This Friday and Saturday at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington there will be plenty of excitement as the West’s top bulls along with many of the up and coming bull riders in the world, vie for the top score at Busch Light PBR Everett. If last year’s sold out show is any indication, this competition featuring both animal and human athletes at the top of their game is the perfect Valentine’s night out. Here are some photos we took at last year’s event. Click to enlarge.
On Monday Seen in Everett had the chance to chat with Wyatt Rogers, currently number four in the Velocity Standings about professional bull riding and his return to Everett, Washington this weekend.
We started the interview by asking Wyatt when he knew he wanted to be a professional bull rider…
“I began going to rodeo when I was still in my mom’s belly and rode my first sheep at age 2. You know when you’re in kindergarten and they ask you what you want to be and kids say doctors, firefighters or astronauts? I said bull rider. It’s always been my dream.”
Wyatt told us rode his first bull at age eleven and turned pro at age eighteen. He’s a three-time Oklahoma High School State Champion. After High School he went on to earn a Masters in Sports Administration from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and was named the school’s Athlete of the Year in 2016. Of course Wyatt is only half of the show, he says the true star is the animal athlete.
“The bull is the star, they weigh between fifteen hundred and two thousand pounds and they are the best part of watching the show, I’m just the sidekick. It’s kind of like an extreme dance as the bull leads and makes his moves and I get to follow. We each get scored up to 50 points and then the two scores are combined. A great score is above 90.” (Note: the rider has to stay atop the bull for a full 8 seconds.)
In the past the tour has stopped in Everett, Washington in April but last year it came through on Valentine’s weekend and that’s the case again this year so we had to ask Wyatt what the most romantic thing there was about bull riding…
“You don’t have to buy the bull chocolates.”
While this week he’s flying out to Busch Light PBR Everett from his home in Oklahoma, Wyatt tells us he will drive to the events if they are within eight to ten hours from home. His week usually begins on Monday with some relaxation and recovery from the previous weekend. Tuesday and Wednesday are work-out days, Thursday is a travel day. Friday morning is media and arena walk-thru and round one on Friday night. Saturday brings round two of competition and if he scores in the top ten there’s a third go-round for the title. We asked him about the routine for the animal athletes.
“The bulls come from regional stock contractors so for Everett they will come from Montana, Idaho, Oregon, California and Washington. They will visit chiropractors, vets and handlers. Honestly the bulls are treated better than the riders and they love the competition, they get frustrated if they can’t compete.”
We ended our interview by asking what the best seat was to watch the event and he immediately recommended what he called “the shark cage”. You can see it in the photos above and it’s right in the middle of the ring. There’s often a TV camera there but if you purchase the premium experience you may find yourself in the middle of the action.
Busch Light PBR Everett happens this Friday night Feb 13th at 8:00PM and Saturday night Feb 14th at 7:00PM. You can purchase tickets for one night or both. Visit PBR.com for more ticket information and availability.