Bucking bulls and barrel racing

FINDLAY — A Bar Rodeo Productions is bringing the rodeo to the Hancock County Fair with its Bulls & Barrels event at 7 p.m. Tuesday. For more than 30 years, owner Patrick Ayers has been producing rodeos at county fairs across Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia and Indiana. His rodeo journey began when he stumbled upon a bull riding event in Attica, when he was 19 years old. He then went on to ride professionally for 13 years before a serious back injury forced him to stop competing professionally. "I broke my back and a couple of ribs," Ayers said. "They told me if I broke it again, I probably wouldn't walk. I really missed riding, so I started producing rodeos." Founded in 1994, A Bar Rodeo Production has grown from its small-scale, humble beginnings into a full-fledged production company. The family-friendly show focuses on bull riding and barrel racing, while also featuring rodeo clowns and specialty performances to engage audiences between acts. "I like bucking at least 30 heads of bulls at a rodeo show," Ayers said. "We've got girls doing barrel racing, too. When we can't get enough bull riders, they fill the spot," Ayers said. "They've really done good." Ayers said the energy at a rodeo show is unlike any other event in town. "It's a lot of excitement," Ayers said. "It's really rowdy, really exciting and a lot of noise." At the heart of every A Bar Productions show is patriotism. Each event begins with a salute to the Armed Forces, with flags displayed proudly throughout the arena. "USA all the way," Ayers said. "That's the biggest thing about these shows." While Ayers travels across several states for his events, bringing the rodeo to Hancock County is particularly meaningful. "I was raised in North Baltimore and was raised on a big farm," Ayers said. "I always wanted to be a cowboy. When I come to Findlay, it seems like it's my hometown and it makes me feel good to be there." For Ayers, success is not measured by crowd size, but the memories people take home with them. "As long as I can get a little boy and a little girl to smile, that's the biggest thing for me," Ayers said. For those who have never been to a rodeo or bull riding event, Ayer's partner Vivilynne Lamming promises an experience to last a lifetime, blending high-paced excitement with a glimpse of the old West. "Going to a rodeo gives you a look into the past — how the Western days were, how they rode bulls and handled bulls and horses," Lamming said. "The cowboys and cowgirls dress up for it, too. It gives you a glimpse of the past, of the foundation of the United States and how they did things back then." Admission is free for Bulls & Barrels, once visitors are at the fair.