Bull Riding Events in Maryland

Bull riding involves getting on a powerful bull and staying on for more than eight seconds while the animal does everything in its power to get you off. In Maryland, the sport of bull riding is still going strong in spite of the largely urban landscape. There are still plenty of surrounding rural areas that cater to the ranches and agricultural venues with the facility to host events. The power struggle between bull and man are often called "Battle of the Beast" and the dangers are very real.

  1. J Bar W Ranch Battle of the Beast

    • The J Bar W Ranch specializes in bucking bulls, and has top level Born to Buck bulls that they use in special events across the U.S. Their most consistent work is in their home state of Maryland, where they hold the J Bar W Ranch conceived "Battle of the Beast" during two series of events during the year. The events are sanctioned by both the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) and the ABBI (American Bucking Bulls, Inc.) so both riders and bulls get points toward their national club championships. The pro-bull riding events are open to riders from anywhere. The winter series takes place every Saturday night from January through March, and is held at the Carroll County Ag-Center & Indoor Arena. The summer series is held on the 1st and 3rd Saturday from June through September at night, with a final event on the 1st Saturday night in September, held at the J Bar W Ranch.

      Carroll County Ag-Center & Indoor Arena

      706 Agriculture Center Drive

      Westminster, MD 21157

      410-848-6704

      carrollcountyagcenter.com/index.asp

      J Bar W Ranch

      Battle of the Beast -- Summer Series Events

      10530 Green Valley Rd.

      Union Bridge, MD 21791

      410-775-2333

      jbarwranch.com/

    The Maryland State Fair

    • The Maryland State Fair holds a "Battle of the Beast" competition with 25 members of the IBR (International Bull Rider Association). The event includes Cowgirl Barrel Racing, and other rodeo events. The bull riding event takes place in the late summer on a Monday evening. In 2010, the event is on August 30th, at 7 p.m. and is held in the Horse Show Ring. The Maryland State Fairgrounds is at 2200 York Road in Timonium.

      The Maryland State Fair and Agriculture Society, Inc

      P.O. Box 188

      Timonium, MD 21094

      410-252-0200

      marylandstatefair.com/index.cfm?page=entertainment

    Montgomery County Agricultural Fair - Battle of the Beast

    • The bull riding event at the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair is a part of the yearly agricultural fair that takes place in mid-August. The fair's version of the "Battle of the Beast" event is sponsored by WMZQ radio at the grandstand.

      Montgomery County Agricultural Center, Inc.

      16 Chestnut Street

      Gaithersburg, MD 20877

      301-926-3100

      mcagfair.com/default.asp

    Bull Riding Seminar

    • Former World Champion professional bull rider, Scott Mendes teaches a yearly workshop on bull riding at the River Valley Ranch, a youth ranch, in Manchester, MD. For one weekend in September, young people, and children 12 to 16 when accompanied by an adult, can learn bull riding at all skill levels. The event is limited to a small number of individuals so that each gets the most hand's on and personalized instruction. Each ride is taped and played back for evaluation and learning, and all classes are held in a Christian atmosphere. River Valley Ranch also holds several rodeo events during the summer where youth compete for year-end RVR championship buckles.

      River Valley Ranch

      4443 Grave Run Road

      Manchester, MD 21102

      443-712-1010