Texas Heritage National Bank PBR Challenge – Sulphur Springs, Texas

By Ted Harbin
Posted Friday, August 14, 2009

A year ago, Lance McIlvain walked out of the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center carrying one of the most prestigious trophies in protection bullfighting: the Daisy Commemorative 1874 Rifle given to the Daisy “Take Aim at Safety” MVP at every Professional Bullfighters Daisy Protection Tour event.

He also walked out with a great deal of pride, knowing full well that the decision to give him the honor came from his fellow bullfighters, who voted him the best of the weekend.

This year, the Arlington, Texas, cowboy returns to Sulphur Springs for the Texas Heritage National Bank PBR Challenge presented by Priefert Ranch Equipment, where he will try to better last year’s second-place finish while competing with a new partner in veteran Joe Garretson of Springfield, Mo.

Representing Team Alliance Bank in Sulphur Springs, both qualified for the 2008 PBF Daisy Protection Bullfight World Championships, placing themselves among the elite of protection bullfighting competition. Garretson is a two-time qualifier, who finished runner-up in the final PBF standings as the 2007 Reserve World Champion Protection Bullfighter.

Besides his prowess in the protection-bullfight competitions, Garretson is established in the sport and, in 2008, was voted the bullfighter of the year for the Professional Championship Bullriding organization. He’s also a bullfighting instructor for the illustrious Sankey Rodeo Schools.

McIlvain is a second-generation bullfighter, and his father, Frank McIlvain Jr., was a mainstay on the Mesquite Championship Rodeo performances and national telecasts for many years.