Country Thunder Arizona Adds Buckin’ Thunder Pro Bull Riding to 2026 Festival Lineup

New sanctioned rodeo event brings senior pro cowboys to the arena in Florence this April

Country Thunder Arizona is expanding its 2026 festival experience with the debut of Buckin’ Thunder Pro Bull Riding, a new attraction set to run alongside its multi-day music event at AZ Talio Ranch in Florence from April 9 through 12.

The festival, which features headliners Lainey Wilson, Brooks & Dunn, Zach Top, and Gavin Adcock, will now include a sanctioned National Senior Pro Bull Riding competition produced in partnership with RS Rodeo. The Phoenix-based company serves as an official partner of the National Senior Pro Rodeo Association.

Buckin’ Thunder will spotlight seasoned cowboys aged 40 and older, including current and former world champions, competing daily for buckles and points toward their standings. The event emphasizes longevity in the sport, with some riders continuing to compete into their sixties.

The bull riding competition is scheduled for Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11 at 1 p.m., and Sunday, April 12 at 1:30 p.m. Festival attendees will have access to the event at no additional cost with paid admission.

Additional details, including participating riders, bull fighters, and rodeo clowns, are expected to be announced at a later date.

Beyond the rodeo addition, the 2026 lineup includes performances from Waylon Wyatt, Ian Munsick, Lonestar, Scotty McCreery, Jay Webb, Jackson Dean, George Birge, Dasha, Logan Layman, Billy Dean & Collin Raye, Lanie Gardner, Austin Snell, Lauren Watkins, Annie Bosko, and The Wilder Blue, among others. The Copperhead Stage will highlight artists from Arizona, while the Songwriter Showcase will feature Johnny Clawson, Benjy Davis, Brinley Addington, Jimi Bell, Chase McDaniel, and Trent Wayne.

Country Thunder Arizona continues to offer a full-scale festival environment, including rides, carnival games, line-dancing competitions, food and beverage vendors, and camping options. Tickets and packages are currently available.

About Post Author

Country Entertainment News

Christina Keys has over a decade of experience in NASCAR, building a dynamic career spanning media, public relations, sponsorship acquisitions, and brand representation. Her 13-year journey included roles ranging from promotional model—as Miss Valvoline—to business owner, having launched an apparel line specifically tailored for female motorsports fans. She also owned and operated two media outlets within NASCAR, and her work behind the lens led to shooting for Getty Images at some of the sport’s biggest events. These diverse experiences gave her a 360-degree view of the motorsports industry, both on and off the track. Outside of NASCAR, Keys worked in minor league baseball with the Pioneer League, broadening her understanding of sports marketing and fan engagement in a different arena. In addition, she holds a degree in audio engineering and began her career in music at the renowned Sumet-Burnet studio in Dallas, Texas. Having grown up in recording studios from the age of nine, music has always been her first love. Her time in Dallas also included hands-on experience in artist booking and management, where she supported emerging bands through label signings, tours, and the often unpredictable realities of the music business.

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