Preparations underway for the 34th George Paul
John Ludlam
Private machinery is moving arena and sky boxes into place. Arena preparation is underway for the oldest continuous bull riding in the world, the 34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding. Bobby Paul, event producer, directs the action as the George Paul privately built seating is moved into place. The office buzzes with phone calls requesting ticket information and asking for event information. Jacque Paul Sorrell and Martha Mitchell Bass man the office and keep constant information flowing, mailing tickets and taking care of walk in customers. Like the bull riding itself, the action is non stop and a multitude of tasks are performed daily by the staff of four which includes marketing director, John Ludlum.
When Paul was asked how things were progressing he was quick to advise, “This year is kinda like every year. There’s a lot to do before the event and only so many hours in the day. We’ve probably encountered more problems this year than any year I remember but, we are professionals at this production and the fans will get more than their money’s worth at the George Paul. We always take care of our fans and with so many coming from all over the country, I guarantee a first class event. I know this; the George Paul puts more money in the economy in three days than any other activity or event and I’m darn sure proud of what we can do for Del Rio and Val Verde County and businesses in general. People stay here and spend money here and do not go across the border so the money they spend is spent here. With a nation-wide television telecast of both performances of our event, Del Rio gets a big viewership all over the country. Tell anyone when you’re traveling that you’re from Del Rio and they say one of three things or all three. Oh yes, Del Rio, the George Paul Bull Riding, Laughlin Air Force Base and Wolfman Jack?
I expect a great turnout and the bull riding will be second to none. Ever since we went with CBR things have just gotten better. Tuff Hedeman (four-time world champion bull rider, three-time George Paul winner and CBR President) picks the best bucking bulls in the business and the guy that wins this event is going to earn every dollar.?Paul continued, “Texas Cocktail will be our Bounty Bull on Saturday night and the rider with the best score Saturday night will have a chance to win an extra $10,000. CBR, Ram Country and I put up the Bounty Bull Money and I hope we get to write a check to the man that can ride this beast.?lt;br>
As he returned to work Paul advised, “This is a great event that takes a lot of hard work to produce and market. I guess we work on this event 11 months of the year and if it looks like this is easy to do, then we’ve done our job but, there is a lot of blood, sweat and probably a few tears before that first chute gate is opened. It takes a lot of people to make this happen but, I know our fans will enjoy another top bull riding this year.?lt;br>
Title sponsor for the May 7 & 8, 34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding is Ram Country. Tickets may be purchased at the Val Verde County Fairground’s office Monday through Friday, credit and debit cards accepted at the fairground’s office or by phone only. Office phone number is 775-9595. Budweiser, Fred Loya Insurance, Tractor Supply and Ramada Inn join as additional corporate sponsors. Performance times are Saturday May 7, 7:00 PM and Sunday May 8, 3:00 PM.
34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Nears
John Ludlam
Thirteen days from today, May 7, the oldest continuous bull riding in the world kicks off after a week of pre-bull riding festivities. Top bull riders and world champions from Championship Bull Riding (CBR) will converge on Del Rio along with the best bucking bulls in professional bull riding. The two-day nationally televised bull riding on Great American Country, (GAC), May 7-8, 2011, is know as the foundation event that has spawned stand alone bull riding as a singular event. Four-time World Champion Bull Rider Tuff Hedeman and three-time George Paul winner, President of CBR looks forward to this event each year.  So proud of winning the event, don’t look for Hedeman to wear a world championship buckle, but will sport one of the three George Paul buckles he has won. His first win came in 1986 followed by wins in 1992 and 1995. Hedeman watched the event while attending Sul Ross University on a rodeo scholarship and has always favored the event where he won his first “big time?professional bull riding buckle, sharing that honor with his traveling partner, the late Lane Frost. It was the George Paul Memorial where the seed was planted that stand alone bull riding was something fans craved and would support itself. Hedeman organized a number of other professional bull riders and stand alone bull riding was on its way.
This year’s event marks the fourth time CBR has been the sanctioning organization and has become a crowd favorite with big screen replay, fast paced production and top quality stock and contestants. Defending GPMBR Champion Clint Craig of Mena, AK is entered along with former GPMBR winner Cooper Kanngiesser.
Event producer, Bobby Paul has added an additional sky box to meet spectator demands. Paul said, “Each year we try and do something that will allow more fans to see the bull riding and it’s something I pay for. It doesn’t cost the tax payers a penny. With the addition of this sky box we’re about tapped out for adding any more seating. I guess over the years I’ve spent over $200,000 on the fairgrounds. Many organizations benefit from what we do to the fairgrounds and we’re glad to be of help to service organizations like Lions and Rotary Clubs.
Roping Wishes will be a part of this year’s George Paul and will honor a youngster that loves the sport of bull riding but has some physical limitations. This year’s recipient will be announced this next week.
Paul also wanted to thank the Chamber of Commerce’s Convention and Visitors Bureau for “getting the ball rolling on a week of activities prior to the annual bull riding.?Paul said, “The CVB and Chamber have printed flyers and there are activities for everyone to enjoy and participate in before the bull riding like business decorating, where’s George, washer pitching, live music and a bar-b-q cook off. Paul finished his comments by thanking Donna Langford for spearheading the week of festivities. Paul said, “Donna has really worked hard with the folks downtown at the Firehouse, Nancy O’Brien and Jimmy Murdoch and Debbie at the Chamber.?lt;br>Title sponsor for the May 7 & 8, 34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding is Ram Country. Tickets may be purchased at the Val Verde County Fairground’s office Monday through Friday, credit and debit cards accepted at the fairground’s office or by phone only. Office phone number is 775-9595. Budweiser, Fred Loya Insurance, Tractor Supply and Ramada Inn join as additional corporate sponsors. Performance times are Saturday May 7, 7:00 PM and Sunday May 8, 3:00 PM.
Show Down Looming At George Paul
John Ludlam It may seem like something out of the old west. Gunslingers battling it out. Who will be the best? Who will be first? Who will reclaim his dad’s title? What’s this all about? Go back to 1983 when Lane Foltyn claimed the title of champion at the 6th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding. Fast forward eight years later when Toya Bolton claimed the 14th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Championship.
Lane and Toya have retired from arena bull riding wars. Both have remained active in the sport they loved and in which they both were successful. Both men have raised bulls and bull riding sons. Clayton Foltyn, 26, and Bonner Bolton, 24 have a showdown with destiny on May 7 & 8, 2011, in Del Rio, Texas. Heavyweight fights cannot be any more exciting than what bull riding fans have in store that weekend.
As of right now, Foltyn and Bolton are ranked number one and number two for the CBR world championship. 452.75 points separate the two men, but events are in the offing that can change that lead or leader. Factors at play are the Cinch Tour Series, CBR Tulsa Challenge this weekend. Also on the landscape are two Horizon events before the 34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding. Stephenville, TX, hosts their second Horizon event on April 15 and a new Horizon event in West, TX, kicks off April 30.
At last year’s 33rd George Paul Memorial Bull Riding, Foltyn was in the driver’s seat to be the first of a father son paring to win the oldest, continuous bull riding in the world. Foltyn rode his third and final short round bull and most thought he had the championship cinched. Double Scoop, CBR Bull of the Year with Clint Craig interrupted that win on the final ride of Sunday afternoon and Mena Arkansas?Craig claimed the title. Several years ago, after the first round, Bolton was in the lead going into the final performance and the short round. Fate intervened and Bolton bucked off his bull. Thus his chance was halted. 
Three events stand in front of the young men who can make Sunday afternoon, May 8, 2011 historic. Bolton is riding like the man who won the 2007 CBR World Championship after a big win in Las Vegas last weekend. That incidentally was where he won his world championship. Confidence has returned to the popular bull rider and the member of a rodeo family is “on a roll.?His dad Toya placed and won many rodeos of note in his career.
Foltyn however is riding with consistency and like the storied bull riding members of his family. His maternal grandfather, Dickie Cox, was a force to be reckoned with in the 1960’s and in 1968 rode with George Paul at the National Finals Rodeo. Many believed Dickie could have been a world champion but he preferred to rodeo close to home. His son-in-law, Lane, has recorded big wins in his career and Clayton’s bull riding genetics from both sides of the family authenticate his, as John Wayne would say, bona fides. Other factors can loom large before and during the showdown and those factors is no small hurdle. The mental game may or may not be a factor. Pressure is generally self imposed and remaining cool under pressure is a desirable and necessary attribute if one wants to win. The other factors that can come into play will be the subject of the next article in what potentially promises to be an exciting decision as to which family can claim to be the first father-son team to claim bookend George Paul Championship buckles.
Title sponsor for the May 7 & 8 34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding is Ram Country. Tickets may be purchased at the Val Verde County Fairground’s office Monday through Friday, credit and debit cards accepted at the fairground’s office or by phone only. Office phone number is 775-9595. Budweiser, Fred Loya Insurance and Tractor Supply join as additional corporate sponsors. Performance times are Saturday May 7, 7:00 PM and Sunday May 8, 3:00 PM.
George Paul Week kicks off 34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding
by John Ludlam
 The Chamber of Commerce Convention Visitors Bureau, local business owners, The Firehouse and Bobby Paul, producer of the 34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding are banding together to make this year’s event bigger and better than ever. The idea for a week of festivities before the bull riding was suggested by Donna Langford, Director of the CVB and was endorsed immediately by bull riding producer, Bobby Paul. Several meetings have been held and a schedule of events is being finalized.
Nancy O’Brien, Director of the Firehouse, along with Nicky Helmer, will head the activities being held downtown which will include an outstanding display of George Paul Memorial Bull Riding photographs taken by award winning photographer Dr. Emile “Doc?Abbott at the Firehouse. The Masonic Lodge 646 of Del Rio will have a fish fry and will sell beer, sodas and water. Music will bring a festive atmosphere to the downtown event at Greenwood Park from 6-10:00 pm on Friday, May 6.
A George Paul Days BBQ Cook-off is headed by Jimmy Murdoch and a Washer Pitching Tournament will be organized and supervised by Baye Wilson.
Decorate your business for the week of the 34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding and be a part of the Small and Large Business Decorating Contest. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated small and large business.
Saturday will feature the BBQ judging as well as other festivities at Greenwood Park and Sunday, enjoy a cowboy breakfast at the Whitehead Memorial Museum. Pancakes, coffee, sausage and juice will be available for only $5.00 and you can “dine in?at the museum or take it home. Cowboy Church services will also be held at the Museum.
Paul was very excited when asked about the week’s events and said, “This is like it used to be years ago when the whole community became involved. This is a week that will be fun for everyone and if I were a betting man, and if you come to the downtown events and those at the Ramada Inn you stand a good chance of being part of our nationwide telecast on Great American Country (GAC).
Once again the “Where’s George?contest will be held the week of the bull riding and winners can get free tickets to the bull riding the day of their choice. Final details are being worked out and all information will be available soon so mark your calendars for a fun filled week of the 34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding, May 7 & 8, 2011.
Bobby Paul, representing his wife Bonnie as the production team of the 34th annual George Paul Memorial Bull Riding, met with Championship Bull Riding (CBR) President Tuff Hedeman and CBR’s CEO, Wes Bruce to finalize dates for the annual event.  The oldest, continuous stand alone bull riding in the world is named in honor of the late George Paul, the 1968 Rodeo Cowboy’s Assn. World Champion Bull Rider and the only man to ride 79 consecutive bulls in competition. George Paul was killed in a plane crash in 1970 in Wyoming.
After extensive meetings with CBR officials, Paul said, “We once again have chosen CBR as our bull riding sanctioning organization because of their professionalism. They have the best bull riders and bulls in the professional sport of stand alone bull riding and will televise our event nationally on Great American Television (GAC). Everyone knows that Tuff Hedeman is a four-time World Champion Bull Rider and three-time winner of The George Paul. He is certainly a crowd favorite and brings a staff of knowledgeable professionals to our event.?Paul continued, “We have several surprises that we will introduce to Del Rio as part of our event that will make it even more enjoyable and exciting for our fans.?lt;br>
Paul said, “I want to personally thank the Del Rio community for the reception that you gave the committee from Cheyenne, WY, at last year’s event and as a result of that hospitality, coupled with CBR’s event production, Cheyenne is going to do a CBR bull riding two nights at their annual rodeo in July. We have extended an invitation to the Cheyenne committee to return to our bull riding event and we plan to attend their event in July.?lt;br>
Paul advised, “We will give weekly updates about the event and this year will be more fun than ever. We are working with the Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Business Bureau (CVB) and planning a week of festivities leading up to the bull riding. There will be more things to do for the Del Rio community in the week leading up to the bull riding. We want everyone in Del Rio to get involved.?lt;br>
Dates for the annual event are Saturday May 7 and Sunday May 8, at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds. The 34th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding office is located at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds. Phone number for the office is 775-9595. Credit card and debit cards will be accepted only at the bull riding office or by phone. Title sponsor for the event is once again Ram Country.
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