Professional Bull Riders make their Western Massachusetts debut

Aug. 10, 2021 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

Shane Proctor of the Professional Bull Riders is caught in a moment of action. The bull riders are coming to Springfield on Aud. 13 and 14.
Photo by Andre Silva

SPRINGFIELD – The MassMutual Center may seem to be an unlikely setting for a rodeo event, but the general manager of Professional Bull Riders (PBR) believes that based on other appearances in the Northeast, the Springfield area may be ready to embrace the sport.

Robert Simpson, the general manager of PBR explained to Reminder Publishing that Portland ME and Manchester NH as well as Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY, are all successful venues so why not Western Massachusetts?

“We’re eyeing more markets in the Northeast,” he said.

PBR recently started a channel on Pluto TV with bull riding broadcasts.

The bulls and riders of PBR will be appearing Aug. 13 and 14 for PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour’s Springfield Invitational. The competition begins at 8 p.m. on Aug. 13, and at 7p.m. on Aug. 14 at MassMutual Center.

According to a statement sent by PBR, “On Friday night, all 40 competing riders will attempt one bull each in Round 1. The same 40 riders will then return for Round 2 on Saturday evening. Following Round 2, the Top 10 will then advance to the championship round where they will attempt one final bull, all in an effort to be crowned the event champion.”

Simpson explained how the contest between man and beast is organized. Every rider must stay on the bull for a minimum of eight seconds. There are judges that assess how the rider did in terms of riding the bull, while other judges keep their eyes on the bull for his performance.

The rider can earn up to 50 points, but the bull also can win up to 50 points as well.

How do the judges determine the points for the bull? Simpson explained they are looking for bulls that explode out of gate and run, twist and turn in the effort to send the rider flying.

“The sport is very easy to follow,” Simpson said. He added, “It’s man versus beast who does best.”

Simpson addressed how the bulls are treated and said, “The bulls are the rock stars.”

The PBR has a statement on its website about the bulls and their treatment, which reads, “The Professional Bull Riders is fully committed to ensuring the health, safety, welfare, and respect of each bovine athlete that enters a PBR arena. The care and treatment of PBR bulls is a top priority to those who govern and/or participate in PBR events. The organization operates under a no tolerance policy for any mistreatment of an animal associated with the PBR …The biggest misconception in the sport is that a bull’s testicles are tied up (or touched in any manner) in order to make the bull buck. Like any male species, tying up the testicles would hinder performance by causing only pain. There is NO negative stimulation that induces a bull to buck, it’s all in genetics.”

Simpson said the bulls are treated “pretty close to better than the riders.”

The presentation of the bull riding is accompanied by music with concert quality sounds, a light array, a huge 20-foot TV screen for instant replays and pyrotechnics for the opening of the competition.

“It’s an electric atmosphere,” he asserted.

Tickets can be purchased online at MassMutualCenter.com or PBR.com, or by calling PBR Customer Service at 800-732-1727.

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