The Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds was witness to an electrifying display of horsepower on Saturday night, with C5 Rodeo’s Virgil proving himself to be a force to be reckoned with in the bareback riding competition. Weighing in at 1,500 pounds of sheer bucking fury, Virgil is known for demanding everything that his riders have to give. Bareback champion Jacob Lees attested to Virgil’s daunting presence, stating that those who can’t meet his intensity are in for a rough ride.
Despite the challenge, the cowboys who manage to hold on for eight seconds on Virgil’s back are often rewarded with high scores and rodeo victories. Lees described Virgil as having all the qualities that a bareback rider desires – rankness, timing, and honesty. In fact, the winning bareback rider at the Last Chance Stampede has claimed victory on Virgil for three consecutive years.
Riders liken the experience of riding Virgil to being tied to a train and driven off a cliff for 10 seconds repeatedly. Lees emphasized that Virgil is not just the best in the business, but possibly the best there will ever be. For those brave enough to take on the challenge of riding Virgil, the rewards are great, both in terms of scores and personal accomplishment. As the rodeo circuit continues, it is clear that Virgil’s reputation as a formidable and unrivaled bucking bronc will only continue to grow.
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Photo credit www.montanasports.com
