"Brazilian Bombshell," Paulo Crimber, will be riding in five events this weekend, including the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Challenger Tour Bull Ride in Park Rapids.
In an interview Tuesday from his home in Decatur, TX, Crimber said he grew up on a ranch in Brazil and that's when he started riding calves and steers.
He qualified for his seventh PBR World Finals in 2005. In the first round of competition, he suffered a broken bone in his riding hand that required surgery. Although he was unable to continue competing at the finals, he finished the season ranked No. 13 and earned more than $106,000 last year.
"I'm healthy and ridin' good," he said, adding he's heading toward his eighth PBR World Finals.
The 26-year-old said bull riding is the only thing he does for a living. "It's my main career," he said. As a professional athlete, he works out between two and two and a half hours a day, lifting weights, running and riding proxy bulls at home.
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Crimber's signature is a dance he does in the arena after a successful ride. He said he did it the first time after he won the finals in Brazil, quit for a while and started again.
Mark Nestlen, president of Cowboy Sports Agents, said Crimber has "a huge fan following." He receives e-mails on a daily basis from people who appreciate him as an athlete and "a nice young man who is there for the fans."
In addition to his career in the PBR, in 2004, Crimber was National Finals Rodeo Bull Riding Champion.
He and his wife, Maria, have two sons.
Crimber will ride Sunday.
The PBR returns to Park Rapids Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Gates open at 5 p.m. with the action starting at 6:30 p.m. - rain or shine.
"The great bulls will be here," said co-producer Randy Jokela.
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Berger Bucking Bulls out of Mandan, ND, three-time PBR Contractor of the Year, will be back with their world-renowned bucking bulls. In fact, Jokela said, one load from Berger's will have 30 head of bulls valued at $3 million.
Little Yellow Jacket, the greatest bull ever in the PBR, came from Berger Bulls, Randy said, adding he still can't believe that the first time the champion bull ever bucked at a professional event, he did it here. Five other stock contractors from Texas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota also are bringing their top bulls.
"You get the good contestants when they have a chance to win big money and the right bulls are in the draw. These cowboys don't want it to be the luck of the draw. They want a real riding contest. Those who follow the PBR on OLN and NBC, will see the group here. The boys will be in town and everyday there's a new line up," Randy added. The three-day event offers 52 rides a night with 156 entries accepted.
Besides Brazilian bull riders like Crimber, Jokela said bull riders from Australia and Canada are entered along with well-known American bull riders. Every night is different with 120 bull riders entered and 40 rides each night.
Park Rapids has become a legendary location. "It's the one they love coming to over the Fourth. It's not hot and it's a spot they've got to hit if they're going to win big money on the way to other events like Calgary," Randy said. "They're already calling us, saying they're looking forward to being here."
This year's announcer will be Kelly Kenney of Humansville, MO. Allan Olson, a veteran bullfighter from White River, SD, will add color in the arena along with Nevada Miller from Mandan, ND and Jesse Byrne from Calgary, Alberta. Barrelman will be John Harrison from Soper, OK, grandson of the legendary Freckles Brown, was a world champion bull rider in the 1950s.
After intermission, kids ages 5-7 who want to grow up to be cowboys, have their chance for eight seconds of fame - or longer - on a sheep in the popular amateur event. Call 800-JOKELA-1 to enter. Sunday will feature a special half-price ticket for kids 11 and under, plus the first 500 will receive a free PBR Trading Card.
A Jane Melby Barrel Race benefit with $500 added money has been added to the line-up of entertainment. All proceeds from the event will go to help defray the cost of Melby's medical expenses. For more information or to enter, call Christine Nevala at 218-947-4286.
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And each night, after the show is over, the top regional band "Switch" will play a variety of music for nightly dances in the Montana Pavilion on the grounds featuring a Chamber beer garden.
The preliminary rounds for this year's Rodeo Idol Contest will be held Thursdays, June 22 and June 29 at Zhateau Zorbaz. The finals will be held following the bull ride Sunday at the Montana Pavilion.
Tickets will be available at the Chamber and Coldwell Banker Clack & Dennis Real Estate in Park Rapids, at Wadena Super One or at Country Greenhouse, south of Bemidji as well as at the gate or go to www.parkrapids.com and click on the ticketweb link. Enter to win free tickets to the PBR finals in Las Vegas.
