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Burkholder bullish on chance at redemption
‘Bullride Mania’ finale
Saturday in Fredonia
By charles grove
For local rodeo fans, the final event of the season takes place this Saturday at Sundance Arena in Fredonia, Pa. And for Allen Burkholder it’s a chance at redemption.
The 20-year-old bull rider hailing from Walnut Creek, a small town southwest from Canton, was a competitor at January’s event at Sundance. But Burkholder suffered a broken collarbone when the bull he was riding took a tumble and landed on him.
But after months of rehab, he’s ready to prove himself to local rodeo fans again.
“I’m feeling great. Better than ever before,” Burkholder said. “I’ve got no pain and I’m really looking forward to going back and trying to win at Sundance. I’ve won money there before and I’ve had a lot of fun in that arena.”
The collarbone seemed like only a blip on the radar. Two years ago at another meet in Pa., Burkholder suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung after getting stepped on by a bull. It took two weeks just to get released from the hospital that time.
For many involved with rodeo, they were the kids wrestling and tying the legs of calves before they took on the big bulls. But Burkholder took a very different route. He grew up Amish and at the age of 16 decided to leave that life behind for a life of traveling the country riding bulls.
“I always dreamed of doing this since I grew up riding horses and ponies but I never thought I would get the chance,” Burkholder said. “But once I left I started going to rodeos with friends I met. Once I saw that other people compete and they’re no different than me so if I put everything in it I can make it somewhere.”
Despite leaving the horse-and-buggy life behind, Burkholder still lives in the same county as his parents and keeps in contact with them as much as he can.
“My parents are very supportive and they’re easy to get along with,” Burkholder said. “The way they raised me I learned a lot of stuff to help support myself.”
Skills learned throughout the first portion of his life is how Burkholder supports himself now. He has worked construction the past three years putting on siding for houses in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Taking days off for rodeo days which sometimes include travel to the deep south.
“My job goes very well with rodeo because my boss is very supportive,” Burkholder said. “I can get the time off I need whenever I want. All I have to do is tell him the day before.”
But working long days doing construction and riding bulls when he can isn’t the end goal for Burkholder. Sponsorship is.
“I’ve always dreamed about getting sponsors. I’ve always dreamed of being able to make a living out of bull riding,” Burkholder said. “Right now I’m still learning but I’m about to go over the hill where I can do this as my job and not have to be a construction worker anymore. I’m very close.”
Bronco riding and barrel racing will also be on display during the Dave Martin Bullride Mania season finale at Sundance Arena on Saturday. There also will be break-away roping and bull hockey. Tickets for adults are $12 and children 12 and under cost $7. Doors open at 6 p.m. with rodeo starting at 7:30 p.m.
Burkholder will get his chance at part of a $4,000 in prize money. And despite not knowing what type or size bull he’ll be atop for his redemption ride, he says that’s out of his control and therefore his mind.
“Every rodeo is different,” Burkholder said. “You never know what bull you’re going to get but the way I look at it is every bull is the same in that you’ve got to stay on them no matter if you draw a big one or a small one. As long as I get to ride, I’m good.”