Latest news with #PBRChevronShowdown
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Chevron & Ariat Texas Rattlers hosted second annual charity rodeo
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- For the second year in a row, Chevron and the Ariat Texas Rattlers teamed up to bring the basin an exciting matchup anchored by a landmark charity initiative. 'When Chevron and the Ariat Texas Rattlers joined together to bring the PBR Chevron Showdown to West Texas, we really wanted to make sure that we integrated charity as a part of the landmark event,' said Catie Matthews, Chevron's Public & Government Affairs Adviser. 'And so through that, the $800 for 8 Seconds program was born.' The way that the $800 for 8 Seconds program works is very simple. Every time a Rattler rider holds on for eight seconds, whether at the Chevron Showdown or throughout the entire Team Series season, an $800 donation will be given to a local community organization. The Ariat Texas Rattlers General Manager Chad Blankenship says the program helps provide his riders with some extra motivation. 'The $800 for 8 program has had a fantastic impact on our riders. You know, fundamentally, they're out there riding for themselves and to provide for their families. But when there's a program like $800 for 8 behind them, it really creates an even deeper and bigger purpose for them and their riding.' WATCH: More about the charitable impact What's the best part about being the General Manager for the Rattlers? Blankenship: 'One, it starts with the riders. To be in a role where I can support these young men to achieve their dreams, to even exceed their dreams, it's tremendously rewarding. The other piece that's been most rewarding really is just the fan engagement… A team format gives fans an opportunity to kind of come in and engage more deeply. There's hometown pride. The Texas Rattlers, of course, are based in Fort Worth, but we really ride for all of Texas, and we have thousands of fans in the Permian Basin. It's a huge privilege when the fans come and they show up and they fly the flag for the team and all the riders who are competing for them.' What's it like to have Dwight Yoakam perform? Matthews: 'Dwight Yoakum is quite the perfect fit for this event. He has that appeal of the Western culture and rodeo and just has that appeal to the people attending the event, but he also, in a way, has a special connection to Chevron. A lot of the folks here, our employees, have worked in our Bakersfield asset, and we all know Dwight is famous for the song 'Streets of Bakersfield,' so I'm sure a lot of our employees are going to enjoy hearing that.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 PBR Chevron Showdown: The Ariat Texas Rattlers mentorship with Odessa College
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – The Ariat Texas Rattlers return to Odessa for the second straight year of the Professional Bull Riding Chevron Showdown at Ector County Coliseum. This year features the Rattlers, who were the 2023 PBR Team Champions, the Nashville Stampede who won in 2022 and also competing is our very own Odessa College Rodeo Team. The Texas Rattlers have partnered with the Wranglers leading up to the Chevron Showdown to provide a mentorship, and OC head coach Tom Kelly says it's invaluable. 'For Chevron and Kent Quick to bring the Texas Rattlers to town and then for them to also include us in this event with this training, with working out with the Rattlers, with riding with them, practicing with them, you can't put a price tag on that.' With the Rattlers back in Odessa, they are looking to expand their brand nationwide, starting with the Lone Star State. 'Our hometown is Fort Worth, but we want to be known all over the country,' Rattlers head coach Cody Lambert said. 'Coming here to Odessa, I want fans, I want to be looked at, I want the Rattlers to be looked at as Texas' team.' In the 2024 PBR Chevron Showdown, Odessa College's Hayden Welsh won the event, and the team gives a lot of credit to the Rattlers team. 'It just started our year off well, and we carried the momentum through. In my opinion, we owe a big thank you to the Rattlers for helping us do that,' Kelly said. Now, the 2025 PBR Chevron Showdown expectations are at an all-time high. 'We got some of the best bulls in the business, the best bull riders in the business. It will come down to who wants to win.' The event is set for 7:00 p.m. at Ector County Coliseum in Odessa, and tickets can be found online at or the box office for $25. Following the event, country music legend Dwight Yoakam will be performing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
