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New fairgrounds arena debuts with bull-riding event
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Holding on with one hand, local cowboy Steve Bryant rides atop a black 1,000-pound-plus bull as it explodes into the Collier County Fairgrounds arena.
The cowboy hat-wearing crowd of about 1,300 on the bleachers erupts with cheers and applause.
The Collier County Fairgrounds debuted its new rodeo arena Saturday night with its first bull-riding event.
The event featured 20 members of Southern State Bull Riding, based in North Port on Florida’s west coast, and about 10 local riders. About 40 bulls were provided by three stock companies from Tampa, Sarasota and Arcadia.
Wearing a black cowboy hat, Bryant, 45, who has been bull riding for 15 years, said he does it because it’s fun.
And for the rush.
Saturday night, Bryant, a member of Southern State Bull Riding, didn’t stay on the bull named “Jaeger Bomb” for the target of at least 8 seconds. The North Naples resident lasted 6.5 seconds on it.
Bryant said he was glad that the Naples area now has an arena for events such as Saturday night’s.
Many in attendance echoed Bryant.
Among friends and family members enjoying the event were Gary Gorden, his girlfriend, Corina Sanders, and their two children, 9 and 8.
“It’s definitely good that they have this,” said Gorden, 41, of North Naples.
Rodeo fans often travel around the state to watch the events. They are hoping for more rodeo events locally.
“It’s good clean fun for the kids,” said Sanders, 41, of Bonita Springs.
According to Doug Holland, vice president of the Collier County Fairgrounds, there are plans to provide more events at this new arena, including barrel racing, calf roping and even a full rodeo.
Saturday night’s event began with an exhibition, featuring riders who are just starting and others who are coming back from an injury.
Among participants were a father and son from Golden Gate Estates.
Mark Dikeman, 45, who retired from bull riding two years ago, rode Saturday to be in the same arena as his 17-year-old son, Houston.
Dikeman, who started riding when he was 22, wishes his son never got on a bull, he said. But he has another son, Dakota, 18, who also bull rides.
The Everglades-area native said he got involved in bull riding after his U.S. Marine friend took him to a rodeo in Texas.
The prize for bull riders was $1,000.
The youngest bull rider participating Saturday night was 14-year-old Henry Courson Jr., of Okeechobee in Central Florida.
“I just like feeling him when he comes out twisting and bursting,” Henry said moments before riding.
Despite having to go to the hospital four times last month, Henry said he enjoys riding because it’s fun.
Then of course there is the prize money -- and the girls.
His father, Henry Courson Sr., who travels with him, videotapes the ride so that the younger Henry can view it and work on his mistakes and techniques.
Courson said watching his son is scary, but added that it keeps his son out of trouble. Young Henry started bull riding at 11.
Live music from a local country band Fakahatchee’s and a dance followed the bull riding from 9 p.m. until midnight. The Collier County Fairgrounds, 751 39th Avenue N.E., is off of Immokalee Road.
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Was this event announced to anyone?
I didn't hear about it....
It looks cool, and hope there's more events like this soon.
And that's no bull.
#1 Posted by beetlejuice on July 19, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Read the local events calender in the NDN's, Beet.
http://www.naplesnews.com/events/
#2 Posted by JunkYardDog on July 20, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I heard it all over the radio and there were posters all over the area advertising it.
Glad to see an arena FINALLY in Collier County. Long overdue and looking forward to going to many events there.
#3 Posted by Nplschick on July 20, 2008 at 1:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Risking a broken spine and brain damage seems like a hard way to win $1,000.
And what's so sporting about this event anyway? What values does it teach or reflect?
#4 Posted by Bramble on July 20, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You think there would be a picture of this NEW arena.
#5 Posted by swflsucks on July 20, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What values does golf teach or reflect? Destroy native vegetation and sap 18 million gallons of precious water out of our aquifers a day so some close-minded dufus can hit a little white ball around? At least that brain damaged bull rider assumes the risks to himself and family, whereas golf takes from and puts a burden on all of society.
#6 Posted by swamp4u2 on July 20, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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