Professional Championship Bullriders bringing excitement home

By Ted Harbin
Posted Tuesday, July 14, 2009

ST. CHARLES, Ill. – It’s the anticipation that draws them into their seats. It’s the excitement that keeps them there.

That’s what fans will experience at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 17, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, when the St. Charles-based Professional Championship Bullriders presents a competition unlike any other.

“We’re going to have the rankest and meanest bulls, the kind that people want to see,” said Robert Sauber, president of the local organization. “We bring danger and excitement, and people are going to see it all from the time they sit down until it’s over.

“This is special to me, because we’re bringing this event home to the people of St. Charles and this entire metro area. This is the kind of entertainment people are just itching to see.”

This also marks the return of Professional Championship Bullriders competition to the Chicagoland area since the PCB World Finals this past February at the Sears Centre. At that event, the incomparable B.J. Carter of St. Cloud, Fla., won the average championship, while Jim Kreke of Effingham, Ill., won his first world title in a field of some of the best cowboys to ever wrap their hands tightly to the chests of bucking beasts.

“The bull-riding is just one phase of the competition with this event, because we also bring the divas of the dirt in barrel racing,” Sauber said. “It is beauty and the beast, certainly, and the beauty involves some awfully fast horses.”

Also on tap will be five-time world champion bullfighter Rob Smets, who, now that he’s retired, will call the action with one of the greatest announcers in the sport, Roger Mooney, three times selected to work the National Finals Rodeo. They not only bring the utmost professionalism to the job, but they bring knowledge to the event that is unmatched in the sport of rodeo.

Barrelman/funnyman “Radical” Ryan Rodriguez will add the comedy relief that must accompany such a danger-filled, exciting evening. Rodriguez has worked some of the biggest events in the sport, from Calgary to Denver to Las Vegas.

“I’m also proud to say that our top bullfighter from last season is returning after getting seriously injured this past January,” Sauber said. “Joe Garretson is one of the toughest guys you’ll ever meet, and if you saw his wreck in Cincinnati, you’d wonder how he made it back so quickly. Not only is he one of the best bullfighters out there, he just adds to the excitement of an already exciting show.

“I’m really excited about this event, because we really do have the best in the business coming to St. Charles.”