“Guys will pay $5,000 for a straw of semen to breed a bucking bull,” says promoter and stock contractor Ben German. That’s a bull that’ll spin, snarl and kick over its own head while a stadium full of spectators secretly hopes the rider is thrown to oblivion—not unlike in NASCAR. Everybody likes a wreck.
Welcome to the world of bull riding. For 20 years, German’s Bull Wars has rung in the new year with cowboy and junior contests, along with barrel clowns. Cowboys endure the bull’s best bucks for eight seconds before getting scored. Two judges evaluate the cowboy’s control, along with the bull’s efforts, on a 100-point scale over three rounds, followed by a final round of six. Other than vying for a hefty satchel of coins against nearly 50 riders (and as many bulls) and the opportunity to steal cowgirls’ hearts, why do these athletes do it? The adrenaline rush, of course.
Bull Wars @ Golden Spike Arena, 1000 N. 1200 West, Ogden, Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m., $6-$15
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