Professional Bull Riding hoping to find a home in Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, Md – Every year, Professional Bull Riders holds over 70 events across the country, but with the unique setting that Ocean City offers, the tour thinks the resort town could end up as  a special location for bull riding.

“It is a phenomenal setting. Picturesque, can’t ask for something better. You know, who would think that we’d be bucking bulls right next to the sand right next to the ocean?” said Robert Simpson, Senior Vice President of PBR.

Starting Friday evening, 40 of the best bull riders in the world will be stepping into the ring at the Ocean City inlet. For a tour that often finds itself in arenas like Madison Square Garden, it’s more than just a change of pace: “Everybody on our team that we bring into town to actually to do this event just loves coming, loves to work the event.”

Simpson thinks that in the future, bull riding on the beach is something that could become a signature event for Ocean City. “We reached out early to the community. You know, we want to make sure that the residents of Ocean City and surrounding communities–we want them to call this event home, and think of this as their community event,” said Simpson.

Many locals and tourists might not have watched the sport before, but Simpson said it’s a thrill that anyone will be able to enjoy: “The promoter cliche is ‘edge of your seat,’ but literally when you watch PBR, that’s what happens. Every ride is unique. Every time a rider nods his head, he’s putting his life on the line, you know, a 150 pound cowboy versus a 2,000 pound bull.”

Simpson said that, now in their 3rd year coming to town, they have seen ticket sales increasing. Though, establishing a summer staple is not something that happens overnight: “That takes time to grow an event in a community, but, you know, really want a Ocean City to be able to call this their PBR”