Welp, that was a blast! The Livingston Classic PBR rolled into town Saturday night
Amanda Stewart showcased her incredible voice, and we met Koby Ruff, a bullfighter from Belgrade. The Joe Bozman Band rocked the VIP tent, and 20 Missionaries from Alabama came to help out.
By: Jeff Schlapp
I don’t know the history of Bull Riding, but I know the dudes who get on the crazed beasts that, on average, weigh about 1,800 pounds are real men - brave men.
I can imagine in the 1800s, a couple of bored cowboys and one daring another to ride a bull, probably reached a double-dog dare, before one climbed aboard, and most likely was tossed rather quickly - but boys being boys, a sport was born.
And what a great sport, with outstanding athletes. Did I mention brave?
On a warm Saturday night in Livingston, 35 Bull Riders came to compete in the 17th Annual Livingston Classic PBR at the Park County Fairgrounds before a packed, eager, and loud crowd.
The PBR is the Professional Bull Riding Series - meaning on Saturday, what you saw were snorting, mean, and angry bulls who didn’t necessarily enjoy having a rider on their backs.
The woman responsible for bringing the bulls to Livingston was Sara McCoy. She and her husband, Cord McCoy, own McCoy Rodeo, which is based in Lane, Oklahoma, she told me, and has been recognized as the reining and two-time PBR Stock Contractor of the Year. I spoke to a couple of grizzled stock hands, and they agreed with me that it’s unusual to see a female stock contractor, but that McCoy was one of the best regardless of gender; she was the real deal, and easy to work with.
If a rodeo doesn't have decent stock, it's not a very entertaining show. McCoy told me she moved 90 bulls for this show as well as an upcoming PBR event in Big Sky.
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