Pro Bull Riders Take Elk Foundation’s Trophy Bull Challenge
MISSOULA, Mont.— -(AmmoLand.com)- Over 100 million fans of Professional Bull Riders (PBR) have something new to cheer about in 2009—the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Trophy Bull Challenge. The challenge pits riders against stock contractors for elk hunts and other outdoor adventures.
The special competition is part of PBR’s Built Ford Tough Series events being held around the country and televised on VERSUS.
“This is the latest and greatest in our ‘Cowboys for Conservation’ partnership with PBR, which over the past year has produced tremendous visibility for our mission of wildlife habitat stewardship,” said David Allen, president and CEO of the Elk Foundation.
In the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Trophy Bull Challenge, PBR selects three bulls for each long round of competition. If a selected bull bucks off the rider, the stock contractor wins a point. If the rider successfully rides the bull, the rider wins a point. At the 2009 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals, the three riders or stock contractors with the most Trophy Bull points wins an outdoor adventure of their choice presented by RMEF.
Randy Bernard, PBR CEO, said, “Over 50 percent of our fans have expressed a love for the outdoors. The Trophy Bull Challenge is a great, fun way to help them get acquainted with the Elk Foundation and how it makes a difference for elk and other wildlife.”
Celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2009, RMEF has helped conserve or enhance over 5.4 million acres of habitat.
In 2008, the “Cowboys for Conservation” partnership generated over $145,000 for the Elk Foundation’s mission. For 2009, RMEF is again offering PBR Built Ford Tough Series World Finals packages at fundraising events around the country. Winning bidders receive tickets and other prizes including a VIP reception with PBR stars.
“More and more Elk Foundation supporters are being exposed to PBR—the Toughest Sport on Earth—and they’re loving it! Both outfits are benefiting from the partnership, which was founded on the concept of ‘different kinds of bulls, same kinds of people,’” said Allen.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.4 million acres—a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.
About the PBR
More than 100 million viewers tune in each year to the PBR on FOX, NBC, ESPN, VERSUS, and on a host of foreign networks across the globe. With approximately 500 hours of prime time programming annually, PBR ranks among the most prolific sports on air, in addition to attracting over 1.7 million live event attendees each year with it multi-tiered event structure which includes the prestigious Built Ford Tough Series, the Copenhagen Bull Riding Challenger Tour, the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Tour, and the Discovery Tour, designed specifically for entry level contestants. The PBR is headquartered in Pueblo, Colo., with additional offices in Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. The PBR prides itself in its 1,000 plus stock contractor relationships and over 1,200 PBR bull riders competing in more than 300 PBR sanctioned competitions in five countries.