Springville’s Matthews takes 2nd at Springville Sierra Rodeo

SPRINGVILLE — Evan Matthews is in a unique line of work.

He doesn’t sit behind a desk to complete paperwork, and he’s far from throwing on a suit and tie each morning.

What Matthews does strap on are cowboy boots and a pair of scraggly Wranglers. He might even take a minute to shove a pinch of Copenhagen behind his lower lip.

Matthews is a bull rider. He rides beasts that want nothing more than to put cowboys in the soil.

“I just love riding bulls,” the Springville native said. “There’s nothing like it.”

Matthews ventures from town to town, competing in any rodeo he can find.

But there’s something special about the one located in his hometown.

At the 60th annual Springville Sierra Rodeo last weekend, thousands of fans gathered Saturday night to watch cowboys match wits with 2,000-pound animals.

And Matthews didn’t disappoint.

He earned a total score of 86, good enough for second place, which earned him a $1,413.12 payout.

“Things have been going good this last month,” he said. “I love it, earning money.”

Matthews was bested by Wesley Cox from Payson, Utah, who finished with 90 points.

The 24-year-old Matthews has been riding bulls since he was 10. He was Rookie of the Year in 2003 and won the California Pro Circuit in 2005.

“I just love the challenge,” Matthews said.

Another local to test the bulls was Porterville’s Dustin Skiles, who was unable to crack the top 6.

“For a hometown rodeo, you always want to do good,” he said. “It’s always good to come home and see everybody.”

For some fans, last weekend’s rodeo was a first-time experience.

Such was the case for Dale Suggett, who came to Springville from Yorba Linda with his wife, Jamie, and four friends.

“We love this stuff,” Suggett said. “My wife grew up with horses, so we’ve been through the whole rodeo thing.”

Ed Mountain, on the other hand, is no stranger to such events.

The 88-year-old said he’d been attending the Springville Sierra Rodeo for at least 20 years.

“This community is different. Everybody knows everybody,” he said. “Not only do I like the rodeo, I like to support these groups.”

Other finalists were Bakersfield’s Marv Hurley, who finished fourth in bareback riding.

Robert Borba, of Visalia, claimed fourth in bull riding while Fresno’s Sheena Robbins secured an eighth-place tie in barrel racing.

The team of Mike Christensen and Tristen Luther, both from Bakersfield, finished second in team roping.

-- Contact Alex K.W. Schultz at 784-5000, Ext. 1049 or aschultz@portervillerecorder.com.