Author: Lori O'Harver

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas – There’s a storm brewing over Little Rock as the PBR Bad Boy Mowdown gets set to be the main attraction this weekend at Verizon Arena. That storm has two-time world champion, J.B. Mauney at its epicenter.

Back around January 26, Mauney snatched his gear bag from the floor of the delivery room after holding Jagger Briggs Mauney, his newborn son, for the first time and jumped a jet to Sacramento, California. After making his season’s best ride of 88 points on Bridwell Pro Rodeo’s Hou’s Bad News, he came off clean but was run down by the bull, suffering a broken fibula and sustaining extensive soft tissue damage.

Since then, the North Carolina native bull rider has made unsuccessful attempts to ride with the injury but has been working relentlessly on rehab and has about 90 degree flexion in the knee going into both The American semi-finals and the Bad Boy Mowdown. He’s been on his old school drop barrel to practice and feels like he’s ready enough.

“Depending on how I do, I’ll rent a car and drive between Fort Worth and Little Rock,” said Mauney. Let’s hope that rental is equipped with long lasting, tough Cooper Tires because that road between the two venues is a rough one.

2019 goals for 32 year-old Mauney include championship runs at the PBR and World Champion Cowboys Association (WCRA). With career earnings at $7.3 million dollars, Mauney says the WRCA opportunity is a rich one for all rodeo contestants and can’t be ignored.

Seven other riders face being dropped from the Unleash The Beast Tour depending on the outcome in Arkansas. Koal Livingston, Emilio Resende, Alex Marcilio, Stetson Lawrence, Keyshawn Whitehorse, Ramon de Lima and Eduardo are all riding for their competitive lives at the Bad Boy Mowdown.

ARLINGTON, Texas – For the last 27 years, bull riding fans and adrenaline junkies have depended on Professional Bull Riders keep on keeping it hot and bring us excellence in contests and innovation. This year’s PBR Global Cup (where riders compete as teams instead of the traditional one-on-one contest for individuals) is again taking the excitement level up a very important notch.

For the first time in the three-year history of the event, members of sovereign indigenous nations within the United States will field Team Wolves, coached by former champion bull rider Wiley Petersen of the Shoshone – Bannock Tribes and featuring hot young talent like 2018 PBR Rookie of the Year Keyshawn Whitehorse of the Navajo Nation.

Lakota Cowboy and star of the break out award winning film, The Rider, Cat Clifford is excited about Team Wolves stepping out to compete against teams from Brazil, Australia, Canada and Mexico as well as the non-native US Team Eagles.

“I think that PBR fielding this team is an important step that starts to recognize the shades of sovereignty, allowing the riders to represent their own nations that exist within nations,” said Clifford. “I believe it will inspire the young Native American up-and-comers who’ve already put in so much work to excel in their events. Every one of these PBR riders are already somebody’s heroes.”

The 2019 PBR Global Cup takes place on February 9 and 10 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. It’s the first time the international event has been held in the United States; the inaugural was in Canada and last year’s was hosted by Australia.

Once again, Cooper Tires contribution not just as a sponsor but as a product that keeps cowboys and bad bucking bulls rolling safely down the road will be front and center. Serving the global community, the Cooper Tires family and products have justifiably earned the trust of buyers who need dependable, durable long lasting tires for every rig.

GLENDALE, Arizona – Get ready to welcome the bad boys of bull riding when PBR’s Unleash The Beast Ak-Chin Invitational presented by Cooper Tires takes over the Gila River Arena on January 19 and 20.

Arizona and Navajo Nation fans are set to raise the roof for 20-year-old Cody Jesus. The young gun from Window Rock hasn’t just been dreaming of a season like 2019 has been so far – he’s been seeing it, believing in it and working relentlessly for it since he was the 14-year-old rookie slinging piñon nuts and collecting aluminum cans to cash in for entry fees.

With a legit shot at all the marbles, Jesus bucked off in the championship round at Madison Square Garden earlier this month. Back in his home state, look for him to come back hard. Because it’s home? No. Because it’s this talented, fiercely committed young champion in the making’s way.

“Cody Jesus is a great young man with a bright future with PBR,” Ak-Chin Indian Community Council Member Gabe Lopez said. “He and the rest of the Native American bull riders have instilled pride in all Native American PBR fans.”

On the four-legged contestant side, look for more Native American champions as 8-time PBR Stock Contractor of the Year Chad Berger’s selection of hot and juicy bucking bulls make their way out of the blizzard in Chicago to relax in Arizona for a few days before exploding under the best the PBR has to offer.

Cooper Tires is more than a time-honored, valued sponsor of the Professional Bull Riders. Their product is depended on for safely transporting the heart and pride of the PBR in all weathers. When the show must go on, count on Cooper Tires. “After more than a century in the tire industry, we know that tires matter and that’s why you should count on Cooper. Safety is our top priority, and we’re committed to ensuring your peace of mind.” – Cooper Tires

The Naked Cowboy of Times Square shamelessly represents the New York City cowboy community 362 days a year, but on January 4 through 6, watch the real cowboys of the  PBR shine so brightly 15 minutes south at Madison Square Garden that the famous walking landmark will bury his head in shame.

The best of the best of PBR gladiators on the championship trail are rolling into town from all points on the bull riding globe on tough Cooper Tires to match their skills against the wickedest bulls known to man from Chad Berger Bucking Bulls. The best of the Berger buckers have been enjoying the holiday break, playing with their buddies, eating breakfasts of champions and dreaming of launching cowboys. They’ll be fresh and ready to take on veteran champs like J.B. Mauney, Montana’s young Jess Lockwood as well as rising stars like 26 year old Cody Teel, hungry for a world title after his 2018 third in the world finish and spending three months recovering after breaking his left ankle trying to ride Little Bob.

2019 marks 25 years of PBR bringing the heat to the historic home of rodeo on Manhattan Island since 1922 when the first contest was held at Madison Square Garden. The silver anniversary event is the first of 2019 and sets the tone for an exciting season to come.

The Monster Energy Buck Off at the Garden presented by Ariat kicks off on Friday and Saturday evenings and comes back with the first of the year’s PBR major events, the Unleash The Beast Tour opener is on Sunday afternoon.

Cooper Tire is an American company focused on quality, high mileage, smooth riding, quiet dependable tires since 1914. PBR rolls on Cooper Tires.

In a world known for its life on edge lifestyle, Las Vegas has become a second home for the PBR, PRCA, Indian National Finals Rodeo, United Bucking Horse Association, World Futurity Association. This year, on December 12, starting at 2 pm, the rodeo community will come together at Mirage to celebrate the influencers of our world, but more importantly, to support Refuge For Women, the Las Vegas organization that helps victims of human trafficking.

“Our team is thrilled, but not surprised by the overwhelming response from stars of rodeo like Ty Murray, Rob Smets, Flint Rasmussen, Bob Tallman.

Every year, millions of charitable dollars are generated for organizations from the committee level to high profile members of the community,” said April Bach-Patterson, Legacy of the West’s founder and editor in chief of Rodeo Fame Magazine. “Bringing these influencers together along with the powerful voices of all rodeo and mainstream media to support the women who have been victimized has been a dream for the last three years. We’re thrilled that 2018 it’s become a reality and that the entire community has unified in support.”

The event features awards, entertainment and fashion shows that bring the guests on to the red carpet in cowboy black tie, paparazzi and other festivities. Tickets are on sale at the Mirage Box Office at www.mirage.com and are going fast!

There’s no better place to start your Wrangler National Finals Rodeo live experience than that dancin’, drinkin’, mechanical bull riding party Coors Banquet Bar tent at the ProRodeo Zone right where the shuttle drops you and your friends off at Thomas & Mack Center.

Take a little warm-up spin around the dance floor or just let the Coors’ Rodeo Rockin Divas teach you a few new moves from the top of the bar to use later on.

Snap pics to let your friends at home follow you on Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat them something wickedly fun from your Wrangler NFR experience from the back of the fire-breathing, high-tech mechanical bull or in front of the official Wrangler NFR bucking chute under the big top. The rodeo paparazzi is always there shooting the fan-famous cowboys and cowgirls. Show off those Vegas Wrangler NFR styles every chance you get!

The ProRodeo Zone’sCoors Banquet Bar springs to life at 4 pm and doesn’t close until 10:30 pm. It’s not just for killing time before the performance starts, it’s the hot spot where the time of your life is just waiting to happen.

Cowboy Lifestyle Network would like to give a special thanks to Donna Keffeler for doing such a fantastic job with the Coors Banquet Rodeo program throughout all the rodeo seasons, as well as the Coors Banquet Bar every year during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

JR Vezain was confirmed on his way to his 6th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo when disaster struck. The horse he’d drawn in Pasadena, Texas, fell over backwards in a freak accident that left the young bareback rider without the use of his legs. He’s hopeful, faithful and strong in his commitment to walk again – is approaching his physical therapy like the professional athlete he is.

Vezain and his wife, Shelby, haven’t seen home in Cowley, Wyoming, since the accident. They’ve gone from the trauma hospital in Houston to a nearby rehab center and are now residing in Utah at yet another rehab center. Add the fact that they’re expecting their first child and it’s easy to see that they need not just prayer, they need financial help.

Checking the hashtag #VezainStrong across social media shows that the international rodeo community stepped up with many successful fundraisers, but we’re not done.

View this post on Instagram

Bitter sweet day for me…blessed to have gotten to be here for the week with my son but sad I have to leave to go home. He earned his turn in the shirt because of his determination and kindness. No matter how old they get, they are still just my babies. I love you @jrvezain with all my heart. #vezainstrong #myboy #firstborn #onetoughcowboy #mytribe #miracleinthemaking #rejuveniqueoil #godisgood #allthetime #sadday #blessed

A post shared by shilo jo (@shilo.christman) on Sep 30, 2018 at 3:56pm PDT

Here are two ongoing ways to help:

• Through Go Fund Me at www.gofundme.com/65w85a0
• Raffle for 2019 Wyoming Deer Hunt online tickets at www.broncridingnation.com/raffle or get them the Junior Roughstock Association, Rodeo Fame and Bronc Riding Nation Cowboy Christmas Booth #5405 on the upper level of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Facebook Live drawing at Legacy of the West Gala at Mirage on December 12 at 2 pm. Need not be present to win.

The Las Vegas Convention Center’s famous Cowboy Christmas second level arena is again hosting Jr. NFR championship action of the Junior Roughstock Association (Mini Bareback and Mini Bronc Riding World Championships). Start time is 12 noon. In four age divisions, riders from ages 6 through 17 compete for the Jr. NFR title on seasoned, carefully selected bucking mini-horses, ponies and horses under 56 inches tall.

Don’t let the smalls fool you. In the PeeWee (6 to 8 year old) division, contestant ponies aren’t wild buckers. Those youngsters’ mounts are just enough to let those kids get a feel for life as bucking horse riders. Once they nod and the chute gate opens, these pairs are flanked by fast-footed men on the ground who follow their movement and catch the kids when the whistle blows at 6 seconds or they start to come loose.

It gets real in the upper age divisions. These riders spend all of the regular season on the road to qualify. The small horses they ride, buck! There is professional coaching all along the way, safety is taken seriously in both competition and horse selection, but the overall goal is to build great contestants both in and out of the arena.

“I was astounded by the skill and grit level these young riders bring to the contest,” Lori O’Harver of Bronc Riding Nation said. “What was even MORE astonishing was the professionalism kids from 6 through 17 bring to their post-ride interviews. Just teaching rodeo’s young to compete is good, but not enough in today’s urbanized world where people misunderstand and sometimes resist animals being involved with people. They represent themselves and their sport as true ambassadors everywhere from their social media presences to greeting fans. These kids are nothing short of impressive.

Hat Shape?

A hat will tell you almost everything you need to know. If it’s shaped like a taco, he’s a special kind of boy, but probably not a cowboy. The shape of his hat will speak volumes! There’s a certain crease for a bronc rider or bull rider. Hat shapes vary from region to region. For instance, Montana has a style of it’s own, high in the crown and wide in the brim with a good bend. The Louisiana cowboy’s crown will be a little flatter with not much dip from front to back.

Hat Pins?

Does his hat look like a steamer trunk from a Humphrey Bogart movie? A hat pin from everywhere he’s been including truck stops? When he walks, does his hat jingle instead of his spurs? Nope. Fake cowboy.

Straw or Felt?

If he’s wearing a straw hat in the winter or a felt hat in the dead of summer, it’s a major fashion foul. Everybody knows that just isn’t done.

Spray Paint and Fuzzy Feathers?

Your new cowboy friend isn’t a cowboy, he’s a cowgirl. UNLESS he’s Tim McGraw. Then he’s Tim McGraw.

Boots?

Very shiny, not well worn, no marks on the heels from spurs or rub spots from spur straps over the front? Real pointy toes, unless he’s a Mexican cowboy, are a dead giveaway with most top hands preferring squared toes to not gouge the sides of green or broncy horses while mounting. Flat-footed soles are the mark of the modern day concrete cowboy, if truck drivers are your thing, strike up the conversation. Forgive the occasional athletic shoes, Hushpuppies, or even Crocs if that cowboy is Top Hand Cody DeMoss from Louisiana if he’s just driven in. NEVER forgive loafers. Metro-sexual cowboys don’t even go there.

Belt Buckle?

Shiny is as shiny does. No self-respecting REAL cowboy buys a buckle at a store. He’s won that baby somewhere down the road or watch him very closely.

It’s About to Get Wild in Tennessee!

Jackson, Tennessee – Bull riding fans from all over the continent are making travel plans for the first Professional Bull Riders tour stop of the 2019 season. The Cody Nance Invitational PBR is the event that fans, riders and bull owners all want a piece of.

“I’m excited about our October 26 and 27 production right near my backyard of Paris, Tennessee,” said international PBR top hand Nance. “We’ve put a lot of thought and creative energy into producing the hottest, new bull riding on the U.S. Mainland.”

“First, Oman Arena is the venue. Seating only 4,500 people in the building created for NCAA College Basketball means that every seat in the house is close to the action,” Nance said. “It’s location between several colleges with great rodeo programs like University of Tennessee Martin and Kentucky’s Murray State University will draw a hot, young crowd as well as alumni and fans from all over.”

“We’ve put a ton of thought into what fans want to see and that’s rank rides! Our bull team format for owners and stock contractors means that 15 guys will bring two bulls each. They’re judged in two categories; one, rankness of the bull and the other takes the combined points of bull and rider. With $30,000 at stake, these guys will bring their best barely rideable boys out to play. Our rider roster looks like a who’s who in the PBR. We expect a heated, exciting contest you won’t want to miss,” Nance said.

The news is out! October 25-27 Cody’s will be your official party spot for the Cody Nance Invitational! Cody’s Saloon & Dance Hall will have the pre-party Thursday the 25th and then we will be the after party Friday and Saturday! Keep an eye out as the event gets closer for more specials!

Currently sitting 4th in the world PBR standings, Nance won’t be entered in his signature event. He will ride a special match-up for a charity to be announced, donating money for every second he sticks on.

Media Contact: Mandi J.McCary | MMGNV
Phone: 702-277-7107,
Email: mandi@mmgnv.com “for any media contact.”

Don’t be left out! Get your tickets now at:

• https://monumentaltix.com/events/26-27-oct-2018-cody-nance-invitational-pbr/tickets