By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
What began as a simple idea to extend Veterans Day recognition has grown into a full two-night bull riding event at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds.
ARA Promotions, comprised of local businessmen Carlos Ayala, Rey Robles and Gabriel Amaro, will host its third annual Veterans Day Bull Mania this Friday and Saturday, an event created specifically to honor veterans by giving them free access and a community stage that celebrates their service.
“We noticed that after the parade and the recognition dinner, afterwards everything would just stop,” said Ayala. “We wanted to do something that kept the weekend going — something that made veterans feel seen and appreciated.”
Admission is free for all veterans, active-duty military and law enforcement. Ayala said the policy is simple — no one is turned away.
Ayala does ask that people bring the appropriate identification with them, if possible.
“If you tell us you served, you walk in,” Ayala said. “We’re not going to argue with anyone about proving their service. We appreciate what they gave for this country.”
The event also raises funds for local organizations supporting veterans, including Finding Our Brother (FOB), which assists homeless veterans and is developing a small-home community to support them, and the Jericho Foundation, another veterans support group.
Bull Mania also continues a long local rodeo tradition. The Val Verde County Fairgrounds arena has hosted some of the region’s most recognized bull riding events, including the George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding.
“That arena has history. A lot of legends have been on that dirt,” Ayala said. “For us to put on an event in the same arena — it’s an honor.”
This year’s Bull Mania will feature riders from the PBR and PRCA circuits, along with livestock supplied by world champion stock contractors including Martinez Bucking Bulls, JD Nix and Sampson Bulls.
While the event doesn’t bring in the top-tier bulls that appear on televised circuits, it will feature many younger and rising bulls that are being developed for the national ranks.
“We don’t have the monster bulls, but we have the same contractors that provide the PBR and PRCA their bulls, so we have the monster’s first cousins in the arena,” said WHO?
Another athlete scheduled to compete is Del Rio’s Gus Rodriguez, who’s been featured on the Fox reality show called Last Cowboy Standing. “Last Cowboy Standing” is a televised bull riding competition designed to showcase rising riders going head-to-head on rank stock to see who can stay on and advance.
He’ll be riding Friday and Saturday.
Alejandro Barrerra, Kase Hitt, Guthrie Long, Colton Burkard and Rosendo Ramirez are some of the other regional riders coming to compete in the event.
“What we are doing is giving AAA players a chance to step up against the major league pitchers, the bulls,” said Ruben Cruz, owner of Team Toro Loco. “So, we are giving these guys a chance to go up against a major league bull and see if they get a hit.”
Ayala said the goal remains the same as when the idea began.
“We want veterans to feel appreciated — not just in words, but in action,” he said. “This event is for them, their families and the community that surrounds them.”
Tickets:
• Pre-sale: $20 per night
• At the gate: $25
• Both nights: $50
Gates open at 4 p.m. and bull riding starts at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are available at Cowboy John’s Boots & Jeans, The Fishing Cowboy, and Del Rio Western Wear.
General admission seating is first-come, first-served.
