Atoka, Oklahoma PBR cowboy, Ryan McConnel is nursing an injury, but
plans to be back on the circuit by the end of the month.
These Bull Riders From Oklahoma
Are Headed to Sulphur Springs For The Weekend
by: Bobby McDonald
Ryan McConnel will be bringing his little brother, Joseph McConnel,and friend, Lane Lasley, who were just named
the National High School Finals Champion and Runner-Up in Rocksprings, Wyoming.
"They're going to be some of the toughest and rankest three year old bulls in the nation," expressed PBR Bullrider, Ryan McConnel, as he described the bulls that will be featured on Friday and Saturday night, in the Greenville Chrysler Black Gold Challenge, hosted in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center Arena, in Sulphur Springs. "That's why I encouraged my little brother, Joseph McConnel, to bring his talents to Sulphur Springs. He's just come home from winning the National High School Finals Bullriding Championship in Rocksprings, Wyoming, and wanted to compete with some of the best!"
Joseph McConnel is also bringing along his bull riding buddy, Lane Lasley, who was runner-up in the National High School Finals. "They're looking for a challenge and to make it in the PBR, so I told them this was the place to be this weekend!" allowed Ryan McConnel. "I'm nursing an injury, that hopefully will be healed, so I can be back on the circuit by the end of August!"
Having been out for about 4 months, Ryan McConnel is still ranked 27th in the PBR standings, and is looking to get back into action, as soon as possible to move toward the finals.
Ryan and Joseph, both grew up in Bloomington, New Mexico, and are following in the footsteps of their father, Douglas McConnel, who was a pro-am bull rider, in Colorado and New Mexico. Along with Lane, a native of Conway, Arkansas, the three young bull riders are now making their home in Atoka, Oklahoma. "We've all got plans to travel together and make as many events as possible, the rest of the year," allowed Ryan.
"We'll certainly have a challenge waiting for these boys, when they get to Sulphur Springs, on Friday and Saturday!" expressed Jim McLain, of TwoBulls Group." This year features the richest Bucking Bull Derby in the United States paying out an unprecedented $100,000. All this is capped off with the Professional Bullfighters Protection Tour and Freestyle Bullfight Championships. Four Competitions all revolving around the Bull promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats for this action packed weekend in Sulphur Springs!"
"We have more top quality bull riders entered in this year's show, than we've had in the previous four years," allowed McLain. "Some of the best bull riders, bullfighters, and bulls, are headed to Sulphur Springs! Spectators of the sport won't want to miss this exciting line-up!"
Ryan and Joseph McConnel and Lane Lasley will all be making a pre-show appearance at Circle E Western Store, on Friday afternoon, from 2:00 to 3:00, where they will be signing autographs and meeting the public, in conjunction with the last chance to compete for a spot in the Circle E Sponsored Stick Bull Competition. Get your little cowboys and cowgirls "loaded up" and head out to meet these bull riders and let the kids compete for a spot in the Friday and Saturday night shows.
Tickets for this year's Greenville Chrysler Black Gold Challenge are available at Circle E Western Store and the Civic Center Box Office, in Sulphur Springs, and at Alliance Bank in Greenville. Get ready for some spectacular bull riding and bullfighting, this weekend!
The Bullfighting Teams will also be making appearances at their sponsoring locations. Make plans to "drop by" and get their autographs, as well. Once you meet them, you'll be sure to want to come out and cheer them on, during the performances. Schedules of their appearances and the other activities are as follows:
Thursday, August 9th
Bull Checkin - Black Gold Derby
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Hopkins Co. Civic Center Bull Housing
Meet N Greet with PBF Bullfighters, Team Texas Heritage National Bank, Andy Burelle & Kevin Yeager
Texas Heritage National Bank (Dangerfield-107 Webb Street)
11:00-Noon
Texas Heritage National Bank (Omaha-201 S. Main Street)
1:00-2:00 PM
Meet N Greet with PBF Bullfighters, Team City National Bank, Chad Dowdy & Evan Allard
City National Bank (Main Branch Downtown-201 Connally St-sulphur Springs)
2:00-3:00 PM
Black Gold Derby Bull Owner/Trainer/Breeder Meeting (Mandatory)
4:30 PM
Hopkins Co Civic Center Arena (North seating)
Welcome Reception Hopkins County Civic Center Main Hall
7:00 PM
TwoBulls Group & Superior Genetics host the welcome reception for the Bull Owner/Trainer/Breeders, Bullfighters, Sponsors and Special guest in this evening of East Texas hospitality complete with great food and introduction of the bulls.
Friday, August 10th
Pack the Bus with “CAN HELP”
-Join “Radical” Ryan Rodriquez, Team Legacy Ag Credit, Team City National Bank and Team Holt Agribusiness help stuff the bus with school supplies Can Help (613 Gilmer St.-Sulphur Springs)
8:00-10:00 AM
Meet N Greet with PBF Bullfighters, Team Texas Heritage National Bank, Andy Burelle & Kevin Yeager
Texas Heritage National Bank (215 N. Hillcrest-Sulphur Springs)
11:00-Noon
Meet N Greet Team with PBF Bullfighters, Legacy Ag Credit Justin Wolfe & Justin Shoemaker
Legacy Ag Credit (303 Connally Street-Sulphur Springs)
11:30-1:00 PM
Meet N Greet with PBF Bullfighters, Team Alliance Bank, Lance McIlvain & Dave Jantzi
Alliance Bank (Main Branch 100 West Jefferson Street-Sulphur Springs)
Noon-1:00 PM
Meet N Greet with PBF Bullfighters, Team City National Bank, Chad Dowdy & Evan Allard
City National Bank (1133 Mockingbird Lane-Sulphur Springs)
2:00-3:00 PM
Meet N Greet with PBF Bullfighters, Team Holt Agribusiness Tyler Croxell & Kyle Lippincott
Holt Agribusiness (109 Industrial Drive West -Sulphur Springs)
1:00-2:00 PM
Greenville Chrysler Black Gold Challenge Extreme Bull Sport
presented by Priefert Ranch Equipment
Doors open at 6:00 PM Show starts at 7:30 PM @ Hopkins County Civic Center
Saturday, August 11th
Meet N Greet with PBF Bullfighters and Entertainer Radical Ryan Rodriguez
Circle E Western Store (300 Shannon Rd-Sulphur Springs)
1:00-2:30 PM
Greenville Chrysler Black Gold Challenge Extreme Bull Sport
presented by Priefert Ranch Equipment
Doors open at 6:00 PM Show starts at 7:30 PM @ Hopkins County Civic Center
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