Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer Brings Top ranked bull riders to Mercedes

MERCEDES, Texas - Oct. 14, 2016 - PRLog -- Local bull rider Juan Alonzo, Weslaco, Texas returns to his hometown arena to battle two World Champions at Championship Bull Riding's annual "Bulls on the Border" Bull Bash on October 15 at the Ed Payne Auto Group Rodeo Arena.  Alonzo, a United States Army veteran, is one of the top ranked bull riders on the CBR's professional tour who be up against two World Champions including the number one ranked bull rider in the World, four time World Champion, Sage Steele Kimzey, of Strong City, Oklahoma.

Juan Alonzo from Weslaco, Texas, a veteran of the U.S Army, who is pursuing his dreams of being a professional bull rider after serving in the Middle East, burst onto the CBR bull riding scene as a rookie last season and crawled his way to the top 10 where he parked for the season. He was impressive at the CBR World Finals in July, posting the highest score to win round one

The fifth stop of the 2016-17 televised Road to Cheyenne tour makes it way to Mercedes for the last stop until the fifteen city tour resumes in January.  CBR will offer the diehard bull riding fans of South Texas the chance to see World class bull riders including former CBR World Champion Cole Echols, the number two ranked CBR rider, Eli Vastbinder, and a host of former and current Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association's National Finals Rodeo qualifiers including Aaron Pass, Taryl Smith, Cody Rostockyj, Chandler Bownds, and Jacob 0"Mara.

New to CBR's star studded line up is Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah, who is the cousin of the late World Champion bull rider Lane Frost. Fans remember Frost's biographical drama and rodeo blockbuster movie, 8 Seconds, which featured Frost's and Hedeman's friendship and career bull riding story and played by Luke Perry as Frost and Stephen Baldwin as Hedeman. But is not the first time Hedeman has loaded his former traveling partner and best friend's family in the bucking chutes. Josh's older brother Joe won the CBR Bossier City event in 2015.

Joe and Josh's dad and grandfather were involved in rodeo. Their uncle Clyde, Lane's father, was, too.

"It's a family legacy, and I grew up knowing nothing else," Joe said. "All I've ever wanted to do is ride bulls. Nobody had to put any pressure on me."

With World Champion riders and bulls entered, the 26 cowboy athletes will be paired with some of the industry's top bucking bulls in a three round tournament style event where each rider can challenge as many as three bulls in one night to get to the $30,000 prize. The other side of the ride will be looking to collect at the Bull Bash as the CBR's Bull Team Challenge Competition will pay out $45,000 to the top four bull teams .

"It is a rare opportunity for the local fans to see the two No. 1 ranked bull rider in the world and enjoy great entertainment before, during and after the bull riding," said Chief Executive Officer and Bulls On the Border Bash producer, Benny Cude. In addition to the feature performance on Saturday night, fans will three opportunities to meet the professional cowboy athletes at local retailers. (Schedule below) The CBR's Bull Bash will feature two leading entertainers in concert.

Chris Marshall's band, Marshall Law, will kick off the evening's activities when the doors open at 6:30 with a tailgate party. CBR Merchandise and vendors will be open for shopping. Immediately following the bull riding fans will enjoy the music of Sweetwater Rain from the arena floor. Tuff Hedeman and the bull riders will be signing autographs in the arena at the conclusion of the Bulls On the Border bull riding.

The Ed Payne Motors "Bulls on the Border" Bull Bash will be held at 8 PM at the Ed Payne Auto Group Rodeo Arena located at 1000 North Texas Avenue. Saturday night's lineup kicks off with the Chris Marshall tailgate party on the main stage followed by the bull riding and the concert. Doors open for the tailgate party at 6:30. The bull riding action gets underway at 8 p.m. with the top 26 bull riders in the world doing their best to stay on for eight seconds in round one so they can advance to the semifinals. The 12 top scores get to ride in the semifinals with the best four advancing to a Shoot Out round where the bulk of the $30,000 in prize money is paid.

SCHEDULE

Friday, October 14

Autograph Sessions and Meet and Greet (Open to media)

5-7 pm  Boot Jack, 1428 E Jackson, McAllen

7:30 pm CBR Kick Off party – Paradise Roadhouse Grill, 3700 E Expressway 83, Weslaco

Saturday, October 15

         Autograph Session and Meet and Greet (Open to Media)

10-12 am Rivera's Machinery 800 W Expressway 83, Donna

12 – 2 pm Ed Payne Dodge, 2101 E Expressway 83, Weslaco (Open to Media)

6:30 pm Doors Open -  Ed Payne Bulls on the Border Bull Bash

6:30 pm Tailgate Party with Chris Marshall and Marshall Law Band

         8 pm Bulls on the Border Bull Riding Bash

         10 pm Sweetwater Rain in concert

LOCATION:  Ed Payne Auto Group Rodeo Arena, Mercedes, Texas, 1000 N Texas Ave, Mercedes, TX 78570

TICKETS ON SALE:    The Boot Jack

         Tickets start at $15 for children and $20 General Admission Pre Sale

Tuff Hedeman, Sage Kimzey and Juan Alonzo, are available for media interviews upon request.  Contact     Leigh Ann Schroeder 940.902.1112 or leighann@theshortround.com

Websites:  http://www.cbrbull.com/