It's time for the Ariat Invitational in Sacramento, Calif., this Saturday and Sunday. This will be an awesome event with the best bulls and the best riders going for 8 seconds. In Round 1, Austin Meier has a bull that I bucked off of last year at a Touring Pro evet. I don't think Austin will have a problem riding that bull. He is riding great and gaining momentum. I expect him to be a strong contender this year.

As if Round 1 isn't enough, following Round 1, the first-ever 15/15 Bucking Battle will take place, with the Top 15 riders in the standings matched up against the Top 15 bulls in the world to be shown in its entirety Sunday on NBC at 1:30 p.m. ET. You will want to see this in person, but if you can't make it, be sure to watch it on NBC.

One of the key matchups in the 15/15 Bucking Battle is 2011 World Champion Silvano Alves against the top World Champion bull contender, Asteroid. Alves and Asteroid met last year in Thackerville, Okla., with that meeting only lasting 3 seconds. This time it's guaranteed that Alves will be better prepared to counteract Asteroid's quick and powerful moves. Honestly, I don't know how a person will be able to stay on this bull, but if anyone can do it, it's Alves.

There are a number of rematches, which may help the riders have a better game plan for staying on. They are going to have to dig deep and find the fire within in order to hear that 8-second buzzer. If anyone does stay on for the required 8 seconds, they are going to get a bunch of points. The 15/15 Bucking Battle at the Ariat Invitational is sure to show us spectacular rides and buckoffs. This is going to be an awesome event.

Sincerely,
Wiley Petersen
wileypetersen.com
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"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5