Bucking on the Rio Grande Brings in Bull Riding Royalty to the Santa Ana Star Center

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Jan. 18, 2016 - PRLog -- The number one bull rider in the CBR World Standings, Cody Rostockyj, is set to defend his ranking against 24 of the best bull riders in the sport at Championship Bull Riding’s Bucking on the Rio Grande presented by Navajo Nation on Saturday, January 30, at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Rostockyj will have to ride past five World Champion titles gathered by Cody Teel, the 2015 CBR and 2012 PRCA World Champion and Sage Kimzey, the two time PRCA and 2014 CBR World Champion to remain in the drivers of the 2016 CBR World Champion title race.

In addition to great bull riding talent, four time World Champion bull rider Tuff Hedeman is bringing in 5 time rodeo entertainer of the year nominee, Cody Sosebee, and the voice of Cheyenne Frontier Days, Andy Stewart, to call the play by play action from the announcer’s booth.

Sanctioned by Championship Bull Riding, the Bucking on the Rio Grande is the eighth stop of the CBR’s Road to Cheyenne televised tour and Hedeman will be in town to oversee every detail of the two hour, action packed adrenaline rush show. The cowboy pro hall of famer had this to say about his upcoming trip to New Mexico.

“I always thought and saw myself as a New Mexican because that’s where I was really born and raised and spent most of my time growing up,” he said.  “We produce events all over the country but being in New Mexico is always special.”

This year the race is tight and with points and prize money in excess of a half a million dollars for the professional cowboy athletes on the Road to Cheyenne tour, every weekend and each stop is critical to their standings which qualifies them for the World Finals at Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming next July.

The CBR’s unique tournament style competition starts with 24 riders. The top 12 scores advance to a semi-final round and tougher bulls. The lion’s share of $30,000 in prize money will be paid in the shoot-out round which features the best four riders paired with the industry’s top bulls. The format appeals to new spectators and established fans alike, because riders challenge as many as three bulls in one performance which peaks as the last rider stands to win or lose it all in the final 8 seconds.

“I really like this style of competition,” said Cody Teel, the defending champion of this event. “Nothing is given to you in this sport, and you have to take every opportunity when you get it, it can be a test getting on three bulls in one night, but being the last guy, out if you are, it is all in your hands. The CBR brings great bulls and that sure helps.”

Joining Rostockyj, Teel and Kimzey, contestants include CBR World Finals Average winner, Brennon Eldred from Sulphur, Okla., and bull riders from 10 states with 9 of them previous PRCA National Finals Rodeo contestants.

In addition to lucrative prize money, bull riders accumulate points which qualify them for the World Finals, part of the legendary Cheyenne Frontier Days celebration. At the end of the World Finals, the contestant who has the most points will be crowned the world champion and receive a $100,000 bonus check.

The CBR tour is comprised of 14 regular season events and the World Finals. The tour includes stops from Jackson, Tenn., to Las Vegas, Nev., east to west and from Huron, S.D., to Del Rio, Texas, north to south.

 The Championship Bull Riding Bucking on the Rio Grande presented by Navajo Nation is part of the CBR Million Dollar Bull Team Challenge. Twelve bull teams which are comprised of three bulls each are featured during the first two rounds of competition. Those bulls receive points for their performance in the arena. Additionally, the time the bull rider stays on is added to the bull’s score. At the end of the night, the owner with the three highest-scoring bulls will receive $20,000 with a total of $45,000 in prize money to the four legged athletes.

Tickets are available through the Santa Ana Star Center’s ticket office with prices starting at $19.75 for kids and 24.75 for adults. (888) 694.4849, www.SantaAnaStarCenter.com, or in person at the Don Chalmers Ford Box Office or Santa Ana Star Casino Players Club. Location is 3001 Civic Center Cir NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144.