PRCA brings bucking bulls to Chandler

CHANDLER – Some scientists say that first impressions occur within eight seconds. What would your first impression be of a person in the middle of an arena who is holding onto the back of a 1,500-pound bucking bull with one hand?

In the same amount of time it would take you to form that first impression, the bull rider may have already conquered an animal slightly smaller than a sedan. 

Thirty-five riders made an impression at the PRCA Xtreme Bulls event at Buck-N-Rodeo Grounds in Chandler on Friday and Saturday. 

“It’s a wonder, (bull riding) makes you question all kinds of stuff,” said the No 44 ranked bull rider in the world, Aaron Williams, with a laugh: “It really makes you want to dive into the theory of relativity when it comes to time.”

It was, perhaps, an easy-going answer for the man the PA announcer referred to as “The Dragon Slayer.”

Australian bull rider Toby Hale, who had a qualified ride of 84.5 points on Friday, gave more of the answer one might expect when describing the sport he loves. 

“It’s a fight every single time,” he said. “Just like a boxer, I guess. They get in there for the thrill of the fight.” 

Hale, originally from a small town in northern Queensland, Australia, came to the U.S. in order to join the ranks of the top bull riders in the world. 

“This is the biggest stage, this is the most money by far,” Hale said. “You can make a living (riding) in Australia, but this can set you up for life.”

As Hale notes, if there was a “try it” line at a rodeo to do what these bull riders do on a daily basis, it might be empty. 

“You’ve got to dedicate every part of your life to it because that’s part of the game,” he said. “That’s why not many people do it.” 

On Friday night, TJ Gray spent 16 seconds total on the back of two bulls combined. He had an 86-point ride in the first round and his 85.5-point ride in the short round was enough to win the first night of the Xtreme Bulls competition. 

“I had two good bulls,” Gray said. “I knew my first draw. I had rode him the year before and I knew he was good enough that he could get me back to the short round. I did not know a single bull in the short round, so I was just shooting blind, which is how I usually like to ride. I don’t like to know too much about the bulls.” 

Instead of worrying about what bull he is riding and risk overthinking it, Gray finds it beneficial to just rely on his training. He can even find a sense of calm on top of a bull. 

“When you are in the zone, when your subconscious mind takes over, it is as clear as day. Calm, cool, collected,” he said. “ If it’s not going well, it can be like chucking the steering wheel out the window.”

Gray was in that zone Friday, calling it, “a letdown that it’s time to get off.”

“Lots of people think you are holding on tighter than you are,” Gray said. “You’re never going to be stronger than a 1,800-pound bull.”

This year marks the first time the PRCA Xtreme Bulls tour has stopped in Chandler. The event drew adulation from fans,the bull riders and the Gila River Indian Community. 

“It’s great to be out here in Chandler,” Williams said. “The state of Arizona itself is very rooted in western heritage, so it’s really good to be at the events out here.”

“It’s amazing to have this rodeo culture here and have everyone come out to this amazing event,” added Michael Woody, Gila River Development marketing administrator. It’s broadcast nationally, too, and to have all these people come out to Wild Horse Pass is amazing.”

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