"A silent prayer before the gate opens".....Little Jake Murray contemplated Saturday's
Stick Bull Competition, before the gate was opened and the "bucking" began!

 

PBR Stick Bull Mania at
Circle E on Saturday

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Little Rylie Arrington "showed her stuff" aboard "Flicka" on Saturday to open
the Stick Bull competition at Circle E.

"But bit the dust"......just before the buzzer sounded!!!

 

Of course, we know that the PBR Bullriding action doesn't start in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, until Friday night, August 21st, but don't tell the kids! They were at Circle E Western Wear on Saturday morning to compete in the "Stick Bull" competition and were "dead serious" about their action to win them a performance before the crowds! Top winners in Saturday's competition will be seen "at the big show" on Friday night, as they show the skills that won them a spot at the performance.

 

Little Cage Hasten "hung on for life" as "Cow" went into a spin!!!

 

 

Registration began at 9:00 a.m. and little cowboys and cowgirls were waiting in line, with doting parents and grandparents, and "dressed to the nine's!" Complete with their spurs, chaps, gloves, and "string" bull ropes, they came for the action.

 

And, Riley Hasten came prepared for the "bright lights" as he boarded "Daddy Bull,"
for an impressive ride!

 

Competition got underway at 10:00 a.m., and found competitors attempting to ride "bulls" with names like...."Spitfire," "Bodacious," "Red Rock," and "Curly Joe!"

 

And, William Sallee, aboard "Curly Joe," had his hat "socked down"
and came out of the chutes in a "breeze!"

The staff at Circle E Western Wear had constructed an arena, a bucking chute, with a monogrammed "Circle E" on the front, and had qualified judges sitting in the "bleachers" to score the rides (we had to be in the bleachers to stay out of the way of those fierce bulls, advised one of the judges).

In the 3-6 age group, it was Rylie Arrington on "Flicka" that opened the competition, and she put on quite a show, followed by Cage Hasten, riding "Cow," who had a "definite attitude."

Riley Hasten was the next competitor, mounted on "Daddy Bull," that proved to be a "handfull!"

William Sallee was next out of the chutes on his draw of "Curly Joe," and delivered a crowd pleasing performance.

 

And, it was Josie Boyd, who took time to wave at her fans, before getting down to
serious business......

 

And, proved that "tough girls wear pink," as she rode "Ol' Spitfire" to the winner's circle.

 

Josie Boyd, socked her hat down and proved that girls who wear pink are tough, as she boarded "Spitfire" and drew a pleasing nod from the judges.

 

 

And, the final competitor in the the age group was little Jake Murray, who had been sitting back behind the chutes throughout the competition, just waiting his turn to board mean ol' "Bodacious," himself. Jake bounced out of the chutes and made a spinning ride, only "bitting the dust," just after the 8 second horn had sounded! That qualified him for a scoring ride!

 

And, the aniticipation had built as Jake Murray boarded "Ol' Bodacious," himself.....
But, Jake managed to pull off the ride of a lifetime.....

 

Only to get thrown, right after the 8-second buzzer had sounded!!!!!

 

 

In the 6 and over age group, it was Cason Arrington, that "tightened up the rope" and proved that age was a benefit, when he boarded ol' "Red Rock." Arrigton spurred to the finals, as he made an impressive ride!

 

And, grit, determination, and perfect form, allowed Cason Arrington
to complete this successful, winning ride on "Red Rock!"

 

Fast action, a "little bit of blood," and some "fear" thrown into the mix, we'd have to say that Saturday's first round of PBR action was surely a success.

Winners who will be advancing to the Friday night, August 21st, performance at the Hopkins County Civic Center, will be Riley Hasten, Josie Boyd, Jake Murray, and Cason Arrington!

Congratulations to all who participated and put on a "mighty fine show," on Saturday!!!!

 

And, the "pay-off" was huge, as all competitors lined-up before their adoring fans and received accolades for their
outstanding performances.

 

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