Field of dreams
Fortunate few look to make history in Arlington
ARLINGTON, Texas (February 8, 2010) - It’s not uncommon for Ryan McConnel to dream about bull riding.
But a couple of nights ago, he had a dream that “was just a little different from normal.” He dreamt that he won the Iron Cowboy Invitational.
“I had a wild dream that I was 97,” he said afterward. “I didn’t know if I was on Code Blue, but 97 sounds good enough to win the Iron Man.”
Whoever wins the event will, in fact, do so on the back of Code Blue when the final two cowboys match up on the reigning World Champion Bull.
“When I ride him in the Championship, I plan on being 95, 96 points,” said McConnel this past weekend in Winston-Salem, N.C.
In less than two weeks, the Top 24 riders in the world will compete in the first-ever tournament-style bracket at Cowboys Stadium.
Four years in the making, the Iron Cowboy will be the grandest bull riding event ever staged in the United States.
“I hope I’m part of something great,” said L.J. Jenkins, who has qualified for the event. “We can win all kinds of money riding bulls at the Finals or whatever, but you don’t get very many chances to ride at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium, so I think that’s what I’m going for.”
“As a bull rider this is probably one of the biggest places you could possibly think of for doing anything like this,” added McConnel.
Just how big is this venue?
The $1.3 billion stadium played host to a record-breaking crowd of 105,121 when the Dallas Cowboys face the Tennessee Titans in their first regular-season game on Sept. 29, 2009.
Cowboys Stadium has also been the site of several college football games as well as a college basketball game, and will be host the NBA All Star Game a week before the Iron Cowboy Invitational.
“I couldn’t even tell you right now,” replied Jenkins, when asked what it will be like to compete there. “We’ve never even been in a building that big.”
For Dustin Elliott, an avid sports fan, it’s a chance to get an up-close look at the infamous video screen.
The largest high-definition screen of its kind in the world, Cowboys Stadium’s screen stretches from one 20-yard line to the other, and is 72 feet tall.
“I watched a couple of football games and the big deal was when those kickers were hitting the big screen when they were punting,” said Elliott, who is trying not to focus on hype and is instead focusing his attention on riding five bulls.
“It’s just another bull riding,” he tried to convince himself. “That’s the way I’m going to look at it, but it’s a bull riding that pays a lot, though.”
“To ride there is going to be amazing,” offered Jenkins.
McConnel agreed, saying, “It’s something you will not forget for the rest of your life.”
NEWS and NOTES
Bracketology: The initial qualifiers for the Iron Cowboy Invitational were finalized last week following the BFTS event in Tampa, Fla. However, because of injuries, the bracket will not be finalized until a week from today following the Express Classic in Oklahoma City this coming weekend.
As of now, Aaron Roy has opted not to participate because of date conflict with his wedding, and Wiley Petersen is out with a torn ACL. The past two World Champions – Kody Lostroh and Guilherme Marchi – will be out this weekend because of injuries, but both riders are expected to return in Arlington.
PBR NOW on RFD-TV: Hosted by J.W. Hart and Justin McBride, “PBR NOW” is a weekly live one-hour TV series that airs every Thursday on RFD-TV at 10 p.m. ET. Fans are encouraged to call in with questions at 866-547-9696, or email them to pbr@rfdtv.com.
Event Center: Follow all the action from Oklahoma City, by logging on to www.pbr.com and entering the “Event Center,” which is accessible from the tab located at the top of the main Web page. The Event Center provides live scoring, live blogging and event-related Podcasts and interviews.
—by Keith Ryan Cartwright
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i'm so excited to watch the iron man. all my favortie bullriders will be there
go mike lee ljjenkins brian canter and ross coleman.
it would be fun to see some new win in dallas. -
jamie0681
February 10, 2010We have tickets. This is actually my first event. I just started watching the PBR last January and have been hooked ever since. I'm very excited. I only hope that J.B rides in my corner. -
Untied Murray
February 10, 2010I expect this to be a great show. Others are right, the stadium is too m!@#ive, but I have no
doubt that the PBR will make the portion of the arena to the seating correct, so that there are no bad seats.
As far as the top 24 only being INVITED, if you ain't in the top half, you'd better ride better early next year. -
Untied Murray
February 10, 2010I expect this to be a great show. Others are right, the stadium is too m!@#ive, but I have no
doubt that the PBR will make the portion of the arena to the seating correct, so that there are no bad seats.
As far as the top 24 only being INVITED, if you ain't in the top half, you'd better ride better early next year. -
Kra-z Kowgurl
February 10, 2010you know, no offense to anybody, but personally I think these events are silly, where only the best of the best get to go.... I mean that's what the finals are for. I want to see everybody get to go, not just the best. I just want everyone to get a shot at a bull. -
kandeman
February 10, 2010I have a different concern. Yes, this is an exciting event - a first. And although I have bought a ticket for the Iron Cowboy event I think Bull Riding is not a sport that is well suited for large stadiums like this. It is more suited for small arenas because the action takes place in a very small area. I chose a corner seat so at least I will be close to 1/4 of the rides and suspect I will be watching most all of the other rides on those big screens. I can only hope and pray that the final round is held in my corner of the field. If my flight home on Sunday is on time I should be able to see all the rides up close - on the HDTV in my living room! -
Indiana_Rusty
February 10, 2010The thing that worries me about the PBR is that being owned by a money-making corporation, they might do whatever they think will bring in more money, and the heck with the integrity of the sport. Not to make a direct comparison but look what happened with wrestling, or even monster truck racing - we saw guys in costumes with hoods and fake names competing instead of honest truck racing. If PBR goes the way of those sports there is always CBR and they will not go that direction. However, I think a whole lot of the PBR and hopefully they will not get ridiculous in search of big fan dollars. -
mofan
February 9, 2010My last post should have posted on the Ty/WWE post. Sorry for the confusion. -
mofan
February 9, 2010I am sorry, I have no idea why the PBR would want to !@#ociate with the WWE. They exploit women, condone drug use and it is fake. The events are staged. The outcome is decided in advance. Maybe this is one of the reasons that Randy left - he did not like the path the the PBR was heading. Well, neither do I! First a realty tv -good guys vs bad guys, and all of the other changes in a few months time. -
bullgirl104
February 9, 2010Good luck every one I'll be watching. -
roberto_tobar
February 9, 2010I was just !@#uming it based on jwhirlwindhorse's comment, I didn't mean to cause something of a reaction. But I agree with TWTX, it needs to be a special event like the World Cup. If I were in charge of things that's what I'd do.
I agree with most that it's unfair for the 16 other guys who can't get in. (Or 21 if the PBR were like it was before but it's not.) -
homer299
February 9, 2010roberto_tobar: Where did you see that "points wont be affected"? It is a BFTS event, thus points WILL be given...We just don't know how many and to which places. -
TWTX
February 9, 2010Jwhirlwindhorse & roberto_tobar - As I understand it points will be given for this event.
We have just not been told how many or how they will be awarded yet. I am really looking
forward to seeing this event and think the idea is great, but do not agree with only 24 of
the top 40 being able to compete in a BFTS event. I feel like it should be considered a
special event like the world cup. -
ilikepie
February 9, 2010i'm soooo exited, but ryan has to get back into his winning form- upset b/c kody probably won't be in st.louis:( -
roberto_tobar
February 9, 2010I am glad to see that the points won't be affected, but I still don't think this should be a BFTS event. It should be interesting to watch but it still shouldn't be part of the BFTS in my book. -
jason_c_adam
February 9, 2010Some of you would complain about the taxes if you won the lottery.
You don't want preferential treatment from the judges toward riders, but you want the PBR to give certain riders preferential treatment to certain riders at cut time? Really?
Enjoy the fact that the PBR is putting something like this together, and get ready for a great show.
BTW, any field worth dreaming about has to be in Texas, regardless of what any hollywood production says. -
mofan
February 9, 2010So, it is winner takes all? Nothing for (money) any other place? -
Jwhirlwindhorse
February 8, 2010According to the home page it will air on versus 2/20/10 @ 9:00 pm eastern time. I'm pretty sure I read in an earlier article that no points will be awarded just the $260,000 to first place. I just want to wish all the bull riders good luck and god speed during this particular event. -
FlashOBlue
February 8, 2010Lots of questions, Keith. I'll add one more. What about the bracket contest? What will happen if one or more of the injured riders fail to attend the event? -
dsw
February 8, 2010I wonder if the are only having 24 riders due to it being a one day event. -
mofan
February 8, 2010With so many injured (Wiley, Robson, Marchi, Kody and Dustin E)the top 30 could possibly be asked to ride in the event. I wonder how many of the injured will make a "business decision" and not get on a possible 4 bulls in one day because they are injured. -
mofan
February 8, 2010I wonder if Kody and Marchi will ride in that event. It will be interesting to see how all of this pans out with all of the injuries. -
pbr-baglady
February 8, 2010Does anyone know if this will be televised live?
I would also like to point out to those that are so concerned with how the cut system works, the riders understand it. They know the rules and what it take to stay on the tour. -
Joan Simpson
February 8, 2010It is my understanding that Zack will definitely compete in this event.
Zack is part of the first group of bull riders that will not have to compete in the first round.
The second group of 16 riders will have to compete in the first round. -
alamo
February 8, 2010It's my understanding that the top 8 were chosen earlier this year and based on standings at the end of the 2009 season. Zack Brown was, at varying times last year, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 8th in the standing during the entire season, if memory serves me correctly. He certainly deserves to be there and I, among others, do not believe a rider that good, who also won 4 events last year, deserves to be cut this early into the new season. -
mofan
February 8, 2010"Fortunate few look to make history in Arlington". I take offense to how this is presented. People are cut (Zack) but they are still invited....Not all top 40 of the PBR get to compete....Do the points count? The whole set up is lacking of fairness with the riders. And, by the way, the only
Field of Dreams" is in Iowa. -
homer299
February 8, 2010Good question webpbr. Related that is this question:
In a single-elimination bracket, only first place and second place can be determined. Are they planning to do a consolation bracket to determine 3rd and 4th, and a ride-off for 5th and 6th. Or, are there no points for anyone below 1st and 2nd? -
webpbr
February 8, 2010Keith or anybody from the PBR or anyone that knows anything -
Do we know yet how the BFTS points will be awarded in this event? Will the points just be their ride scores or will there be points awarded to how they place or both?
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February 11, 2010