Ready for some bullriding? This Friday and Saturday at the round pen at the Muskogee Fairgrounds, Bull Riders, Inc. will be producing their 2011 series finals. Performances will begin at 7 p.m. nightly. The finals will feature the area’s top bullriders along with the best bucking bulls. The purse will be sweetened with $5,000 in added money, divided among the nightly performances and the average.

This is going to be quite a race for the championship title!  There is less than $100 separating the leader, Kade Alberty of Claremore, and second-place Kyle Bell of Collinsville. Close behind Bell is Brandon Wesson of Delaware as they ride for the championship and all the bragging rights.

There are 21 bullriders qualified for the finals. Each evening the cowboys will complete in two rounds of competition. They will be trying some of the best bucking stock from BRI stock contractors: Lightning Bolt, D-W, MAKEM Buck, Bare Down, Lemmons Bucking Bulls, Henderson, Vogel and Foreman Bucking Bulls. There will be two go-rounds each evening, so you will get to see a lot of action.

The bullfighters for the event have been voted in by the cowboys and they are Cory Durham, Dugan Dungbar and Ryan William. These guys are not afraid to put their lives on the line to save a cowboy in trouble.  They are some of the best bullfighters in the business.  

You will also be entertained nightly by funnyman/barrelman Taylor Victory of Warner. Other events on the agenda are mutton bustin’, mutton scramble, bull poker and bull bingo each night along with the bull riding action of the BRI.

Bull Riders, Inc., wants to say a big thank you to Muscogee Creek Nation Casino for sponsoring the BRI Finals.  Cowboys will sign autographs and take photos with fans at the casino on Thursday. Cliff Casteel of Muskogee’s Okie Country 101.7 will be the DJ for an evening of two-stepping and line dancing. The meet-and-greet party will begin at 8 p.m. and end “whenever”. There is no charge! Just remember, you do have to be 21 years of age to enter the casino. There will also be a truck give away both Friday and Saturday night!

Admission for the BRI performances at the fairgrounds will be $10 for Adults, $5 for 6-12, and kids 5 and under get in free.

Rangeline Arena is again offering a packed weekend of activities. Saturday books open at noon, roping at 1 p.m. First a Beginner Roping, enter one, draw two or draw all three. Enter two times at $40 per roper – three-head. To enter this roping, ropers must be rated a #2 or under or rated a .25 in the OTRA. Hoodies awarded to average winners. Following this roping is an All-Girl Roping. Contestants must be entered by 2 p.m. Enter two times at $40 per roper - four head. Then there will be a #11 & #9 combined. Entries are due by 3 p.m. and there is $300 added money. Enter one, draw two or draw all three at $45 per roper. Enter each roping three times, no cap. For more info contact Rick at (918) 557-9951 or Adam at (918) 869-0641.

Last Sunday started the shodeo series at Rangeline. They will continue on Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. Jan. 29, Feb. 12 and 26, March 11 and 18, April 1 and 15. Events include barrels, flags, and poles. Entry fee is $5 per event and age groups are lead line, 5-and-under, 6-8, 9-12, 13-15.

After completion of the shodeo, there will be a 14-and-under jackpot team roping at $5 a roper, enter five times. Call Kristy Wilson at (918) 448-8868 for info.

Remember the horse sale Friday night at the Parrish Horse Company, south of Wagoner on U.S.  69. Used tack at 6 p.m. and horses following. See you there!

Farmers’ Almanac’s Best Days to trim manes and tails to promote growth: Jan. 27 and Jan. 30 thru Feb. 1.

Reach Rhonda Stewart with rodeo news or comments at rayandrhon@netzero.net or (918) 869-1498.