IRON RIVER -- Crowds looked on in amazement Saturday at the second annual Fantastic Damage - Extreme Bull Riding show in Iron River.
Twenty bull riders wrestled with the highly unpredictable animals.
The adrenaline-driven sport of bull riding can be extremely dangerous. Jim Storti, an organizer of the event, got his leg broken Friday during a preview of the show. Luckily, the show went on, thanks to his wife Terri Storti.
"We're very proud of the event my husband and I put on," said Storti. "I just wish he was here today to enjoy it."
The Stortis succeeded in their plan of entertaining the masses. The audience watched in anticipation as the conflict between man and animal played out in front of them.
Those riding the bulls are not the only ones putting themselves in danger. The bull fighters in the arena must get the bull back into the cage once the rider has dismounted.
It has been a lifelong dream of Dylan Schmitt, 20, to fight bulls, and over the past two years of fighting, he fully understands the risks involved.
"My job is to basically get in front of the bull and take the bull away from the rider so the rider doesn't get hit and whenever necessary, take a hit," explained Schmitt. "It's a life and death situation, but you learn to deal with it."
Schmitt says audience engagement helps feed his passion for the sport.
"People don't go with the intention of seeing someone get killed," Schmitt said. "But it's just human nature. It's just part of the sport, and that's what makes it extreme."
The event also featured bull poker where four people competed in being the last one sitting around a table as a loose bull ran around them.
"It's a great adrenaline rush," said Travis Devowe, who participated in the bull poker. "I don't know how to put that into words, just awesome."
Another crowd favorite was some high-flying stunts from "Sick Air" Freestyle Motorcross.
Because the demand for thrills is in high demand, plans are already underway for next summer's event.
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