Championship Bull Riding, Inc., is proud to announce the signing of the oldest, stand-alone, bull riding event in rodeo history – the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding in Del Rio, Texas, to be held May 3 and 4 of 2008.

Celebrating its 31st year, the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding, also tagged as “Superbull” was the first of its kind. The creation of the event changed bull riding history and paved the way for organizations like the CBR. George Paul is a legend in the bull riding world as the cowboy who rode 79 consecutive bulls in professional competition without being thrown – a record that has never come close to being matched. In fact, CBR’s President and 4-time World Champion bull rider Tuff Hedeman is one of the only riders who have lingered in the distance with 49 consecutive 8-second rides.

George Paul was the 1968 World Champion Bull Rider in the RCA (Rodeo Cowboys Association) and died tragically in a 1970 plane crash as he was flying a personal plane between rodeo competitions. The Paul family began the bull riding contest to honor his memory and dedication to the sport of bull riding.

“It was time for a change and we are excited about the change to the CBR. We’ve been thinking about this for a long time and we finally made a move. We are very excited to have Tuff Hedeman back at our event. We’ve known him for many years and he won this event several times,” said Bobby Paul, the rodeo’s producer and George Paul’s brother.

In fact, according to John Ludlum, Marketing Director for the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding and a PRCA and Texas Circuit 3-time announcer of the year, having the CBR coming to Del Rio will feel like an old fashioned home coming.

“We have people travel from different countries all over the world to this event. We have families from all over the United States plan their vacations around this weekend in May. They came to this bull riding when they were kids and now they are bringing their kids to see it. I know that when these fans see Tuff’s name and Terry Williams’ name attached to this bull riding they will feel like they are being reunited with old friends. Our fans are going to be excited and know they can expect a quality production,” said Ludlum.

Legendary bull rider, the late Lane Frost is rumored to have said that if a rider could only win three buckles in his lifetime, that he would want one of them to be from the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding. Frost accomplished that feat along with other bull riding greats Denny Flynn, Charles Sampson, Hedeman, Jerome Davis, and Jim Sharp.

“The thing about dealing with Tuff and Terry is that there are things about them that go back to what stand-alone bull ridings are all about. Our two organizations are a natural fit because quality, sportsmanship, toughness and cowboy attitude are what we are both all about. Our bull riding is the real deal. We are not in a cushy, air conditioned stadium with soft seats. We are mud, blood, guts, and beer. We go forward no matter what the weather is like in the true tradition of what bull riding is about. The cowboys that win our event are the toughest in the world because they have to deal with all the elements. You have to toughen up if you are going to win here,” said Ludlum.

CBR co-founder and Chairman of the Board Terry Williams said that he agrees that this join-up in forces is a perfect fit.

“This is a great bull riding for the CBR to have. This is the bull riding with the most history in the world. Back when I supplied the bulls for them, it was always my favorite one to go to,” said Williams.

Hedeman agrees saying, “As a competitor it was always one of the highlights of the year because it was the most fun to attend and the most prestigious to win. I think it is huge that the CBR has signed the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding to our schedule. Anybody that knows anything about bull riding knows what the significance of George Paul was to the sport, and it is really an honor for us to have it.”

Bobby Paul, who still ranches  the same 30,000 acres in northern Mexico on which he grew up with his brother George, says that the switch to the CBR was necessary to continue his brother’s legacy and to make his bull riding event the best it could be. A big incentive for the move was the opportunity to have the event aired on television during CBR’s weekly program featured on RFD-TV on Wednesday nights.

“In this little town, this is the biggest event around of any kind in the area. It is important to us that we continue to make it the best it can be both for the fans and for my brother’s memory,” said Paul.

The always sold out event will feature the top 40 bull riders of the CBR. Advance tickets are highly recommended and can be purchased at the George Paul Museum in Del Rio, call the rodeo office at (830) 775-9595, or email sales@georgepaulbullriding.com. Ticket prices start at $17 per day.