CORRECTION: The original version of the article included a photo edited beyond acceptable practices as outlined in Elon News Network’s Code of Ethics.
Updated as of 5:11 p.m. on Sept. 14 to include the Carolina Cowboys' score from Sept. 14.
The First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina, typically hosts concerts and basketball games. But from Sept. 12 to 14, the Coliseum was filled with dirt as bull riders captured the crowd’s attention. With one hand on a bull rope and the other in the air, the riders had the audience cheering as a timer counted up to eight seconds.
The Carolina Cowboys won their first home game of the 2025 Cowboy Days on Sept. 12, moving the team up to No. 5 in the Professional Bull Riders Camping World Team Series. The team also won its rivalry game Sept. 13 against Nashville Stampede, maintaining their No. 5 position. The Cowboys beat the No. 2 Austin Gamblers 177-173.75 on Sept. 14, winning all three games in the team's home state.
Cowboy Days is an annual three-day event held at the First Horizon Coliseum. Each day has five games with 10 total teams.
But before any of the teams competed Sept. 12, there was a pyrotechnics-filled opening ceremony that set the tone for the rowdy, denim-clad crowd.
Carolina Cowboys walk up the stage to face the Missouri Thunder on Sep. 12.
The night also started with a moment of silence — announced over the Coliseum's speakers as honoring those who died on 9/11, as well as conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.
Afterward, the Coliseum crowd sat in anticipation, waiting for the first game to start. Bull riders from the New York Mavericks and the Texas Rattlers adjusted themselves in the chutes, trying to get a good grip on the bull rope.
Much of the audience — as demonstrated by a brief show of hands led by the announcers — had never attended a PBR game before. To make the event as beginner friendly as possible, there were a variety of “PBR 101” videos that were played on the jumbotron throughout the night.
First-time attendee Kylin Starr came with six of her friends from High Point University. She said she’s seen bull riding events before, but the caliber and energy of PBR went beyond her expectations.
“Seeing it in person was extremely exciting,” Starr said.
Each team had a starting lineup of five riders whose combined scores determined the results of the game.
Texas won 176.25-0, as none of the Mavericks had qualifying rides. To qualify for a score, a team member must ride the bull for 8 seconds. The clock stops if the rider’s hand loses contact with the bull rope; any part of the rider’s body touches the ground; or if the rider touches the bull, the equipment or himself with his free hand.
Each qualifying ride is scored out of 100. Sept. 12 saw 20 qualifying rides from 52 total bull riders. The highest score the audience saw was from Luciano De Castro with the Arizona Ridge Riders during game three. De Castro scored 87.75 points — and won $500 — for his ride on “Socks in a Box,” a bull with a 90% buck off rate.
“Socks in a Box” leaps out of the chute with Arizona Ridge Rider Luciano de Castro holding on. Four of the Five riders from Arizona had rides qualify for judging.
Starr said she enjoyed watching the riders, since it’s something many of them have spent the bulk of their lives preparing for and practicing.
“Being able to see them do something that matters so deeply and that they put their entire life into — risking their lives on a day-to-day basis — that was the best part,” Starr said.
Game four saw a fan favorite, as John Crimber prepared to ride “Uncle Rico” for Florida Freedom. Before the clock started, as Crimber was still in the bull chute, the crowd cheered enthusiastically in anticipation.
Crimber was introduced to the crowd as the “youngest PBR millionaire.” The 20-year old has made over $1.3 million across the three years he has been competing. He even won the PBR Teams MVP award in 2024. The energy in the First Horizon Coliseum was palpable as the sea of cowboy hats cheered loudly during Crimber’s ride, which lasted less than 5 seconds.
For game five, the Cowboys competed against Missouri Thunder, scoring 169.75 with qualifying rides from Cooper Davis and Trey Holsten. Missouri Thunder’s Maverick Smith was the only rider on the team to qualify for points — scoring 84.25 on a bull named “White Command.”
“It’s always good to get a score and set the tone a little bit for the team,” Smith said. “We’ll be ready for tomorrow.”
On Sept. 13, Missouri Thunder competed against Oklahoma Wildcatters, winning 172.5-85. Smith was one of the three Missouri Thunders that did not qualify for a score.
“There’s always another bull,” Smith said. “Tomorrow will be a new day.”
When he’s in the chute, Smith said it’s important for him to trust his instincts. While he joined the PBR Team Series in 2024, he’s been participating in rodeo events most of his life.
“I try to have nothing going through my mind, just don’t think of anything and let your body react,” Smith said. “Keep breathing and stay calm.”