Eight Seconds at the Romick Area

Steamboat Springs wears many hats but the most popular in the summer is the cowboy hat (beating out the bicycle helmet).  The cowboy hats were on display over the Labor Day weekend as the PBR (Professional Bull Riding) event came to town. This year the event was called the "Rocky Mountain Bull Bash".   Steamboat Springs had over 40 riders from all over the country try to compete to stay on top of a large large bull for the infamous "8 seconds" in the PBR series tour named the "Enterprise".  In day to day life, 8 seconds goes by rather rapidly.  For a bull rider, 8 seconds must seem like an eternity.  Sunday at the Romick Arena only a handful of riders were able to stay on for an eternity.  The winner was a 23 year old underdog by the name of Laddan Ledbetter from Gardendale, TX who took home the prize of $4000.00. The goal of all the PBR contestants is to make it to the granddaddy of 'em all, the PBR Finals November 2-5, 2006 in Las Vegas.

During the 2 hour plus Bull Bash, the crowded clapped, cheered and hee-hawed.  Hot dogs and cheeseburgers abounded along with cold beers.   Kids were everywhere playing and the mechanical bull was a huge hit with young and old practicing their own 8 seconds.  Socializing was going on in the stands, bathrooms, beer lines...everywhere. Neighbors connecting with neighbors at the end of the unofficial summer season. Tonight everyone was a little bit cowboy. This is definitely Steamboat Springs version of a major league sporting event and a great farewall to Summer.