Riders, Bulls, and Thrills: Experience the Bull Riding Spectacle at Tucson Arena!

Professional Bull Riders (PBR) will bring excitement to Tucson this Friday and Saturday at the Tucson Arena, featuring dynamic performances that blur the line between sport and entertainment.

Nick Tetz, a professional bull rider from Canada, describes the event as “like a rock concert with bull riding.” At just 24 years old, Tetz’s journey began when he rode his first bull at age 12. This pivotal moment ignited a passion that has since propelled him to rank 154th globally in the sport.

PBR champions bull riding as “America’s original extreme sport,” which inherently carries risks. Tetz acknowledges the dangers, stating, “You want to go out doing something you love. Trust the good Lord to keep you safe.” Riders face the challenge of staying on a bucking bull for a crucial eight seconds to earn a score—and the stakes are high, with injuries a constant threat.

The scoring system for bull riding is meticulous. Competitors must maintain a one-handed grip while raising the other arm. The clock starts when the bull exits the chute and stops if the rider touches the bull, the ground, or themselves with their non-ride hand. Failure to stay on for the requisite time results in no score, while a successful ride can yield up to 100 points, split evenly between rider and bull.

Physical conditioning plays a role in a rider’s success. “I work out a little,” Tetz explained. “It helps to take the beatings that come with riding a buck.” The bulls themselves, which can weigh between 1,200 and 2,000 pounds, are raised with care, often given a high-protein diet to enhance their performance.

Despite the thrill of the sport, bull riding faces criticism from animal welfare organizations. Groups like the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Alliance and the Animal Legal Defense Fund argue that rodeos are cruel, particularly expressing concern over practices such as the use of cattle prods to agitate the bulls in chutes.

However, Tetz clarifies misconceptions surrounding bull behavior. “A bull cannot be ‘made’ to buck,” he stated, emphasizing that bucking is a genetic trait. He underscores the importance of the bulls in their line of work, noting, “We wouldn’t have our job without the bull.” After a short competitive career of two to three years, the bulls retire to breed on ranches.

Most recently, Tetz triumphed at the 2024 PBR Canada National Finals, securing the title of 2024 PBR Canada Champion with a record earnings total of $153,375 and an impressive $249,622.29 accumulated on home turf. The season concluded with Tetz achieving a riding success rate of 34-for-61.

Tickets for the PBR event, titled “Unleash The Beast,” are now on sale, starting at $20 and varying by seat location. The thrilling competitions are set to begin at 6:45 p.m. on Friday, November 15 and Saturday, November 16, at 260 S. Church St.