Adrenaline fuels bull rider’s passion

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This article was published 23/05/2019 (1799 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Denton Krentz says he will never forget the feeling and the rush that would always kick in that moment when a bull chute would open, and it was time for the bull to start bucking.

Krentz, a 28-year-old Pansy resident says he first started bull riding at the age of 15 and between the ages of 15 and 20 he travelled all over western Canada taking part in bull riding competitions.

“I just saw it on TV as a kid and I was riding horses at the time, but I wanted something that was going to be an adrenaline rush, so I decided I wanted to switch to bull riding,” Krentz said.

“I just knew that was what I wanted to do.”

He admits he doesn’t remember a whole lot about his first competitive ride.

“To be honest it’s all a blur. Once the adrenaline kicks in you just are in that moment and completely focused on trying not to get bucked off, but I can’t say I actually remember much about that first ride,” he said with a laugh.

But five years of bull riding led to multiple injuries and surgeries. By the time Krentz hit the age of 20 he decided to walk away from the sport he loves and begin a career in real estate, a career he still works at today.

“For me it was a decision about my future, and I wanted to find something that would work for me as a career, so I walked away,” Krentz said. “It was just time.”

With the fears and the risk of injuries always present in the sport, Krentz was asked why he believes so many bull riders continue to do what they do.

“There are times where every rider says ‘why am I doing this,’ but the joy of the sport just keeps you going.”

Krentz may not ride bulls anymore, but he stays connected to the bull riding community and to the sport.

“It’s still in my blood, so for me it’s important to still be around it,” he said.

Krentz will be around bulls and cowboys this weekend as he is one of the people that will be helping out with a bull riding competition coming to Hanover Ag Exhibition Park in Grunthal this Saturday as part of the annual spring rodeo.

This year’s event will include the Spring Twist Off bull riding event on Saturday. Gates open at 5 p.m. and bull riding action kicks off at 7 p.m.

Krentz said that for those who have never seen bull riding live it is an experience that is like no other.

“I always say it is the most dangerous sport on earth. You never know what is going to happen and that’s what’s so exciting about it,” he said.

More information on the weekend can be found by visiting hanoverag.com.