The challenge is to stay on the back of a bucking bull for eight seconds, and it’s a thrill to watch. It’s professional rodeo bull riding, and it will be all about the bulls at the annual Lava Lion’s Club Bulls Only Rodeo, Saturday, Aug. 10, in Lava Hot Springs.  

    “Everyone goes to the rodeo to see the bulls,” said Les Bocek, a leader in the Lava Hot Springs Lion’s Club. “The crowd really gets into it. You feel like you are right in the arena.”  

    The rodeo will take place at the Lion’s Club Rodeo Arena located on 6th Avenue West in Lava Hot Springs. The gate will open at 5 p.m., and the bulls will start at 6 p.m. The event usually wraps up about 9 p.m. Tickets prices are $8 for adults and $4 for children under 12 years of age. Tickets are available at the gate, at the South Bannock County Historical Center Museum at 110 E Main Street in Lava Hot Springs, or at the Lava Liquor Store. Seating is on bleachers or a grassy hill, and concessions will be available.   

    The annual Bulls Only Rodeo is presented by the local chapter of the Lava Hot Springs Lion’s Club, and produced by P&P Rodeo, LLC. The event is also sponsored by many local entities, and is always a big draw for both competitive bull riders and spectators. It’s all for a good cause as proceeds go to benefit the Lava Hot Springs Senior Citizen’s Center.     

    For those that aren’t too familiar with the fine points of bull riding, the following is a brief description of what is important to know. One of the most vital skills needed for successful bullriding is upper body control and leg strength. Since leaning back can cause the rider to be whipped forward as the bull bucks, the rider strives to stay forward on the animal’s back, or “over his hand,” at all times.

    Riders are judged on good body position, the use of the free arm, and other factors. Although spurring the bull is required, spurring will add points to a rider’s score. Half of the score in bull riding is determined by the contestant’s performance and the other half is based on the animal’s efforts. A bull rider must exercise body control over his free arm, as he will be disqualified if he touches the animal, himself, or his equipment with his free hand.

    The Lava Lion’s Club has taken an active role in community affairs and has added much of value to the Lava Hot Springs area. The Lava Lions built a first-class arena with lighting and bleachers on 10 acres they purchased in 1995. The arena is also used for many clinics and 4-H events. The Club runs a trap shoot on the third Saturday of the month from November through May, as well Bingo games at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights all year long. Proceeds from the Bingo program built the rodeo arena and Lion’s Park.   

    For more information about the Bulls Only Rodeo or to sign up to ride a bull, contact Byron Pehrson of P&P Rodeo at (208) 588-3101. For more information about the activities of the Lava Lion’s Club, call Les Bocek at (208) 776-5627.

    So go on out to Lava Hot Springs on Saturday, Aug. 10, and spend the day enjoying the local restaurants and shops, the aquatic complex, floating the river or relaxing in the soothing waters of Lava’s hot mineral pools. Then top it off with the Lava Bulls Only Rodeo, where you can feel the thrill of one exciting ride after another.