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Randy Whitener debuts on the the PBR Challenger Series Tour

 

MILL SPRING– A Rutherfordton man is set to perform in front of his hometown crowd at the Professional Bull Riding Ironpeddlers Chute Out at Tryon International Equestrian Center on June 23 and June 24.

Juggling his passion of bull riding and his work, Randy Whitener has been an employee of Touchstone Fine Cabinetry for a decade. After the company was bought by TIEC CEO Mark Bellissimo, Whitener utilized his skills to build horse jumps for the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2018.

In the same arena where the world’s best horse riders soared over obstacles that he helped craft, Whitener will be participating in his first hometown PBR event.

“From my house, you can see the lights shining at this place,” says Whitener. “I don’t know how I’m going to react when I get introduced. I’ll know about 90% of the crowd.”

Although Whitener has been riding bulls for quite some time, he says being on the PBR tour is a different experience.

“It’s a totally different level from rodeoing, or the bulls that you face at weekend rodeos,” Whitener says. “With Professional Bull Riding, you get the top bulls in the world, you get the top guys in the world. Bring them together and it makes a show. This is the best of the best.”

Whitener encourages everyone to come support him in his first hometown performance.

“It is an honor and dream to ride here in front of my hometown,” says Whitener “I hope I can perform and ride well for the people.”

The event will start at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 23 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 24. Tickets are $20 each.

Tryon International Equestrian Center is located at 25 International Blvd in Mill Spring.