FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: RFD-TV Public Relations, PR@rfdtv.com or 406-396-7316
RFD-TV’S THE AMERICAN and PBR Iron Cowboy V Kicked off the Richest Weekend in Western Sports History with a benefit for the Rider Relief Fund
Event raises $17,000 and featured Live Music, Red Carpet Photos and fun at Cowboys Dancehall
March 1, 2014 (Arlington, TX) – Fans and members of the rodeo community welcomed contestants from Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Iron Cowboy V and THE AMERICAN, presented by Polaris RANGER with a red carpet designed to welcome the likes of Hollywood stars at Cowboys Dancehall in Arlington, Texas. Live music by JB and The Moonshine Band, dancing and raising awareness for the charity was the goal of the fun-packed evening.
In total, $17,000 was raised on Friday, Feb. 28 with 100 percent of proceeds from the Cowboy Dancehall door and guests buying raffle tickets. Raffle prizes included gift certificates from Ariat Boots, Wrangler Jeans and Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse prizes.
The evening not only gave fans the opportunity to meet their favorite athletes in the sport of rodeo but also raised awareness for the Rider Relief Fund. The mission of the non-profit group is to provide financial assistance to athletes, bull riders and bull fighters who are in injured in the competitive sport of bull fighting.
The first arrival of the night was 8x World Champion Fred Whitfield with his wife Cassie and their daughters. Team Roping partners Joel Bach and Tommy Zungla also walked the red carpet followed by Saddle Bronc Rider Cody DeMoss and his family. While 2012 World Champion Barrel Racer Mary Walker, was escorted by her husband, Byron Walker and mother-daughter duo, Michelle and Katelyn McLeod, were all smiles as they greeted fans on the red carpet. Rodeo legends were spotted throughout the evening including; 7x World Champion Dan Mortenson, PBR stars Silvano Alves, Guilherme Marchi, Joao Ricardo Vieira, Ross Coleman, and Justin McBride.
Images from last night’s event are available; please contact THE AMERICAN PR at pr@frdtv.com
***
For more information about the Kick Off Party to Benefit Rider Relief Fund, or Rider Relief Fund, please contact Tiffany Neal at 719-242-2800, ext 3406 or email tneal@riderrelief.com.
For more information about Cowboys Dancehall, visit www.cowboysdancehall.com.
For more information about Professional Bull Riders (PBR) and Dr Pepper Iron Cowboy V, visit www.pbr.com.
For more information about THE AMERICAN and RFD-TV, visit www.americanrodeo.com.
###
Notes to Editors:
About RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN: Taking place at Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium on March 2, 2014, with an estimated attendance of 75,000, RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN presented by Polaris RANGER is to become the largest, richest one-day rodeo in the history of the sport. With $2-million on the line, the best western sports athletes in the world will be gathering in Dallas to compete in one epic day of raw rodeo will, skill and power. THE AMERICAN invited the top 10 athletes in the world In addition to the 10 invites, they named 8 exemptions and held qualifiers across the country and the top 5 semifinalists in bareback riding, saddle bronc, team roping, steer wrestling and tie down roping advanced. The top 10 semifinalists in barrel racing along with six bull riding qualifiers also advanced. With the help of broadcast partners and sponsors, RFD-TV will be broadcasting the event LIVE on March 2, helping to bring the totality of this defining western sports experience to a wide national audience. For more information, please visit: www.AMERICANRODEO.com and www.RFDTV.com. Follow us on Twitter @RFDTVAMERICAN and on find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RFDTVTheAMERICAN
About Rural Media Group, Inc. (RMG): Rural Media Group, Inc. is the world’s leading provider of multimedia content dedicated to the rural and western lifestyle. RMG is the parent company of RFD-TV, FamilyNet, RURAL TV, RURAL RADIO on SiriusXM channel 80, RFD-TV the Magazine and RFD-TV the Theatre. RFD-TV, the flagship network for RMG, launched in December 2000. RFD-TV is the nation’s first 24-hour television network dedicated to serving the needs and interests of rural America with programming focused on agriculture, equine and the rural lifestyle, along with traditional country music and entertainment. RMG acquired FamilyNet, America’s trusted entertainment network dedicated to providing wholesome and responsible viewing choices for today’s diverse family. RURAL TV produces rural business news covering commodity markets for both cash and futures. Daily productions include Market Day Report and the Rural Evening News. RMG networks are distributed into more than 63-million homes worldwide by DBS, telco and cable systems including DISH Network, DIRECTV®, Comcast, Verizon FiOS TV, AT&T U-Verse, Mediacom, Charter, Optimum, Brighthouse, Suddenlink, Time Warner, Cox, and more than 600 independent rural cable systems. RFD-TV The Magazine is the print programming guide for the networks, which has attracted over 180,000 paid subscribers. RFD-TV The Theatre is a 2000 capacity soft seat venue in Branson, MO where entertainment programming is produced. Corporate headquarters are in Omaha, NE, and production operations are in Nashville, TN. For more information, visit www.rfdtv.com, www.myruraltv.com, and www.familynet.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook: @OfficialRFDTV @RURALTV @FamilyNet @RURALRADIO80
