2015

Bobby Paul With 2015 GPMBR Champion Cody Teel Cody Teel Conquers Penny Lover to Become the 38th Champion of the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Three times Cody Teel has faced Benny Cude’s all-star bucker, 8043 Penny Lover, and three times the 2014 CBR Bull of the Year has won.  In front of a beyond capacity crowd at the Val Verde Fairgrounds, the 2012 bull riding champion of the World faced his arch rival for the fourth time and won. Cody Teel would ride Penny Lover for the first time in his career to win $20, 750, two custom engraved belt buckles, a custom pair of Fenoglio boots, and most importantly to him, the oldest continuous stand-alone bull riding in the world, the George Paul Memorial.  Named in memory of George Paul, the bull rider that still holds the record for the bull rider with the most consecutive bull rides, 79 in 1968, the annual two day bull riding produced by Bobby Paul, is a ritual for bull riding fans and western lifestyle enthusiasts in south Texas. Making his second appearance in Del Rio, Teel had this to say about his journey to the top of the leader board of what is still considered the most prestigious win in bull riding, “I decided not to over think it, I didn’t do anything I had tried in the past, I just relaxed and said to myself, just ride it out..and it worked, the bull felt really good to me tonight,” said the twenty-two year old from Kountze, Texas. Winning his third CBR event title on the 2015 Mahindra Road to Cheyenne televised tour, Teel’s three qualified rides in Del Rio gave him the points needed to take the lead in the CBR World Standings race where he will arrive in Cheyenne with a 33 point lead over the reigning CBR and PRCA World Champ, Sage Steele Kimzey.  Round one consisted of nine qualified rides with the bulls taking care of business bringing 18 riders down early.  Neil Holmes, Houston, Texas won the round with a thrilling 91 points on Silver Creek’s American Fire. Paired with a rookie bull, Juan Alonzo, a retired United States Army veteran who was featured in the opening ceremonies, would prove he belonged to be among the top cowboys finishing second with an 89.5 on Cude’s Energy Too.  Four 88.5 scores would be turned in by Bothwell, Toon, Toves, and Roundy. After a reride was awarded to Corey Bailey he would hear the whistle at 88 points followed by Teel with an 87.5 and Kimzey with an 87, both on bulls they had never attempted. With the CBR World Finals qualifying positions at stake for each cowboy and every bull, the Semi Finals began with the three riders who qualified on time bucking off. Kimzey would strike first on J87, a son of Real Deal making his CBR debut representing the Cunningham & Scoggins bull team. Not moving ten feet from the out gate, Lil Red would crank it up to give Kimzey 89 points to be the first man to ride two in Del Rio.  Teel would keep pace with 88.5 on a bull he had not seen before, 1160M Mr. Wilson from M & M Rodeo Co. Halfway thru the second round, Lane Toon stepped up to be the first cowboy of the season to ride 54 Cadillac Red, a bull that had not been ridden since the 2014 Del Rio event. The next four would come down early leaving Neil Holmes to determine if he would be one of the final four cowboys to make the final four Shootout Round in the CBR winner take all tournament style format. The luck of the draw would continue to match the bull riders on stock they had never attempted, but Neil Holmes would take Pointed Rock’s Arm Candy for a 90 point spin to set the stage for the final round.  With a 91 and a 90 thus far, Neil Holmes was 181 on two, earning him the right to select bull rider favorite 846 Black Betty for his final ride. Toon was next and he chose Rocking R’s A-Whooping. Kimzey, who rode into Del Rio as the number one bull rider in the CBR was tied with Cody Teel for 176 after two rounds. Kimzey, who has attempted Penny Lover five times, would pass on a sixth attempt and select the bull he was 90 plus points on last year in Cheyenne, Cory Melton’s Crimson King, leaving Teel with Penny Lover.  As the final bull rider qualified for the Shootout Round, Cody Teel, would ride first. Taking his time to prepare, Teel would stun the crowd, the CBR and himself with his 90 point domination of Penny Lover. Melton’s Crimson King won the rematch with Sage Kimzey as he came down early just shy of the whistle. A-Whooping would get the best of the rookie Lane Toon and Holmes, who rode three to finish second in the 2014 George Paul Memorial Bull Riding, was set on Black Betty, a bull who has taken ten cowboys to 90 point plus rides on the CBR tour. Holmes, the CBR 2014 Finals average champion would be overpowered by the big black high flying bull at 5.7 seconds.    For thirty eight years professional cowboys, bulls, and fans have made the trek to the border town to either make or be a part of bull riding history.  As fate would have it, the 2012 PRCA World Champion bull rider, Cody Teel, would take his place on the wall of fame as the 38th George Paul Champion in Del Rio, Texas as well as advance to the number one ranking in the CBR World Standings for the 2015 Mahindra Road to Cheyenne tour. The Million Dollar Bull Team Challenge finished up the 2015 season in Del Rio with Mike Rawson winning his second George Paul Memorial Bull Riding team championship.  The 2013 Stock Contractor of the year was proud of his buckers in Del Rio and thought they all turned in outstanding performances despite not one cowboy covering his bulls.   Rawson, who shot to the top of the CBR Bull Team standings, will continue on to Cheyenne to compete for the $100,000 bonus prize money. Rawson’s team win edged out Brad Vogele’s Silver Creek team by a mere .13 points, the closest team competition win of the year.  White Wolf, who returned to action with Rawson’s team after recovering from a horn infection, led the team as the highest marked bull score of the night, 90 points.  Del Rio was the final event of the 2015 CBR Mahindra Road to Cheyenne regular season for both riders and bull teams. Friday Night!  38th Annual George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Under Way! Army Vet to Compete in the 38th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Juan Alonzo, 24, of Weslaco, Texas, who served five years in the U.S. Army including a tour in Iraq, will be making personal history at the 38th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding this weekend. Alonzo will be making his first trip to Del Rio as a professional bull rider while also being the first United States veteran to compete in the recent history of the George Paul, according to event producer Bobby Paul.  Despite experiencing combat on a daily basis, Alonzo always wanted to become a bull rider. "I love this sport, this is all I ever wanted to do and it's always been on my mind," said Alonzo, who even during his deployment would practice on a homemade bull machine made with a barrel and rope. "Right after I got in the military, they wanted to keep me in and send me to Special Forces to do all kinds of stuff. But I turned everything down and told them 'No. I want to ride bulls for the rest of my life.' " More than a year has passed since Alonzo traded combat boots for cowboy boots, and as a rookie in the bull riding world, he has worked hard to move up the ranks, now at No. 10 in the CBR standings. But more impressive than that fact is that he has posted qualified rides in five of the twelve events he has attended and four of the five were for 90 point plus scores. Alonzo’s top score was in Lufkin, Texas on February 28 where he was 91.5 on Mike Rawson’s Black Betty. He has also qualified four times for the Shootout round, the CBR Tournament style format, which features a four man shoot out round to win the event titles on the Mahindra Road to Cheyenne. "It's about who's got the biggest heart and who wants it real bad," Alonzo said. "Yeah, it's going to be rough, you're going to be scared, but you've got to know how to control your fear and go on with your business and let your skill and muscle memory take over. "You've just got to stay on for eight seconds, throw your hat in the air and make a big smile and wave at the crowd. It's a pretty good feeling." Action gets underway at the Val Verde Fairgrounds on Friday April 24th at 8:00 pm with the first round of Championship Bull Riding. Forty cowboys will compete to try to win a RAM Country Dodge Ram Truck valued at $35,000, courtesy of Ram Country Dodge, Del Rio, TX. truck. For ticket information, call 830-775-9595, the George Paul office at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds. General Admission tickets are available for purchase at Cowboy John’s, Del Rio Feed & Supply and C&S Western Wear. Title sponsor is Ram Country with presenting sponsor Bud Light. Ramada Inn, Cripple Creek, Del Rio Feed & Supply and Tractor Supply also are long time event sponsors. Visa, Master Card, and Discovery Cards are accepted at the bull riding office. Performance times are 8:00 PM Friday and Saturday night. Tuff Hedeman Taps Silver Creek Pro Rodeo’s Dougie as the Bounty Bull for the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Dubbed the “baddest bull on the draw” by stock contractors and cowboys alike, Dougie, one of Championship Bull Riding’s reigning unridden bulls for 2014-15 season, currently leads the CBR’s bovine athletes as the one the cowboys want to ride and they will get their chance as Tuff Hedeman announced he would be the bounty bull for 38th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding. On April 24th in Del Rio, Texas, at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds rodeo arena, the winner of the first round of bull riding will have an opportunity to attempt to last 8 seconds aboard Silver Creek’s #96 Dougie for a new Dodge Ram Truck, courtesy of Ram Country Dodge, Del Rio, TX. The storied oldest continuous bull riding in the world is preparing for the 38th time as world champions, CBR as well as PRCA World Champion and NFR finalists prepare for the two day event. World class bulls and world class bull riders will battle it out for a chance to qualify for the CBR World Championships to be held in Cheyenne, WY, in July. But the Friday night feature is what bull riders are concentrating on. As one bull rider advised, “Eight seconds for a $35,000 truck. Can’t beat that deal”. For ticket information call 830-775-9595, the George Paul office at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds. Title sponsor is Ram Country with presenting sponsor Bud Light. Ramada Inn, Cripple Creek, Del Rio Feed and Supply and Tractor Supply also are long time event sponsors. Visa, Master Card, and Discovery Cards are accepted at the bull riding office. Performance times are 8:00 PM Friday and Saturday night. When asked about his relationship and sponsorship with the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Nick Khoury, CEO of the Khoury Group, had this to say: "It has been my pleasure to be associated with Bobby Paul, Producer of the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding for 15 years. When I first opened a Dodge dealership in Del Rio, I was not from that community and really did not know anyone. I quickly became familiar with the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding and loved the sport. I met John Ludlum and Bobby Paul and realized that being involved with the bull riding was a way to get to know Del Rio community citizens and surrounding ranchers. I made a business decision that becoming part of that event was not only a good idea, it was a good business decision. Dodge Ram and bull riding go hand in hand and that event has helped build our brand name and Ram Country Del Rio. Being Title Sponsor of such a prestigious event is an honor and I am now proud that we sponsor the Bounty Bull Truck, a 2015, Dodge Ram Crew Cab 1500 to be given to the bull rider that wins the Friday night bull riding if he can complete an 8 second ride on the Bounty Bull, Dougie. We have given away one truck so far and I hope to present the keys to the 2015 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab to the man that can ride Dougie". Dougie has been attempted fifteen times with one qualified ride on record. On Friday night in Del Rio he will face the best cowboy of the night in the final ride of the forty cowboy opening round. Dougie, who has been ridden once, was mastered by Corey Maier of Timber Lake, South Dakota for 90 points in 2013 at the CBR in Los Fresnos, Texas bucks off cowboys 93.3% of the time. He has been boarded by the reigning CBR and PRCA World Champion Sage Kimzey, twice, once at a PRCA rodeo in Strong City, Oklahoma, Kimzey’s hometown and once at the CBR World Finals when he made quick work of Kimzey, sending him overboard in 2.00 seconds for a bull score of 44.00 points. On a twenty-five point scale, 21 is considered a good bucking bull score within the performance bull industry. Statistically speaking, Dougie’s best performance was in Topeka in 2013 when he was rewarded 46 points on the bull side of the ride for his efforts in bucking off John Young. 42 points is considering a good bucking bull and #96 is consistently above average on the professional circuits. One of Dougie’s top honors was being selected by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to buck at the Wrangler National Finals last December in Las Vegas and the five year old bull was not bothered one bit by the bright lights of Vegas as he bucked off CBR contender Tyler Smith in 4 seconds in the fourth round. Brad Vogele had this to say about Silver Creek’s young superstar, “When you really sit back and look, it’s such an honor to be able to be here and participate and have a hand in maybe helping a cowboy to win round money and possibly a truck.” Dougie, owned and representing Silver Creek Pro Rodeo, Bar D, and Vogele Bucking Bulls, ranks fourth historically amongst rank bucking bulls from the great state of Kansas, but despite his 93% buck off average, Vogele is looking forward to the top riders in the industry attempting his great bull this weekend and this year on the Mahindra Road to Cheyenne Tour. Who would Silver Creek like to see get on Dougie? “I would really like to see Kimzey get another shot on him,” said Vogele. So what makes him so hard to get a score on? According to Vogele he stands still in the chutes, sometimes leaning back just a little, but comes out clean and goes to the left every time the gate opens. “He bucks hard and breaks over kicking consistently hard. I think in the middle of his high rear he hesitates when he is coming around getting the bull rider off his balance and timing.” Although Vogele has not seen a qualified ride on his super star bucker in nineteen months when Corey Maier was 90 points on him to win the Los Fresnos Mahindra Road to Cheyenne Tour title, he has earned multiple High Marked bull buckles and remains one of the draws the bull riders can’t wait to wrap their rope around. With the number one bull rider in the world, Sage Kimzey, on the draw in Jackson, as well as 2012 PRCA World Champion Cody Teel, Corey Maier, World Champion Clayton Foltyn and NFR qualifiers Chandler Bownds, Brennon Eldred, and Elliott Jacoby, it is possible we will see a rematch on Friday night’s performance? The George Paul is the last stop on the Mahindra Road to Cheyenne tour and the CBR appreciates what Nick Khoury does for the fans in Del Rio. Khoury added, "The partnership between the George Paul and CBR has been a great asset to the George Paul and to the Del Rio fan base and I personally believe that the CBR is the coming force in the sport of bull riding under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Benny Cude". The bull riding will take place on Friday and Saturday night, April 24-25, 2015. Tickets may be purchased by debit or credit card by phone, 830-775-9595 or in person at the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding office at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds. Stay tuned at cbrbull.com, Championship Bull Riding on Facebook, and CBRBull on Twitter and Instagram to find out. For the stock contractors who are awarded the honor of bringing their bucking stock to Del Rio, the experience is one of a kind.   Championship Bull Riding Brings the #1 Bull Rider in the World to Del Rio Super Bull On April 24th for the 38th consecutive year Tuff Hedeman, the Championship Bull Riders, and the bred to buck you off beasts they climb on, will arrive in Del Rio, Texas, home to the celebrated George Paul Memorial (GPM) the world’s longest continuous stand-alone bull riding. Named in memory of George Paul, the bull rider that still holds the world record for the bull rider with the most consecutive bull rides, 79 in 1968, the annual two day bull riding is a ritual for bull riding fans and western lifestyle enthusiasts in South Texas. Headlining this year’s event is the #1 bull rider in the CBR, Cody Teel, Kountze, Texas, who is the 2012 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) World Champion who has won two CBR events this year on his way to the #1 ranking. But to keep that ranking he will have to get past several world champions, a few on fire rookies and the PRCA’s number 1.  Making his first trip to the border town, Sage Steele Kimzey, the 2014 CBR and Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association World Champion will be riding in both performances in Del Rio. While riding 63% of his bulls in 2014 the twenty year old Kimzey was only the second rookie to win the PRCA title. In addition he broke the PRCA record for rookie earnings by more than $100,000, broke the record for the most money won in a season, rode 8 of his 10 bulls at the National Finals Rodeo, and 4 of this CBR finals rides were 90 point plus rides. He also was the 2014 winner of the RAM Top Gun Award. Planning every day, all year round, for 120 minutes of bull riding time in the arena, is the passion of event founder Bobby Paul. Building relationships, providing entertainment, and creating commerce for the citizens of Del Rio is Paul’s challenge in producing this year’s edition of the memorial bull riding sanctioned by Championship Bull Riding (CBR). The event created by Paul as a tribute to his brother,  World Champion bull rider George Paul, who died in a plane crash on his way to rodeo in 1970. After 37 years of welcoming friends, family and the ranchers from neighboring communities Bobby Paul refers to the last stop of the twelve month CBR regular season schedule as a family reunion.  Families have been gathering at this bull riding for 37 years. Seats and boxes are owned and often passed down to the next generation. “We respect our patrons wishes”, says Paul, regarding patronage to the yearly event at the Val Verde Fairgrounds. With 3,550 outs since 1977, the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding began as a day of bull riding following a three day Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association’s (PRCA) rodeo. With over 60 bull riders entering the first year’s Sunday performance of the “bulls only” format, the stand alone bull riding competition was born in Del Rio, Texas.  Fast forward 38 years and the legendary event once referred to as “The Super Bull” has evolved into a two day tournament style format with over 81 electrifying outs.  Some say change is inevitable, and Paul is quick to reminisce when asked about former riders, contractors, specialty acts and traditions such as the “hard luck” award once won by Lane Frost, but Bobby Paul is a purist when it comes to one particular custom. As one of the most coveted items a bull rider can win, the GPM buckle has not changed since the first edition, a fact that is important to Bobby Paul. “Each year the manufacturer tries to get me to update the look, each year I stand firm in the original design”, said Paul overlooking the crowd gathering at the annual Ramada Inn kickoff party. “George is gone, but the things he stood for, the things he is remembered for, death can never kill”, said Paul.  The bull riding will take place on Friday and Saturday night, April 24-25, 2015. Tickets may be purchased by debit or credit card by phone, 830-775-9595 or in person at the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding office at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds.  The Bull Riding Hall of Fame Inductees 2015 The Bull Riding Hall of Fame is honored to announce the inaugural Class of 2015 Inductees. This is a day everyone in The BRHOF organization has been looking forward to for a long time. We are proud and excited to introduce and commemorate this phenomenal class of inductees in each of the four categories. In "The Legends" category, The George Paul Memorial Bull Riding and Mesquite Rodeo-Neal Gay are the two inductees. In "The Bulls"... category, the legendary bucking brahma, V-61, owned by the Minick Rodeo Company, gets the induction. "The Bull Fighters" category came down to the final days of voting to determine the inductees but when the final votes were tabulated, Skipper Voss and Wick Peth get the nod. "The Bull Riders" category features a phenomenal lineup of inductees that includes six of the greatest legendary riders of all-time... Don Gay, Jim Shoulders, Freckles Brown, Harry Tompkins, George Paul and Larry Mahan. The Bull Riding Hall of Fame is also excited to announce plans for the upcoming Inductions Ceremonies and Reunion... On Saturday, May 9th, at Tejas Rodeo in Bulverde, Texas, The Bull Riding Hall of Fame will host the first ever, inaugural induction ceremonies. We want to invite bull riding and rodeo fans everywhere to make plans to join us for this festive, history making event. There will be more updates and details forthcoming at the official BRHOF website...http://TheBullRidingHallofFame.com and on The Bull Riding Hall of Fame Facebook page. Congratulations to the 2015 Class of Inductees into The Bull Riding Hall of Fame!

2014

Benton Wins Back to Back Titles at the 37th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding!

DEL RIO, Texas - April 26, 2014 - Not since Lane Frost in 1986 has a bull rider won two consecutive years of the oldest continuous stand-alone bull riding in the world, the George Paul Memorial. When Trey Benton, Rock Island, Tex., bucked off J908 Outside the Box at the 2013 CBR World Finals in 3.41 seconds he vowed it would not happen again.
Tonight in front of a beyond capacity crowd at the Val Verde Fairgrounds Benton avenged the unridden bull to win his second George Paul Memorial Bull Riding (GPMBR) buckle. With a trail of wins including the Tuff Hedeman Louisiana Shoot Out in Bossier City, and the Fort Worth Tuff Hedeman Championship Challenge, Benton not only moved into the number two position in the CBR World Standings, but he also takes his place in the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding history books as only the third rider to win successive titles.
Surrounded by friends, family, and fans..oh so many fans, Benton talked about his journey to the top of the leader board.
“My semifinal bull stumbled and bucked me off and I knew it was a long shot to make it to the final four and then I heard them call my name. Coming from a buck off to a chance to win, I just geared up and got ready for another one (bull), but the shoot out round was the toughest I have ever seen so it made it sweeter to win”, said Benton as he signed autographs and handed out rodeo trinkets from his rigging bag to the younger fans.
Round one consisted of seven qualified rides with both offspring, Bolton and Foltyn, of former George Paul champions taking care of business. Bonner Bolton, Gardendale, Tex., son of Toya Bolton, the 1991 GPMBR Champion, was the lead off score with an 87 on Rawson and Probst’s newly acquired bull, Little Shyster. Clayton Foltyn, son of 1983 GPMBR Champion Lane Foltyn, Winnie, Tex., and last night’s Horizon Series winner, would take a gamble on keeping his 72 point score by not taking the offered reride. “Experience helps in making these game time decisions”, said the third generation cowboy who made it back to the semifinal round.
The action continued when Louis Villarreal, Leon, Mexico, thrilled the border town crowd making the whistle with 86 points. Neil Holmes posted the first of his two 91 point rides on Nashville from King and Herrington bull team. Benton would follow with 90.5 on Buffalo Hump, a score that would lock him in a tie with Aaron Pass, Kaufman, Tex., for second place in the CBR World Standings. Coming out swinging to tie the round at 91 points was fan favorite Chandler Bownds on Iron Horse, a rematch for the 22 year old bull rider from Lubbock, Texas. Jory Markiss, Stephenville, Tex., would score 90 points and was the final rider to post a score and advance to the semi round on Cadillac Red from the Cude Energy bull team.
With the CBR World Finals qualifying positions at stake for each cowboy and every bull, the semi- finals began with Jarod Craig riding Lyndal Hurst’s World Champion bucker Got It for 88.5. Elliott Jacoby answered with an 86 followed by the first man to cover two bulls, Luis Villeral’s 89 points on lady stock contractor Nicole Porter’s bull named Lincoln’s Logs. With a pair of 91’s, Chandler Bownds and Neil Holmes led the round and advanced to the final four “Shoot Out” round.
Championship Bull Riding's On the Road to Cheyenne Tour competition format erases the first and semi-final round scores and every rider starts clean in the Shoot Out round. Bulls are selected by the riders with the leading aggregate scores from the first two rounds in descending order.
Benton, the only rider to advance on one score, had no choice in selecting his bull as he was the last rider of the final four to qualify. Setting the bar high at 90 points, Benton was rewarded for his electrifying effort on the previously unridden bull, Outside the Box. Luis Villarreal would ride next for 87.5, followed by Neil Holmes’s 89.5 points. Chandler Bownds, the final rider who could unseat Benton, failed to make the whistle and Benton would not only win the most prestigious bull riding on record, but leap into second place behind Sage Kimzey in the CBR World Title race.
The Million Dollar Bull Team Challenge finished up the 2014 season in Del Rio with Lyndal Hurst winning his first George Paul Memorial Bull Riding team championship. Hurst Rodeo Ranch, home of World Champion bucking bull, Got It, needed the win to qualify his team for Cheyenne and a shot at the 5100,000 bonus prize money. Hurst’s team win cleared the competitive field by 4.93 points. Iron Horse, Hurst’s latest addition to his string of prize buckers, was awarded the High Marked Ride honors of the GPMBR. Corpus Red from the J.C. Knapp Ranch, Mansfield, Tex., was a season high 92 points which was more than enough points to win the High Marked Bull award of the bull team portion of the event.
Del Rio, Texas was the last stop on the CBR 2013-2014 regular season. CBR World Finals are being held on July 22-23, 2014 in conjunction with Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming. For a complete listing of qualified bull riders, bull teams, and event information including tickets, check cbrbull.com for updates.
Del Rio Results - Round One – 1. (Tie) Chandler Bownds, Lubbock, Texas on Iron Horse from Lyndal Hurst and Neil Holmes, Houston, Tex., 91 points each. 3. Trey Benton, Rock Island, Texas, on Buffalo Hump from Greg Talbert, 90.5 points. 4. Jory Markiss, Stephenville, Tex., 88.5 on Cadillac Red from Benny Cude. 5. Bonner Bolton, Gardendale, Tex., 88.5 on Little Shyster.
Semi Finals – 1. (Tie) Chandler Bownds, Lubbock, Texas on Shoot Out the Lights from Silver Creek Pro Rodeo and Neil Holmes on Ragin JT, 91 points each. 3. Luis Villarreal, Leon, Mexico, 89 points on Lincoln’s Logs from Nicole Porter. 4. Jarod Craig, Hillsboro, Texas, 88.5 points on Got It from Lyndal Hurst. 5. Cody Rostockyj, Hillsboro, Tex., 86 on Moon Cricket from J.C. Knapp Rodeo.
Shoot Out Round - 1. Trey Benton, Rock Island, Texas, 90 points on Jaynes Gang Outside the Box. 2. Neil Holmes, Houston, Tex., 89.5 points on Box K Cattle Company’s Black Jack. 3. Luis Villarreal, Leon, Mexico, 87.5 on Silver Creek Pro Rodeo’s American Fire. 4. Chandler Bownds, Lubbock, Tex., no score on American Gangster, Silver Creek Pro Rodeo.
Bull Team Results – 1. Lyndal Hurst, Slaton, Texas 288.26 points, 25,000.00. 2. Bud Ellis/Knapp, Mansfield, Tex., 283.33 points, 15,000.00. 3. Loe and Melton, Weatherford, Tex., 283.26 points, 10,000.00 4. Harris Bucking Bulls, Palestine, Tex., 280.24 points, 5,000.00.
 

37th George Paul Memorial Riders! What do they have in common?

What do Trey Benton, Cooper Kanngiesser, Clint Craig, J W Harris and Cole Echols have in common?
Oh! What do Bonner Bolton, J W Harris, Josh Barentine, Cole Echols, Clayton Foltyn and Luke Kelly have in common? Well, while we’re at it, what do Bonner Bolton and Clayton Foltyn have in common?
They all are incredible bull riding talents one must concede. But the common factors in the three above categories make for an interesting mix.
The first group, Benton, Kanngiesser, Craig, Harris and Echols are all past George Paul Champions. Trey Benton is the reigning George Paul Champion, having captured the 2013 title. Cooper Kanngiesser won the event in 2008 but, has twice been runner up for the championship since his 08 victory. Clint Craig won the title in 2010 and J W Harris was the 2011 champ. Sporting a George Paul championship buckle can and does give a bull rider an additional amount of swagger. The next category however, kicks up the swagger factor a notch.
Bonner Bolton, J W Harris, Cole Echols, Josh Barentine, Clayton Foltyn and Luke Kelly all sport buckles that identify them as World Champions. Bolton, Echols, Barentine, Foltyn and Kelly are all CBR World Champions. J W Harris is a four-time PRCA World Champion.
For those really up on your George Paul history, you will remember the names Bolton and Foltyn. Aw! Now you remember! In 1983 Lane Foltyn, Clayton’s dad and in 1991, Toya Bolton, Bonner’s dad were George Paul champions. Bonner and Clayton are the only two sons of past George Paul champions that can be contenders for this year’s George Paul title.
Let’s recap. There are six world champions that will compete in the 37th George Paul Memorial. There are five past George Paul champions that will be in competition to win a second George Paul title. The sons of two former world champions will be in competition to be the first father and son to win a George Paul title. But as they say in the commercial, “That’s not all”.
The lineup is deep for this year’s event and this is but a glimpse of who fans will get to see. The leading contender for the CBR world championship is Aaron Pass of Mesquite, TX who will strive to lengthen his lead for the title. Hot on is heels in second place is Sage Kimzey, son of a retired rodeo bull fighter. This young Oklahoma cowboy is also the current leader for the PRCA world bull riding championship. Tennessee bull rider Corey Bailey is ranked forth and Trey Benton is ranked fifth. Benton is also ranked third in the PRCA current standings. Jared Long, Ardie Maier, Eli Vastbinder, and Tyler Adrian round out the top CBR top ten and all will ride in Del Rio.
The competition will be fierce for the 37th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding and all the gold and silver trophy buckles worn by all George contestants means only one thing. You don’t go because you are invited, you go to win. Friday night 40 bull riders will compete for money and the chance to win the Ram Country Bounty Bull 2500 Ram diesel, loaded crew cab truck. If the high marked ride of the 40 bull riders can ride the Ram Country Bounty Bull Truck, they will win the $50,000 truck.
Saturday night, the format changes for the 37th George Paul Champion.
The twenty-four top riders in the world including six world champions and five past George Paul Champions will ride one bull. The top twelve will return for a second bull. The first and second round scores will be added to determine the final four riders. In the shootout round all scores are thrown out and the top score of the four riders will be crowned the 37th George Paul Champion. Double your fun and go both nights. Come early and stay late with plenty of food, beverages and music until midnight.
Title Sponsor once again is Ram Country of Del Rio. Other sponsors are Bud Light, Ramada Inn, Del Rio Feed & Supply, USMC and Tractor Supply.
General Admission tickets are on sale at Del Rio Feed & Supply, Cowboy John’s and C & S Western Wear. Reserved tickets can be purchased at the GPMBR office at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds, Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM or call 830-775-9595. Visa, Mastercard and Discover are accepted.
 

 37th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding will be more fun than ever!

Come early and stay late advises George Paul Memorial Bull Riding icon Bobby Paul. The producer of the oldest, continuous bull riding in the world wants everyone to enjoy not just the bull riding, but a chance for everyone to eat before the event and stay and dance or visit after the last bull is bucked. Paul said, “We have so many friends that come to this event and for a lot of ranchers and folks from all over West Texas this is the best chance for everyone to see each other. That’s why I decided that we will have music before and after the event and we will have food and beverages served until midnight. I get so busy during the event that after the last bull is bucked is the only time I have a chance to talk to old friends so we are staying open until midnight Friday and Saturday nights”.
The event is named for George Paul, the 1968 World Champion Bull Rider, Nationals Final winner and the only man to ever ride 79 consecutive bulls. George Paul became a world champion at 21 and died in an aircraft accident in 1970 at age 23. The event was started in his memory by his brother, Bobby Paul, his late mother Georgia, sister Betty and late brother Lee Paul.
Tuff Hedeman, four-time world champion bull rider will supervise the production in the arena and announcers John Ludlum and Chris Rankin will provide up to the minute descriptions of the arena action and information about the riders and bulls. The two knowledgeable professional announcers have years of experience in bringing audiences the information they want and need to keep fans and spectators informed. Ludlum and Rankin agree, “The George Paul is not about the announcers, it’s about the riders, bulls and sponsors. It takes all three to make this event possible and Bobby and Bonnie Paul have done an outstanding job making this event possible and better each year to make this the best bull riding in the world”.

The 37th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding will be held Friday and Saturday nights, April 25 & 26 and, is sanctioned by Championship Bull Riding of Fort Worth, TX for the seventh year. The event will be delayed broadcast nationally and internationally on Fox Sports 1.
Title Sponsor once again is Ram Country of Del Rio, other sponsors are Bud Light, Ramada Inn, Del Rio Feed & Supply, USMC, and Tractor Supply.
General Admission tickets are on sale at Del Rio Feed & Supply, Cowboy John’s and C & S Western Wear. Reserved tickets can be purchased at the GPMBR office at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds, Monday – Friday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM or call 830-775-9595. Visa, Mastercard & Discover are accepted.
 

Bull Riders, Bull Teams, Bounty Bull and Big Bucks
What it all means!

Years ago, a producer would hire a stock contractor to bring bulls to the George Paul Memorial. The stock contractor would contact other rodeo stock owners and they would pool their bulls to put on the event. Whoa! Things have changed mightily in the past seven years.
Bull owners now bring their bulls to the George Paul, pay an entry fee and compete among themselves to determine who has the best bulls on Saturday night. If their team of three has the highest scores at the end of the e vent on Saturday night, the bull team owner gets a check for 25K. Bulls are now prized animals for their ability to 1) buck and 2) sire little buckers. Of course, the cow the bulls breed to is a large factor. Some believe that 75% of the bulls bucking ability comes from the mother. That’s right. The cow.
No longer are bucking bulls scoffed at as Mc Donald’s prospects. Good bucking bulls fetch a healthy price. GREAT bucking bulls are as valuable as any good race horse. The world of bucking bull owners has also changed. Now, syndicates of friends pool their money and pay for the care, feeding, training and transportation of their prized animals to and from events like the George Paul. Because they compete for prize money, they are also considered, like race horses, as a tax shelter. Bucking bulls are a business. A big business. Space and time eliminates a lot of statistics however, listen at the announcers at the 37th George Paul Memorial and learn more about these high prized and priced athletes of the arena. The bulls that is.
Bull riders have also become beneficiaries of standalone bull riding events. When Bobby Paul and family started the George Paul Memorial to honor their son and brother, little did they realize how big the standalone bull riding industry would become. Estimates now range from a multi-million dollar industry to over a billion dollars. Bull riders have become a top entertainment commodity and their life risking efforts are finally being rewarded. Millions of dollars in prize money nationally are at stake yearly and with only a short competitive life span, rewards are becoming more in line with risk. Not completely, but much better than years ago. If you consider that riders on the professional bull riding circuit are in the teens, by the time they are in their late twenties or early thirties, most have peaked or are past their prime. Too often they leave the sport with pins, nuts and bolts attaching bones and permanent lifelong injuries but, the freedom, thrill, lifestyle and adreneline rush are worth the risk bull riders argue prize money now makes the risk more enticing and as it gets better, so will the sport of riding bulls attract talented bull riding athletes.
At the 37th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding, Ram Country owner Nick Khoury appreciates athletes, especially bull riders. Khoury’s generosity can be exhibited as the title sponsor of the George Paul Memorial for over 15 years. Ask why he continues to sponsor the world famous event his reply is simple. “I appreciate the athletic ability of these men and they do it knowing their time to compete is limited by age and ability.” When further asked why he wants to give a truck away to a contestant if he can ride the Ram Country Bounty Bull his answer is a little longer but candid and to the point. “I don’t give anything away to these guys. They earn the chance to ride the Bounty Bull on Friday night if they have the highest score of all 40 riders. If they can ride the Ram Country Bounty Bull then they have earned the keys to a Ram 2500 diesel, crew cab truck, loaded Ram truck. The Bounty Bulls aren’t unrideable; they are just extremely hard to ride. I applaud every bull rider that can make qualifying for the George Paul and wish all of them success.” When asked if he pulls for the bull or the rider his answer is short. “The rider.” He continued, “Two years ago I had the pleasure of awarding a Ram truck to the rider who bested the Ram Bounty Bull. I was happy for weeks afterward because I had been able to help a guy get down the road in a dependable truck that meant a great deal to him and his wife and their soon-to-be-born child. I hope to have that feeling again this year knowing I helped a young professional bull rider perhaps achieve his dream of becoming the Championship Bull Riding 2014 World Champion.” He turned to walk away, stopped, laughed and looked back and replied, “Of course, it wouldn’t hurt my feelings if he is driving a 2500 Ram Country yellow Bounty Bull truck that says Ram Country, Del Rio, TX.”

April 25 & 26, Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 PM are performance times for the 37th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding. Tickets are on sale at Del Rio Feed and Supply and the Val Verde County Fairgrounds Office from 9-5, Monday through Friday. MasterCard, Visa and Discover Card accepted.

The 37th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding is brought to you by title sponsor, Ram Country of Del Rio, Bud Light, Ramada Inn, Del Rio Feed and Supply, USMC and Tractor Supply.
 

37th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding on tap for April 25 & 26

Bobby Paul, brother of the 1968 RCA (PRCA forerunner) World Champion Bull Rider announced the dates for this year’s event today. The 37th edition of the oldest, continuous bull riding in the world will be held on Friday and Saturday nights April 25 & 26 starting at 8:00 PM nightly. Paul advised “My mother, brother and sister and I started this event to honor George after his untimely death in 1970 in a plane accident near Kemmerer, WY. It has always been a fan favorite with folks from all over the world including Mexico, Latin America, South America, Europe, Japan and China. I probably left out some other countries but, not intentionally. Fans from all over America and Canada have come to this event and this is a great asset to the Del Rio economy. We are the biggest event in Del Rio each year and we will always try and be the best bang for the buck for our community”.

The nationally televised Fox Sports Network event is delayed telecast and is the last major stop on the road to the Championship Bull Riding World Championships held in July in Cheyenne, WY. Paul continued, “Cheyenne is one of the last rodeos George competed in before he died and I think it is great that the Championship Bull Riding World Champion will be crowned in Cheyenne.
George Paul continues to hold the record at 79 for the most consecutive bull rides in history. That 46 year record is not in jeopardy according to Bobby Paul. “The closest that anyone has come to beating George’s record is 38 and that is held by Tuff Hedeman, four-time world champion bull rider from Morgan Mill, TX. Hedeman said from Fort Worth, home of Championship Bull Riding headquarters, “All bull riders know when you say George Paul that he was one of the greatest bull riders of all time. They also know that the event in Del Rio is where bull riders determined that stand alone bull riding could be a viable event on its own and is the cornerstone for all standalone bull riding’s in the world. We might have figured out that only bull riding events would attract large crowds eventually but, probably not as quick if it hadn’t been for what Bobby Paul and his family had done.”
The 37th edition of the George Paul Memorial will be delayed telecast on Fox Sports Network internationally.
Championship Bull Riding will once again sanction the event for the seventh consecutive year. Benny Cude, CBR CEO and Carl Willburn, President of CBR issued a joint statement saying, “We are honored that for the seventh year CBR has been selected by Bobby Paul and John Ludlum as the sanctioning organization for the historic George Paul Memorial and we will continue to bring the best bull riders and bulls that the knowledgeable bull riding fans of Del Rio demand and expect. This is our last televised event before the world championships in Cheyenne so bull riders, all riders will be trying to gain a spot on the roster for a shot at the CBR world championship buckle and the additional $100,000 that is awarded the 2014 world champion”.

Tickets are on sale at Del Rio Feed and Supply and the Val Verde County Fairgrounds box office. Hours for the office are 9-5, Monday through Friday and the office may be contacted by phone at 830-775-9595. Visa, MasterCard or Discover Card are accepted.
The 37th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding is brought to you by title sponsor, Ram Country of Del Rio, Bud Light, Ramada Inn, Del Rio Feed and Supply, Studio 6, Tractor Supply, USMC and Championship Bull Riding, Fort Worth, TX.
Next week, The 37th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding format for 2014.

 

2013

Trey Benton Wins 2013 George Paul Memorial

The 36th Annual George Paul Memorial has come to an end and Trey Benton will be added to the list of other legendary bull riders who have won the prestigious title. Names like as Tuff Hedeman, Lane Frost and Jim Sharp have all entered the history books all in honor of the man who many will say was the best bull rider of all time, George Paul.
Benton certainly is deserving of the honor. Over the last two nights he rode three bulls, each of them for 90 points! (Shine Time- The Dalton Gang, Lumber Jack- Johnson Rawley, Boys Town-Scott Burruss)
Mobbed by fans after the event Benton stated, “This is what every cowboy dreams of winning. It’s an honor and I’m just overwhelmed by all the fans and the love they have for this event. It’s the greatest feeling.”
Benton was given the opportunity by Ram Country Dodge to make a $5,000 donation of his choice and he choose to give the check to fellow bull rider Jarred Long who broke his leg at the event in Las Vegas two weeks ago. Long will be out of competition and is unable to work because of the severity of the injury. The gift of this donation could not have come at a better time or a more appreciative person.
“I just don’t know what to say,” a shocked Long said via phone when he was told about the donation. “I mean I wish I could have been there in person, but this is just so amazing. I thank Trey and Ram County and I really am speechless.”
“I’m just happy I could do it for him,” stated a modest Benton. “We all do this for a living and when we can’t make a living, than we need to step up and help each other out.”
Palace Station Million Dollar Team winner is Johnson/Rawson.
The CBR “Road To Cheyenne Tour” is now on hiatus until the World Championships at Cheyenne Frontier Days July 22nd and 23rd. Watch the premier of the second season of CBR on FSN May 26th at 6PM.

Tuff’s Picks for Saturday’s George Paul

Last night was a great night of bull riding here in Del Rio. The first round of the George Paul didn’t disappoint – there were some monsters for bulls and we saw some amazing riding from the cowboys. Tonight looks to be good again and there should be even more high-scoring rides for fans to enjoy.
The second guy out tonight is Wes Silcox. He made a great ride last night he’s got an outstanding bull. He’s drawn Cash Daddy that Bonner Bolton won a round on at Hobbs and they won Lubbock with him. Wesley made a perfect ride last night and he’ll use that confidence to put up another big score tonight.
The Australian, Rhys Angland, has a bull called Spook and this is a bull that really should fit him. He bucked off last night but hopefully he uses that to come back and do well tonight.
Cole Echols is the defending champion here at the George Paul. He’s having a great year, he’s leading the Road to Cheyenne Tour standings and he was putting together a great ride last night until his bull stopped right at the end. He took the re-ride and got bucked off but he’ll come back tonight wanting a win. He’s got a bull of Lyndal Hurst’s, Palace Station John Doe, that Jared Long won a round in Vegas on. Cole’s got the chance to be 90 or better tonight.
Chandler Bownds won the round last night and tonight he’s drawn the bull that Wes Silcox had an amazing ride on yesterday, Little Nicky. Chandler had a great ride last night but got bucked off the bounty bull and didn’t win the truck. He’s riding great, though, and Little Nicky should fit him to a tee.
J.W. Harris has a rematch with High Dollar Habit tonight. This bull bucked him off in Fort Worth but J.W. would have won the round if he had stuck with him. J.W. made a great ride last night and I would bet on him to even the score with High Dollar Habit.
We had such a great crowd here last night and we can always count on the fans in Del Rio to show up and bring the excitement. I expect tonight will be packed again and there will be a bunch of fans in Del Rio to see who the 36th Annual George Paul Memorial Champion will be.

Can Sons Of Two George Paul Champions Do What Their Dad’s Did?

Friday and Saturday night will be full of fast paced, high energy bull riding action. Saturday night however will have a special meaning for Bonner Bolton and Clayton Foltyn. Both are CBR World Champion bull riders in a field of six world champions for the oldest, continuous bull riding in the world. But grabbing that elusive goal for so many bull riders, becoming a world champion, still leaves one unfilled goal; to become a champion of the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding like their dads’ did.

Lane Foltyn 1983Lane Foltyn, Clayton’s dad won his George Paul buckle in 1983. Toya Bolton, Bonner’s dad, won his George Paul buckle in 1991. Toya Bolton 1991Two years ago Clayton came within 2 seconds of claiming the George Paul crown. Now, each with numerous trophy buckles in the places of honor in their homes, would have one more to make their collection complete.

The story line does not end with Bonner and Clayton. Past George Paul champions Cooper Kanngiesser, Zenda KS (2008), J.W. Harris, Mullin, TX (2011) and last years’ champion Cole Echols, Elm Grove, LA ,will each want the 36th George Paul buckle in order to have matched pairs. All will have to hustle if they wish to catch Tuff Hedeman, four-time world champion and three-time George Paul champion (1986, 1992, and 1995). Hedeman will monitor all the action from the arena and greet George Paul fans for the sixth year.

The 36th edition of the storied George Paul Memorial Bull Riding will be Friday and Saturday nights at the Val Verde Country Fairgrounds starting promptly at 7:00 PM each night. Title sponsor for the 36th George Paul Memorial Bull riding is Ram Country Dodge of Del Rio. Presenting sponsor is Bud Light; with premier sponsors Ramada Inn, Texas Lottery, Tractor Supply, and Chaparral Night Club. Tickets are on sale at Del Rio Feed and Supply, Sam’s Boot Corral and the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Office located at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds. Office hours are 9 Am to 4PM. Please phone 775-9595. Visa, Master and Discover Card accepted

Six world champion bull riders on tap for 36th George Paul
They come from Texas, Louisiana, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Illinois, Tennessee, South Dakota, Australia and Brazil. With names Bonner Bolton, J.W. Harris, Wesley Silcox, Luke Kelly, Clayton Foltyn and Josh Barrentine, they all have one thing in common. Each is a world champion bull rider. Rounding out the field includes nationally ranked bull riders who are seeking a world Championship Bull Riding (CBR) bull riding championship title for 2013. Among the select competitors for this years’ bull riding, Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27, are former George Paul winners, Cooper Kanngiesser, Zenda, KS, 2008, J.W. Harris, Mullin, TX, 2011, and last years’ George Paul winner, Cole Echols, Elm Grove, LA.

Credentials abound among the contestants for the two-day event. Already this year, Cole Echols has won $43,000 by winning the Dodge City, KS event. Wesley Silcox, Santaquin, UT just two weeks ago won the South Point CBR event in Las Vegas and pocketed $40,000. Bonner Bolton, Gardendale, TX topped his bulls in Hobbs, NM to win that CBR event. Cooper Davis, Jasper, TX won the Tuff Hedeman Challenge in Fort Worth, TX and Trey Benton III, Rock Island, TX won Lufkin, TX, two top rated stops on the CBR circuit.

Crowd favorite Chandler Bownds, Lubbock, TX will return. The baby faced, tiny bull rider won the hearts of Del Rio, and George Paul fans three years ago when he skipped his high school prom to ride in the famed event. Now riding in his third George Paul, the National Finals qualified bull rider is more determined than ever to win and wear a George Paul Championship buckle.

Veterans Ardie Maier, Timberlake, SD, hip hop artist and top rated bull rider Craig Jackson, Houston, TX return with some new and some veteran faces for this year’s event. New to George Paul fans will be youngster Tanner Learmont, Fort Worth, TX. Tate Harris, Palestine, TX, Aaron Pass, Kaufman, TX, Corey Bailey, Paris, TN, Tyler Adrian, Osceola, MO, Kyle Sherwood, Tulsa, Ok, Robson Aragao and Alex Cordozo of Brazil, Dane Candiotto, Independence, LA, and Rhys Angland, Wagga Wagga, AU.

Two of the events contestants have a chance to win a George Paul crown won by their fathers. Bonner Bolton’s father, Toya Bolton won the 1991 George Paul and Clayton Foltyn’s dad, Lane Foltyn won the 1983 George Paul. Should either Bolton or Foltyn win the event, it would be the first time a father and son each has a George Paul championship buckle.

The event is named for the 1968 RCA world champion bull rider and National Finals winner, George Paul. Paul is the only bull rider to ever ride 79 consecutive bulls in professional competition. Paul was killed in 1970 in a plane crash near Kimmerer, WY at 23 years of age. The Championship Bull Riding (CBR) sanctioned event is the oldest, continuous bull riding in the world now in its’ thirty-sixth year. Bobby and Bonnie Paul are the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding producers.

Title sponsor for the 36th George Paul Memorial Bull riding is Ram Country. Presenting sponsor is Bud Light; with premier sponsors include Ramada Inn, Del Rio Feed and Supply, Texas Lottery, Tractor Supply, Chaparral Club and Sam’s Boot Corral. Tickets are on sale at Del Rio Feed and Supply, Sam’s Boot Corral and the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Office located at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds. Office hours are 9 Am to 4PM. Please phone 775-9595. Visa, Discover and Master Card accepted.

36th George Paul Memorial offers riders to help charity of choice

Friday night, April 26, 35 bull riders will have a chance to fatten their bank accounts and one rider will have a chance to drive home in a $35,000 Ram Country Bounty Bull Truck. Saturday night however, when the elite 24 best bull riders in the world compete, one of four will have a chance to ride for thousands in prize money and also help the charity of his choice.
Saturday night, April 27, the format will feature 24 of the world’s best bull riders. After the dust has settled, the12 best riders will have a chance for a second bull. When the second round has been completed, only the top four best riders of the second round will earn a chance for the championship round. Before the top four compete however, each will have a chance to name the charity of his choice. If he wins the event, Ram Country of Del Rio and the George Paul will write a check for $5000 to the winner’s favored organization. Nick Khoury and Bobby Paul announced that each of the four championship round riders will pick where the money will go if he wins. Khoury and Paul advised, “It doesn’t matter if it’s a church, health organization that helps the families of injured riders or the cancer society as long as it has a 501 status”. They continued, “It just gives the riders a chance to ride for prize money but, also help someone who is less fortunate along the way”. Khoury and Paul added, “this is money donated by Ram Country of Del Rio and is not taken out of the bull riders prize money. It’s just something added to give an incentive to the riders to help any group they choose.”
The 36th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding, the oldest continuous bull riding in the world will be held April 26 and 27 at 7:00 PM at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds, Del Rio, TX. Named for the 1968 RCA world champion bull rider, George Paul, is the only rider to ride 79 consecutive bulls in professional competition, an unbroken world record. The event features the nation’s top professional bull riders and bulls.
The 36th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding title sponsor is Ram Country of Del Rio Texas, the RAM dealer, Presenting sponsor is Bud Light, other sponsors include Ramada Inn, Del Rio Feed and Supply, Texas Lottery, Tractor Supply and Chaparral Club and is sanctioned by Championship Bull Riding.
 


 

Preparations underway for the 34th George Paul
John Ludlam

Private machinery is moving arena and sky boxes into place. Arena preparation is underway for the oldest continuous bull riding in the world, the 34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding. Bobby Paul, event producer, directs the action as the George Paul privately built seating is moved into place. The office buzzes with phone calls requesting ticket information and asking for event information. Jacque Paul Sorrell and Martha Mitchell Bass man the office and keep constant information flowing, mailing tickets and taking care of walk in customers. Like the bull riding itself, the action is non stop and a multitude of tasks are performed daily by the staff of four which includes marketing director, John Ludlum.
When Paul was asked how things were progressing he was quick to advise, “This year is kinda like every year. There’s a lot to do before the event and only so many hours in the day. We’ve probably encountered more problems this year than any year I remember but, we are professionals at this production and the fans will get more than their money’s worth at the George Paul. We always take care of our fans and with so many coming from all over the country, I guarantee a first class event. I know this; the George Paul puts more money in the economy in three days than any other activity or event and I’m darn sure proud of what we can do for Del Rio and Val Verde County and businesses in general. People stay here and spend money here and do not go across the border so the money they spend is spent here. With a nation-wide television telecast of both performances of our event, Del Rio gets a big viewership all over the country. Tell anyone when you’re traveling that you’re from Del Rio and they say one of three things or all three. Oh yes, Del Rio, the George Paul Bull Riding, Laughlin Air Force Base and Wolfman Jack”

I expect a great turnout and the bull riding will be second to none. Ever since we went with CBR things have just gotten better. Tuff Hedeman (four-time world champion bull rider, three-time George Paul winner and CBR President) picks the best bucking bulls in the business and the guy that wins this event is going to earn every dollar.” Paul continued, “Texas Cocktail will be our Bounty Bull on Saturday night and the rider with the best score Saturday night will have a chance to win an extra $10,000. CBR, Ram Country and I put up the Bounty Bull Money and I hope we get to write a check to the man that can ride this beast.”

As he returned to work Paul advised, “This is a great event that takes a lot of hard work to produce and market. I guess we work on this event 11 months of the year and if it looks like this is easy to do, then we’ve done our job but, there is a lot of blood, sweat and probably a few tears before that first chute gate is opened. It takes a lot of people to make this happen but, I know our fans will enjoy another top bull riding this year.”

Title sponsor for the May 7 & 8, 34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding is Ram Country. Tickets may be purchased at the Val Verde County Fairground’s office Monday through Friday, credit and debit cards accepted at the fairground’s office or by phone only. Office phone number is 775-9595. Budweiser, Fred Loya Insurance, Tractor Supply and Ramada Inn join as additional corporate sponsors. Performance times are Saturday May 7, 7:00 PM and Sunday May 8, 3:00 PM.
 

34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Nears
John Ludlam

Thirteen days from today, May 7, the oldest continuous bull riding in the world kicks off after a week of pre-bull riding festivities. Top bull riders and world champions from Championship Bull Riding (CBR) will converge on Del Rio along with the best bucking bulls in professional bull riding. The two-day nationally televised bull riding on Great American Country, (GAC), May 7-8, 2011, is know as the foundation event that has spawned stand alone bull riding as a singular event. Four-time World Champion Bull Rider Tuff Hedeman and three-time George Paul winner, President of CBR looks forward to this event each year. So proud of winning the event, don’t look for Hedeman to wear a world championship buckle, but will sport one of the three George Paul buckles he has won. His first win came in 1986 followed by wins in 1992 and 1995. Hedeman watched the event while attending Sul Ross University on a rodeo scholarship and has always favored the event where he won his first “big time” professional bull riding buckle, sharing that honor with his traveling partner, the late Lane Frost. It was the George Paul Memorial where the seed was planted that stand alone bull riding was something fans craved and would support itself. Hedeman organized a number of other professional bull riders and stand alone bull riding was on its way.
This year’s event marks the fourth time CBR has been the sanctioning organization and has become a crowd favorite with big screen replay, fast paced production and top quality stock and contestants. Defending GPMBR Champion Clint Craig of Mena, AK is entered along with former GPMBR winner Cooper Kanngiesser.
Event producer, Bobby Paul has added an additional sky box to meet spectator demands. Paul said, “Each year we try and do something that will allow more fans to see the bull riding and it’s something I pay for. It doesn’t cost the tax payers a penny. With the addition of this sky box we’re about tapped out for adding any more seating. I guess over the years I’ve spent over $200,000 on the fairgrounds. Many organizations benefit from what we do to the fairgrounds and we’re glad to be of help to service organizations like Lions and Rotary Clubs.
Roping Wishes will be a part of this year’s George Paul and will honor a youngster that loves the sport of bull riding but has some physical limitations. This year’s recipient will be announced this next week.
Paul also wanted to thank the Chamber of Commerce’s Convention and Visitors Bureau for “getting the ball rolling on a week of activities prior to the annual bull riding.” Paul said, “The CVB and Chamber have printed flyers and there are activities for everyone to enjoy and participate in before the bull riding like business decorating, where’s George, washer pitching, live music and a bar-b-q cook off. Paul finished his comments by thanking Donna Langford for spearheading the week of festivities. Paul said, “Donna has really worked hard with the folks downtown at the Firehouse, Nancy O’Brien and Jimmy Murdoch and Debbie at the Chamber.”
Title sponsor for the May 7 & 8, 34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding is Ram Country. Tickets may be purchased at the Val Verde County Fairground’s office Monday through Friday, credit and debit cards accepted at the fairground’s office or by phone only. Office phone number is 775-9595. Budweiser, Fred Loya Insurance, Tractor Supply and Ramada Inn join as additional corporate sponsors. Performance times are Saturday May 7, 7:00 PM and Sunday May 8, 3:00 PM.

Show Down Looming At George Paul
John Ludlam

It may seem like something out of the old west. Gunslingers battling it out. Who will be the best? Who will be first? Who will reclaim his dad’s title? What’s this all about? Go back to 1983 when Lane Foltyn claimed the title of champion at the 6th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding. Fast forward eight years later when Toya Bolton claimed the 14th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Championship.
Lane and Toya have retired from arena bull riding wars. Both have remained active in the sport they loved and in which they both were successful. Both men have raised bulls and bull riding sons. Clayton Foltyn, 26, and Bonner Bolton, 24 have a showdown with destiny on May 7 & 8, 2011, in Del Rio, Texas. Heavyweight fights cannot be any more exciting than what bull riding fans have in store that weekend.
As of right now, Foltyn and Bolton are ranked number one and number two for the CBR world championship. 452.75 points separate the two men, but events are in the offing that can change that lead or leader. Factors at play are the Cinch Tour Series, CBR Tulsa Challenge this weekend. Also on the landscape are two Horizon events before the 34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding. Stephenville, TX, hosts their second Horizon event on April 15 and a new Horizon event in West, TX, kicks off April 30.
At last year’s 33rd George Paul Memorial Bull Riding, Foltyn was in the driver’s seat to be the first of a father son paring to win the oldest, continuous bull riding in the world. Foltyn rode his third and final short round bull and most thought he had the championship cinched. Double Scoop, CBR Bull of the Year with Clint Craig interrupted that win on the final ride of Sunday afternoon and Mena Arkansas’ Craig claimed the title. Several years ago, after the first round, Bolton was in the lead going into the final performance and the short round. Fate intervened and Bolton bucked off his bull. Thus his chance was halted.
Three events stand in front of the young men who can make Sunday afternoon, May 8, 2011 historic. Bolton is riding like the man who won the 2007 CBR World Championship after a big win in Las Vegas last weekend. That incidentally was where he won his world championship. Confidence has returned to the popular bull rider and the member of a rodeo family is “on a roll.” His dad Toya placed and won many rodeos of note in his career.
Foltyn however is riding with consistency and like the storied bull riding members of his family. His maternal grandfather, Dickie Cox, was a force to be reckoned with in the 1960’s and in 1968 rode with George Paul at the National Finals Rodeo. Many believed Dickie could have been a world champion but he preferred to rodeo close to home. His son-in-law, Lane, has recorded big wins in his career and Clayton’s bull riding genetics from both sides of the family authenticate his, as John Wayne would say, bona fides. Other factors can loom large before and during the showdown and those factors is no small hurdle. The mental game may or may not be a factor. Pressure is generally self imposed and remaining cool under pressure is a desirable and necessary attribute if one wants to win. The other factors that can come into play will be the subject of the next article in what potentially promises to be an exciting decision as to which family can claim to be the first father-son team to claim bookend George Paul Championship buckles.
Title sponsor for the May 7 & 8 34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding is Ram Country. Tickets may be purchased at the Val Verde County Fairground’s office Monday through Friday, credit and debit cards accepted at the fairground’s office or by phone only. Office phone number is 775-9595. Budweiser, Fred Loya Insurance and Tractor Supply join as additional corporate sponsors. Performance times are Saturday May 7, 7:00 PM and Sunday May 8, 3:00 PM.
 

George Paul Week kicks off 34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding
by John Ludlam

The Chamber of Commerce Convention Visitors Bureau, local business owners, The Firehouse and Bobby Paul, producer of the 34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding are banding together to make this year’s event bigger and better than ever. The idea for a week of festivities before the bull riding was suggested by Donna Langford, Director of the CVB and was endorsed immediately by bull riding producer, Bobby Paul. Several meetings have been held and a schedule of events is being finalized.

Nancy O’Brien, Director of the Firehouse, along with Nicky Helmer, will head the activities being held downtown which will include an outstanding display of George Paul Memorial Bull Riding photographs taken by award winning photographer Dr. Emile “Doc” Abbott at the Firehouse. The Masonic Lodge 646 of Del Rio will have a fish fry and will sell beer, sodas and water. Music will bring a festive atmosphere to the downtown event at Greenwood Park from 6-10:00 pm on Friday, May 6.
A George Paul Days BBQ Cook-off is headed by Jimmy Murdoch and a Washer Pitching Tournament will be organized and supervised by Baye Wilson.

Decorate your business for the week of the 34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding and be a part of the Small and Large Business Decorating Contest. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated small and large business.

Saturday will feature the BBQ judging as well as other festivities at Greenwood Park and Sunday, enjoy a cowboy breakfast at the Whitehead Memorial Museum. Pancakes, coffee, sausage and juice will be available for only $5.00 and you can “dine in” at the museum or take it home. Cowboy Church services will also be held at the Museum.

Paul was very excited when asked about the week’s events and said, “This is like it used to be years ago when the whole community became involved. This is a week that will be fun for everyone and if I were a betting man, and if you come to the downtown events and those at the Ramada Inn you stand a good chance of being part of our nationwide telecast on Great American Country (GAC).

Once again the “Where’s George” contest will be held the week of the bull riding and winners can get free tickets to the bull riding the day of their choice. Final details are being worked out and all information will be available soon so mark your calendars for a fun filled week of the 34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding, May 7 & 8, 2011.
 

Bobby Paul, representing his wife Bonnie as the production team of the 34th annual George Paul Memorial Bull Riding, met with Championship Bull Riding (CBR) President Tuff Hedeman and CBR’s CEO, Wes Bruce to finalize dates for the annual event. The oldest, continuous stand alone bull riding in the world is named in honor of the late George Paul, the 1968 Rodeo Cowboy’s Assn. World Champion Bull Rider and the only man to ride 79 consecutive bulls in competition. George Paul was killed in a plane crash in 1970 in Wyoming.

After extensive meetings with CBR officials, Paul said, “We once again have chosen CBR as our bull riding sanctioning organization because of their professionalism. They have the best bull riders and bulls in the professional sport of stand alone bull riding and will televise our event nationally on Great American Television (GAC). Everyone knows that Tuff Hedeman is a four-time World Champion Bull Rider and three-time winner of The George Paul. He is certainly a crowd favorite and brings a staff of knowledgeable professionals to our event.” Paul continued, “We have several surprises that we will introduce to Del Rio as part of our event that will make it even more enjoyable and exciting for our fans.”

Paul said, “I want to personally thank the Del Rio community for the reception that you gave the committee from Cheyenne, WY, at last year’s event and as a result of that hospitality, coupled with CBR’s event production, Cheyenne is going to do a CBR bull riding two nights at their annual rodeo in July. We have extended an invitation to the Cheyenne committee to return to our bull riding event and we plan to attend their event in July.”

Paul advised, “We will give weekly updates about the event and this year will be more fun than ever. We are working with the Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Business Bureau (CVB) and planning a week of festivities leading up to the bull riding. There will be more things to do for the Del Rio community in the week leading up to the bull riding. We want everyone in Del Rio to get involved.”

Dates for the annual event are Saturday May 7 and Sunday May 8, at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds. The 34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding office is located at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds. Phone number for the office is 775-9595. Credit card and debit cards will be accepted only at the bull riding office or by phone. Title sponsor for the event is once again Ram Country.

 

 

Who do bull owners trust with million dollar bulls?
by John Ludlum

Suppose you own bulls that cost $3,000 to $250,000. Your bull(s) are going to be bucked at the 33rd George Paul Memorial Bull Riding May 1-2, 2010, a Championship Bull Riding event. Bulls are trucked to Del Rio by numerous stock contractors and owners and placed in holding pens at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds. The schedule is prepared for the event and the order in which the bulls are to be bucked is determined by Tuff Hedeman, four-time world champion bull rider and CBR President. Bulls don’t just ease into the chute on command and in order of appearance. Some are easy to manage, some cantankerous, some down right mean and want to hunt and gore you. How are these temperamental bovine athletes made to go where they should and be there when they should be? The answer, you hire Robert Williams, former rodeo clown, bull fighter, barrel man and rodeo cowboy. The Kyle, TX resident has been with CBR since its inception. The former World Bullfighting Championship, Las Vegas, NV barrel man has a wealth of knowledge in bull savvy.

Tuff Hedeman and Ray Clary CBR Production manager both have nothing but high praise for Williams. In an interview Hedeman said, “We have owners who have invested blood, sweat, tears and a bundle of money developing blood lines and raising bulls that buck. They are expensive animals and I have to have the best man available to handle these prized animals when they come to a CBR event. Robert, (known as PawPaw by his peers) has a way with bulls that few men do. He can just get them to do what he needs them to do because he understands bulls, gets to know their personalities. He figures out their likes and dislikes and encourages them to behave as much as you can get a bull to do what you want them to do.” Hedeman continued, “PawPaw studies bulls when he has a new one to deal with, asks the owner(s) about what will be the best approach to handling the animal then adds his own unique way of communicating with the bull(s) and gets the job done. At Del Rio he will be dealing with over a million dollars in bucking stock and we can’t afford just anyone to protect these bulls and his staff to keep their best interest at heart. PawPaw, he’s just the best there is.”

Arena production manager and bull fighter Ray Clary added, “We have a tight production schedule and we try and have a performance from start to finish done in no more than two and one-half hours. I have to deal with riders, bulls, committee needs for their particular event and a lot of details. I absolutely cannot have a livestock manager who doesn’t know how to motivate and load bulls in the order we need them. I never worry about PawPaw and his ability to get the job done. He’s a guy that just knows how to get the most out of the bulls without getting them stirred up before the riders get on them. He can keep bulls as calm as you can keep a bull and makes it easier for the riders to get his rope on their bull and get out of the chute on him. Last year at the George Paul on Sunday when the event was over PawPaw was drained. I mean he had no gas left in his tank, was ringing wet and I bet lost 10 pounds due to the heat but, every bull was loaded as they were suppose to be and on time. He is a pro and God help us if we every have to replace him.”

Perhaps Trent West, owner of the 33rd George Paul Memorial Bull Riding, Ram Country Dodge Bounty Bull and CBR 2009 Bull of the Year, Texas Cocktail, said it best recently of Robert Williams.  “Robert Williams is the best (live stock manager and bull handler) and the unsung hero of CBR.” Many in the stands never know of the valuable contribution by the man who has the safety of a million dollars in bulls, his staff and bull riders in his hands on a daily basis, but bull riding professionals and bull owners know that Robert Williams is without any doubt the best in the business.

The 33rd George Paul Memorial Bull Riding will be held May 1-2, 2010. Tickets for the event are on sale at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds box office open from 9:00 A M to 4:00 P M, Monday-Friday. Performance times are 7:00PM Saturday, May 1 and 3:00 PM Sunday, May 2, 2010. The box office can be contacted at 830-775-9595. Title sponsor for 33rd GPMBR is once again Ram Country Dodge.

A Texas Cocktail coming to the George Paul Memorial
 John Ludlum

Ever had a $10,000 cocktail? Ever wanted one? One lucky bull rider will have a chance to have a Texas sized Cocktail and win $10,000 Saturday night, May 1, 2010 at the 33rd George Paul Memorial Bull Riding. That’s IF, he can ride the Ram Country Dodge Bounty Bull Texas Cocktail. The 2009 Championship Bull Riding Bull of the Year will be featured in a head to head competition with the winner of the first go-round of the 33rd annual event. Forty-four bull riders will compete Saturday night and again on Sunday afternoon. The top 15 riders who post the highest scores on two bulls will advance to the final round after round two on Sunday afternoon.

Saturday night however, the rider with the top score can put an additional $10,000 in his Cinch jeans if he can make an 8 second qualified ride. The Ram Country Dodge Bounty Bull money and score will not count for the GPMBR championship however, money alone is not the incentive to ride the storied bull. Texas Cocktail’s blood line goes back to award winning bulls Oscar and Yellow Jacket. The six-year-old has only been ridden twice in close to 50 attempts and his score average is 46 out of 50 points. The big, BIG, bull has incredible confirmation, big horns and a macho attitude to accompany his size and bucking ability. He just doesn’t like to be ridden and has bucked off reigning a d 2008 PRCA world champion J.W. Harris and 2007 PRCA world champion Wesley Silcox. Both riders are expected to compete in Del Rio as well as Cole Echols who rode Texas Cocktail in the final round of the famous Houston, Texas Rodeo scoring 91 points. Riding the seldom ridden bull on Saturday night will enhance the reputation of any rider if he lasts 8 seconds on the CBR Bull of the Year.    more

33 Years of George Paul Memorial Bull Riding
John Ludlum

The thirty-third George Paul Memorial Bull Riding scheduled for May 1-2, 2010 will bring changes to the event that were not envisioned when the first event was held. John Stockton joined with the family of the late George Paul, which included his mother Georgia, brothers Bobby and Lee and sister Betty in 1978 to honor the 1968 RCA Champion Bull Rider and the only man to ride 79 consecutive bulls in competition. George died in a single plane accident in Wyoming in 1970.

When the first event was held Stockton traveled to many of the top rodeos in the United States to enlist the best bull riders in the world to compete in the inaugural event.

Steiner Rodeo Company of Austin was the primary stock contractor. Only the top twenty-five bull riders from the United States, Canada and Mexico were invited to participate and for an unheard of prize money purse of $25,000. You might ask so how is that different than the 2010 bull riding? One rider, one bull rope, one glove and one bull which has to be ridden for 8 seconds in order to have a qualified ride still constitute the rules. But the sport has made gigantic strides since the first GPMBR event in 1978.

First and foremost, bull riding organizations were formed based on the success of the GPMBR. Bull riders realized that “stand alone” bull riding, bull riding being the only event as opposed to seven events as in rodeo, would draw large audiences.  If large audiences would pay to see just bull riding, then the prize money could be increased for the winners and not have to be split with other riding and roping events. Second, the idea that sponsors could and would pay money to promote the event in the arena increased the prize money offered. Signage was a new concept to rodeo and bull riding and caught on like wild fire. The idea actually came from stock car racing and NASCAR with highly decorated cars and signs around the tracks. Rodeo fought the idea of commercialization however, eventually realized that sponsorship was the way to go to increase prize money. The last vestiges of sponsorship and signage resistance came when riders started wearing shirts promotion jean companies, hat companies, boot companies and trucks. Dodge was actually the first company to realize that the best place to market trucks was at rodeos and bull riding events. This was, after all, their audience. Again, resistance was forth coming from sanctioning organizations however, cowboys, stock contractors and sponsoring clubs and organizations won the battle and sponsorship became a standard mode of advertising western wear, trucks, horse and cattle feed and numerous other products.

Televised events were emerging at the same time and rodeos and bull riding had audience appeal. The western heritage, cowboys and cowgirls has never been more in vogue and the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding was one of the first stand alone bull riding events to be televised nation wide. Giant screen television, added three years ago,  now graces the Val Verde County Fairgrounds with instance replay of each ride, rider’s scores and a continuing format of which rider and bull will compete next.

Bulls. The breeding of bulls has become such a big business in the last 33 years that it rivals the race horse breeding programs, thoroughbred and quarter horse combined. Bulls that are buckers and the sons of proven buckers are now entered in a registry that only allows registration with a DNA sample and exacting standards for registration. Professional football and baseball players, actors and business men and women have gotten into the bucking bull business and compete for prize money for having the best bucking bull at an event just as riders compete. There are partnerships that own bulls, a number of which are comprised of women only. Semen straws from champion bulls can cost in the tens-of-thousands of dollars. Many owners hire professional stock contractors to feed, house and haul their bulls to various contests. The investors simply go and watch their bulls compete and pay for their care.

Thirty-three years has seen a gigantic growth in the highly televised sport of professional bull riding. The “Grand Daddy” of all stand alone bull ridings is the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding. Championship Bull Riding (CBR) President, four-time world champion bull rider and three-time George Paul winner Tuff Hedeman makes sure only the best bull riders and bulls in the world come to the George Paul. Tuff said in Ft Worth recently, “The George Paul Memorial Bull Riding is the oldest continuous bull riding in the world and with my Ft Worth event CBR has the oldest continuous indoor and outdoor bull ridings in the world. Del Rio knows bull riding, bull riders and bucking bulls. Only the best will do.” Bobby Paul, Producer of the George Paul said, “When the dust clears on Sunday afternoon, only the toughest bull rider will walk away with the prized George Paul buckle and Cinch jeans full of money. It still is one rider, one glove, one bull rope and one bull at a time. A lot has changed since the first bull riding but, it’s all been for the good and the fans like the last 33 years of progress in our event and professional bull riding”.

Cheyenne Wyoming Rodeo Committee to attend 33rd  George Paul Memorial Bull Riding
John Ludlum

Four committee members of the famous Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, Cheyenne, WY, rodeo will attend the 33rd George Paul Memorial Bull Riding May 1-2, 2010. Tuff Hedeman, President of Championship Bull Riding, Scott Davis, National Sales Director for CBR, Wes Bruce CBR, CEO and Bobby Paul, Producer of the GPMBR made the trip possible for the committee members which includes General Chairman Ron Hottle, Scott Sewell, Contestant Chairman, Pat Moffett Contract Acts Chairman and Dan Johnson, Grounds Chairman.

George Paul, the 1968 Rodeo Cowboys Association World Champion Bull Rider and National Final Rodeo winner competed at Cheyenne three times during his rodeo career before his untimely death in a plane accident in 1970 near Kemmerer, WY. Bobby Paul said, “Cheyenne was one of the last rodeos George rode in before he was killed and he always talked about what a great rodeo it was. He really liked the town, the way the committee and fans treated the cowboys and the old west atmosphere.” Paul continued, “George said that rodeo and their committee were the real deal and that was one rodeo he never wanted to miss.” 

The connection between Del Rio and Cheyenne also includes the late Jim Bob Altizer of Del Rio, the 1959 World Champion Calf Roper and 1967 World Champion Steer Roper who won the roping at Cheyenne during his illustrious career in professional rodeo. In addition, the son of Jim Bob Altizer, Mac Altizer and his Bad Company Rodeo has had many bulls and broncs as part of the stock for the great outdoor rodeo.

Cheyenne celebrates its 114th anniversary this year (July 24 through August 1) and each year the prestigious rodeo attracts fans from all over the United States and the world. The 9 day rodeo gives one of the most recognized trophy buckles in all of professional rodeo. The Cheyenne Frontier Days is considered the “Daddy of ‘em All” in professional rodeo and the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding is considered the “Daddy of ‘em All” for professional stand alone bull riding. The GPMBR, the oldest continuous bull riding in the world, is named for the only man to ride 79 consecutive bulls in professional competition.   

Bobby Paul advised, “We’ll have a red carpet George Paul Memorial Bull Riding welcome for our friends from Cheyenne and show them the Del Rio hospitality they show their visitors every year at Cheyenne. We’re honored that they are visiting our bull riding.”