Bull riding at speedway

UPDATE: 8:08 a.m

Results from Bull-A-Rama at the Penticton Speedway, Saturday night:

Jr Steer Riding:
$500 added money

-1st place
Tristan Rocco Dan from Mount Currie, $273

-2nd place
Issac Jansen from Quesnel
$210

-3rd place
Kevin Wallace from Mount Currie
$147

Bull riding:
Round 1

-1st place sweep
Marcos Gloria from Central Dr Minas, Brazil
$2,015

Round 2 
-1st place 
Dylan Somerville from Mantario, SK
$1,209
 
2nd place 
Marcos Gloria from Central Dr Minas, Brazil
$805
 

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ORIGINAL:

It was a night of bull riding thrills, chills and spills at the Penticton Speedway on Saturday.

Riders of all ages from all over Western Canada competed in front of bleachers packed with excited fans at the fourth annual Bull-A-Rama.

"Everybody wants to watch danger, but on the other side of the fence," said announcer Keith Dinwoodie.

Dinwoodie said Saturday's event featured about 16 riders, with each getting on two bulls.

All of the non-stop action on a warm night was in a new purpose built bull riding arena constructed for this year.

For bull rider William Wendel, 19, this year's event comes at a time when his family has been dealing with challenges.

His parents who live in Williams Lake were evacuated because of wildfires and have been staying with him in Kamloops.

"They are just waiting to go home, but we are all doing OK and I am feeling good going into the event tonight," he said.

This is Wendel's first full year on the circuit after sustaining an injury last year.

"It's exciting and I am glad to be back," he said. "And it's just a rush and fun to go out and do what you love."

Marlon Williams, 34, from Mount Currie and the winner of last year's event, was also looking forward to the big night of bull riding.

"I grew up in a rodeo-based family and it's in my blood and an adrenaline rush," he said. "I just can't get enough of it."

He added he was looking forward to making eight second rides.

"I double entered so I might ride four bulls tonight," he said.

Marcos Gloria, 26, from Brazil, said he officially started riding when he was 18 and loves every minute of it.

"It's my dream to be the best," he said. "And tonight I am looking forward to taking the championship home."

Castanet will provide results from the event when they are available.