Missouri Thunder season underway; home event scheduled for September

By CINDY THOMAS, Staff Writer

Residents of Ridgedale neighborhoods along State Hwy. 86 near the Bass Pro shooting academy and Thunder Ridge have noticed plenty of activity in the area over the first half of 2022. In January, Professional Bull Riding announced Missouri Thunder as a founding Team Series member sponsored by Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops. The arena at Thunder Ridge, which in the past has hosted entertainers like Hank Williams Jr., Dierks Bentley, and other notables plus special events, is being expanded as the home facility for the team.

Missouri Thunder is directed by former PBR executive Randy Bernard as General Manager and co-coached by Luke Snyder and Ross Coleman, both members of the PBR Ring of Honor with 25 finals qualifications between them. Snyder, a native of Raymore, Missouri, is a member of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

Work in progress expanding the arena and parking

Photo by Cindy Thomas

PBR, the world’s premier bull-riding association, launched the Team Series in June. The elite new league features top bull riders, competing on teams in 5-on-5 bull riding games during an 11-event season, beginning July 25-26 at Cheyenne Frontier Days and culminating in a team championship at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, November 4-6.

Via the May 23 team draft, Missouri Thunder acquired Colten Fritzlan, Clayton Sellars, Cody Teel, Andrew Alvidrez and Jesse Petri. Seven additional riders have been acquired through free agency to add depth to the team.

The team series preseason is currently underway. Following the PBR season opener July 25–26 at Cheyenne Frontier Days, one of two “neutral site” events of the season, each team will host a three-day competition at its home arena. A schedule of team events is available at www.pbr. com/event-schedule/. Since the Team Series is new for PBR, a breakdown of how competitions and the season championship will be held, “Team Series 101,” is available at www. pbr.com. Fans can also follow the Missouri Thunder and their favorite individual riders online and on TV; details are available at the website.

As construction progresses on Thunder Ridge Arena, the team and coaches are eagerly anticipating Missouri Thunder’s first home competition. “Thunder Days” will be held September 23–25. Ticket information and more details about the newly expanded facility will be forthcoming, so stay up to date on Missouri Thunder at www. pbr.com and by following Professional Bull Riding as well as Missouri Thunder on Facebook.

Coach Luke Snyder spoke to the Hollister Area Chamber of Commerce earlier this spring. He expressed his thanks to Morris for the opportunity, his excitement at being on the ground floor of the Team Series project, and his anticipation that the team will add yet another reason for visiting the Missouri Ozarks.