, there was not a bull rider who earned $1 million during their career, including eight-time world champion Donnie Gray. Top-ranked rodeo bull riders could earn $100,000 at most in a season, compared to 20 or more riders earning over $100,000 apiece in each of the last seven years of PBR. In 2011, 22 riders earned over $100,000, 10 of which won more than $200,000. PBR has awarded over $120 million dollars in prize money over 20 years of competition. To follow PBR, visit on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PBR, Twitter at http://twitter.com/PBR, and YouTube at www.YouTube.com/PBR.

 

 

 

  1. One Response to “ROBIN’S REVIEW: Professional Bull Riders (PBR)”

  2. I bit off my fingernails.

    By Rochelle Jewel Shapiro on Jan 5, 2013