KION - Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz - News Weather-Professional Bull Riding Kicks off Big Week

Professional Bull Riding Kicks off Big Week

Salinas, Calif- Thousands of people were at the Salinas Sports Complex Wednesday for the Professional Bull Riding event. Whether you are a seasoned veteran at rodeos, or a first time fan, there's something about bull riding cowboys that draws crowd, "I'm just looking forward to really just what's it all about with the bull riding," said Denise Moorehead, who brought her two sons to the PBR from Walnut Creek.  Steve Blanco comes to the PBR every year, "Just the excitement of these guys jumping on these huge beasts and trying to hold on," said Blanco.

These athletes are holding on for more than their lives, eight seconds can seem like forever when you are being thrown around by an angry bull, "I just try to be relaxed and calm you know what you have to do and that's what you got to do," said Mark Lopes.

California cowboy Mark Lopes has been riding since he was a young kid growing up in Jackson.  Thursday he was holding on for pride and for money, "There's a lot of money up to win here, so it makes you want to stay on and win that much more," said Lopes.

40,000 was up for grabs at the event as more than 5,000 fans cheered on their favorite riders, all of them in Salinas to kick off Big Week in a big way.