YANKTON, S.D. (AP) - Larry Ryken has a new passion in life, and that's no bull.

Since 2003, the Yankton man has changed direction from the livestock auction way of life to raising bulls for bronc riding. He joined forces with Chad Berger from Mandan, N.D., son of longtime friend Joe.

"I've known the Berger family all my life, traded cattle with them, did cattle business with them," Ryken said. "I got interested in the bull riding business through them."

Now, Ryken has a love for bull riding.

Ryken and Berger are stock contractors for the Professional Bull Riders Association. They travel across the country to the Built Ford Tough series of bull-riding competitions. There are 29 events plus finals in October. The popularity of the bull-riding circuit is growing phenomenally, and usually the events are sold out.

The PBR may choose from as many as 60 different contractors to make a list of bulls invited for the bull-riding events. The PBR selects 45 bulls, and those names are entered into a computer. The pairing with the top 45 riders is done by computer as well.

The duo travels to the competitions with as many as 40 bulls and have been ranked third for the 2006 season for having bulls that cause 90-point rides. For a bull rider, a 90-point ride makes all the difference.

"A good bronc bull is born that way," said Ryken. It's all in the breeding, he believes. Usually the bulls are a Brahma long horn-cross. Just like any athlete excels to be really good, bucking bulls have the same attitude and are phenomenal athletes.

Sometimes Ryken can tell a small bull calf will respond in the best bucking way. They are ready to perform and will do well in the arena. At about 2 years of age, a breeder will buck the bull with a dummy. The owner can usually tell at that time if the animal will be a performer. Every 2-year old bull is tried in this manner.

Berger's breeding has produced some excellent stock for bronc riding. Father Joe had the No. 1 bucking bull, Little Yellow Jacket, for three years from 2003-05. Jacket bucked for six years, which is fairly common on the circuit. He is used for breeding purposes now, and purchase of a one-time straw for artificially inseminating will cost bull breeders $1,000. Bulls are usually kept until they're 10 years old for breeding purposes.

In Frontier Days recently in Cheyenne, Wyo., the duo had 34 bulls competing for a period of 13 days. Each bull may be used as many as 3-4 times. The PBR pays a fee every time a bull bucks and the freight to get it there. So it has become a very expensive hobby for Ryken. He is a local cattle feeder.

Right now, Ryken and Berger have three bulls - Deuces Wild, Sir Patrick and Texas Jack - which are in the running for top bull of the year. This ranking is voted on by the bull riders themselves.

"The riders really want to get a good bull," Ryken said. "Deuces Wild is one bull riders really enjoy getting 'cause he will buck the same way every time. If you can hang on, you're going to get a big, big score."

Bonuses are paid if the rider gets 90 points, and also at year's end at the finals, bonuses are paid if a bull is picked to be in the top five.

Another aspect of the PBR is the religious camaraderie felt among the members and its outreach program. At each competition, the riders have a religious service. They help with special requests for illness and respond with daily phone calls to those who make the request and are in need of prayer.

Last March, when the PBR was at the Built Ford Tough event in Omaha, four riders traveled to Yankton and held a religious service at the middle school. The next day they visited Sacred Heart Catholic School students as well.

Next year, Ryken will have a special treat of his own for the bull riders. He has a 2-year old bull named Old Brindel striding in his pasture and the feeling is there - for Old Brindel and Ryken. A dummy has been placed on him twice and a high school boy tried to ride him. He is ready. His horns have been tipped per PBR regulations, and Ryken is looking forward to hauling him to competitions.

Old Brindel's father is 5-year-old Copperhead Slinger, a bull from Berger, and he came to visit Ryken's pasture for 80 days. He naturally bred six females - daughters of Little Yellow Jacket - for Ryken, but now son Brindel is king of the field. Ryken also has 16 females up at Berger's operation being bred right now. His breeding herd and offspring of 40 will increase dramatically in the next year.

"Yes, I love the bull riding but I have become so impressed with the people, the different walks of life, the fellowship - I enjoy that just as much," said Ryken.