Yaaaa-hoo!! Bull Riders Buck into DC

Hang on tight as the touring Professional Bull Riders make a stop for two shows at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, to kick off the New Year.

The competition includes 40 of the best minor-league bull riders trying to stay atop some of the toughest, meanest bulls around.   Being bred to buck, spin and twist, the massive bulls try to toss their rider before the 8 second ride needed to earn points is completed.

Riders score points in two ways, first by staying on the bull for the full 8 seconds.  And secondly, riders earn up to 25 points on the performance of the bull  and how hard he made it on the rider.  Bucking, speed changes, fast kicking and dipping all can add to a rider’s score.  Another 25 points can be earned for the rider’s style, form and control.

Top riders are competing to earn points for a chance to compete in the annual World Finals in Las Vegas.

Bull riding is historically the toughest part of a classic rodeo, which also includes steer roping and wrestling, bronc riding, and barrel racing.  Rodeos test the skills of cowboys and cowgirls based on cattle ranching skills.   The first pro rodeo dates back to 1888.

And if you think there’s not much money that can be earned by climbing on a 2,000 pound bull, the top pro bull rider of all time, Justin McBride who retired in 2008, earned over $5 million dollars during his 10 year pro career, making him the highest paid bull rider of all time.

PBR Fairfax Invitational – George Mason University Patriot Center, 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax, Virginia  (map)

Dates and Times – Friday, January, 7 & 8, 2011 at 7:30 pm.

Tickets – $20.00 – $65.00. Children 2-12 are just $10.00, excluding top priced seats. Tickets are available at the Patriot Center box office, online or by phone.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Vienna/Fairfax – GMU – Orange Line, then a 7-mile cab ride.

Parking – Free lot parking is available.

Images – Flickr – bull rider