Giddy up, cowboys and cowgirls. The Baton Rouge River Center will be hosting the Gerry Lane Professional Bull Riders Chris Shivers Invitational on Friday, Aug. 24 and Saturday, Aug. 25. Chris Shivers is a PBR world champion bull rider who is also a native Louisianan, and said he has always had a penchant for danger. Shivers said he has been in the bull riding business for about 20 years and began practicing as a young boy. According to a PBR news release, “Chris Shivers has 22 career Professional Bull Rider’s Cup series wins. He has recorded the following history-making firsts: the first PBR bull rider to win more than $300,000 in prize money in one year (1998); the first PBR bull rider to reach the $1 million mark (2001), the $2 million mark (2003) and the $3 million mark (2006).” The invitational event began about five or six years ago, Shivers said. The event consists of 40 top riders competing in short rounds. Shivers said despite the title “invitational,” anyone can enter and compete. The riders duke it out with bucking bulls in hopes of qualifying for a spot in the 2012 Professional Bull Riders Tour Finals, held this year in Las Vegas, according to the news release. “It’s two and a half hours of non-stop bull riding action… It’s simply up-close and personal bull riding” Shivers explained. Shivers said this year will feature a new attraction. Mini bulls will be present for fledgling riders to try. There will be 10 mini bulls, five for a junior division and five for a senior division. Children ages eight to 15 are welcome to try their hand at mini bull riding. The Baton Rouge stop is one of many on the PBR tour. Shivers said there are more than 100 stops and 33 televised events on this year’s tour. Baton Rouge was a selected stop because “it’s a central part of Louisiana, and they would actually let me rent an arena,” Shivers laughed. Shivers announced earlier this year that this would be his last year as a bull rider before retiring. “I’ve been doing this for over 20 years now. I’m ready to just stay at home with my family,” he said. Shivers said he plans to keep busy by managing his cattle operation for his home in Louisiana. Through these past 20 years, Shivers said one thing he has adopted from riding longhorns is a “never die attitude.” He said there will be up-days and down-days, but the important part is staying on top. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. each night. Adult tickets range in price from $21 to $61, and children’s tickets are $11 in advance.
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