- Sections :
- More
Bullfighters (and brothers) Ryder Rich and Roper Rich have been hired for the Phillipsburg rodeo.
The men, who live in Eaton, Colo., will work during the bull riding, distracting the bull after each ride, giving the bull rider time to scramble to safety.
They are the second generation of their family to work the Phillipsburg rodeo; their dad, Kevin Rich, worked the Phillipsburg rodeo in the early 1990s and entertained in the Wrangler Bullfights as well.
But when the men were young (they are 25 and 23 years old, respectively), their focus was on high school baseball and football.
“We played baseball every single day, year-round,” Roper said. Both men had college scholarships to play baseball, but shoulder injuries stopped Ryder from playing, and the pandemic ended Roper’s college sports.
So they turned to rodeo. But their mom wasn’t crazy about them following in their dad’s occupation.
Ryder entered his first freestyle bullfighting competition at age 14, without his mother knowing. His dad knew, as his dad provided the bulls for the event. “Dad and I kept it a secret till I was 18,” he said. “When she found out, she laughed about it.”
The duo not only works rodeos as bullfighters, but has a herd of bulls, with their dad. They haul bulls to freestyle bullfighting events across the region.
They are inspired by their dad, Kevin, who has spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA3), a progressive genetic condition that affects coordination and balance. Kevin uses a walker to get around, but he’s still very involved in the bull business, and he encourages his sons to fully live their lives. “He tells us, you boys make the most of life,” Roper said.
Ryder is married to Cameron Rich.
This year’s Kansas Biggest Rodeo will be held July 31-August 2. Shows start at 8 pm nightly.
Tickets are available online at KansasBiggestRodeo.com and at Garrett Insurance (685 Third Street, Phillipsburg) or by calling 785.543.2448.
Tickets range in price from $13-$22.
For more information, visit the website or call 785.543.2448.
