ssbrnow.com - About the SSBR

On January 23, 2005 the Young Guns Bull Riding Association was formed by Carl Sellitti Jr.,
Chris Stewart, Chris Forrest and Buck Fontenot. Initially the Association was meant for entry
level riders with little experience. Ten events were scheduled by rodeo promoter,
Buck Fontenot, a retired bull rider from Louisiana. A the end of the summer of 2005, after
four events, the Young Guns Association was told that there would be no more events due
to lack of funding.

A meeting between the small membership was held to discuss the issue of a season that
had already begun but was lacking in funds to finish. In one amazing act of unselfishness,
the SSBR was born. Two stock contractors, two bullfighters, two judges, several contract
laborers, twenty bull riders and one president decided that finishing something they started
was far more important than money. It was decided that the last six events would be held in
Pt. Charlotte, FL at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds. The new members of the SSBR
would volunteer their own time to put on these last six events and all profits would go to the
Association itself for the benefit of its members. The season continued as the
Southern States Bull Riding Series and continue on they did. The season became a success
out of team work and dedication to a single cause, to create something better, something
created by bull riding cowboys for bull riding cowboys. The season was a success due to
one simple fact, money was not the driving factor; only the pure love of the sport. The 2005
season became the foundation that would soon become a far bigger version than anyone
could have ever expected.

Today, the SSBR is one of the most well known organizations in the country. In the past
five years the SSBR riders have been involved in events in Florida, George, Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Tennessee. International events are also
included; Costa Rica, Guatemala, Brazil and Japan. Over three hundred events since 2006
have been sanctioned by the SSBR and over five hundred members from Brazil, Mexico
and all over the US have since been a part of this great Association. The SSBR has
attracted large corporate sponsors such as, The Seminole Tribe of Florida,
Lonestar Silversmith, Bull Wear and Red Man Tobacco. The SSBR has also been part of
raising money for the American Cancer Society and the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Today the riders of the SSBR have been split into divisions of Professional, Amateur and
Open Classes. The Pro Division will consist of riders at the highest level of the sport
riding some of the best bulls in the country.

Although the SSBR has grown into one of the largest organizations in the South, the same
traditions from the 2005 season still stand to this day, Team Work and Dedication.
The SSBR still runs its own series of events at the same place where it all started in
Pt. Charlotte, FL. The new Charlotte County Fairgrounds arena seats almost fifteen
hundred spectators and all profits still go back to the SSBR, just like it did in 2005.
The SSBR prides itself on the same hard work and dedication today as it did in the
beginning. We would like to welcome all fans and potential members to join our great tradition.

2005 SSBR Finals
February 12,2006
Pt. Charlotte,Fl.

top row/ left to right- Chris Lee, Kenny Kreiter, Jay Grimsly, Tim Plunkett
Center Row- Carl Sellitti Jr,Brad Tritschler,Chris Stewart,Cody Milburn,Garrette Haskins,Bubba Predmore,Craig Lowell,Cody Lamberton,Shannon Brass,Leroy Seaborn,Chris Hunt, Reb Stillwagner
Bottom Row- Renato Texieria, Travis Hutter,Donnie Summer, Jordan Ostermecki, Travis Mack, Donnie Newman, Jason Wade,Tosh Barfield, LJ Smith, Eddie Bressman, Bobby Rassario
not picture : Weasel Forrest, Sammy Boyette, Doug Walker, Ray Ramon, Ernesto Franco

Above is the Original Members of the SSBR

FIrst SSBR Event was held in November of 2005

Above from Left to Right- 2005 SSBR Pres. Carl Sellitti Jr. , 3rd Place / TIm Plunkett, 1st Place and 2005 SSBR Champion/ Jason Wade, 2nd Place/ Russel Chyles