Although the weather was chillier than normal for a Florida evening, people from all around came out to support the annual Conley Invitational Bull Ride Presented by Arctic Air at the Manatee County Fairgrounds last weekend. This year’s even once again delivered high- energy competition, nonstop entertainment, and unforgettable moments for spectators of all ages.
Friday night kicked off with an impressive opening ceremony that set the tone for the evening. The opening ceremony featured an invocation and National Anthem delivered by members of Bayside Community Church as the Palmetto High School JROTC proudly presented the colors. A dramatic fire lighting of the letters “GMC” then appeared in center- arena followed by pyrotechnics, hype videos, rider introductions and comedic entertainment provided by Dalton Morris – better known as “Disco Dalton” – and Jesse Knudsen who served as the Master of Ceremonies.
As Friday night’s competition unfolded, the bulls appeared determined to dominate. Rider after rider was thrown from their mounts, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats. Between rides Dalton Morris and Jesse Knudsen kept the crowd entertained with nonstop humor and perfectly timed antics.
One of the most emotional moments of night came as the crowd welcomed back a rider who suffered a serious injury during the 2025 event when a bull horn went through the rider’s neck. His return to the arena was met with an overwhelming round of applause and cheers, serving as a powerful reminder to both the dangers of the sport and the resilience of its riders.
One of the night’s most unforgettable moments came from Dalton Morris’ spectacular whip demonstration. A brave volunteer stood perfectly still, holding a flower in her mouth, as Dalton snapped his whip with incredible precision, cracking the flower cleanly away just inches from the volunteer’s face. The daring display drew gasps, cheers, and thunderous applause.
Aside from the professional bull-riders, young fans got a change to get in on the action and “take a ride” for themselves via the always- popular mutton busting event. Young fans got to “strap in” on top of a sheep, launched ride out of the same chutes the bull-riders do, and hang on tight as the sheep scurry across the arena.
Five year old Ace Zimmerman summed up his experience Friday night with a smile. “Well, the ground came very fast, and I got dirty in my eyes,” Zimmerman said. “They said ready, hold on tight with both hands and squeeze your legs – and then the gates opened.”
Between the bull-riding sections, families enjoyed country-style vendors, a mechanical bull ride, traditional fair concessions, and a showcase of automobiles from Conley Buick GMC and Conley Subaru.
After intermission on Friday night, with Zachary Niegal holding the lead, the momentum shifted when Flavio Cutia, a Brazilian rider, burst out of the gate and held on for more than eight seconds, vaulting himself into first place and setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the weekend to follow on Saturday.
Saturday Night Brings Bigger Crowds and Bigger Energy
Saturday night delivered much of the same thrilling competition – but with a larger and louder crowd, cheering relentlessly as riders took on the bulls. The energy in the arena was electric, with spectators full engaged and rallying behind every rider.
Comedic entertainment ramped up as well, featuring Dalton Morris’ fire-rope act – a act in which Morris showcased his roping abilities including a performance of roping around himself while the rope was ablaze.
Saturday also brought another round of mutton busting, this time with an even larger group of young cowboys and cowgirls eager to test their courage.
When the final horn sounded at the conclusion of Saturday night the leaderboard was displayed and a champion was crowned, marking yet another successful and fun weekend in the history of the Conley Invitational.
The Conley Invitational: A Community Traditional Supporting 4-H
4-H plays an important role in shaping the youth of our community, teaching responsibility, leadership, and character through hands-on experiences.
Since its inception in 2011, the Conley Invitational has been proud to stand behind that mission.
What began as a small, community-minded event has grown year after year into something families look forward to and can truly enjoy. The Conley Invitational has become more than just an event — it’s a tradition built on local pride, volunteerism, and support for our youth.
This growth would not be possible without the generous sponsors and local businesses who contribute not only financially, but also through their time and effort. From planning and setup to supporting the day-of operations, the community’s involvement is what makes the Conley Invitational special.
The event supports 4-H in several meaningful ways, including participation in the swine auction, generating thousands of dollars in parking revenue that is donated directly to 4-H, and annual contributions from the Conley founders themselves. Every year, the event helps strengthen the programs that help our young people grow into capable, confident adults.
Looking Ahead
The Conley Invitational Bull Riding Event takes place every year right here in Palmetto, Florida, and continues to grow in both participation and community support. Those interested in getting involved in next year’s event — whether as new riders, vendors, sponsors, or participants — are encouraged to take part.
This is an event many locals and visitors look forward to year after year, and participation at every level helps keep the tradition alive and thriving. Don’t miss it — the Conley Invitational truly is an amazing weekend event and a highlight for the Palmetto community.
All photo credits to Billy D Photography.
