Minnesota's most dangerous rider in what some call the most dangerous sport should draw a crowd at next week's rodeo.

Chris Suter of Austin is the top bull rider on the Minnesota Rodeo Association (MRA) circuit. Last year, while ranked ninth in that same circuit, Suter took home second place in front of hometown fans in the Buffington Rodeo at the Mower County Fair.

Suter said this year has been "phenomenal." Besides his top ranking in the MRA, he is top five in the United Rodeo Association and ranked 25 in the National Pro Rodeo Association.

Suter started riding bulls three years ago after hearing about it from a friend at Riverland Community College.

He went to a bull riding school in Indiana that year and has been climbing the rankings since.

"I'm just fortunate enough to be somewhat of a natural at it," Suter said.

Bull riding is often taking the top spot in polls of the most dangerous sports. Suter said the danger is a big part of why the sport is great.

"It's about the best adrenaline rush you can get," he said.

Suter saw that danger early in his career. In July 2001, a bull stepped on his chest, breaking three ribs and his collarbone. It also put four big holes in his lung and about 50 "cheerio-sized" ones as well, he said.

Since then, Suter has had his head stepped on, and just last week he was slammed into a gate, causing some minor injury to his riding hand.

While he admits fear is a factor, he said it's a part of the game. He tunes it out when he is on a bull.

"If you've got fear and recognize it on the back of a bull, you're going to get hurt," he said.

Suter said every time you get on a bull, it's a new experience. Each bull has a different attitude, some turn a certain direction and some are "hooky." A hooky bull, Suter said, is "if they want to come back at you and play a little bit."

Throughout the season, a rider gets to know the individual bulls, Suter said, noting the Buffington Rodeo will have some good ones.

It takes place at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 7 in the grandstand at the Mower County Fair. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $8 for youth ages 5-16. Children under five are free with a paid adult.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by email at matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com