Cowboys, bulls, and BBQ…….must be American Royal time! There is nothing better livin’ in Kansas City (okay, maybe Missoula) in the fall knowing that in October KC has the best aroma for miles. I am dead serious, have you ever rolled down your windows for the three days that the world’s largest BBQ contest is being held in good ol’ Kansas City? It draws you in and before you know it your car is sittin’ across from the Golden Ox and you can’t stop thinking about smoked baked beans and ribs. The American Royal has been held every fall since 1905. Over the years, more and more events were added; hereford show, horse show, professional rodeo, and the World Series of BBQ.
Getting a front row seat at a Professional Bull Riding Competition is better than any UFC sanctioned fight. It is the epitome of David meets Goliath, cause Hillside Strangler, Perfect Poison,and Gunpowder and Lead were not typical names given to any of my childhood family pets. Sitting that close to the chute, every sense pays homage to the absolute power of these bulls. You feel the ground vibrate as they stomp their hooves and bang up against the sides of the chutes. By the way, talk about a downer, at least one or two riders is put on the DL just trying to mount the dang thing! I’m sorry you would have to pay me, load me with hops, and give me forget me drugs before I would strap myself to that powder keg. I swear you can smell the fear not from the rider, but of the photographers and spectators near those chutes ‘cause you can see the rage in the bull’s eyes.
Even armed with all these facts those riders love this sport. Just remember if you ever have to pick who is on your team if challenged to a fight there ain’t nothing tougher than a PBR. There are two kinds of guys that the ladies seem partial to: a man in uniform and a man with a cowboy hat, chaps, and a scar.
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