Should the PBR Have Events Outside the U.S.?

[CThrash13]

The BFTS series is making its debut in Mexico and Hawaii in the upcoming weeks and months. Also, the Enterprise Tour is heading to Alaska early in September. I have put together a little article on the PBR having events outside the United States.

To check out the article, head over to my blog. I know it's been awhile since I updated it, but hopefully I'll be able to get things going again now that Holly and I have moved and settled in a little.

8secondsatatime.blogspot.com/2006/08/should-pbr-schedule-events-outside.html

Do you think the PBR should sanction events outside the United States? Why or why not?

[rodeogal10077]

I think that they should. Why not??? It's expanding not only the PBR, but the whole sport of bull riding in general. There are fans in a few different countries and places farther away, and it's nice for them to be able to attend PBR events close to them too. I think it will only help the PBR in the long run.

[jess]

It will sure get expensive for the guys if they are traveling to Brazil, Australia, etc. Alot of the guys who are scratching to stay on tour don't have the funds to go non stop for months just hear in the US, not to mention support thier family. Going to these places would be awesome, but I hope the PBR thinks of all those kind of issues too. I see how challenger tour stops are optional, but BFTS aren't, and giving guys the the choice would be better than making them go.

[CThrash13]

Jess, that's a great point and one I left out. That's definitely on the negative side of the fence. Great observation.

[rossco4worldchamp]

I agree with both comments. I like the fact that they are making this more of a worldly sport, but it has to be expensive. I don't like that they are taking the bulls from the US to Mexico. I think that they should use local bulls to wherever they go. If they start traveling to Brazil, and Australia are they really going to put all of the bulls on boats and ship them over there???

[milo]

Sanctioning is one thing, hauling bulls to another country is different. If I was a contractor taking bulls to Mexico and having to have a military escort, I would be uncomfortable. It would be interesting to know the health restrictions/requirements on taking livestock back and forth across the border also. Sanctioning an event or forming an associate organization in another country makes sense. Isn't that what the PBR is doing; forming PBR organizations in Brazil and Australia, and those top riders would also be eligible for the Finals in Vegas?

[cowboyup1991]

But ya know what people, there are bull ridings all over the world. I know there are in Mexico, Austrailia, all over South America, Canada, Europe, Guatemala, Itali, and Japan. It is a huge risk hauling animals down there. It can be a huge danger to the guys with all of the violence down there, and like Jerry Nelson said on the fried twinkies blog, if they want your animals they will take them. So i really dont see the need for the pbr to haul bulls down there. Plus Mexico is a huge T.B. risk zone. just any sort of contact and there goes the entire herd. Plus how many of the people down there are gonna be able to afford tickets? that is why so many of em swin cross the river, to make more money. This is a big mistake IMO

[brianranse]

For those who are not aware.. Australia has had a PBR event here for 6 years were we have invited some of the top BFTS guys down here..

THere travel etc has been paid for by our generous sponsors..

Luke snyder has won the event the last two years..

Australia also has very very capable bulls..The has been interest at time from USA contractors in purchising these bulls and shiping them back..
Troy Dunn himself says the toughest ride he has ever had was on a bull from down here..

Ednei loves coming and has a ball in Townsville each year.. Sadly this year the event has been postponned to coincide with a BFTS event (hopefully) next year..

Of course the BFTS should travel the term WORLD champion infers that jow col will it be being the first guy to win the WORLD after compeating in 5 countrys on 5 countrys bulls and that is just to start with how good will it be when the BFTS expands to at least 10 countries..

GO PBR...

[CThrash13]

Yeah, I was aware of the event in Australia, and I remember hearing about Luke winning it twice in a row.

However, those events weren't BFTS events, and the bulls weren't being hauled from the U.S. That's the key difference this time. And the Australian government is a little friendlier than the Mexican government from what I've heard.

[rodeogal10077]

I was the first person to respond to this topic, and I really spoke to soon and didn't think about it very long!! Now that I have read what other people have said about this topic, I'm looking at it in a whole different way now.
As pointed out, the events in other countries were not BFTS events and they used the bulls that were already there. And that worry that the government could decide to take the bulls while they are there. This is a HUGE risk to the contractors hauling their bulls to Mexico. Some of those bulls are worth A LOT of money, and without them, what would the stock contractor do??? There have also been worries about the Mexican government not allowing the Brazilians to cross the boarder using their passports. If they are not able to, then that would be extremely unfair IMO.

[jess]

It is never a good sign when the riders are being told to stay in groups, participate in no night life, don't use water or ice, and do not eat anything not cooked. YIKES... oh and told to be sure to get your shots! I am beggining to question if the growth of the PBR is important enough to put these guys at risk. It is one thing to choose to put yourself in a questionable situation, with risk, and another to be forced too. I would love to see a international group of guys competing for a spot at the world finals and a championship, but I thought that is what the PBR Canada and PBR mexico and etc. was for.

[barrelracer191]

Well said Jess! I don't like the idea of the whole Mexico event.