The Santa Maria Elks/Unocal Event Center will host an afternoon of championship bull riding Oct. 18, featuring about 40 athletes from a competitive tour whose events are televised. Action begins at 3 p.m. at the rodeo grounds, east of Highway 101 at Santa Maria Way. Gates open at 1 p.m.

“It's rodeo to the extreme - it's all bull riding,” said Keith Barks, president of Santa Maria Elks Recreation, adding the competition will involve “world class cowboys and world class bulls.”

Championship Bull Riding Inc. (CBR) began seven years ago as a competitive bull-riding tour, with schedules crafted to avoid conflicts with PRCA-sanctioned events. The organization's leaders include four-time, world champion bull rider Tuff Hedeman.

The CBR tour lets bull riders have another route for making a living at their sport. For instance, the top bull rider in Santa Maria can earn $10,000. Bull riders also can earn points that can land them a spot in the CBR world finals, where several hundred thousands of dollars are up for grabs

“I encourage people who have never been to CBR to come out and see what we're about,” said Wes Bruce, CBR's chief executive officer. “I'll personally guarantee they'll be entertained.”

Late last year, CBR announced the 2008 season - including the first foray in recent years into California. Santa Maria is the last stop for the season, prior to the CPR finals Jan. 23-24 in Las Vegas.

CBR already plans to return to Santa Maria in 2009, and is looking at holding another event in Southern California. Florida competitions also are planned among the 20 events in 2009.

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“We truly will be coast to coast,” Bruce said.

The Santa Maria competition will air on RFD-TV next month - twice a day on Nov. 5 and Nov. 8 for the first round; Nov. 12 and Nov. 15 for the second round. RFD, which stands for Rural Free Delivery, is an eight-year-old channel aimed at rural America. RFD is offered on Direct TV (Channel 379), and Dish Network (Channel 231). It also will air again in December and January.

Elks are seeking sponsors, promising national television exposure along with signage in the arena.

Those who attend the Santa Maria event are urged to wear pink as part of the Santa Maria Elks Recreation's participation in “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” campaign. The American Cancer Society also will have a booth set up at the rodeo grounds.

This is the second bull riding only event at the rodeo grounds. In May, instead of the traditional Thursday night rodeo opener, the Elks facility hosted the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) event. PBR is another competitive bull riding tour that offers different levels of competition akin to baseball's minor league teams.

To help raise money for Special Olympian athletes whose bicycles were stolen last month, Elks Recreation officials say that anyone or organization that donates $100 or more to the cause will receive four tickets to the CBR event for every $100 donated. Donations to the Special Olympians can be made at Community Bank of Santa Maria, 1421 S. Broadway. Checks can be made to Elks Recreation Foundation/Special Olympics.

“We understand that the community has already come forward with many other donations,” Barks said. “What we are trying to do here is motivate more people, who haven't heard about this and thought that it was a terrible thing that happened, and have not donated yet. Now they can get more ‘more bang for their buck.' ... Their money will go to a good cause, and they will get to see some great bull riding.”

Tickets, which cost $30 for reserved seats or $50 for grandstand, for the competition are available at Santa Maria Elks Recreation office inside the Elks Lodge, 1309 N. Bradley Road, prior to Oct. 18 or at the rodeo grounds on the day of the event.

Very few box seats remain, but general admission seats are available.

“I would love to see every seat in the place filled up,” Barks said.

For tickets, call 922-6006 or visit www.santamariaelks

.com.

Janene Scully can be reached at 739-2214 or janscully@santamariatimes.com.

October 4, 2008