New York, NY (October 5, 2010) - Georgina Vitarius was just 9 years old when her parents took her to a rodeo for the first time.
“Even back then I loved bull riding,” said Vitarius, who was born and raised in the Bronx, N.Y., and still lives there today. “There was just something about it.”
Despite living in the city, she was attracted to the western way of life, and recalled spending many Sunday afternoons watching old westerns with her aunt.
But it wasn’t until August of 2008 that Vitarius came across the PBR’s World Cup event on television.
“That was it,” said Vitarius, who has since been to 24 events at both the Built Ford Tough Series and Touring Pro levels.“It just hooked me right there. There’s no looking back. If I can drive to it I’d drive America.”
Last weekend, she drove two hours north to Uncasville, Conn., for the Mohegan Sun Invitational. But on Friday, Oct. 15, she can take the subway into Manhattan for the last of the Final Five Showdowns.
That bonus round – the final stretch on the road to Las Vegas – will air two days later, on Sunday afternoon on CBS. It will take place in Times Square, and represents the final regular-season bull for the top riders prior to the World Finals, which begin Oct. 20.
As Vitarius left the arena in Uncasville, she turned to her left and noticed the PBR’s new Executive Chairman, Jeffrey Pollack.
She didn’t hesitate to introduce herself.
“It was exciting,” she said afterward. “I was able to share my inspirations with him.”
She told him about her car, which is filled with PBR souvenirs and stickers, and discussed her idea about starting a Fan Club chapter in Bronx.
“That’s in the works and I hope to have a turnout at the Times Square event,” she said before adding that she might extend it to include members up and down the eastern seaboard.
Friends and family still remind her: “You’re from the city,” But Vitarius said she’s drawn to the “cowboy-up attitude” of the professional bull riders.
“No matter what happens, they face any challenge, and it’s just so motivating,” she said.
“I’ve always been into the western way of life, and I always say I’m living in the wrong place. I really do belong out West, because I live a country life. … I’m just comfortable.”
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