Opportunity in Oz at the Showdown in Salina
Championship Bull Riding Showdown in Salina
SALINA, Kansas (March 24, 2017) – CBR’s Showdown in Salina is shaping up to be The Place, with The People, and The Potential where big things will happen on Saturday night at 8 pm at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center. Twenty four of the top bull riders are in town for their own version of March Madness.
The Place
March is not just for basketball. CBR bull riders spend the month of March on the road, in airports, and online checking scores as several of the industry’s richest purses are disbursed as bull riding bedlam is created on the daysheets and programs around the country.
Salina fans and ticketholders will witness the top twenty four riders in the world battle fiercely for the valuable CBR points that are up for grabs and needed to qualify for the CBR World Finals at Cheyenne Frontier Days in July.
The People
The cowboys are packed up and headed to Kansas where rodeo results in Texas have created a type of bull riding Oz affect for Championship Bull Riding’s Showdown in Salina on Saturday night. With the number one bull rider in CBR absent from Salina this weekend, the momentum could swing for the top five which includes Eli Vastbinder, Boudreaux Campbell, Jeff Askey and Koby Radley and a new face, but familiar name, waiting his turn on the back of the bucking chutes.
Eighteen year old Trey Kimzey of Strong City, Okla., will be making his Salina debut this year. Following in the golden footsteps of his older brother, five time and reigning CBR World Champion Sage Kimzey, the younger bull rider named Kimzey is just starting his professional career and no doubt recognizes the opportunity in big bro being in Houston.
You could say Koby Radley of Montpelier, Louisiana, would not miss coming to Salina for the world, in fact his first final four shoot out appearance as a rookie was in Salina where he rode three bulls to overpower two world champions and move up ten notches in the CBR’s World Standings in 2016.
Radley is hoping to repeat history and if you missed the Showdown last year, you will have the opportunity to see Radley again as he attempts to capitalize on his March momentum.
Radley’s first major event win was here in Salina, but it was not his last. Radley has climbed the ladder again this year and is currently ranked number 6. With nine bull scores left to be earned on the current Road to Cheyenne tour and five additional rounds at the CBR World Finals, a solid performance in Salina would propel Radley into the top five with only two events left in the regular season, Fort Worth and Del Rio.
The Potential
The single performance event will feature three rounds of non-stop bull riding action and in addition to great bull riding talent Hedeman, who for 30 years has made a name for himself in the production of great bull riding events, will serve as “chute boss” and television commentator from the dirt in front of the Salina audience. Hedeman has lined up one of the funniest men in rodeo, entertainer of the year nominee, Cody Sosebee, and the voice of the CBR, Chris Rankin.
Bull fighter of the year Brandon Loden was in town early talking to radio personalities and as part of the Famous Energy Bullfighter team, Loden, Matt Baldwin, and Bryce Redo will be signing autographs on the concourse prior to the event.
With only three events left on the regular season schedule, the bull riders are traveling to Salina to take claim the $30,000 that is in the CBR bank and points that determine their CBR World Standings position heading into the CBR World Finals where a $100,000 bonus check is awaiting the 2017 World Champion.
The Salina event will also feature the “other side of the ride”, CBR’s Million Dollar Bull Team Challenge. Bull owners from all around the country will bring three bulls that are featured during the rounds of competition. The bulls are competing for points based on their performance in the arena. Additionally, the time the bull riders stays on is added to the bull’s score. At the end of the night the owner with the three highest scoring bulls will receive $20,000.
Showdown in Salina Schedule
Saturday, March 25
8 am | CBR CFT Event for two year old bucking bulls | Tony’s Pizza Event Center Arena, 800 Midway, Salina, KS, 67401 – Free and Open to the Public
12 pm | New Frontier Rodeo Bucking Bull Sale | Farmers and Ranchers Sale Barn, 1500 W Old Hwy 40, Salina, Kansas 67401
6:30 pm | Doors Open at Tony’s Pizza Event Center | 800 Midway, Salina, KS
7 pm | Meet and Greet Famous Energy Bullfighters | Lobby of Events Center
8 pm | Showdown in Salina CBR | Events Center
10 pm | Tuff Hedeman and bull riders sign autographs | Events Center Floor
Tickets
The CBR Salina Showdown is on March 25 is at 7:30 pm at the Tony’s Pizza Event Center Arena, 800 Midway, Salina, KS, 67401. Tickets ON SALE NOW at the Tony’s® Pizza Events Center Box Office, BicentennialCenter.com and by calling 888-826-7469. Prices start at $17 with a variety of options available including a NEW $10 kid’s ticket for children ages 2-12. Ticketing Link
@CBRbull on Twitter; Championship Bull Riding on Facebook; CBRbull on Instagram
Websites: cbrbull.com; Cfdrodeo.com; Bicentennialcenter.com
For more information, photos, and media credentials contact Leigh Ann Schroeder at leighann@theshortround.com or 9
Courtesy of CBR