Lancaster Event Center Saddle Series Event Two Rocks Lincoln, NE

It was billed as the “Extreme Barbeque and Bull” and EXTREME it was!  With the top barbeque chefs from across the nation competing for the event title the air was full of the aromas coming off numerous barbeque grills.  Inside the aromas were those of bulls and leather.  The air was literally charged with the excitement of the Extreme Bullriding Tour making its second stop in the Lancaster Event Center Saddle Series sponsored by Mark Keaton and Aces High Band.  The top riders of the Bullriders of America (BOA) and the National Federation of Professional Bullriders (NFPB) had came to compete for not only the $4000 added money, the opportunity to win the tour’s year-end championship with all the awards including the M & M Custom Camper, but the beautiful saddle that would be awarded after the third event in October.  With so much at stake the riders were putting forth 200% effort.

The bullriders on Friday night had a special incentive to to put their best foot forward.  Special guest of the night was the man known within the industry as "the bullriding guru", Gary Leffew.  Gary had been in Lincoln instructing a bull riding school held also at the Lancaster Event Center and had stayed to watch a few of the students compete.  As the first night of competition ended everyone headed for the first night of dancing at the After Party hosted by the center.  The first night was so much fun that it was no surprise that the crowd for Saturday night’s event was larger and ready to rock the rafters of the Lancaster Event Center .  From the moment the first bull leaped into the arena to the last dance of the night FUN was the word and FUN is what everyone had!

The bulls of the Double S Bull Company owned by Shad and Vicki Smith love their job and know what to do when they are loaded into the chute and the bull rope is put into place and when the gate opened each in his turn did his job giving the rider his best.  The riders in turn accepted the challenge and in the end not one but three men tied for the event championship.  All three men were able to ride two bulls for a combine score of 169 points with each man taking home a check for $2022.68 for their effort.  The three men sharing the event championship were John Susie, Ty Redman and Brad Check.  That three men would tie for the event championship is an indicator to the ultimate talent of the riders on the Extreme Bullriding Tour.

One thing that sets the Extreme Bullriding Tour apart from other tours is its Junior Bullriding Competition.  John Young was the only man in this category to ride his bull.  His 83 point ride earned him a $300 payday.

The bullriding excitement was joined by the nerve-wracking action of Midwest Bullfighters Association freestyle bullfighting competition both nights.  Four men took their chances against the fighting bulls section of the “Attack Pack” of Double S Bull Company leaving the audience on the edge of their seats as they dared to come closer and closer to the business end of the bull’s horns.  In the end it was Cory Greibel whose 80-point fight won him $360 for his bravery and skill.

On Friday, our Extreme Princess, Abby McDonald and her mother, Jennifer McDonald attended the Hall County Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society representing the Extreme Bullriding Tour team.  Overall the Extreme Team rose over $1000 to donate to the cause and the overall event rose over $120,000!   

Saturday was a very busy day for the Extreme Princess.  Abby started with a spot on Lincoln radio station Froggy 98.  Her next stop was Brian LGH Medical Center , Lincoln , where she visited a few children and signed autograph pages for them.  No time to rest she was off for another radio spot on Lincoln 96 KICKS.  There was just enough time left to visit some area businesses giving away free tickets to Saturday night’s event and passing out merchandise she collected from some of the vending booths that were at the Lancaster Event Center Barbeque Competition.

Abby’s message throughout the weekend was not only to attend the Extreme Bullriding Tour event but that both nights she was doing a 50/50 tickets for a cash drawing with 50% of the money going to the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the balance going to the lucky winner of the drawing.  The goal of Abby and the tour is to raise $5000 for the foundation throughout the 2008 tour.  Saturday night’s event was a special “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” night with all of the staff wearing special pink shirts sponsored by Coral West Ranch Wear.  Ticket sales were very good both nights, but the really nice part was the winner of the drawing donated their share to the Susan G. Komen foundation as well.

With the competitions all completed both outside and inside the Lancaster Event Center Mark Keaton and Aces High Band played the night away as fans, competitors and staff celebrated an award winning weekend for everyone.