Sandra Levron Adams
December 29, 2008
The good, the bad and ugly in Tri-parish sports in 2008
December 31, 2008
In the real world, eight seconds is a minuscule amount of time. But eight seconds can feel like forever while straddling the massive back of a half-ton, angry, newly-freed bull as it jumps, bucks and contorts in ways that seem to defy physics.
That is the world 40 bull riders enter as they compete in the 8th annual Fear No Evil Bullriding Challenge, Saturday Jan. 24, at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.
Welcome to the show, partner!
“This event opens the doors for some amateurs to move up and get some good experience on some tough bulls,” said co-promoter Randy Blanchard. “They can also win quite a bit of money.”
There are 50 bulls for this year’s event. After all, the riders compete in the long round, the top 10 high scorers each ride another bull in the short round. The combined scores from the two rounds determine the winner.
First through sixth place finishers receive cash prizes.
“We put the top bulls we have in that short round, so they can really buck,” Blanchard said. “The riders have already been on one bull, and the next is going to be even tougher. It multiplies the excitement.”
Although it is the main event, Fear No Evil is plenty more than just guys on top of bulls.
There is a free concert after the bull riding competition. Reaux shambo, a five-piece Houma band, plays a diverse blend of soul, oldies, rock and funk. The name, by the way, is derived from the Latin word “Roshambo,” known in America as the “paper, rock, scissors” game.
Pinocchio’s Pizza Playhouse is sponsoring a kids pre-show starting at 6:30 p.m. Face painting, games and line dancing are part of the fun. Kids can also visit the bull riders and bullfighters (the guys who wrangle the bulls between rides) before the challenge.
Between rides, be amazed by funnyman Tim “Wild Thang” Lepard and his Team Ghostriders troupe of dog-riding monkeys.
“He works a lot of the national rodeos. He puts a saddle on the dogs, and the monkeys are dressed up as cowboys,” said Tammy Usie, Fear No Evil marketing director. “They’re just so cute. It’s a big part of the show.”
There is even a competition within the competition. Five two-man teams compete for cash prizes in the “Bull Fighter Face Off.” They will be judged on how well and fast they corral the bulls.
During intermission, watch for the calf scramble. Kids come onto the dirt and chase a calf that has a ribbon on its tail. The first one to snatch the ribbon wins a prize.
This year, Fear No Evil is partnering with cancer advocacy group Tough Enough to Wear Pink. For every person who wears pink to the event, $1 will be donated to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Terrebonne Parish. Attendees can also participate by winning the “Pink Pride” best dressed or buying a ribbon for the memorial quilt.
“We want every seat inside the civic center to be pink,” Blanchard said.
The Thibodaux native is no stranger to the rough and tumble world of the bullring.
Blanchard, along with friend and event co-promoter George Blanchard (no relation), were rodeo cowboys from high school until their mid-20s.
Randy Blanchard says his best events were bull riding and bucking horses. In his senior year of high school, Randy was good enough to make it to the state finals. However, tragedy befell him before he could compete.
“I broke my neck during practice, so I couldn’t go to finals,” he said. “Once I healed, I went into the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association) for a little while and made the rounds. Then I had a family and decided this was not the best thing to be doing.”
After his rodeo days ended, George Blanchard, a Raceland native, went on to own a bull riding arena in lower Bayou Blue for many years.
In 2001, both Blanchards decided to produce an open bull riding competition at the civic center.
They did not have a name for the event that first year. Fear No Evil started with the 2002 show.
“This event is a steppingstone for most of the riders,” Usie said. “There were not a lot of smaller events in the area for local riders to compete in without going to PBR (Professional Bull Riders) or going to the NFR (Wranglers Nationals Finals Rodeo). This is more of a regional competition. It has done a lot, giving them experience and recognition nationally.”
“We usually pick up about eight to 10 local riders, but we won’t until about a week before the event,” Randy Blanchard said.
Raceland native Tim Josey won the competition in 2007.
In years past, PBR riders from all over the country – Nebraska, Wyoming, Arkansas, Texas – have taken part in the Challenge. That speaks highly to the quality of action and entertainment locals can expect if they decide to check out Fear No Evil.
“Every year the event has grown, and we get compliments,” Blanchard said. “We have great sponsors who help us make this show a big success. We try to add a little bit more every year to make it an enjoyable show. The event is not amateur; it’s professional. We call it an amateur because we are not affiliated with any other association. That’s why it’s an open show.”
Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster and at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center Box Office. Advance tickets are $13, $17 or $21 (additional service charges may apply). There is a $2 discount for kids 2-12. Kids under 2 are admitted free without a seat. Prices increase $2 day of show.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. The concert begins soon after the competition ends.
