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On April 2nd the Civic Arena, St. Joseph, MO, opened its doors for the 11th consecutive year to the National Federation of Professional Bullriders Federation Finals. For many this will be more of a family reunion as many members and fans make this an annual must attend event.
Thursday night was also Family Night which admitted one child 12 and under free with an adult admission. Looking into the stands there were lots of families that took advantage of this offer and the NFPB responded with an evening of good family entertainment. There was also a special drawing and one boy and one girl received a new bicycle.
Friday and Saturday night’s performances will begin at 8 PM.. Tickets range from $11 to $18.
The NFPB is known for the quality of the personnel that hold membership and work the associations events throughout the year. Each year the top competitors in the standings are given ballots to vote for the personnel to work the Federation Finals. Personnel voted by the bull riders for this honor include Chris Pyle, considered one of the Midwest’s finest announcers and a great supporter of the Rodeo Attitude Program. Watching the first nights performance it is not hard to understand why Chris is consistently recipient of this honor. His smooth voice and knowledge of both the riders and the bulls adds so much to each ride. Chris was joined in the arena by funnyman, Dusty Myers. I had heard a lot about Dusty from other members of the program but this was my first opportunity to watch him in person. He was great and I can’t wait for the next two nights performances to watch this awesome funnyman.
Rodeo Attitude is extremely proud to have voted as cowboy protection, bullfighters and Rodeo Attitude members, Brandon Brazier, Jeremy Muntz and Andy Thompson. The fact that the bull riders themselves voted for them speaks volumes to their abilities. A rider must trust these men with his life and there is no higher honor in an association than to be chosen to work their finals.
There is no doubt the quality of the bulls and riders participating at this year’s finals. They join a very elite group of alumni including last year’s winner, Skeeter Kingsolver, who is now leading the rookie race in the world famous, Professional Bull Riders televised Built Ford Tough Series and is currently featured in “Sports Illustrated”. Skeeter stopped in last night to cheer on his former traveling partner, Henry Yoder, who is currently leading the standings for year-end champion. I enjoyed a nice visit with him. It was easy to see as much as he loved reaching his goal of riding on the prestigious PBR Built Ford Tough Series he still has strong feelings for his NFPB family.
Skeeter is just one of many members who have moved up to the major leagues to show their stuff. Last year’s PBR Rookie of the Year, Reece Cates, is another rider who carries an NFPB membership. Other men who have appeared on the major league tours that carry membership or are alumni of the NFPB include Willy Ropp, Jody Newberry, Dusty Hall, Dusty LaBeth and Travis Sellers to name a few.
Qualifying for this year’s finals are several men who also are among bullridings elite. They include:
Henry Yoder – currently leading the standings
John Susie – reigning champion of the Extreme Bullriding Tour presented by RodeoAttitude.com
Curt Check - a list of championships to long to list
Matt Pojanowski – alumni of the PBR BFTS
Jimmy Tubbs – qualifier for the PBR BFTS
Corey Davis Former Federation Finals Champ and member of prestigious Championship Bull Riding Tour
Seth Reynolds - qualified for NFPB Federation finals many times member of the CBR Tour as well
David Dyke - qualified for the PRCA Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
Each night there are two rounds of competition giving each rider a chance on two bulls. Results for round one and two were:
Round 1
1. Seth Reynolds 86.5 pts
2-3 Henry Yoder 85.5 pts
2-3 Kenny Hickman 85.5 pts
4. Jim Kreke 84.5 pts
Round 2
1-2 Jimmy Tubbs 86 pts
1-2 Corey Davis 86 pts
3-4 Curtis Seamans 84.5 pts
3-4 Dusty Green 84.5 pts
Event director is Rex Strayer, one of the first men to ever join the Rodeo Attitude Program. Rodeo Attitude member, Brian Lumley, will be entertaining at the after parties both Friday and Saturday night. Brian is moving up fast in the country music industry and it will be a delight to have him and his band entertaining.
This is 3 days you won’t want to miss and while you are there plan on attending Cowboy
Church hosted by Rodeo Attitude at 10 AM Sunday morning prior to the awards banquet.
