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-- See video of Diamond W Western Wear's 14th annual National Bull Riding Championship at the bottom of this page --
The spotlight illuminated a white, plastic poker table at the Chico bull riding competition Saturday, where four chap-clad cowboys tensely awaited their adversary.
The name of the game is cowboy poker.
Out came 2,000 pounds of "bad attitude and muscle," announcer Chad Nickelson said.
"The last man with the heart to stay at the table is the winner," he said.
Within 10 seconds, no man remained seated. There was hardly a table left to sit at, as the crowd of nearly 5,000 cheered and laughed, congratulating the winner.
Cowboy poker was one of the featured events at Diamond W Western Wear's 14th annual National Bull Riding Championship. The two-day event drew crowds of community members, nonprofit groups, enthusiasts and students.
Senior Breanne Ramos and her friends tailgated with beer and burgers in the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds parking lot before the show.
"I came for friends and a good time," Ramos said. "I have been coming to these things for years, but a lot of my friends are here for the first time."
The event is hosted by Diamond W Productions, which produces three bull riding competitions each year.
"These events have multipurpose in the community," said David Halimi, executive producer for Diamond W Productions. "We create a show so that those who follow the sport get quality, and those who have no idea what's going on will have a good time."
The bull riding competition also aims to support community and nonprofits, he said.
The Think Pink Team of Butte County, a coalition of organizations raising awareness about breast cancer, used the competition to raise money for Enloe Medical Center's cancer center.
Agriculture majors volunteered about 10 hours of their weekend to help raise funds.
"We hope to get about $3,000," said freshman Suzanne Perrin. "My godmother has breast cancer and October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month - I wanted to be here."
The agriculture majors wore pink T-shirts, passed around a pair of pink cowgirl boots for people to stuff money in and pinned pink ribbons on spectators.
Bull riders even donned pink button-up shirts to show support, but their mission was to win.
The event gives local people a chance to compete, Halimi said.
The winner, Marcus Mariluch, topped Chad Denton, a Butte County resident who took fifth place in the world finals in 2005.
"This is where it is all possible," Halimi said.
Audio slideshow by Erik Aguilar
Video by Matt Bouvet
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