Happy Canyon Arena hosts the world’s best cowboys mounted on the meanest bulls the Monday and Tuesday before Round-Up begins. Ticket information.
Welcome to the PBR….The toughest sport on dirt.
The rules are simple. Place a wiry 150-pound cowboy on the back of a hulking, snorting temperamental 2,000 pound bull and see if he can ride the beast for an eternal eight seconds…with one hand strapped to the bull’s massive backside.
 Headquartered in Colorado, the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. was created in 1992 when a group of 20 visionary bull riders broke away from the traditional rodeo scene seeking mainstream attention for the sport of professional bull riding. They felt that, as the most popular event at a rodeo, bull riding deserved to be in the limelight and could easily stand alone. Each rider invested a hard-earned $1,000, a few of them borrowing from family and friends, to start the PBR.
In early 2007, Spire Capital Partners finalized a deal with the PBR Board of Directors to acquire the interests of many of the retired founding riders and invest in the growth of the organization. Those first 20 bull riders had turned their $1,000 into millions. Owned today by 44 cowboys, management and Spire Capital, the PBR celebrated its most successful year of existence in 2007, establishing milestones in organizational revenue, bull rider earnings, record breaking performances, and media attention. It still relishes the title of being the fastest growing sport in the country.
More than 1,200 bull riders from the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico hold PBR memberships. They compete in more than 300 bull riding events per year on either the elite tour, which is the Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler (BFTS), the three minor league tours, which are the Copenhagen Bull Riding Challenger Tour, the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Tour, and the Discovery Tour, or the PBR Internationalcircuits (PBR Australia, PBR Brazil, PBR Canada and PBR Mexico). The ultimate goal for PBR athletes each year is to qualify for the prestigious PBR World Finals in Las Vegas where the coveted title of PBR World Champion is decided.
Professional bull riding is a fierce, rough, and grueling sport with roots deeply imbedded in American culture. It’s America’s original extreme sport. The PBR has evolved into a captivating and adrenaline charged sporting event that features an all star cast of the greatest bull riders and bucking bulls in the world.
PGG INDEPENDENCE DAY BULLS and BARRELS EXTRAVAGANZA, July 3rd & 4th
The Pendleton Round-Up Association and Happy Canyon Company are planning a two-day celebration of the Fourth of July that will feature a unique two-night PBR event on July 3 and 4 and barrel racing and other activities on Independence Day. While much of the planning is still underway, the PGG Independence Day Bulls and Barrels Extravaganza is locked in and ready to rock.
"Fourth of July celebrations have been a part of Americana for over 200 years and other than the fireworks, Pendleton hasn't done much in recent times to commemorate this important day," Round-Up President Dennis Hunt said. "Round-Up and Happy Canyon both felt that this was the perfect opportunity to lay the groundwork to create a celebration that will benefit the entire community and give folks a reason to come to Pendleton."
Happy Canyon President Bob Roselle agreed.
"The annual September PBR held at the Happy Canyon Arena has become a highly-regarded event with both nights basically selling out, " he said. "It is our hope that during the July 3 and 4 celebration, we can add another opportunity for our community and the surrounding area to have a full couple of days of fun. I know the Round-Up and Happy Canyon boards as well as our sponsors are very excited for this upcoming Independence Day Celebration."
The bull riding event will not only be a PBR Pro Tour show, it is also being staged in conjunction with American Bucking Bulls, Inc. ABBI hosts its own finals in Las Vegas where the top bull can earn its stock contractor an additional $500,000. All of the bulls that compete in the Happy Canyon Arena are 2 to 3 year olds from the world's best stock contractors.
The Round-Up Grounds will take center stage for a jackpot barrel race on July 4. Every year, Round-Up offers barrel racers the chance to run the longest course in the world, and now they will have a second opportunity to urge their horses through the unusual course. It's anticipated that there will be 150 racers entered.
While the barrel race is going on, Round-Up and Happy Canyon plan to have a beer garden and live music on the Round-Up Grounds as well. The specific bands and other Independence Day events are still in the planning stages and will be announced when they are confirmed.
The decision to sponsor the event was an easy one for Pendleton Grain Growers.
"We're proud to sponsor the first PGG Bulls and Barrels Extravaganza," PGG President Allen Waggoner said. "It's a natural fit for us because it's a unique way of thanking our customers and celebrating Independence Day at the same time."
Tickets will be on sale for the two nights of bull riding and for the barrel race on April 24 at 8:30 a.m. at the Round-Up office on a first-come first-served basis. For more information call 541-276-2553.
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