Mascots for teams and organizations across North Texas competed in a mechanical bull riding contest in Dallas Wednesday ahead of the Professional Bull Riding World Finals. PBR World Finals events will take place in Arlington and Fort Worth next month.
Wednesday, Big Tex and mascots from the Arlington Renegades, Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Stars, FC Dallas, Texas Rattlers and Texas Legends rode a mechanical bull in a parking lot outside Reunion Tower. The mascots first tried to ride for eight seconds; in a second ride they were judged on technique by 2022 PBR World Champion Daylon Swearingen.
"You don't see that every day, mascots on mechanical bulls," he says. "It's cool to see, for sure."
PBR World Finals start with eliminations at Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth May 8 through 11, followed by the Ride for Redemption May 14 and 15. Kid Rock's Rock n Rodeo takes place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington May 16 followed by the PBR World Championship at the stadium May 17 and 18.
"PBR's been doing a great job getting new fans into it," Swearingen says. "I think it's a lot easier for the average fan of sports to collect and come to the PBR because we're teams now. You pick your region, pick your guys and it's great bull riding every time."
Swearingen says cowboys and bull riders all compete at these large events, but they also work together to support each other and bring attention to the sport.
"This is a sport where everybody's helping each other. We want the sport to grow," he says. "The bulls, that's our competition at the end of the day, and that's who are competitor is."
For mascots' competition, the Dallas Stars' Victor E. Green won for the second straight year, edging out the Cowboys' Rowdy. Victor E. Green won a belt buckle and $1,000 donation to charity.