Tofield Bull Bash

Emily Mailhot Reporter – Vegreville News Advertiser

On Saturday, April 13, the Tofield arena hosted their share of professional cowboys for the 2019 Bull Bash. Though tickets were not sold out this year, they had an energetic crowd ready to enjoy the bull riding action.

“We’ve turned people away in other years but didn’t have to this year,” explained Rick Neufeld, a part of the Bull Bash organizers, “We’ve got a really good crowd, and the pre-sales were excellent, so we came pretty close.”

The Bull Bash was co-sanctioned by the Canadian Pro Rodeo Association (CPRA), which leads eventually to the Canadian Finals Rodeo, and the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), which can lead to the Vegas World Finals Rodeo.

Neufeld explained, “A lot of these cowboys will go to the PBRs, and there’s a stepping stone in the PBR’s to get to the Ford World Tough series, which is big. Those guys are making a living out of it.”

“The cowboys that we have here are all pros, and about 75% of them have made it to the Canadian finals.”

The Tofield Bull Bash also drew in not one contractor bringing a pen of bulls getting watered down throughout the event, but four; Vold, Thompson Rodeo, Wildhogs, Skori Bucking Bulls. “This makes it so that every bull that gets ridden is fresh, and we’ll get a lot of guys thrown in the dirt.”

This ability, Neufeld explained, was thanks to connections in the industry made by his son, Curtis.

“Curtis is instrumental in running the bull bash. He used to ride pro, so has connections in the industry and sets up our contractors from Meadowlake Saskatchewan.”

“The Town staff is also amazing for us,” Rick continued, “they put in the dirt, and they set up the pens…. There’s just a lot of community support.”

“This just keeps getting bigger and better every year, and as long as Curtis stays involved, we’ll keep on going that way.”

After rounds of competition, the final few were ready to ride for the championship buckle and prize. Though before the championship round there were many scores over 80, only one rider prevailed for the eight seconds. Jared Parsonage, with a score of 167.0 and $1,200.00 in Ground Money was named the champion of the Tofield Bull Bash, and a contender for the CFR as he continues to climb the CPRA standings.