Bullnanza Repeats Lazy E History
GUTHRIE, Okla. – For Oklahomans who grew up around rodeo, the Lazy E Arena is a storied complex that generates decades worth of memories.
It was built in time to produce the 1984 National Finals Steer Roping to take place in conjunction with the National Finals Rodeo, which was housed at the Myriad Arena in downtown Oklahoma City. Shortly thereafter, the first Timed Event Championship began its reign as one of the most unique showcases in Western sports.
Since then, it’s hosted countless other championships, including the inaugural stand-alone bull riding known now as Bullnanza presented by Lane Frost Brand, which is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, and Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Lazy E Arena. Tickets are available at McCoyRodeo.com.
Cord McCoy knows almost every detail possible about the Lazy E Arena, from attending Bullnanza as a youngster to competing at it when he was an Oklahoma superstar in the PBR.
“This place holds a special place in my heart and in the hearts of a lot of Oklahoma kids who grew up around rodeo and bull riding,” said McCoy, owner of Lane, Oklahoma-based McCoy Rodeo, which is producing the PRCA Xtreme Bulls event. “After I got hurt, I got on my first bull back in competition at the Lazy E, so it means a lot to me every time I come back here.”
Cord McCoy, shown at Bullnanza in 2005, suffered a head injury in September 2004 and returned to action in April 2005, eventually advancing to that season’s National Finals Rodeo.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF THE McCOY FAMILY)
McCoy suffered a serious head injury in September 2004 while competing at the Oklahoma State Fair Rodeo in Oklahoma City. He spent nearly seven months rehabilitating and recovering and was finally cleared to ride in time to compete at the 89er Days Rodeo at the Lazy E Arena in April 2005.
While he didn’t have much success that weekend, he built up momentum he needed. An all-around champion most of his life, the cowboy focused solely on bull riding. He battled through the rigors of the PRCA season and earned his first qualification to the National Finals Rodeo. He was 25 years old.
“That was a special time for me and my family,” McCoy said. “I’d been able to overcome a lot in that time because of my faith in God and my family, all of which was behind me and pushing me all the way.”
As the years advanced, he became a popular figure in the PBR, competing at its World Finals six times. He officially retired as a bull rider a decade ago, but he’s been one of the top bull stock contractors ever since. Two seasons ago, he founded McCoy Rodeo and teamed with third-generation South Dakota stock contractor Joe Waln to begin producing rodeos in the PRCA.
By producing Bullananza and returning it to its rightful home at the Lazy E Arena, McCoy is recreating memories for thousands of folks across Oklahoma that want to re-trace the footsteps of some of the greatest events in the state’s Western history.
“I’m pretty proud to be from Oklahoma and to produce rodeos in Oklahoma,” McCoy said. “To produce an event like Bullnanza means that we’re doing a lot of things right, and it’s an exciting time to enjoy the rodeo history that we have in Oklahoma and at the Lazy E.”
Courtesy of twisTEDrodeo.com