Kubota Tractor Corporation threw its hat into the arena over Labor Day Weekend as it joined new partner PBR (Professional Bull Riders) for its second-annual Air Force Reserve Cowboys for a Cause charity exhibition event aboard the historic U.S. aircraft carrier, the USS Lexington, in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The event featured eight teams of three riders. Team Kubota was headlined by PBR riders Ezekiel Mitchell, Junior Patrik Souza and Taylor Toves. The charity event partner was the Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC), who was presented with a $100,000 check in addition to a special ceremony to award a military service member 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 geared up to compete in the bull riding arena, which was built using Kubota equipment on the USS Lexington’s 910-foot-long flight deck, local Kubota dealer, Ewald Kubota, came 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 was broadcast on CBS Television Network with re-airs on RIDEPASS on Pluto TV, Kubota honored 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, the leader in western sports, making them the Official Tractor of the Unleash The Beast (UTB), Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour, Global Cup USA and Cowboys for a Cause as well as the WCRA (World Champions Rodeo Alliance) Triple Crown and Women's Rodeo World Championship for the 2022 season.
To learn more about PBR’s Air Force Reserve Cowboys for a Cause, visit www.pbr.com. To learn more about the Farmer Veteran Coalition, visit www.farmvetco.org. And to learn more about Kubota’s lineup of equipment, visit www.KubotaUSA.com.
