AUSTIN — Professional bull riders are turning to Taylor to find their next teammate.
The Austin Gamblers, a team in the Professional Bull Riders league, are hosting a “Next Gambler” contest 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the Williamson County Expo Center in Taylor, 5350 Bill Pickett Trail.
The winner of the contest will earn a spot on the Austin Gamblers’ roster.
Edwin Stojanik, executive of operations for the Taylor Rodeo Association, said the event is proof the word has gotten out about Taylor rodeo and bull riding.
“This is a maiden voyage event for us,” Stojanik said. “This is something new in order to get new riders involved at different events, especially with the Gamblers since we’re local to them.”
The tryouts are part of the PBR Challenger Series.
The Next Gambler event will feature 20 riders divided into four teams that will be coached by current Austin Gambler riders, according to information provided by Stojanik.
The current Gambler riders will select their teams by a draft before the tryout. The four teams will then compete in a five-on-five tournament competition.
Following each team’s matchups in the “long round,” the eight highestranked riders in the aggregate from their first two rides will advance to the championship round regardless of which team they are on, Stojanik said.
“They’ll pick the top five and out of those five the best time will be the winner,” he added.
The eligible rider with the highest aggregate score after the championship round will earn a provisional spot on the Gamblers’ lineup.
Michael Gaffney, head coach of the Austin Gamblers, said in a statement the Next Gambler will give aspiring pros a chance to compete on one of the elite tours.
“This is a great opportunity for young riders to showcase their talent, and also for our current Gamblers to pass along what they’ve learned,” Gaffney said.
Stojanik said Next Gambler is separate from the 2024 Taylor Rodeo, which will take place July 18-20 in the same venue.
Tickets for the Gambler tryouts are on sale at taylorrodeo.org. Adult passes are $25 and children get in for $10.
