Keith Hall estimates he’ll ride angry bulls in roughly 20 states this year in pursuit of his ultimate goal -- a permanent spot on the Professional Bull Riders top circuit -- the Unleash the Beast Tour.
To reach that level, bull riders like Hall first must tame the PBR Velocity Tour, which will make a stop Friday and Saturday at the Alerus Center. More than 40 bull riders from across the country -- in addition to Brazil, Mexico and Canada -- are expected to compete both nights with a purse of $20,000 on the line.
Hall, a Georgia native who now lives in Missouri, is part of the PBR Velocity Tour, which features up-coming talent -- bull riders hoping to reach -- and stick -- with the Unleash the Beast Tour.
“My main goal is to get up to the Unleash the Beast Tour and stay there,” said Hall. “Once you get there, you want to stay there, be consistent and be in the top 10. The Velocity Tour plays a huge part in that.”
The Velocity Tour offers the chance to earn points to attempt to qualify for the UTB series and the PBR World Finals. Also, every Velocity Tour winner will be seeded at one UTB event during the season.