Kubota Tractor Corp. is throwing its hat into the arena this weekend as it joins new partner PBR for its second-annual Air Force Reserve Cowboys for a Cause charity exhibition event from aboard the historic aircraft carrier the USS Lexington. The event will be Saturday in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The Cowboys for a Cause charity exhibition event features eight teams of three bull riders each with the top two scoring teams being brought back for a six-rider championship round to determine a winner. Team Kubota is headlined by PBR riders Ezekiel Mitchell, Junior Patrik Souza, and Taylor Toves. The charity event partner is the Farmer Veteran Coalition, which will be presented with a $100,000 check in addition to a special ceremony to award a military servicemember a new tractor through Kubota’s Geared to Give program in partnership with FVC.
“We continue to find ways to shine a spotlight on our nation’s veterans, and this Cowboys for a Cause event aboard the historic USS Lexington is the perfect venue to do just that,” said Alex Woods, Kubota vice president of sales operations, supply chain and parts, and a veteran of the Army National Guard. “We are excited to join PBR fans and athletes in this partnership because Kubota and our customers share a steadfast dedication to hard work and an appreciation for the thrill of the ride, whether it’s on a bull or a tractor.”
The day before the riders gear up to compete in the bull riding arena, which is being built using Kubota equipment on the USS Lexington’s 910-foot-long flight deck, local Kubota dealer, Ewald Kubota, will come together alongside Team Kubota’s bull riders to donate Kubota equipment and volunteer service hours for a special day of service to help revitalize Parkview Park in Corpus Christi.
As part of the event, which will be broadcast at 11 a.m. Sunday on CBS Television Network, Kubota will honor Army Master Sgt. Ben Henbest from Fayetteville, Arkansas, by presenting him with a new Kubota MX Series tractor through its Geared to Give program in partnership with FVC. Henbest, who has served 21 years in the U.S. Army reserve, owns and operates Henbest Farms, where he raises Angus cattle and will put his new MX Series tractor to use to manage his growing cattle operation.
In July, Kubota announced its first-ever partnership with PBR, making them the Official Tractor of the Unleash The Beast, Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour, Global Cup USA and Cowboys for a Cause as well as the World Champions Rodeo Alliance Triple Crown and Women’s Rodeo World Championship for the 2022 season.
