Tickets are selling fast for the first-time appearance of a Professional Bull Riders Inc. tour in the Santa Maria Valley.

And while sales for admission into the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo are somewhat slower, they are expected to pick up.

The PBR Challenger Tour stop in Santa Maria on May 29 leads off rodeo weekend. The Elks Rodeo - with a full slate of competition including steer wrestling, calf roping, barrel racing and more bull riding - this year is three days, May 30 to June 1.

Both events are at the Santa Maria Elks/Unocal Event Center. Opening night will future a country music concert before rodeo action.

“Ticket sales are going very well,” Elks Recreation President Keith Barks said. “They're going exceptionally well for PBR on Thursday night (May 29).”

Bull riding typically is a crowd-pleasing event. It also will occur during each of the three days of rodeo.

The popularity of PBR's tickets isn't a surprise to Barks.

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“A lot of people like to see bull riding in general,” Barks said. “That may attract even novices. It keeps everyone excited and wanting to see the bulls against the cowboys.”

Challenger Tour leaders Clayton Williams of Carthage, Texas; and Bryan Richardson of Dallas, Texas, are among more than 40 bull riders who signed up to compete in PBR's Santa Maria event, according to PBR officials.

Barks said he isn't concerned about slower sales for the three days of rodeo, and expects those to pick up steam in the final weeks. The event center seats 7,000 people.

“People are notorious for waiting till last minute to make sure they're not going to have a better offer ...,” he said.

The field of candidates for regular rodeo competition also appears strong, according to ProRodeo officials. Entries were due last week.

Several cowboys who previously qualified for the National Finals Rodeo - the Super Bowl of the sport - have signed up to compete in Santa Maria.

They include two past world champions and the current leader in world standings, and especially strong fields set for steer roping,

Among the athletes expected are:

n Reigning world champion team roping header Chad Masters of Clarksville, Tenn., along with his partner Jade Corkill, of Fallon, Nev.

n Team ropers Jake Cooper and Jim Ross Cooper, both of New Mexico and twin sons of Hall of Fame tie-down roper Jimmie Cooper.

n Current top 15 PRCA bull rider Ted Bert of Modesto.

n Tie down roper Mike Johnson, who has made an event record 22 NFR appearances, of Henryetta, Okla.

n Los Alamos resident and 2004 World Champion Steer Wrestler Luke Branquinho, who is No. 3 in PRCA's current world standings for the event.

n Jason Miller of Lance Creek, Wyo., 2007 world champion steer wrestler and 22nd in current PRCA world standings for his event.

n Wade Sumpter of Fowler, Colo., 2008 RodeoHouston champion and leader in PRCA's current world standings for his event.

n Will Lowe, three-time world champion bareback rider, of Canyon, Texas. He's eighth in PRCA's world standings for bareback riding.

Along with pro rodeo events, the three days of rodeo will include another crowd favorite - mutton bustin,' where youngsters ride sheep as they race around the arena.

The PBR event begins at

7 p.m. May 29, while the rodeo performances are 7 p.m. May 30 and 2 p.m. May 31 and June 1 at the Santa Maria Elks/Unocal Event Center.

Another new feature is a

5:30 p.m. concert by country singer Mark Chesnutt on May 31 at the rodeo grounds. A ticket to the May 31 rodeo also provides admission to the concert, which was arranged through Sunny Country radio station.

Tickets for both the PBR and rodeo are available through the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Office inside the Elks Lodge at 1309 N. Bradley Road. Additionally, the ticket booth will be set up for sales 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during Memorial Day weekend in front of the Elks lodge.

PBR tickets cost $30 and $55 for reserved grandstand and box seating, respectively. Evening rodeo tickets range from $8 to $20, while the matinee performances range from $10 to $25. Parking costs another $5, but is included in box seating prices.

For tickets call 922-6006. For other information, call 925-4125.

May 18, 2008