Hooked on an eight-second ride
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association didn't disappoint on beefing up its bull riding event this time around.
The PRCA Rodeo, which is in its second year in Conway, added more bull riders to its two-day event. The quality of the riders and the bulls are considered to be a step up from last year's event.
Clint Craig of Mena goes for a ride during the bull riding competition at Friday's Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo at the Don Owen Sports Complex. LIBERTY PARKS PHOTO
"The thing about it is, we have a lot of good cowboys from this area," PRCA rodeo announcer Dale Hancock said. "I'm going to say out of a fourth of our contestants are from Arkansas and then probably 30 to 40 percent of that are from Faulkner County. So we have some good local cowboys here, and we have some good cowboys from about 20 different states. In bull riding there's guys like Cody Mounts and J.B. Mauney who are going to make that event bigger."
Mounts is considered to be one of the biggest bull riders from the area. He is from Pine Bluff and he thinks the PRCA Rodeo can take off in Conway.
"This is my first time coming to Conway, but I heard they were trying to get some good bull riders this year," Mounts said. "When you get good riders and good bulls, then the people will come and watch. Since it's the last event of the night, it may be the biggest. People like to watch a nasty bull."
Mauney, 22, is from Mooresville, N.C., and he's currently ranked third in the world on the Professional Bull Riders circuit. Mauney highlighted Friday night's tabs of riders. He has had a busy spring competing in places like Fort Worth, Texas and Jacksonville, Fla., but he said Conway has the chance to rank up there with the best of them.
"They are trying to make this a big event," Mauney said. "It's small now, but they want it to be really big one day, and they're heading in the right direction. They are trying to bring in some bulls with fight and some cowboys who can get the job done. I really don't know much about the bulls here, but I seen a couple of them and they looked mean to me. I guess I'll fine out sooner than later how mean they are. There are a lot of good riders that go to PRCA, so that's why I go to both now.
Zach Kiestler from Tenn. hangs tough during the bareback bronc riding competition at Friday's Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo at the Don Owen Sports Complex. LIBERTY PARKS PHOTO
Mauney said he believes being on a bull before the gates open is one of the most intense moments in the world.
"The first thing that comes to mind is 'stay on,'" Mauney said. "I really don't put a whole lot of thought into it. I just try to go into it laid back. I don't try to worry about stuff. There's no need in worrying about it."
Saturday night's listing of riders is considered the highest number of bull riders in the event in Conway. Before any scratches, there are 18 riders scheduled to attempt to endure the eight seconds on Saturday night.
"It's a great rodeo," Hancock said. "It's been a pretty rough year on us sponsor-wise because of the economy, but we really want this to be an annual event. We really appreciate the Log Cabin Democrat for their support because without them, this rodeo would probably not be possible. There were so other sponsored that help us out too and we appreciate them."