Published: April 23, 2007 11:17 am      

Cord McCoy defends title at PBR event in Ada

ADA — Cord McCoy, champion of last year’s Southern Oklahoma PBR Enterprise Challenge Tour event in Ada, is returning to Pontotoc County Agri-plex May 4-5 to reclaim his title. The event is brought to Ada by Out West Productions LLC.

The Tupelo man will join the top 45 bull riders in the nation when the event returns to Ada. Gates open each night at 6:30 and the action begins at 8 p.m. Early goers may enjoy the trade show and food offered both inside and outside of the arena.

Born in Durant, McCoy stands 5 foot-9 inches tall and is the son of Denny and Janet McCoy. The family raises bulls on their ranch and his mother is a well-known professional photographer.

McCoy turned pro five years ago and has career earnings in the PBR of $58,001.03. He rides with the number 143 on his back. He is also a member of the PRCA, where he has career earnings of $123,528.

In 2005, McCoy separated his shoulder in the fourth round of the Wrangler NFR and missed six of 10 rounds with the injury. He placed fifth in the first round with an 83.5 on rafter H Rodeo’s Roan Wolf. McCoy has won the Four States Fair Rodeo in Texarkana, Ark., and was co-champion at the Beef Empire Days PRCA Rodeo in Garden City, Kan. He also won the Red River Stampede PRCA Rodeo in Durant in 2005 and won the Mineral Wells, Texas, PRCA Rodeo that same year.

As a member of the PRCA, McCoy also competes not only in bull riding, but bareback riding and saddle bronc riding. His career highlights include winning the average title at PRCA Xtreme Bulls Division II Qualifying Event in Clemson, S.C., and bull riding.

McCoy has taken time away from the circuit to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford.

He missed three months of ring action in 2005 after having his skull crushed by a saddle bronc in Oklahoma City.

The 25-year-old bull rider developed an interest in rodeo through his family, with his first competition in 1985. He has three brothers, Justen, JoRay and Jet, and one sister, Nikki. JoRay and Jet also compete on the rodeo circuit, where Jet was the runner-up in saddle bronc riding at the 2004 Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo.

For more information about the Southern Oklahoma PBR Enterprise Classic contact Brenda Revels by phone at (580) 235-0193 or by e-mail at brevels@cableone.net. Tickets are $20 general admission, $30 arena floor general admission, and reserved seating $50. Tickets are available at Steppin’ Out Western Wear, 430 E. Main, Ada; Sharpe’s Department Store, 131 W. Main; Stillwater Milling, Davis; Bean’s Western Wear, Ardmore; and Rene & Roy’s Western Wear, McAlester.

Steppin’ Out Western Wear in Ada is the only store selling reserved seating. Phone (580) 332-5100 for reserved seating.