Tucson saddles up for Professional Bull Riders event this weekend

Dust off your cowboy boots, Tucson. Professional Bull Riders makes its return to the Old Pueblo this weekend.

PBR’s Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour kicks off at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, at the Tucson Convention Center. Tickets start at $29 (before fees) and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster or onsite. 

Note: TCC has a clear bag policy upon entering the convention center.

No Southern Arizona bull riders will be represented on this stop of the tour. However, there will be plenty of Arizonans competing.

Some of this year’s competitors include: Cody Jesus (Window Rock), Jaxton Mortensen (Chino Valley), Wyatt Nez (Flagstaff), JaCauy Hale (Ganado), Darnell Bahe (Jeddito), Colt Robinson (Prescott), Robbie Taylor Jr. (Chinle), Jaden Fiasco (Buckeye) and Hunter Kelly (San Tan Valley).

For San Tan Valley’s Kelly, bull riding is in his blood. 

His mom was a six-time world champion bull rider in the Women's Professional Rodeo Association, and his dad rode bulls for almost 40 years. Kelly, 25, began riding professionally as a teen.

Since then, he’s competed in around 20-30 PBR-sanctioned events, he estimates.

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“It was something that was definitely passed on,” he said. “I grew up with 50 bulls in our backyard and broncs and everything, so the apple didn't fall too far from the tree.”

In PBR’s Pro Touring Division in April, Kelly took home third- and fourth-place wins at Queen Creek.

Kelly is excited to compete in Arizona, although it’s not San Tan Valley; it’s only two hours away from home. He’s expecting family, including his two daughters, and friends to be there cheering him on. 

“It's kind of different whenever you're out of state versus whenever you're in state,” he said. “Whenever you're in state, you know everyone and there's so many good people in Arizona and good events in Arizona and good businesses. So, it's really good to see good friends and family at PBRs.”

Kelly is no stranger to Tucson either. At the beginning of the month, he visited the city and spent some time reading to little cowboys and cowgirls at the Children’s Museum. 

As he returns to Tucson this weekend, he says he’s looking forward to having some good rides and hopefully coming home with that first-place prize. The money won from PBR events helps keep his family financially secure and allows him to continue teaching future young riders in his spare time.

“There's a lot of great bull riders that will be there this weekend, a lot of good buddies I know will be there. So I know it will be good bull riding," Kelly said. “Hopefully, there will be a lot of good, qualified rides. And it's close. Tucson is somewhat in the middle for everyone in the state to get to.

“There's a lot of people in San Tan (Valley) that were telling me that they're going to be there. It's only a two-hour drive, but people still want to make it. And it's in the middle of the city. So even after (the event), people can go have a good time and make it a good night and a trip worth going to.”