The backbone of the United States is the American Cowboy. Many people picture cowboys as guys on the back of a horse with guns shooting the outlaws that stroll into town, but that’s not quite the case.  A real cowboy is someone who can get on a bull and hang on for eight seconds, someone who has grit, and someone that does it for the honor, not for the money.  

In the 18th century, bull riding was invented. Similar to bullfighting or riding a horse, Mexicans thought that they could saddle up a bull and make it buck just like a wild horse. Over time bull riding has adapted into a serious sport all across North America. Bulls have even been specifically bred to buck like a lean, mean machine. In the United States bull riding has become so serious that in 1992, a group of the best bull riders in the world created a league called the Professional Bull Riders (PBR). 

The objective of bull riding may be different than one seems. To keep it simple, the cowboy sits himself on the back of a bull with one hand in a rope and the other in the air, away from the animal in a position similar to raising a hand in the classroom. The bull is positioned in a chute and when the rider nods his head, the gate is opened. The objective is to then stay on the bull for a full ride (8 seconds) to achieve a score. If the rider fails to do so, they don’t collect a score. The score after a ride is collective from the bull and rider. The bull can score up to 50 points and the rider can score up to 50 points totaling 100 points. The highest score ever achieved was 98.75 points by Jose Vitor Leme at the 2020 PBR World Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

SInce 1992 the Pittsburgh City Council has banned the use of pain inflictors such as electric prods, bucking straps, and spurs, which are used to control animals. This caused rodeos to be banned in Pittsburgh for over 30 years. Recently the Pennsylvania State Legislature passed a law to overrule the city council. The PBR to come to Pittsburgh on January 24-25, 2025, at PPG Paints Arena. To say the least, it was a massive success. 

The PBR is one of the fastest growing sports in America. Fans are attracted to the thrill of a person on the back of a 1600 lb. animal trying to hold on for a full ride. In the beginning of a PBR event, each rider is introduced with popular rock music, alongside fire spelling out the letters PBR in the dirt, and fireworks shooting up in the air. When bringing an event with this much hype and excitement to a city that was built with blood, sweat, and tears, it’s a guarantee that it’s going to be a good weekend. 

In 2022 The PBR created the Camping World Team Series. A draft was created, effectively in the same way as the NFL Draft. To start the draft there were five rounds and each team commenced to pick one rider in each round. At the conclusion of the draft each team had five riders set and at midnight the next day free agency opened. Just like the NFL or any other major American sport there is a free agency where riders can be signed to a team that aren’t already on one, or cut from a team and placed into free agency. The teams have a total of six riders per game. Therefore, a team event is a 6v6 shootout, and whichever team rides the most bulls win. To sum it all up, the PBR is split in two seasons, the individual and the team series. Fortunately, Pittsburgh was able to experience both…..in one night. 

To start off the round Friday night, 2022 world champion Daylon Swearingen from North Carolina broke out an 86.50 point ride on top of “Baldy”, a bull that bucks off 80% of his riders, The world champ ended up tying for 7th place in round one. 

 After all of the individual rides were completed on Friday, the PBR had a team game lined up to cap off the night. The Oklahoma Wildcatters, led by two-time PBR World Champion J.B. Mauney took on the Arizona Ridge Riders, led by five-time PBR World FInalist, Colby Yates. The Wildcatters came out hot through their first three rides leaving the Ridge Riders in the dust, but nevertheless Yates had his team right back on track with one ride to go. Arizona was down by 86.50 points, so they had to secure a ride to win. 

WIth a surprise appearance by Pittsburgh Steelers legends Brett Kiesel, as the Ridge Riders honorary coach, and James Harrison standing behind the bucking chutes, PPG Paints Arena was deafeningly loud. James Harrison, accompanied by the one and only Terrible Towel, was showing the gritty cowboys how to wave it, and make a connection with every fan inside the arena.

The last rider for Arizona, Keyshawn Whitehorse,  who is ranked 9th in the world and has made over $39,000 this season already, was psyched up to be the “closer” for the Ridge Riders. With the arena on it’s feet, rocking and the song “White Horse” by Chris Stapleton playing, the chute gate opened and Whitehorse secured an 89.75 point ride and grabbed the terrible towel from James Harrison and showed Steel City what he is all about. 

Arriving at PPG on Saturday, fans could feel the energy in the city. Fans were singing, shouting, and talking energetically to one another, to show that Pittsburgh understands the cowboy way.  Saturday night did not start off as crazy as Friday, but as the round went on, the rides racked up. Big names like, Derek Kolbaba, Felipe Furlan, and Boudreaux Campbell secured their spot in the championship round, alongside 19-year- old phenom Clay Guiton. Dawson Branton barely squeaked in with a 59 point ride to secure the last spot in the round. 

Starting the championship round, fans could feel the energy in the arena. The fans were shaking, drooling, and grinning  from ear to ear while the PBR announcers fired up the crowd in excitement for the finals. The first ride in the finals was made by Felipe Furlan on top of bull “Lights Out” scoring a 90.25. The next ride was made by Australian Brady Fielder, scoring a 90.75 on top of “UTZ BesTex Smokestack” to make the into first place. The last ride of the night, with the entire arena on their feet, cheering, and music blaring for Guiton. He had to complete a full ride to win the event. Riding the bull from move to move like a dance partner, only to be bucked off at 6.12 seconds, as Fielder ended up securing the win, and taking home a $40,000 check.

In Fielder’s interview after the event the Australian, with a thick accent proudly said, “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, hey, hey, hey!” Pittsburgh cheered and applauded for the newly No. 1 ranked bull rider in the world. 

Overall, Pittsburgh saw much success with the PBR, already scheduled to come back Feb. 13-14, 2026. The Steel City loves wild events with high excitement, and with Pittsburgh being built with grit and sweat it matches the cowboys’ personas perfectly. The Pittsburgh Penguins, who gifted PBR CEO Sean Gleason a jersey with his name and the number 25 to represent their first year in Pittsburgh. In return, Gleason gave the Pittsburgh Penguins President of Business Operations, Kevin Acklin an official Montana Silversmiths PBR belt buckle. In an interview, Gleason said, “We look forward to coming back here every year.”