Buckin' broncos in the People's Republic
09.05.11
BEIJING—From the tip of his broad-rimmed Resistol cowboy hat to the toes of his Anderson Bean boots, America’s Richard Tucker might be the most committed rodeo enthusiast in the world.
Last week he brought zeal, salesmanship and a surprise announcement here: saddle up China, the rodeo is coming!
With fanfare that included a mechanical bull, a Chinese country and western band and a posse of Chinese cowgirls wearing thigh-high white leather boots, Tucker announced that an eight-day cowboy cultural extravaganza will take place in Beijing’s Bird’s Nest stadium this October.
“This is the biggest venue and the finest stadium in the fastest-growing market in the world,” Tucker said later in an interview. “And I want to put on the biggest and best rodeo that has ever been seen in the world.”
That will take some doing. The logistics are staggering.
The show, known as Rodeo China, will feature 120 cowboys, 180 horses, 36 bulls and 90 steers — all coming to China from abroad.
Source: Toronto Star