In Lincoln Bullriding is spelled EXTREME!

The Lancaster Event Center , Lincoln , NE initiated its new 73,000 square foot building to bullriding October 10^th and 11^th with the final event in the Lancaster Event Center Saddle Series.  The series, which is a part of the Extreme Bullriding Tour, was sanctioned by both the National Federation of Professional Bullriders (NFPB) and the Bullriders Of America (BOA) consisted of three events.  The first was held on January 4th and 5th ringing in the New Year with lots of hot action in the arena and plenty of dancing following the event to Mark Keaton and Aces High Band.  The excitement continued on June 20^th and 21^st with the “Extreme Barbeque and Bull” providing fans with a wonderful summer barbeque and even hotter bullriding.  The fall event had been much anticipated by not only the fans but the riders wanting to take home the saddle sponsored by Mark Keaton and Aces High Band.

To name all of the outstanding bullriders this event drew and their accomplishments would be hard, but two riders deserve special recognition.  Skeeter Kingsolver won this event as well as the overall series and the saddle.  He was one of three men to ride two bulls ending with an overall score of 170 points.   Just 19 Skeeter has already won the Year-end Championship for the NFPB in 2007 as well as finishing second in the 2007 Extreme Bullriding Tour.  This win puts him in the top 5 in this year’s Extreme Bullriding Tour Standings. I spoke with Skeeter after the event.  Skeeter told me he had attended all three events in the series and had been impressed with the facility.  “I have really enjoyed all the events.  I really like the Double S bulls.  There great.  The bullfighters were really good.  They are the best!  Brandon is a cool announcer and Dusty is so funny! The series has been a real good deal overall.  The saddle is real nice too!”

Dusty LaBeth finished in second place with 167 points on two head.  Dusty who began riding bulls in the Mo-Kan Junior Rodeo Association over 15 years ago, has qualified for the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) World Finals 4 times.  In fact up until he rode in this event he has not ridden in any events except PBR events since he got his PBR card.  So why did a confirmed PBR rider travel to Lincoln , NE to ride in an Extreme Bullriding Tour event?  In an interview after the event Dusty stated that his traveling partner, Skeeter Kingsolver, convinced him to.  Dusty said Skeeter told him how great the event would be and what good bulls they had.  There weren’t any PBR events to enter so he entered with Skeeter.  So…What did he think?  Just a few comments: Great event.  Great crowd – they really got into it.  Shad Smith has some really nice bulls. Todd Crase did an awesome job of organizing the event.  Dusty told me that this might have been his first non-PBR event but if the opportunity came up again, he would definitely be looking for another Extreme Bullriding Tour event.  In short, he loved it.

The bulls of the Double S Bull Company are quickly gaining a reputation among the riders for their bucking ability but at each event one bull is selected as the Bull of the Event.  451 Gambler had a terrific event bucking off both riders including reigning Extreme Bullriding Tour Champion, Jimmy Twedt on Saturday night.

Following the event I conducted several interviews with participants and spectators.  Several things stood out in those interviews.  The first was announcer Brandon McLagan.  Considered by many to be one of the top announcers in the industry today it was apparent that his performance exemplified the characteristics he is becoming known for, clarity of his voice and his unbelievable knowledge of the riders and the bulls.  His counterpart was funnyman, Dusty Myers.  Dusty has won his share of awards and as one of the people I interviewed said, he is such a professional!  I guess that says it all.  Professional, big word for what made these two men to draw comments from even the photographers who covered the event.

Three photographers chose to cover the Series Finale.  They were: Howard Sears Photography, Howard Sears; The Foto Cowboy, Kent Kerschner and Hammer Photo, Pete Hammer.  This is quite a compliment to any event to have this many photographers feel it was worth their time to cover.  Pictures from this event can be found on their respective web sites.

Several “special events” were a part of the two night’s entertainment.  On Friday night several of the production team and riders conspired with bullfighter, Jeremy Muntz to help create a moment his future wife, Jackie, will never forget.  During one of his acts funnyman, Dusty Myers, asked Jackie, and girlfriends of bullfighter, Andy Thompson and reigning champion, Jimmy Twedt, to participate.  All three were blindfolded and asked to dance to the music in a mock dance contest.  When Jackie was asked to take off her blindfold Jeremy was on his knee in front of her and proposed.  Of course, Jackie said yes to the applause of the crowd!

Abby McDonald has served as Miss Extreme Bullriding Tour for several years.  The 10-year old Aurora , NE girl does much more than just promote the tour but over the last two years has dedicated herself to raising funds for the Susan G. Komen Foundation in memory of her friend and that the day will come when breast cancer is only a memory.  Saturday night was designated as a “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” night and Abby had made an appearance on Froggy 98 and then done a public service announcement that aired both Friday and Saturday on the station telling everyone about wearing pink to the bullriding.  To further promote the event she had spent Saturday making two personal appearances, first at Westfall Mall and then at South Point Mall.  She signed autographs and was pleased to have so many people that were not only interested in her project but had been following her progress.  Many people showed up wearing pink and the girls selling pink t-shirts and bandannas sold out completely.  The sponsor for the Extreme Team and Abby for the “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” nights is Corral West Ranch Wear and all the pink shirts not only make a pretty sight in the arena but serve as a big reminder to everyone.  The really great news was that over the two nights Abby’s special 50/50 drawing raised $855 with both nights winners donating back their winnings.  Abby’s goal for the year is to raise $5000 and at this writing she is at $4317.  In an interview with her mother, Jennifer, she pointed out that the hospitality they have received at all three events at the Lancaster Event Center has been #1.  The work that the Lancaster Event Center , Extreme Team and Abby do for the fight for the cure is #1 as well! 

Part of the promotions for "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" was done by Hannah Hillsaback who wore the tours new "Tough Enough To Wear Pink" chaps while carrying the corporate sponsor round flags both nights.  All of the riders on Saturday night wore special pink bandanas that were provided by the Extreme Bullriding Tour.

The event in June was not only considered outstanding by the fans but the members of the BOA voted to honor it as well.  Ron Snover and Rick Hinman of the Lancaster Event Center were presented two plagues by representatives of the BOA honoring the “Extreme Barbeque and Bull” for New Event of the Year and Indoor Event of the Year.  The awards were announced at the BOA Finals in August in Fort Madison , Iowa and several of the committee members of that event traveled to Lincoln for this weekend’s event.  In fact several committees were present this weekend to enjoy the event the cowboys had voted number one.

Another point that my interviews brought out was the autograph sessions that followed each night’s performance.  These sessions were well attended by the fans and the personnel and cowboys were happy to meet with them, take pictures and sign autographs.  One little boy had wanted to meet one particular participant and he had missed him.  As he began to cry the staff quickly found his “hero” who replaced the tears with a smile as he not only gave him his autograph but took time to visit with the young cowboy.

Mark Keaton and Aces High Band have not only provided entertainment at many Extreme Bullriding Tour events over the years but they were also the sponsors of the saddle for the Lancaster Event Center Saddle Series.  Mark has been named Entertainer of the Year six times by the tour and he once again “rocked the house” with his great performance each night after the event headlining the “after party” dance held by the event center.

If the quality of the show, the hospitality of the event center and the fun everyone had is any indication of what is to come in 2009 – well we will see you all in January to start off another great year!