By John Ludlum
Rodeo Historian
Friday night kicks off the 44th George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding in Del Rio, Texas, and if you like, love bull riding, you won’t be disappointed.
The best Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association bull riders will be in town Friday and Saturday nights and the best of the best chasing a gold buckle will be out each night. Forty riders ride one bull each night with the top ten getting a chance for a win of the two-day event on a second bull. Forty different riders compete each night and the highest score from both nights wins the 44th George Paul. So here’s the teaser for just a few of the world’s best bull riders each night.
Friday night brings former National Finals contestants and presently ranked top 15 bull riders. Lukasey Morris, Union City, OK, is currently ranked number eight in the world standings. Trey Kimzey, brother of seven-time PRCA World Champion Sage Kimzey, from Strong City, OK is sitting in the number 7 PRCA standings. Josh Frost, Randlett, UT and cousin of former two-time George Paul winner, and PRCA World Champion Lane Frost, is ranked number 2 in the PRCA standings. Former Wrangler National Finals contestants out Friday night include Ruger Priva, Challis, ID; Parker Breding, Edgar, MT; Clayton Savage, Banner, WY; and Ardie Maier, Timber Lake, SD, plus several other PRCA bull riders.
Saturday night is no let down in the talent coming to Del Rio. Last year’s George Paul winner, T.J. Gray will try for a second time to win the George Paul. PBR World Champion J.B. Mauney, a $7 million money winner, has recovered from post Wrangler National Finals Rodeo surgery and will make his second appearance for 2022 Saturday night.
But that’s not all!
Currently ranked number 15 in the PRCA standings, Cole Fisher of Jefferson City, MO; 13th ranked Toby Collins, Stephenville, TX, via Australia; 12th ranked Ky Hamilton, Queensland, Australia; 11th ranked James Stratford, Byers, KS; 6th ranked Clayton Greig, Estherville, IA; and 4th ranked Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, ID, will also compete.
Seven-time PRCA Bull Riding World Champion Sage Kimzey of Salado, TX, and number one ranked, and three-time All Around World Champion, 2000 World Champion bull rider and reigning World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider, Stetson Wright, Milford, UT will compete Saturday night.
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo contestants Trevor Kastner, Roff, OK; Trey Benton, also known as TB III, Richards, TX; Steve Wolsey, Payson, UT: Jeff Askey, Athens, TX; Dustin Boquet, Bourg, LA; and Brady Portenier, Caldwell, ID, are all out Saturday night.
For long time George Paul fans perhaps the story for this year’s event features a past winner. 2013, 2014 and 2017 George Paul winner Trey Benton III could set a record for the event that, if he can do it, will be hard to beat. If Trey can win this year’s 44th George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding, he will be the only cowboy in 44 years to win the event four times. If that’s not reason enough to buy a ticket, plus all the other talent on hand for this year’s event, I can’t think of a better one.
The Cowboy Channel will broadcast the event internationally but get a ticket at the bull riding office, see yourself on international television, see the best bull riding talent in the world and maybe, just maybe you might be able to say, “Yep, I was there when that guy, TB III, won his fourth George Paul buckle, and set a new world record.”
See you Friday and Saturday nights.
