PUEBLO, Colo. — They’re back!
The world’s Top 35 bull riders return to Colorado Springs on May 2-3, when the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) elite Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) bucks into World Arena for the Built Ford Tough Rumble in the Rockies brought to you by your local Ford Store and Sonic.
Last year, after a nine-year absence, southern Colorado PBR fans enjoyed the best bull riding athletes in the world – bulls and bull riders – facing off in the most thrilling 8 seconds in sports. High-flying rides and gut-wrenching wrecks abounded, as the toughest men on dirt fought for valuable PBR world standings points and their share of the $140,000 total purse. All of the top men in the PBR will be back this year in one place for more of the same and then some.
To start the weekend, on Friday, May 1, The Colorado Springs Gazette’s PBR Fan Zone – new to the event this year – will open at 5 p.m. in the World Arena’s parking lot. The Gazette’s PBR Fan Zone will be filled with interactive booths and displays from local vendors and national PBR partners, as well as live remotes from iHeartRADIO and live music all weekend long.
Friday night will feature the Y96.9’s Kick off Concert presented by Dr. Pepper. At 9 p.m. up-and-coming country music singer and songwriter Chase Rice will take the Cooper Tires stage to entertain fans with his adrenaline-filled show of in your face, no holds barred country vibes. Colorado’s own Kory Brunson band will take the stage at 6 p.m.
Before the concert, fans are invited to join the bull riders, staff, bulls and others for the Rider Relief Fund’s 2nd Annual Support the Sport 5K presented by Cooper Tires. The Rider Relief Fund helps those injured in the sport of bull riding, therefore all of the proceeds raised from registration fees will go to the fund and cowboys in need. The race begins at 7 p.m., will start and finish in the Fan Zone and will circle World Arena. Goodie bags and T-shirts will be given to the first 200 registrants and PBR prizes will be presented to the race winners. To register, visit: https://www.imathlete.com/events/EventReg/EventReg_SelectType.aspx?fEID=23480.
Saturday morning, May 2, The Gazette’s PBR Fan Zone opens at 11 a.m. for fans to enjoy all activities, including a PBR bull rider meet and greet with the Top 15 bull riders in the world, which presently includes No. 2 Matt Triplett, three-time PBR World Champion Silvano Alves, 2013 PBR World Champion J.B. Mauney, rookie sensation Kaique Pacheco and four-time PRCA Bull Riding Champion and 2014 PBR Rookie of the Year J.W. Harris, at 4 p.m. These men will be on hand to sign autographs and take pictures with the public.
Mid-afternoon, PBR’s exclusive entertainer Flint Rasmussen will take the stage with his “Outside the Barrel” comedy, followed by live music from Cowboy Dave Band and national UMG recording artist A Thousand Horses.
Fans will be able to spend Sunday morning in the Gazette’s Fan Zone with Riding High Ministries for PBR Church at 10 a.m. and more live music throughout the day.
The Gazette’s Fan Zone, and all of its activities, are free to the general public. The Built Ford Tough Rumble in the Rockies event page located on the PBR website at www.pbr.com/schedule will have a full list of the activities, vendor line-up, musicians, time, location and other details.
The Built Ford Tough Rumble in the Rockies is the 17th stop of 27 on the PBR’s 2015 Built Ford Tough Series. Advance tickets, starting at $15 can be purchased at the World Arena Box Office, Ticketswest.com or by phone at 719-520-SHOW.
In addition to the Top 35 bull riders battling it out in Round 1, Saturday night also will include the PBR’s 15/15 Bucking Battle. This special round of action pits the Top 15 bull riders in the world against the Top 15 bulls in the competition for bonus points and a total prize purse of $21,000. Fans will get to see riders such as Triplett, Alves, Mauney, Pacheco and Harris facing off with bulls the likes of Mick E. Mouse, Stone Sober, Percolator, Bruiser and Long John.
All of the excitement of the 15/15 Bucking Battle will air on CBS Television Network on Sunday, May 3, at 3 p.m. ET. Round 2 and the Built Ford Tough Championship Round of the Rumble in the Rockies will air live on CBS Sports Network at 4 p.m. later that same day.
The BFTS is televised every week on CBS, CBS Sports Network and networks around the world. BFTS telecasts are produced for the PBR under a multi-year agreement with David Neal Productions, a Los Angeles-based production company led by 34-time Emmy® Award winner and Peabody Award winner David Neal, who serves as executive producer.
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