Raytown native Luke Snyder will compete with the Pro Bull Riders tour, which stops at the Sprint Center Saturday and Sunday.
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Local cowboy returns as bull-riding ironman
By: Kurt Kloeblen, Staff writer
kkloeblen@sunpublications.com
Although he is not from the dusty plains of Texas, Luke Snyder is still very much a cowboy.
The Raymore native is part of the Pro Bull Riders tour that comes to the Sprint Center Saturday and Sunday.
More than just a part of the PBR, Snyder is one of the sport’s ironmen. In 2007 he set a record by competing in his 198th consecutive event, an amazing number considering the pounding bodies take by the bulls.
Snyder said that despite his streak he still took his beatings.
“I dang sure got banged up,” Snyder said. “But the streak kept me going... But if one time they told me I shouldn’t do it, I wouldn’t have walked out there.”
At 23, Snyder is still young but has been involved with rodeos and bull riding for years. He said he got his start at 9 competing in small competitions throughout the Midwest.
Snyder turned professional in 2001 as a 16-year-old and has proven a mainstay on the professional tours. Snyder said one of the toughest parts about being a professional is the difficulty of the bulls.
“You have to adapt,” Snyder said. “When you get to pro level you are riding pro bulls. Those are the best bulls in the entire world.”
Currently Snyder ranks as the No. 20 rider on the 2008 Build Ford Tough Series season. During his career he has earned $873,314.
Snyder’s Web site describes his nickname as “Cool Hand Luke,” and Snyder said fan interaction has become a key to the sport’s growth.
“The PBR is definitely growing,” Snyder said. “I definitely put it up to the fans. They are the reason for the majority of our growth. The former guys made the PBR. You have to stick with the fans and remember where we came from. After each night we walk around and sign autographs. Fans are really what makes us grow.”
Snyder said he has participated in Kansas City tour stops each year he has been a professional. However, this will be the first time he and the PBR tour compete in the Sprint Center.
“I always look forward to Kansas City each year,” Snyder said. “There is more pressure to do well, but at the same time it’s nice to be in front of the hometown crowd.”
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The Raymore native is part of the Pro Bull Riders tour that comes to the Sprint Center Saturday and Sunday.
More than just a part of the PBR, Snyder is one of the sport’s ironmen. In 2007 he set a record by competing in his 198th consecutive event, an amazing number considering the pounding bodies take by the bulls.
Snyder said that despite his streak he still took his beatings.
“I dang sure got banged up,” Snyder said. “But the streak kept me going... But if one time they told me I shouldn’t do it, I wouldn’t have walked out there.”
At 23, Snyder is still young but has been involved with rodeos and bull riding for years. He said he got his start at 9 competing in small competitions throughout the Midwest.
Snyder turned professional in 2001 as a 16-year-old and has proven a mainstay on the professional tours. Snyder said one of the toughest parts about being a professional is the difficulty of the bulls.
“You have to adapt,” Snyder said. “When you get to pro level you are riding pro bulls. Those are the best bulls in the entire world.”
Currently Snyder ranks as the No. 20 rider on the 2008 Build Ford Tough Series season. During his career he has earned $873,314.
Snyder’s Web site describes his nickname as “Cool Hand Luke,” and Snyder said fan interaction has become a key to the sport’s growth.
“The PBR is definitely growing,” Snyder said. “I definitely put it up to the fans. They are the reason for the majority of our growth. The former guys made the PBR. You have to stick with the fans and remember where we came from. After each night we walk around and sign autographs. Fans are really what makes us grow.”
Snyder said he has participated in Kansas City tour stops each year he has been a professional. However, this will be the first time he and the PBR tour compete in the Sprint Center.
“I always look forward to Kansas City each year,” Snyder said. “There is more pressure to do well, but at the same time it’s nice to be in front of the hometown crowd.”