PUEBLO. Colo. — In an effort to continue to add exciting elements to its events, PBR (Professional Bull Riders) announced that mechanical bulls would be integrated into competition at its elite series, beginning in the 2020 season.

The new format is designed to challenge the world’s top bull riders even more.

“As the leading innovator in Western sports, PBR is very excited to make the world’s best bull riding even more challenging,” said Sean Gleason, CEO, PBR.

The mechanical bulls will fill the entirety of one long round section in Unleash The Beast and Pendleton Whisky Velocity tour events, Gleason said. Riders would be assigned to the mechanical bulls using the same random process as the current draw. Mechanical bulls would not be used in any championship round.

Each mechanical bull will be placed in the center of the arena atop the shark cage and operated by software ensuring each rider is challenged in an equitable way.

“I don’t care if the bulls are feeding off high-protein feed or coal-fired electricity, I’m out there to ride every one of them,” said two-time World Champion J.B. Mauney.

“I learned to ride on YouTube and have been known to get on a mechanical bull now and then for fun, so I feel young guys like me will adapt very well to the change,” said Ezekiel Mitchell, currently No. 11 in the world and a strong 2019 Rookie of the Year candidate.

The top stock contractors who supply the world-class bucking bulls to PBR events had mixed reaction to the news.

“Our bulls are so smart, we anticipate they’re gonna get fired up seeing those lifeless mechanical bulls out there. Every one of them is gonna buck even harder,” said Chad Berger, eight-time PBR Stock Contractor of the Year. “It may mean fewer of my bulls at PBR events but we will do whatever the league decides is best for the sport.”

Today’s mechanical bulls can mimic the very best caliber bulls in speed, kick and spin. The sport’s newest “competitors” will be provided by Mechanical Bull Sales (mechanicalbullsales.com).

It remains to be seen if they will also sling snot like the top PBR bulls.

Like the real bovine athletes of the PBR who are the rock stars of the animal kingdom, the mechanical bulls joining the sport will also have catchy names, such as Jokester’s Delight and April Fool’s Day.