Friday, June 29, 2007

Get ready for thrills and spills

Hometown Bullriding competition will round out rodeo


By JON DUVAL
Express Staff Writer

Express file photo The Hometown Bullriding competition at the Hailey Days of the Old West Rodeo is always a crowd favorite.

Local cowboys and cowgirls—strap on your spurs and get ready to saddle up, as the 26th annual Hometown Bullriding competition will be bucking into Hailey during the Hailey Days of the Old West Rodeo next week.

The event will take place from July 2 through July 4, with eight local daredevils competing per day, testing their mettle for a large belt buckle made of metal.

"It's always exciting," said Ted Urhig, director of the Hailey Rodeo Grounds and the 75-year old scion of true Wood River Valley pioneers. "Local guys get talking among themselves saying, 'Well if you're going to do it, so am I.'"

While the schedule has yet to be finalized with event organizers, Uhrig said the competition will most likely take place at the beginning of the rodeo on Monday and Tuesday, starting at 7:30 p.m., and towards the end of the event on Wednesday, July 4.

Those looking for a shot at glory by way of sitting on an angry bull can make this dream a reality by calling Madeline Amend at 788-4979 or signing up at 6 p.m. the night of the event. The entry fee is $25. Uhrig suggested getting applications in early, as the 24 spots usually fill up quickly.

Uhrig also provided encouraging words for first-time riders, noting that the 2-year-old bulls are just as new to the sport, and they are as likely to run as they are to buck.

Each evening, the Hometown Bullriding will follow the rodeo queen contestants' free-reining competition and the much-loved Mutton Bustin', a sheep-riding competition for children.

"This is a great chance to get kids in the bullriding mindset," said Uhrig. "Plus, the trophies are usually bigger than the kids."




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