• Stop numbers 28 and 29 on the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Challenger Tour (USSTC) hit Park Rapids, Minn. and Redmond, Ore. over Fourth of July weekend giving fans from the heart of the Midwest to the west coast a chance to feast their eyes on live PBR action. The team of Randy and Denese Jokela bring three days of sizzling USSTC Challenger Tour excitement to Park Rapids, Minnesota's Double J Rodeo Grounds on Friday, July 2nd through Sunday, July 4th at 7:00 p.m. nightly. The Deschute County Fairgrounds Expo Center hosts the rising stars of the PBR on Independence Day courtesy of USSTC Challenger Tour promoter, HLB Productions. The festivities begin in Redmond, the hometown of PBR sensation Ross Coleman, at 7:00 p.m. on July 4th.

• The Fourth of July Holiday weekend marks the kick off of a solid month of red hot USSTC Challenger Tour action. The BFTS experiences a hiatus until tour action resumes on August 6th and 7th at the Bullnanza-Oklahoma City. Consequently during the month of July tour athletes take advantage of the numerous lucrative opportunities presented at the USSTC Challenger Tour level. The Challenger Tour pays out an estimated $385,375 during the month of July alone; stay tuned to see who capitalizes on the next thirty days.

• Tickets for the Park Rapids USSTC Challenger Tour are available by calling 1-800-JOKELA1 and ticket prices for advance purchases are $9 for children and $15 for adults. The Double J Rodeo Grounds is located at Hwy #34 East in Park Rapids, Minn. There is no host hotel for this event.

• Tickets for the Redmond USSTC Challenger Tour are available by calling 541-548-2711 and adult seating is $18 to $20 while children's tickets are $8 to $10. The Deschute County Fairgrounds Expo Center is located at 3800 SW Airport Way in Redmond, Ore. and the host hotel for the event is The Inn at Eagle Crest, 800-682-4786.

• The format for the Park Rapids event is 45 contestants with a finals held for the top ten contestants at the conclusion of each nightly performance spanning the three day competition. The Redmond USSTC Challenger Tour event will consist of 45 contestants featuring a final round for the top 10. The total estimated payout in Park Rapids will exceed $42,000 while the estimated purse in Redmond is $15,500.

  Former Park Rapids USSTC Challenger Tour Event Champions: 2003 ' Royd Doyal $11,546 2002 ' Craig Sasse $8,327 2001 ' P.J. Busque $6,903 2000 ' K.J. Pletcher $6,629

  ** Redmond is a new venue to the USSTC Challenger Tour lineup.

• For USSTC Challenger Tour event Media Credentials for Park Rapids, please contact event promoters Randy or Denese Jokela at 218-732-5587. For Redmond USSTC Challenger Tour event Media Credentials, please contact HLB Productions at 541-923-1682.

• #5 Ross Coleman (Redmond, OR) - Where can you catch the top ranked PBR riders this weekend? As opposed to Built Ford Tough Series competition where the top 45 are on hand through the completion of each tour stop, USSTC competition allows bull riders the opportunity to travel to as many events as they can schedule as outlined below:

  Fans are sure to give an enthusiastic hometown welcome to PBR veteran Ross Coleman when he competes in Redmond on the Fourth of July. Coleman has yet to earn a Challenger Tour championship to date this season, however recently finished third during the USSTC Challenger Tour of Naples, Fla. which was held on June 18th. Having earned money consecutively in BFTS competition this season and worked his way into striking position of the million dollar PBR crown, Coleman is riding a wave of success. That fact coupled with a solid riding percentage of 49% make Coleman a safe bet for a major win on his home court. Coleman has drawn Western Rodeo's Cold Cash at Redmond.
  
  

• #8 Brendon Clark (Morpeth, NSW Australia) - Clark has ridden 24 of the 52 bulls that he has attempted this season on the BFTS tour for a riding average of 46%. The Australian sensation has three top five BFTS finishes to his credit this season and eight top ten finishes. His USSTC Challenger Tour competition schedule has been limited however as the action heats up this summer Clark will certainly be a familiar face. Clark will compete on Friday, July 2nd in Park Rapids where his draw is yet to be determined and will then travel to Redmond for Sunday's Fourth of July USSTC Challenger Tour festivities where he will face Western Rodeo's Mr. Cool.
  
  
• #13 Dave Samsel (Stephenville, TX) - Samsel joined the BFTS ranks in 1999 and has since established himself as one of the most consistent riders on the tour which is reflected by his current 55% riding average. Samsel presently sits comfortably in the 13th position of the elite BFTS point standings and 12th in the World Finals Qualifier standings with $64,336 in earnings. Samsel earned his first BFTS event title of the season in Kansas City, Mo. when he captured the Cabela's Classic title on June 13th. Samsel's Challenger Tour appearances have been limited to date in 2004, however as summer heats up, Samsel hopes to change that. Samsel will compete in Park Rapids, Minn. on Friday, July 2nd where his draw is yet to be determined.
  
  
• #18 Dan Henricks (Logan, OK) - Henricks joined the BFTS ranks in 2002 and burst onto the scene earning PBR Rookie of the Year honors in his debut season. Henricks presently sits in the 18th position in the elite BFTS point standings and 19th in the World Finals Qualifier standings with $37,223 in earnings. Henricks' strongest finish of the 2004 season to date is his second place showing during Jacksonville, Fla. BFTS action on December 27th. Henricks, who dislocated his right shoulder (free arm) in Albuquerque on April 10th has been plagued by injury during 2004 and has limited his competitive appearances as a result. Henricks will be competing in Park Rapids on July 2nd where his draw is yet to be determined.
  
  

For additional information, contact Bonnie Wheatley, Public Relations Manager, 719.471.3008, ext. 3134, bonnie@pbrnow.com or visit www.pbrnow.com.