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Wes Ibrahimi always wanted to host a bull riding event in Modesto.
The problem for the Humpz and Hornz Ranch owner has been finding a venue capable of handling his prize bulls.
Modesto Junior College provided the answer.
Wes Ibrahimi always wanted to host a bull riding event in Modesto.
The problem for the Humpz and Hornz Ranch owner has been finding a venue capable of handling his prize bulls.
Modesto Junior College provided the answer.
BEA AHBECK CASSON/bahbeck@mercedsunstar.com Wes Ibrahimi and his son Ryan Odishoo get ready to feed bulls at their Le Grand ranch Monday. (1-7-13) Ibrahimi's comany Humpz & Hornz Rodeo Co. specializes in bullriding events, and provide championship bulls for rodeos across California.
BEA AHBECK CASSON/bahbeck@mercedsunstar.com Wes Ibrahimi and his son Ryan Odishoo (left) at their Le Grand ranch Monday. (1-7-13) Ibrahimi's comany Humpz & Hornz Rodeo Co. specializes in bullriding events, and provide championship bulls for rodeos across California.
BEA AHBECK CASSON/bahbeck@mercedsunstar.com Wes Ibrahimi's son Ryan Odishoo throws hay to the bulls from the back of a truck at their Le Grand ranch Monday. Ibrahimi's comany Humpz & Hornz Rodeo Co. specializes in bullriding events, and provide championship bulls for rodeos across California.
The school's agriculture department opened the ACE (Agriculture Center for Education) Pavilion opened almost a year ago and provided the perfect setting for tonight's Humpz and Hornz Live Action Bull Riding.
"This is something that's been in the works for quite a while," Ibrahimi said. "I've been wanting to put on an event in Modesto for years, but didn't have the location.
"When I learned about the new agriculture building, I got in contact with the school right away.
"There were still quite a few hoops to jump through, but anytime I can get an event right here in the Valley it's worth while."
After a brief stint as a bull rider, the Le Grand native has been breeding bulls for the last 20 years.
Thirty-nine of his best will be on display tonight for the open bull riding event.
The doors open at 5 p.m. and the bull riding will begin at 6 p.m. Ibrahimi said tickets will be $20 at the door and the event is expected to last between two and two and a half hours.
"We've got about 33 or 34 riders that will be competing," said Ibrahimi, whose bulls participate in events all over California and even on the Pro Bull Riders Tour. "The winning purse will be $5,000, which is pretty nice for an event this size.
"Everyone will compete in what we call the long round, and then the top six riders of the night will come back and compete in the championship round."
Ibrahimi will have some of his best bulls reserved for those final six.
"It's a really strong set of bulls we're bringing for the championship round," Ibrahimi said. "We've got three or four that have been to the PBR finals and one that qualified for the PBR championships."
Modesto Junior College Dean of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Mark Anglin said there's a nice buzz about the event.
"We've gotten many calls from people inquiring about it," Anglin said. "This will be our first bull riding event, but it's one of the things we envisioned the ACE Pavilion being used for.
"We've hosted a number of livestock auctions and a tractor pull.
"It's a facility that's perfect for basically any livestock event."
Ibrahimi hopes the evening proves to be the first of many with MJC.
"One of the best things about doing an event like this is people don't have to travel 100 miles to come and see it," Ibrahimi said.
"It's a family-friendly show that allows you to stay close to your community, and meet your friends and neighbors."
