Champions Crowned at Del Rio's George Paul Bull Riding 2008

May 4, 2008
By Stacy S. Jensen
Special to LIVE!

Cooper Kanngiesser of Zenda, Kan. said it was a dream just to be at the 31st Annual George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Event on Sunday while holding his champion's buckle and a big check for $10,000.

Kanngiesser, 23, held onto three bulls throughout the two-day contest to claim the championship with an overall score of 264.5.

"It's probably one of my best victories," Kanngiesser said as fans and other riders congratulated him on Sunday.

"It's a dream to be here," he said. "This is the big one. Shoot it was just good to come here this year."

Kanngiesser has a couple of days off, but then he'll get back to work riding by the middle of the week.

Bobby Paul, brother of the late George Paul and producer of the bull riding event, said he was pleased with the two-day event.

"I think it went probably better than any other," he said of the 31st annual production. It was a success on every front. He ticked off a list -- no rider injuries, great bulls and the great fans.

"Everything went like clockwork," he said. "The fans were great. Everything went really good."

Paul was pleased with the efforts of Championship Bull Riding. This is the first year, the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Event worked with CBR and Bobby Paul anticipates they will be working together on the 32nd event.

"Yes, CBR will continue [working with the George Paul event]. I look forward to it," he said, citing the professionalism of the organization.

CBR sponsored the stand alone event.

CBR President Tuff Hedeman was pumped about the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Event describing it as "awesome."

"The rides … it was just awesome," Hedeman said, who is a three-time George Paul Memorial champion and four-time world champion.

Hedeman said the event was one of his favorites to participate in and "to have a hand in producing it is cool."

"It's a tribute to arguably the greatest bull rider," Hedeman said of George Paul.

The late George Paul of Del Rio made history for riding 79 bulls in a row. He won the 1968 World Championship Bull Riding title and the NFR Bull Riding average. Paul died in a plane crash in 1970.

The fans supported the event by packing the Val Verde County Fairgrounds both days. "This is the best production we've had in 20 years," said John Ludlum, marketing director for the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Event.

In addition to CBR, Ludlum said the addition of a real screen video added to the experience for fans.

Other top riders included Corey Davis, 259.5; Danny McDowell and Wesley Silcox, 183 each; Travis Sellers and Dave Samsel, 180.5 each; and Spud Jones and Trent Cormier, 179.5 each.

Bull riding fans can watch the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Event on RFD May 21 and 28 and June 4.

The George Paul Memorial Bull Riding event was presented by Ram Country Dodge and co-sponsored by Fred Loya Insurance, the City of Del Rio, and Budweiser.

Bull riding fans in the stands at Sunday's the 31st Annual George Paul Memorial Bull Riding event on Sunday, May 4. (LIVE! Photo/Stacy Stenberg) (click image to enlarge)	Bonner Bolton of Gardendale, Texas rides Funky Cole Medina on Sunday at the 31st Annual George Paul Memorial Bull Riding event. Bolton is the reigning CBR champion. (LIVE! Photo/Stacy Stenberg) (click image to enlarge)
Dave Samsel of Haslet, Texas stood by the fence for a spell on Sunday at the 31st Annual George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Event as he waited for his bull to move along. (LIVE! Photo/Stacy Stenberg) (click image to enlarge)	CBR President Tuff Hedeman took photos with fans and signed autographs Sunday at the 31st Annual George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Event. Hedeman, who was a three-time George Paul champion, said the rides were awesome. RFD will air the George Paul event on May 21 and 28 and June 4. (LIVE! Photo/Stacy Stenberg) (click image to enlarge)