Bullriding heroics win fans at Kane County Fair

Paul Bonds' knee bent backward.

A hyperextension and dislocation were a result of possibly saving bullrider Ian Andelin's life.

Andelin's hand had gotten caught on his bull rope. Instinctively, Bonds jumped at the bull, and while being bucked back and forth along with Andelin, he pulled the bullrider's hand free. But the bull's 2,000-pound body punished Bonds.

Jeff Kail, veteran bullrider and administrator of Professional Championship Bullriding, said he has always appreciated the efforts of bullfighters like Bonds.

"He is saving us because he puts himself in front of the bull," he said.

Bonds' heroism came during the first feature attraction at the Kane County Fair on Wednesday, a professional bullriding event that featured 36 bullriders hoping to last the eight seconds it takes to earn a score in the sport.

Veteran bullfighter Brandt Clark said the sport's unpredictability helps it make new fans every time they have an event.

"There's no script," he said. "There's no telling exactly what that bull's going to do. There's no plays. That's what's cool about bullriding."

The event drew some first-timers as well as those who have watched bullriding for decades.

Mike Neumaier of St. Charles said he has been to about 30 bullriding events.

"I work with horses and it's just fun to watch," he said. "This comes from working cowboys. It's what they do every day at his job. Every profession, there's some sort of competition."

Mike's son, 4-year-old Kai, said he wants to be a bullrider when he grows up.

"I really love bulls, so I want to be a bullrider," he said. "I can't get hurt because I'm a really tough boy."

Carlos Castillo of Plano has attended the fair every year for 29 years, he said. This was the first time, however, he had seen a bullriding event. In fact, Castillo mistakenly thought there was a monster truck race scheduled. That will happen tonight at 7:30.

But he said he was pleasantly surprised at the event and that bullriding had won over two new fans.

"Definitely," he said. "It's pretty cool. It's really entertaining." While some people cannot say why the sport is so exciting, 25-year-old Kail has been around the sport long enough -16 years - to have an idea.

"There's nothing like man versus beast," Kail said. "That's the ultimate thing and people want to see that."

Bullriding: Unpredictability is appealing

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Slideshows</h2> <ul class="gallery"> <li><a href="/multimedia/?category=9&type=slideshow&item=33">Kane County Fair </a></li> </ul> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=221559">Living and teaching the cowboy way <span class="date">[7/17/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=221560">County fair upgrades to bigger, better headquarters<span class="date">[7/17/08]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>