Any event must be doing something right if it happens just about every year for over 30 years. It has to be worth putting on from a financial standpoint and be something that draws crowds every year. It should find ways to pull previous visitors back as well as welcome new guests for the first time.
WildThing Championship Bullriding certainly hits both of those marks. The event proudly proclaimed the “Number One Open Bullriding in the Southwest” is upon Gallup once more. This year’s show, which runs from July 12-13, will electrify guests at Red Rock Park for the 31st time.
Organizer Larry Peterson told the Sun he knows the expectations for WildThing remain high, but he also knows that the crew is working tirelessly to match them.
“We’re all working real hard on it,” Peterson said. “We’re going to have a big strong show like we always do. There’ll be a lot of fun entertainment for the crowd.”
BULLS & RIDERS
There is also a packed slate of entertainment at WildThing, but the main draw for 31 years has been guests seeing some of the best riders from both the region and nation match up against some of the toughest bulls on the scene.
“We have a little change with the stock this year,” Peterson said. “4B Bucking Bowls is our main contractor. We have Flying S out of Texas bringing bulls. And we have [PBR World Champion] Owen Washburn bringing a trailer load of bulls.”
Peterson explained these are all some of the top contractors in the country who have taken their bulls to PBR events as well as other pro rodeo shows.
“These bulls are born to buck. They start out in breeding programs, they’re fed very well, they get exercised,” Peterson said. “They are some of the best in the country, you can see them in some of the big PBR shows on T.V..”
As for the riders, entries for WildThing happened on June 26. A full list of riders was not available at press time, but Peterson said fans can expect a mixture of local favorites as well as national contenders.
“We have our riders coming from all over the country,” he explained. “Some come from Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, some of the top Navajo riders. It’s a big mix coming in. They’re running at almost $30,000 in prize money with first place paying $10,000.”
REST OF THE SLATE
All the other WildThing staple events remain on the schedule this year, many of which are the result of WildThing’s sponsors.
There are the six Champion Wooly Riders who, Peterson emphasized, all won their way in. On both nights the guests will get to watch the up-and-comers compete for their own top prize.
Also on both nights is the crowd-favorite Cowboy Poker. The daring game that has garnered increasing international attention has the players matching wits with both each other in a game of cards as well as the large bull that circles them the whole time.
Then of course, one of the biggest draws is the fireworks spectacular that lights up the skies over Red Rock Park. It’s all part of the experience at WildThing.
“There’s going to be lots of great music playing throughout and we have the pre-entertainment where we involve the crowd,” Peterson said. “We have three people drawing ticket stubs each night where they compete to win a 55-inch TV donated from Castle Furniture.”
A COMMUNITY EVENT
An event of this magnitude requires the assistance of sponsors, many of which are highlighted in the flyers posted around Gallup. The list includes Gallup Propane Company, LAM Corporation, Pinnacle Bank, Jiffy Lube, Laroc Inc., Rico Auto Complex, Maverik, Thunderbird Supply Company, Walmart, Boot Barn, and many more.
And as often stated in each Sun preview, WildThing is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Manuelito Children’s Home, which provides parking and concessions at the show.
“Because it’s their biggest [fundraiser], we want everyone to come out and support them,” Peterson said.
This community support goes back to the idea of an event lasting as long as it does. Peterson said that when the crew was putting up the posters and flyers in late June, they could hear the excitement from the public.
“They saw the posters and said ‘All right, all right, it’s WildThing!’ and ‘We’ve been waiting!’ We’ve gotten so many great comments on our Facebook posts,” Peterson said. “There is a lot of excitement and electricity out there already. People wait all year to get to go to WildThing again.”
FINAL NOTES
Just like last year, Peterson wants guests to remember several key points when they attend WildThing:
l There are no ATMs onsite, and the cellular service is not good enough for card transactions. Guests are advised to bring cash for parking, concessions, merchandise, etc.
l Items such as coolers, folding chairs, and large bags are not permitted.
l Bringing dogs and other pets is not advised. The large crowds and sounds from the show including the fireworks can upset the animals.
l WildThing always has been and always will be a nonalcoholic show.
Tickets go on sale July 1 at Castle Furniture, T&R C-Store, and T&R Feed. Advance tickets for adults run $25 for July 12 and $30 for July 13, while child tickets are $8 for both days. The price at the gate will increase to $35 for adults and $10 for children.
For more information on WildThing, including full ticket and sponsor information, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/wildthing.bullriding/.
By Cody Begaye
Contributing Editor
