ODESSA, Texas — NewsWest 9 has been previewing it for a while now, it’s the Professional Bull Riding Chevron Showdown where the Team Series Champion Texas Rattlers will ride with the Odessa College Wranglers.
The highly anticipated event will finally make its way to the Ector County Coliseum Thursday night at 6:30 p.m.
"We've been excited, we've been working, training hard towards it," Texas Rattler Daniel Keeping said.
West Texans will be treated with some of the best bull riding they’ll ever see as the showdown rears its head.
"It's like a little preseason game to show off our capabilities and just a good tune up for the season to come up," Texas Rattler Marco Juarez said.
The defending World Team Champion Texas Rattlers will ride with the Odessa College Wranglers in an event like no other.
"This kind of an event is very unique. It's the first time we've done anything like where we're partnering with a college team, that's Odessa College Wranglers," Texas Rattlers GM Chad Blankenship said. "To do this together, I think for us it's a really cool opportunity for our bull riders to function in a little bit of a mentoring capacity with some of the bull riders."
A mentorship that doubles as friendly competition.
"Oh I hope they're ready," Keeping said about Odessa College. "Very excited to see what they've been hiding now and like this is our first year with them so we're just ready to rock 'n 'roll."
And these Odessa College Wranglers, while young, are definitely ready to rock 'n’ roll.
Because they’ve been learning from the champs.
"They're the best of the best," Odessa College Wrangler Colby Edgar said. "So they're very good people to get an inside of how the PBR teams work."
"You're riding and hanging out with people that you look up to and you've watched on the big screen and win championships," Odessa College Wrangler Linden Raaen said. "It's really great to get around these fellows and learn a lot from them."
It’s also a chance for the collegiate athletes to get a peek at just how much of a family these champions really are, as an important part of championship DNA is chemistry.
"Wouldn't trade this team for the world," Texas Rattler Cody Jesus said.
"To be able to have that team companionship and the leadership to be able to share different backgrounds gives you different point of views and kind of lights your flame and try a little harder," said Keeping.
And working harder got these bull riders where they are today.
And they’re hoping they can inspire the future of bull riding with that hard work.
"Our youth is our next generation," Keeping said. "You know, it's always a privilege to be able to be involved with something that doesn’t just help with the Western heritage future, but also with the kids' future too, while involved in it. So we're just blessed with it and we are big honored and proud with Chevron to be part of us now, so very excited."
As is the rest of the Permian Basin, as it’s expected to be a packed crowd, as West Texas loves their bull riding.
"Hey, Odessa's keeps on going faster than I can get to it," Keeping said. "So never had bad luck here. I always loved it. Loved the Texas heat. Turns it up in the kitchen and see what boys really want to come and play with us."
So with this highly anticipated event on the horizon, you might want to head to the Coliseum like one of those angry bucking bulls.
"Why not get excited about it?" Keeping said. "What else you gotta do on Thursday night?"
The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. at the Ector County Coliseum.
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