By Carli Johnson SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Editor’s note: Big Sky PBR is produced by Outlaw Partners, publisher of Explore Big Sky.
The American flag towered over the bulls in the holding pens as the sun shone through a break in the clouds illuminating the events arena while cowboys stood hand over heart, hat by their side and chaps fluttering in the wind listening to Lone Peak High School valedictorian Anna Masonic sing the national anthem. A picturesque start to the 14th annual Big Sky PBR.
The evening began with an auctioneer babbling numbers to the crowd as spectators bid on teams of riders for the Calcutta auction.
The competing riders were honored and delighted to be back in Big Sky. Many of the riders make it a point to return to Big Sky year after year, naming it as one of their favorite events to compete at—officially, they’ve voted it PBR Event of the Year for 11 years straight.
“This is the best event of the year. It’s one of a kind and there’s no atmosphere like this. I mean, just look at the beautiful country behind us,” said cowboy Wyatt Rogers, gesturing to Lone Peak towering behind the events arena.
Cassidy Crockett, girlfriend of cowboy Dawson Branton, chimed in with excitement. “Calcutta was awesome, we were sitting behind people and convinced them to buy in to my boyfriend’s team,” she said. “It’s super fun when we get to interact with the fans here. It gives us such a more personal experience.”
Families and competitors travel from across the country to compete and support one another in the sport. The difference in Big Sky, according to Lena Garcia, is that here, they cater to the riders. “People that know about bull riding and really care about the riders make a good show, and that’s a huge difference here,” Lena said.
Garcia travels in support of her husband Carlos Garcia, first generation cowboy and experienced professional bull rider. “It’s not like they’re trying to butter us up either,” Carlos said. “They sincerely, wholeheartedly, along with the people of Big Sky really care.”
A reminder to the dangers of the sport, halfway through the night rider Briggs Madsen was injured after being bucked off Dark Knight. Medical personnel with the Big Sky Fire Department and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue quickly assessed and extracted Madsen via backboard to a respectfully quiet crowd and local Mormon Priest Steve Anderson rushed to meet him and his family at the hospital to offer a blessing.
Shortly after, it was revealed that $80,000 had been raised at the previous day’s Big Sky PBR Golf Tournament, for Western Sports Foundation, a nonprofit that helps riders like Madsen recover from their injuries sustained in the arena. As of July 18, Madsen was transported to Billings for advanced medical care, and is in stable condition. A fundraiser is being set up by his family.
Former bull rider, stock contractor and current bull loader Brad Vogele wears many hats behind the scenes. For this event, he’s loading the bulls on and off the dirt depending on what order they are to perform in. This helps the performance go quicker and things run smoothly.
Between the clang of the metal cattle fences and snorts from bulls, Vogele orchestrates the deliberate movement of each bull. Shuffling them on and off the trailers for their eight seconds of showtime.
“We’ve been to many PBRs, but we love this community,” Vogele said. “We get this awesome opportunity to be able to help, so our purpose now is to help the McCoys load bulls.”
As the event came to a close, spectators migrated to Len Hill Park to enjoy live music by The Brothers Comatose courtesy of the Arts Council of Big Sky’s Music in the Mountains concert series.
While night one ended with Australian Brady Fielder leading with 87 points, it’s not time to hang up the chaps just yet. Cowboys, bulls, families and spectators will return for two more nights of bucking bulls and community support.
