GET ready for all of the thrills and spills as professional bull riding action returns to the Redland Bay Hotel on January 19.
Presented by local businesses, Grass Roots Redland Bay will once again showcase some of the top cowboys and bucking bulls in the country, including stock from Professional Bull Riding Australia contractors Weller Rodeo Production, Ruhland Ranch and the Hall Rodeo Company.
Trying to protect those cowboys will be some of the best bullfighters in the game.
Gasp in awe as these fearless athletes throw their 80 to 100 kilogram frames in harm’s way in an effort to keep the competitors safe.
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Organiser Jesse James said more bulls would be bucked in three hours than at any other event making it the largest standalone bull ride on the National Rodeo Association calendar.
He said the bull ride had been a community highlight since inception and was a way for businesses to thank locals for their continued support, as well as raise awareness and funds for the Cage Youth Foundation.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to come down and see how the people from the country live and experience a real bull ride,” Mr James said.
“When we first started, they said ‘there was no way you are going to run a successful bull ride in the Redlands but it has been the biggest event in Redland Bay for seven years.
“We just wanted to get kids off devices and families out at an affordable price.”
Offering fans unprecedented access to the riders, Grass Roots Redland Bay begins at 11am and runs through to 7pm, with an after-party on until midnight.
About 130 entrants ranging in age from eight to 60 years will take part, riding rough stock from poddy calves to bulls and vying for a share of the $8,500 prize money.
Tickets are $25 per adult and $15 for kids.
Food and drinks will be available.
There will be raffles and the cowboy auction is back again, with punters able to bid on a rider and win cash if that competitor takes out the main event.
Mr James said the local fisherman and businesses who pulled the event together called it Grass Roots Redland Bay to remind people people to be proud of where they came from and where they are headed, and to help everyone from the ground up on the way to being their best.
The Cage Youth Foundation is a self-funded not-for-profit charity which provides information and support for young people and their families in Redlands City and the bay islands.
Services include kids club, work for the dole, get set for work courses, counselling, school workshops and programs, community engagement events, fundraising events and youth suicide prevention support and awareness.