Bull Riding's Granddaddy of Them All

DEL RIO, TX — “Whenever it’s time for the George Paul, you make it a plan to be here,” said champion bull rider Sage Kimzey.

Friday night bull riders from across the nation competed on bulls from four national stock contractors in the 42nd Annual George Paul Memorial Bull Riding in Del Rio.

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The good news this year is that the money earned at the George Paul counts towards PRCA standings and earning a slot in the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in December.

Sage Kimzey, a 5-time PRCA bull riding champion, won Friday night’s four go-rounds with a score of 90.

After the dust settled, the cowboys who drove all the way to Del Rio said it was worth it. It was the heritage, the prize money, and all are working their way to gain that berth at the NFR.

“What the George Paul can do for your national standings is huge. We only have about 8 PRCA bull riding events that pay as much as this one does,” said bull rider Jordan Hansen from Canada.

Hansen is in contention with Kimzey to win it. He scored an 89 Friday night. The bull riding continues Saturday, April 27, 2019,  at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds in Del Rio. Showtime is 8 p.m.

The George Paul Memorial Bull Riding is produced by Bobby Paul, the brother of the late George Paul, a legendary bull rider. Before George Paul's tragic and untimely death in a civil aviation crash in 1970, he rode 79 bulls in a row without being bucked off before the 8-second timer was up.  The first George Paul Memorial Bull Riding event was held in 1977. Since then, every legendary bull rider has had to make their mark at the Del Rio event. For example, Lane Frost, popularized in the movie 8 Seconds, won the George Paul two times in 1985 and 1986 before gaining greater fame.