COLDWATER, MI — Across from the horse barns at the Branch County Fair, you can find a ride made famous by the 1980 movie “Urban Cowboy,” mechanical bull riding.
From little kids to older adults, everyone pays $5 to sit on the hydraulic beast for a buck and a spin while the rider tries to hold onto the steel handle.
Dave Regehr of Ann Arbor brought rides and games to fairs and carnivals for over 30 years. “I saw it one day at a bar and decided that I wanted one,” he said.
Groups came by to ride, like the girls’ Southwest Michigan Dixies softball team from Athens. They came between games.
Kevin Blaine of Bronson brought his two sons, then got on the bull himself.
Regehr said the ride is safe with padded bags around the rotating bull. He controls the speed and motions and matches the ride to the rider.
“If you fall off, keep your head down,” Regehr warns each rider until he stops the bull.
There were plenty of riders both Sunday and Monday. Regehr said there were plenty of people in line to ride the bull this week.
“It hurts your legs because you’ve got to hold on tight. You’ve got to tighten your feet against it,” softballer Mason Nixon said, setting the record among her teammates.
Baline agreed, “You’ve got to have strong legs.”
Regehr controls the speed and the bucking action. He judges how much each person can handle and adjusts the ride to make sure everyone has fun. “It’s totally safe,” he said.
If you want to see the real thing, there is the TK Pro Rodeo on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 7 p.m. in the fair amphitheater.
Contact Don Reid, dReid@USATodayCo.Com
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Mechanical bull keeps Branch County fairgoers hanging on tight
Reporting by Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter / Coldwater Daily Reporter
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By Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter | USA TODAY Network
