Mighty Mike Shifts Gears as CBR Chute Boss
Championship Bull Riding’s Road to Cheyenne has some exciting changes coming to light with a different format implemented by Mike White as he steps into the role as CBR chute boss.
“I am honored and excited to take my new position in making the CBR greater than it has ever been” says White.
Former PRCA World Champion (1997) and CBR World Champ (2002), White has exceled in the industry in every facet. He retired from riding in 2010 and pursued his passion on the other side of the ride, raising and training bucking bulls. Mike earned his first Bull Team Challenge Champion win in 2013.
Chairman of the Board and CEO Wes Bruce is enthusiastic with the addition of White to CBR’s team. Bruce states, “CBR is honored to have a person with the integrity of Mike White taking a lead role in our organization. He is greatly respected by both riders and stock contractors for his ethics and knowledge of our industry.”
Although the format has been used in earlier years with CBR, White decided to poll bull riders and considered rider opinions to ultimately result in utilizing the original format. He wanted the CBR bull riders to have a voice, and White has delivered.
“Coming from the bull riding side of the fence, I hated winner take all. Not every contestant had a fair chance of winning first when you have a 21 point bull and a 23 point bull in the bull riding. I took the time to call bull riders and get their opinion of what they wanted” states White.
Navigating away from the current 8 Second format, the decision to even the playing field for riders was a simple one. Contestants will draw only two bulls versus three in a Long Round opener, followed with a 15 man Short Go.
This change allows for additional riders to compete on the Road to Cheyenne, where the season champion will be awarded the $100,000 prize at the World Finals at Cheyenne Frontier Days.
White adds, “It’s tough enough to make a living going up and down the road riding bulls so I feel like you need to spread the money out a little more and give guys more chances to win money.”
Tickets are on sale now for the Big Tex AgriPlex CBR Lufkin Bull Bash at the George Henderson Jr. Expo Center Saturday, February 17 at 8PM. Get your tickets at eventbrite.com or locally at Big Tex AgriPlex, Cavender’s Boot City or the Angelina Animal Hospital.
Courtesy of CBR