The largest open bull riding competition east of the Mississippi will be taking place Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13th at Granny Mountain Farms. This will be the fourth year Boiling Springs Bull Riding will be held at Granny Mountain Farm’s arena, located at 2140 Ledbetter Road in the Boiling Springs community. The event is the creation of Shannon Ledbetter, a man who loves the sport and rode bulls for twelve years (1985 to 1997). At just 21 years of age he was ranked one of the top 15 bull riders in the world. Shannon said “I hope the public will enjoy it as much as I do.”
    When he was 15 years old, Shannon got a rodeo scholarship to Fort Scott Community College in Kansas and join their team. The Fort Scott Greyhounds is the oldest community college in Kansas, having been founded in 1919. True to its’ midwestern roots, the college has eight athletic teams, one of which is rodeo and highlights bull riding. Shannon won many junior rodeos and was two-time Mid-Atlantic Rodeo Association Champion Bull Rider, in 1988 and 1993.  He also qualified for the International Finals Rodeo. In 1993, in addition to being the MARA Champion Bull Rider, he was a finalist in the PRCA Great Lakes Circuit. First prize is $3000 at this year’s Boiling Springs Bull Riding competition and will feature some of the top bull riders in the world from Texas, Kansas, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, North and South Carolina.
    Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness this exciting sport. Musical entertainment will be part of the show in addition to funnyman Austin Stewart . Special concession and souvenir stands will be also available.
    Gates open at both nights at 6 p.m and rodeo time is 7:30. The band “After Dark” will special guests on Saturday evening and will start playing at 6:30. Adult tickets are only $10 and children $5. Children under 6 years of age are admitted free. To make it a special family time, be sure to bring a camera. Bull riding is the most popular of all rodeo sports and this event is one of the best of its’ kind in the country. For more information visit www.boilingspringsbullriding.com.