Top PRCA bull riders coming to Lawton

Southwest Oklahoma bull riding fans will once again get the opportunity to see the best PRCA contestants at the Liberty National Bank Lawton Xtreme Bulls on April 5-6 at the Great Plains Coliseum.

The entry books open Thursday and close 24 hours later and at that point the list of contestants will be known. Performances are slated for 7 p.m. on both nights with 50 contestants expected both nights.

Xtreme Bulls director Charles Lupi and “Mo” Betta Rodeo Company owner Maury Tate have hired one of the best entertainers in pro rodeo, John Harrison, who just happens to be the grandson of the legendary Freckles Brown, a former world champion bull rider and who spent time in Lawton before moving to Hugo.

“We are striving to bring in the best people we can to make this a special event,” Lupi said. “We’ve had to turn away contestants and this year with Rodeo Austin happening during the same time frame, we are hoping to get all the best riders this year.”

It helps that the local sponsors have allowed the event to boost the added money to $20,000, which will be added to the entry fees to make it were the top riders will pocket even bigger checks this year.

Other sponsors include Lane Frost.com, Billingsley Ford, Apache Casino Hotel, Coors and Southwest Sales, Keystone Roofing, and Rod Polston Tax Attorney,

Another popular part of the event will be the Junior Bull Riding sponsored by Hilliary Communications. There will be 10 junior bull riders each night and the top rider will earn his PRCA card when he turns 18 as part of the draw for these young contestants.

And Billinglsey Ford will be providing a special custom-made gold buckle that will be one of top draws in future years.

“This buckle is going to be one of those prestigious memorabilia items that any rider who wins it will sure wear it because it will be a unique gift for the winner,” Lupi said.

Once again the bulls will be provided by Frontier Rodeo Company and the “Mo” Betta Rodeo Company. Frontier left the PRCA Awards Banquet last December with its eighth straight Stock Contractor of the Year Award.

The event will include some of the best bullfighters in the PRCA including Oklahoman Nate Jestes.

There are general admission tickets and VIP tickets available for the event. Tickets can be purchased at any Liberty National Bank location or by going online to Stubwire.com

The Coliseum has made several changes with a new platform for announcer, timers and the secretary. New Priefort Chutes have been ordered and Coliseum staffers will be assisting with setting up the layout prior to the event.

“We want to keep improving the facility and make it better for the contestants, the stock and the fans,” Lupi said. “Having that many bulls bucking each night is something you can’t find at normal rodeos and thanks to these great sponsors we hope to just keep increasing the added money which will in turn increase the quality of our contestants.”