PBR in Deadwood

Once again our camping in the Black Hills coincided with the PBR, Professional Bull Riders visit to Deadwood.

This year a cage was added to the center of the shortened rodeo arena. The purpose of the cage was to house a woman and her video camera. It was a great addition to this year's bull riding event. There was also a camera in the chutes documenting the rider getting ready for his 8 second ride.

Two nights of bull riding and these are the best action shots of the bulls and their riders.  Thirty-five riders rode each night. Twelve riders made the 8 seconds on Friday night and  fourteen riders rode their bulls for 8 seconds on Saturday night, but only the ten with the highest score advanced to the Championship Round.

sometimes the bulls want out of the gate before the rider is ready

(Friday night)

Sometimes the bull does not want to leave the arena. This was on Friday night. It took at least 15 minutes to get him out. At this point he is wearing 3 ropes, and still was not cooperating. The bull fighters tried getting his attention and coaxing him to the out gate. Finally, another bull was let into the arena hoping the safety man could lure the two of them out. No luck. Finally about 6 bulls were sent back in and finally, they left as a herd. Notice this guys horns. They were rather jiggly, hanging down the side of his head. The lack of upright horns made it hard for the safety man to get the rope in a position to pull/tug/coerce him out after his performance. 

dust from the bulls on Saturday night

another bull wanted out before the rider was ready

can be very dangerous

I noticed on Saturday night, the bull fighter wearing red would get the attention of the bull after the ride and run for the out gate. Usually, the bull followed willingly, including the one who did not leave on Friday night.

Chad Berger, PBR stock contractor, brings the bulls in two cattle trucks to area PBR events. He has also flown his bulls to Hawaii for bull riding events. He is from Mandan ND and has been involved in rodeo his whole life. He once was a bull rider but is now known for his bull riding stock.

More Deadwood posts coming, including the traditional Butts & Boots post.