“The most dangerous sport participated in by man is coming to Junction City.”
“Everybody around here loves cowboys and the cowboy way of life, and nothing gets peoples’ adrenalin flowing more than cowboys riding big, mean, colorful, rank bucking bulls,” declared Carl Corey at Corey’s Country Corral in Junction City.
“So, my wife Dee and I are bringing a summer bull riding series to our Corey‘s Country Corral on the south side of Grandview Plaza,” Carl announced.
One of the most enthusiastic people one could image, Carl, who was stationed at Fort Riley and recently retired, started the country dance club two years ago, because he and his wife enjoyed country dancing so much. But, Corey’s Corral is much more than that.
“We’ve brought in the best country music entertainers this part of the state has ever had the opportunity to see, along with a wide array of other entertainment people hadn’t seen before. The crowds have been great, and this bull riding series is what I’d say is the frosting-on-the-cake,” Carl insisted.
While bull riding at a dance club might seem atypical to many, it’s not completely unusual. “I actually saw bull riding at a club in Texas in the late’80s, and I’ve had the idea to do the same in the back of my mind ever since,” Carl contended.
The itch was agitated further several years ago when Carl and Dee saw bull riding at an Oklahoma City club. Then the idea came to Kansas when a Wichita club started a bull riding series, and the Corey’s became more determined to add bull riding to their already-colorful diverse repertoire of country entertainment at Corey’s Corral.
“Our patrons have wanted it, rodeo and bull riding enthusiasts and spectators want it, and we definitely want to make Corey’s Corral a full blown country dance club. What better way than with bull riding at a country club for country people for the cowboys and cowgirls?
“We’ve really been working hard on the logistics putting this whole thing together, and it has taken several months. But now, we’re ready to go this month,” Dee emphasized.
The 2013 DEL Motors Bull Riding Buckle Series at Corey’s Coral is scheduled May 17-18, June 14-15, July 19-20, and the finals will be August 8-9-10.
“An effort of this size and caliber takes lots of cooperation from many people, and we really appreciate the sponsors who have come on board to make the bull riding series a reality,” expressed Dee, reiterating that Junction City business: DEL Motors – Part of the Briggs Auto Family has taken the lead role.
“We have several other sponsors, and there are sponsorship opportunities still available,” Carl pointed out.
Basic requirement for such livestock entertainment is facilities. “This will be an outside event in the 50-feet-by-40-feet arena constructed at the club,” Carl said. “We have left-hand and right-hand bucking chutes, and comfortable outdoor capacity to seat more the 400 spectators. We will expand seating as crowds increase.”
Second most important ingredients are bucking bulls and cowboys. “We’re really fortunate that Charlie McDonald of McDonald Rodeo Company at Ava, Missouri, and with a division at Towanda, Kansas, in Butler County, is available and excited to contract the bucking bulls for our jackpots,” Carl credited.
“Charlie truly has several of the wildest, rankest bucking bulls in the world, which draws the very best cowboys in the country to mount them, and that fills the bleachers with excited spectators,” Dee added.
Assisting in the endeavor of guaranteeing quality contestants and crowd-appealing action both in caliber of stock and riders, the Corey’s Coral Bull Riding Series will be sanctioned by the Southern Extreme Bull Riding Association (SEBRA).
“There will be cowboys coming from everywhere to ride at Corey’s Corral in order to get points,” Dee said.
Each night of bull riding, starting at 10 o’clock, will be an individual event, with top riders gaining points for the Corey’s Corral Finals and also for the yearend 2013 SEBRA Nationals.
“We’ll have a minimum of $250 added prize money for each performance,” Carl promised.
However, an important feature of the Corey’s Corral Live Bull Riding is that cowboys don’t have to be full-fledged, experienced bull riders to get in on the action.
“Every night, we’ll have the opportunity for exhibition riders. For a $20 entry fee, anybody who wants to try a hand at riding a real live rodeo bucking bull can do it, and maybe win a beautiful buckle as well as series points and payback, if they are successful with the highest score,” clarified Carl.
“Charlie (McDonald) will pair up exhibition riders with bulls of the caliber that match the exhibition rider’s experience. I wish them all the best, but I am not getting on one,” Carl smiled with an obvious twitch on his lip.
Entry fee to compete for SEBRA points with nightly payback will be $60, with a draw to pair up bulls and riders. All entries must be called to McDonald Rodeo Company on Monday evening prior to the events at 417-683-3057.
“This will be completely professional bull riding with professional judges, top bullfighters, the funniest clowns. Every Friday has been set as ‘Tough Enough To Wear Pink Night’ with support funds donated to those suffering illness,” stated Dee, who recognized that all of the bull riders and spectators will have special appreciation for those in the military and nearby Fort Riley.
Guaranteeing quality of contestants for the debut performance on May 17, Carl said, “Nathan Tull, the 2008 International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) champion bull rider, will be among the riders, and the draw will include SEBRA Nationals qualifying bulls.”
Additional details will be forthcoming and are available atwww.coreyscountrycorral.com, or on Facebook.