Yorks Wild Kingdom

Bull riders, spectators enjoy York's first rodeo

Former bull-riding champion and event organizer Kenny Churchill, of York, has been anxious to hold a rodeo in the area for a number of years. Churchill, whose father was also a heavy participant in the sport, has been involved with bull riding his whole life.

"It's a great family event," Churchill said.

After struggling for 15 years to find a suitable venue for the event, Churchill finally got the opportunity to hold the show at York's Wild Kingdom.

During the World Cup Bull Riders Tour, riders compete for championship points and money. The tour gets riders from all over the world, including Guatemala, Brazil, Canada and Australia, as well as the United States. According to Churchill, approximately 30 bull riders participated in the event.

Encouraged by the large crowd of attendees and their positive responses, Churchill said he hopes to continue the rodeo each year. He said he believes that the rodeo will attract more people to the town and, in doing so, will bring more revenue to local businesses.

"Economically, it's good for everybody in the town," Churchill said. Plus, a portion of ticket sales is to benefit the Breast Care Center at York Hospital.

According to Churchill, the response from the spectators was phenomenal.

"I think we brought something bigger than they expected," Churchill said. "It's a big production and we brought it to a fun, small town."

Live music and extreme freestyle Motocross was performed at the event, and monster truck rides were given as well.

Spectators both young and old appeared to enjoy the event.

Kathy Crosby of Nashua, N.H., attended with her two grandchildren, Addison and Max, both dressed in cowboy attire.

"It's fantastic," Crosby said. "It's good with family, everyone's having a good time."

Hidden under the shade of their cowboy hats, both Addison, from Georgia, and Max, from New Hampshire, were excited to come back and visit again.

"The rodeo brought us here," Crosby said, "but now that we know about the Wild Kingdom, we'll be back."

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Bull rodeo coming to York's Wild Kingdom | SeacoastOnline.com

GO & DO

Extreme Country Stampede Tour rodeo

When: Saturday and Sunday, June 4 and 5; gates open at noon, bull riding and Motocross begin at 2 p.m.

Where: York's Wild Kingdom (Route 1 end)

Concert: 4 p.m. both days. Bleacher and some hillside seating.

Cost: $25 for adults in advance at the York Hospital Friend-Raising Office in the basement of the Medical Building, 16 Hospital Drive; The Meat House; The Bagel Basket and the American Legion, all in York; Cactus City Boots, Hampton. On the day of the rodeo, adult tickets are $30; kids ages 7-12, $5; under age 7, free.

Riders from not only the West, but also Brazil, Canada and Europe, will be in the rodeo, which takes place Saturday and Sunday on the grounds of York's Wild Kingdom.

South will also meet North during the course of the weekend, as the Ives family from Georgia will perform extreme freestyle Motocross.

Add barbecue from The Meat House, country music bands, monster truck and balloon rides (weather permitting), and that wraps up the country-western experience for the Seacoast. Plus, a portion of all ticket sales will go to support the York Hospital Breast Care Center.

"I want to show people who I am and what I do, and give everyone a fun event from my world," Churchill said.

Churchill knows his world well. Although he was born and raised in the Boston area, Churchill's father rode bulls professionally at rodeos throughout the western states. Churchill and his brother came along, and he eventually became a professional himself.

"We were the ugly ducklings of rodeo, because of those accents," he said, "a square peg in a round hole. Once they knew you could ride, they'd form their relationships with you, but it took a while."

For 20 years, he rode the circuit professionally, and then retired, eventually settling down in York. Because of his contacts in the field, he started putting on rodeos around the country and the world.

But he wanted to offer one in his home town. When he approached the owners of York's Wild Kingdom, they were amenable.

Churchill said "some of the toughest bulls in the country" are coming from Nashville, Tenn., for the rodeo this weekend, and the bull riding will be the centerpiece of activities. But there will be plenty to do and see, including appearances by country musicians Corey Cox and Rachel Timberlake.

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