Saturday, July 6, 2024 | Country Acres South • Page 1 PRSRT STD ECR U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #278 Madelia, MN 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave Sauk Centre MN 56378
SOUTH Saturday, July 6, 2024
Focusing on Today’s Rural Environment
Volume 3, Edition 2
Safer learning
The Walters help rodeo enthusiasts prepare for bull riding
PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO
A bull relaxes May 30 at the Back 40 Arena near Pine Island. Each of the four bucking bulls at Back 40 Arena have been chosen for their docile demeanor, helping reduce the risks of bull riding.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KIM VON KNOBELSDORFF
A bull rider rides a bull at the Back 40 Arena near Pine Island. The Back 40 Arena tries to buck bulls once a week during the warm months. BY AMY KYLLO | STAFF WRITER
PINE ISLAND — The Walters are creating space for aspiring bull riders to more safely learn the sport. “Growing up, I’d have loved a place that I could go, like what we’re trying to do, to go out and learn,” said Joshua Walters. “When (we) get some kids out there that have never seen it or been around it, they light up and just have a good time. ... That’s kind of what it’s about.” Joshua and his wife, Hannah, started the Back 40 Arena near Pine Island, where they informally help bull riders. Though they welcome everyone, Hannah said
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their focus is new riders and riders coming back from an injury. “He really wanted a place that beginners could come and focus on their skills and their proper technique (and) proper safety,” Hannah said. Joshua was a bull rider on the circuit from 2016 into the beginning of 2019, doing 20-30 rodeos a year. In their years of bucking bulls at their arena, they have never had a bull-related injury. “All the bulls we have now are handpicked to be docile on the ground, and also when the riders come off,” Hannah said. The Walters have four bucking bulls: Superstar, Tim, Steve and Muley. Each bull has a different level
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of difficulty for riders. Superstar is the bull for beginners while Muley has never been ridden for 8 seconds on their property. “Having them be docile really lessens (the risk),” Hannah said. “They can focus on their technique, instead of having to worry about (getting seriously injured).” Superstar, she said,is bad at bucking, but friendly with riders when they fall off in front of him. “He bops them on the back of the helmet with his mouth and then just backs up and walks away,” Hannah said. Muley, who is their best bull, enjoys bucking. “If the rider stays on for more than 4 seconds …he will run to the gate kick4
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Watch for the next edition of Country Acres on August 3, 2024
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ing up dirt, bellowing to high heaven,” she said. The Walters’ rodeo journey and love story started in 2016. Joshua saw bull riding on TV and was interested in it, but his parents did not allow him to do it until he turned 18. When he came of age, Joshua found two bull riding clinics.
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