Sold-out bull ride event set to double up

Tasmania’s first ever professional indoor bull ride has sold out within hours and a second show will now be held on October 3 at Launceston’s Silverdone.

Tickets for the extra event will go on sale this morning, with the program from the original Saturday night, October 4, to be replicated.

This will give the local bullriders, interstate contingent and three New Zealand competitors the chance to double their prizemoney from $15,000 to $30,000.

It will also double the money raised for the Launceston General Hospital 4K Children’s Ward Auxiliary.

Becks Mitre 10 Island stampede - Riding for a Cause, is the brainchild of former bull rider and the owner of Westbury stock feed business Barunah, Chris Dornauf, and Port Sorell horse breaker Kyle Maskiell.

Kyle is still competing on the rodeo circuit intermittently and will be one of two locals taking on the biggest names in the country, along with the reigning Tasmanian bull ride champion Josh Clark, also from Penguin.

Among the riders who have signed up for the event are Clint Glass from Tamworth, NSW, Sam Woodhall from Heywood, Victoria, Danny Rogan from Upper Horton, NSW and Kiwi two-time Profession Bull Riding (PBR) title winner Fraser Babbington.

Sonny Shafferius from Dysart, Queensland, who also rode world finals in Las Vegas, has also joined the lineup.

Kyle said it was a shock, in a good way, when the tickets sold so fast.

“That’s 3000 seats gone in a couple of hours, and we’re pleased to be able to offer a second night of competition with all the riders and the Silverdome on board.

“The Professional Bullriders Association runs most of its big events over two nights so this is business as usual for them and it’s what the riders are used to doing.”

The cowboys will also take time out to visit the LGH Children’s ward ahead of the competition, for some added inspiration and to cheer up its little patients, and they’ll also attend the after party at Ironhorse Bar and Grill, Prospect on the Saturday night.

Each night of the Island Stampede will see all 25 riders have one run, before the top 10 go into the Championship round.

Bulls from Bennett Ranch and Diamond A Cattle will travel on the boat from Victoria and PBR CEO Glen Young will be keeping a close eye on the event to see if it could become a regular addition to the national calendar.

Tickets will be $65 and go on sale in coming days through Ticketek.