Shane Proctor aiming to make his PBR mark

WEST JORDAN — Shane Proctor has done just about everything a cowboy can do in an arena.

His ability to rope a calf or wrestle a steer, however, didn't deter him from following his heart into rodeo's most popular event — bull riding.

And eventually, his passion led him to the Professional Bull Riders Tour, where the world's best bulls square off against the world's best bull riders. Proctor is currently ranked No. 12 in the PBR, Inc., and hopes to hit the hottest part of the season with some consistent rides.

The 25-year-old is in Utah to compete in both Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeos and the PBR's Touring Pro Division that will compete at West Jordan Arena on July 10 at 7:30 p.m.

"I like competing on both (PRCA rodeos and PBR events)," he said. "The atmosphere is different. The rodeo is a nice change of atmosphere for me."

Proctor said rodeos offer him a chance to mingle with the athletes who rope, ride bucking horses and even the women of barrel racing. And the bull riding is still tough competition at rodeos.

It's just that at PBR events, every bull is one of the best each stock contractor has to offer, when most rodeos rely on one or two contractors for all the animals used in competition.

The next couple of months offer cowboys plenty of opportunity to move up in the rankings because there are hundreds of rodeos across the country — and Canada — as well as the final two months of the PBR.

"It's going to start picking up," said Proctor. "There are only 10 bull runs left in the PBR, and so they're all really important before the finals in Las Vegas."

One thing that is unique about the PBR is that the bulls can becomes as big a star as any cowboy.

The PBR Touring Pro Division is the minor-league tour of the PBR and features up-and-coming bull riders competing alongside veterans and fan favorites against some of the most famous bucking bulls. The tour gives riders the opportunity to compete in PBR-sanctioned events while earning money to qualify for the elite Built Ford Tough Series, which is made up of the Top 40 bull riders in the world. After every five events on the BFTS, the bottom five riders (based on points) are dropped from the BFTS and the Top 5 riders (based on money earned) from the Touring Pro Division are allowed to move onto the BFTS.

Proctor said with a little luck, he'll be moving up to that pool for 40 just in time for the finals.

"I'm a little far back, but I can definitely make a good push," he said. And a national title is what he's working for every time he sits on the back of a bull.

"Anybody who has ever put his hands in a bull rope wants to win," he said. "That's anybody's goal."

Tickets are $15 for general admission and $25 for reserved and are available now at select Smith's Food Store locations, by telephone at (800) 888-8499 and online at www.SmithsTix.com.

e-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com