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Country Thunder Arizona debuts old-timer bull riding for 'the thrill'
TL;DR
Country Thunder Arizona introduced old-timer bull riding, featuring senior pro bull riders aged 40 and older. The event showcased thrilling performances as riders battled to stay on bucking bulls.
Country Thunder Arizona debuts old-timer bull riding for 'the thrill'
While it doesn't get much more country than Country Thunder, the festival has a new feature this year: bull riding.
Arizona's RS Rodeo bull riders gave festivalgoers a show as the bucking bulls attempted to throw off the riders from the minute the gates opened and the riders fought to hold on through the spins, kicks and sudden movements.
However, these riders bring an element of surprise and amazement to the already treacherous sport of bull riding. All of the bull riders at this year's music festival are senior pro bull riders. That means all of the riders are 40 and older, some are even in their 60s.
“There’s a story to these guys,” Dana Matthews-McNeil, co-owner of RS Rodeo, said. “You're seeing these guys competing not so much for the money, but for the passion that they have for the sports.”
A rider hangs on for the first few seconds in the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
The bull riding chute is prepped for a round and the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
A rider hangs on for the first few seconds in the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
A rider collects himself after being thrown from a bull in the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
A bull kicks its legs after throwing a rider in the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
A bull leaps into the air after throwing a rider in the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
A bull kicks its legs after throwing a rider in the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
A bull leaps into the air, throwing a rider in the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
Rodeo clowns congratulating each other after Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
A bull leaps into the air after throwing a rider in the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
People watch the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
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Country Thunder 2026 fans enjoy rodeo action
A rider hangs on for the first few seconds in the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
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Country Thunder 2026 fans enjoy rodeo action
A rider hangs on for the first few seconds in the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
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Country Thunder 2026 fans enjoy rodeo action
The bull riding chute is prepped for a round and the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
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Country Thunder 2026 fans enjoy rodeo action
A rider hangs on for the first few seconds in the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
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Country Thunder 2026 fans enjoy rodeo action
A rider collects himself after being thrown from a bull in the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
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Country Thunder 2026 fans enjoy rodeo action
A bull kicks its legs after throwing a rider in the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
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Country Thunder 2026 fans enjoy rodeo action
A bull leaps into the air after throwing a rider in the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
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Country Thunder 2026 fans enjoy rodeo action
A bull kicks its legs after throwing a rider in the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
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Country Thunder 2026 fans enjoy rodeo action
A bull leaps into the air, throwing a rider in the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
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Country Thunder 2026 fans enjoy rodeo action
Rodeo clowns congratulating each other after Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
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Country Thunder 2026 fans enjoy rodeo action
A bull leaps into the air after throwing a rider in the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
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Country Thunder 2026 fans enjoy rodeo action
People watch the Buckin' Thunder rodeo during Country Thunder Arizona 2026 at AZ Talio Ranch near Florence, Ariz. on April 11, 2026.
Still bull riding for 'the thrill of getting on'
That’s not to say these senior pro riders aren’t extreme daredevils with accomplished careers.
Timothy McNeil, the co-owner of RS Rodeo, was also riding bulls at Country Thunder this weekend. At 66 years old, McNeil is still riding and hopes the Pro Senior Bull riders show the crowd that anything is possible no matter your age.
McNeil said that it’s the adrenaline rush that keeps him bull riding even though the likelihood of injury increases at he gets older.
“It's just the thrill of getting on, and, yeah, I mean, sure, it hurts, but you don't really feel it at the time,” McNeil said.
Extra precautions are put in place to ensure the safety of all senior pro bull riders. Although no matter what, there is an element of danger to bull riding.
“We're bringing in bulls that are more like for high school rodeos, stuff that's not going to turn around and hunt a bull rider down and try to trample them in the arena,” Matthews-McNeil said.
For those interested in catching the last of the action, RS Rodeo riders will take to the arena one last time at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
Check out all of the action: Country Thunder Arizona 2026 live blog
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Country Thunder Arizona goes full rodeo with bull riders
Q&A
What is the age range of the bull riders at Country Thunder Arizona?
The bull riders at Country Thunder Arizona are all senior pro bull riders, aged 40 and older, with some in their 60s.
What new feature was added to Country Thunder Arizona this year?
This year, Country Thunder Arizona debuted old-timer bull riding as a new feature of the festival.
Who provided the bull riding entertainment at Country Thunder Arizona?
The bull riding entertainment was provided by Arizona's RS Rodeo, featuring senior pro bull riders.
What challenges do bull riders face during the performances at Country Thunder Arizona?
Bull riders face challenges such as spins, kicks, and sudden movements from the bucking bulls as they attempt to stay on.
