Father and son could break George Paul Memorial Bull Riding record

April 6, 2008
By John Ludlum
Publisher

Settling down on his final bull at the 14th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding had the rider’s full focus. No other thoughts crowded his mind as the event’s championship was within his grasp. Riding for more than 20 years, 14 as a professional, had taught him settling down on the back of an animal that could hurt, maim or kill him required his full attention.

Earlier, while driving to Del Rio, Texas, he reflected on the seemingly endless hours traveling to the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding and other bull riding contests. The tiring drives had given him pause to analyze his professional sports career. As the poundings from riding bulls, successful as well as unsuccessful rides, required hitting the ground piled up, his body was going through changes.

Sometimes infrequently and lately, more frequently, his legs were becoming numb after hitting the ground, not a good sign. Doctors, who in the past had given him the okay to continue riding after arena mishaps, were now more cautious. The advice now given was, “Too many more or even a single hard landing and you may loose the feeling in your legs permanently; you could loose the ability to walk”.

It was not just the physical pounding in the arena that was causing his physical maladies, it was the ceaseless driving all day and night to get from one rodeo or bull riding to the next that was adding to his discomfort and, no event ever seemed close to Gardendale, Texas, his home. And then there was home. With wife Sally and two young boys, Brody and Bonner, he did not want to miss his youngsters’ childhood years. But that hot Sunday afternoon, all those thoughts were in the background as he settled down on Bad Company’s bull #52, “Locomotion.”

Nodding to the gateman to open the chute, Toya Bolton made the eight second ride of his life and when the dust had settled, he had become in 1991, the 14th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Champion. The company he joined as a champion included former George Paul Memorial Bull Riding winners Denny Flynn, Lonnie Wyatt, Lane Foltyn, Bubba Monkres, Cody Lambert and world champions Charles Sampson, Cody Snyder, Lane Frost, Tuff Hedeman and Jim Sharp. His name permanently etched into the record books that hot, dusty Sunday, Toya Bolton did not envision what would or could take place seventeen years into the future, that year being 2008.

Born June 1, 1987, Bonner Bolton was three years old when Toya’s memorable rides at the 1991 George Paul Memorial Bull Riding were making bull riding history. Bonner is the first to tell you his bull riding hero is his dad, Toya. He could not have picked a better mentor.

From an early age, Bonner wanted to be a bull rider. Starting at 10 he rode sheep, then calves, graduating to steers, young bulls and finally the full grown beasts that comprise professional bull riding. Toya, a rancher in Gardendale, Texas, has always had horses to ride as well as calves, steers and bulls on which to practice. The family ranching business includes breaking young horses or finishing out horses that are already saddle broke.

Learning balance and animal sense at an early age gave Bonner a definite edge to city boys who decide to become professional rodeo or bull riding contestants. The life of being ranch-raised nourished his desire to be a bull rider. Among his bull riding credits at his young age are world titles as a member of the American Junior Rodeo Association (AJRA) in the 13-15-year age division and the 16-19-year age division, feats he credits his dad with helping him achieve. Toya had started his career in the AJRA. George Paul won three AJRA world titles at the beginning of his career which included bareback bronc riding, bull riding and the all-around championship. Being talented in rodeo also has educational benefits; Bonner earned a rodeo college scholarship to Odessa College.

Joining Championship Bull Riding, Inc. (CBR) in 2005, Bonner won the Beaumont, Texas, championship and qualified for his first CBR World Finals. In 2006 he scored a CBR championship win at window Rock, Ariz. and a second trip to the CBR World Finals.

In 2007, he won another event championship at Huron, S.D. With his father’s coaching and family’s support, 2007, will always be memorable for Bonner. Entering his third straight CBR World Finals Bonner he was in fourth place when the event began in January 2008. On January 26, 2008, in Las Vegas, Nev., CBR crowned a new world champion and Bonner left town with a world championship buckle, saddle and over $70,000 in earnings for the year.

The 31st George Paul Memorial Bull Riding to be held May 3-4, 2008, could produce another first in the annals of professional bull riding. If Bonner Bolton wins the event, it will be the first time in the history of the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding that a father and son have won the event. The talent of Bonner Bolton is without question. He has proved that pressure does not factor into his equation of winning.

Bolton knows how to win. Still, the competition will be fierce, as it is anticipated at least five world champions will be among the field of 40 contestants entered in the event. Additionally, at the Ft Worth, Texas, Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding event, nine of the 15 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo contestants were also entered as well as many of the CBR Finals top riders. As the saying goes in football – “On any given Sunday, any team can win” – the same may be said for the sport of professional bull riding. On any given day any talented professional bull rider can win

When Toya Bolton was asked why he is a fan of the CBR organization, his reply was short and to the point. “Tuff Hedeman, the stock contractors and employees of CBR are polite, courteous, and professional and treat everyone with respect. Respect is the way they treat everyone and it truly has a family atmosphere. You feel that the playing field is even and no one is better than anyone else. It is a first class organization with first class people. I would not advise my son to join an organization that would not instill the values he has been raised with”.

Asked if he would be at the 31st George Paul Memorial Bull riding he said, “Yes, I believe the whole family will be coming.” The whole family includes wife Sally, Bonner, 21, and brothers Brody, 24, Bridger, 8, sisters Brylee, 13, and Bliss, 8. The guitar playing, rock music singing, Italian food eating, horse breaking, bull riding, handsome cowboy will have his sights set on another first for his career; the first time a father and son can sport George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Championship buckles.

The 31st George Paul Memorial Bull Riding, The original Superbull, is presented by Ram Country Dodge. Co-title sponsors are Budweiser, the City of Del Rio and Fred Loya Insurance.

Tickets are on sale at Border Federal Credit Union, 2211 N. Bedell Avenue, Corral West, 2205 Veterans Blvd., Sam’s Boot Corral, 2200 Veterans Blvd., Wal-Mart Supercenter, 2410 Dodson Avenue, and The George Paul Museum and Gift Shop, 810 South Main, Del Rio, TX. For more information, call the museum, 830-775-9595.

Performance times are Saturday (May 3) at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday (May 4) at 3:00 p.m.