'Collision in the Cape' rodeo to visit Show Me Center on Saturday

Described by a television commentator as a "rock show on dirt with animals," the Professional Roughstock Series will bring the "Collision in the Cape" rodeo to the Show Me Center on Saturday in Cape Girardeau.

Kelly Timberland, Professional Roughstock Series TV commentator, said attendees can expect an "intense, adrenaline-filled event."

"We're bringing some of the best horses, bulls and cowboys in the world and it will be exciting," he said.

Timberland said this is the first time the series will visit Cape Girardeau, and it's the seventh stop on the 2013 PRS Tour. The event will feature bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding, he said. Each discipline will feature 12 riders in the opening rounds. The top four scores in each discipline will be brought back to compete in the final four shootout, with the highest aggregate score to be crowned "Collision in the Cape Champion."

Timberland said the final four is where the big excitement comes together.

Kelly Timberman

"These elite animal athletes really test these guys and we get to see what they're made of," Timberland said. "That's where the glory is. These guys go for broke and do everything to get these animals rode. Its exciting."

The event will showcase some of the top cowboy and animal athletes, he said. Timberland compared the animal athletes to racehorses. He said the horses and bulls buck because they are bred to do so, and they are treated as professional athletes.

The animals love what they do, Timberland said, and they perform 20 times a year and spend the rest of the time on large pastures. He said animal safety is their top priority because without the animal athletes at their best, the cowboys are unable to make their living.

"When people see this level of performance, it's like brining the national finals in your backyard," Timberland said. "It's awesome."

Some of the featured riders include bareback rider "Young Guns" Josie Young, defending points leader Troy Crowser, world champion bareback rider Kaycee Feild, world finalist Cody Ford and Brent Menz of Delta, Mo. Timberland described the cowboys as "fun to watch," and the kind of people you associate with for a good time.

"It's fun to see difference in athlete," he said. "Rodeo is like baseball, in that their size doesn't matter. If there's a part you want to do, you can do it. The training is intense, like UFC fighters."

Timberland said the riders love crowd interaction, and will sign autographs and hang out with fans.

"These are the kinds of professional athletes that need to be on a national stage," he said. "These are family men with big hearts and lots of integrity."

Timberland also will educate the audience about the riders and bareback and bronc events.

"It's fun and necessary to educate the audience," he said. "The more they are involved, the more they'll want to watch."

The Show Me Center will be set up to allow the audience to see the cowboys and animal athletes' preparation before they ride, he said.

"People get hooked when they see the animal athletes and how monstrous some of them are," Timberland said.

The event also will feature prize giveaways of T-shirts, boots, knives, a vehicle sponsor showcase and awards for best dressed.

"It's great for families with children and single people who just want to hang out and get wild."

Tickets begin at $10 for children under age 12 and go up to $35. They are available at the box office or online at showmecenter.biz. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the riding begins at 7:30 p.m. For more information on the rodeo series, visit prostock.com.

apicar@semissourian.com

388-3648

Pertinent address:

1333 N. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.