Dusty Marion, of Randleman, N.C., falls off during the bull riding competition at Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center. Special

No one would've faulted Josh Reed for quitting bull riding a decade ago.

After a bull stomped his chest, Mr. Reed made it through emergency open-heart surgery. Ten months later, and against doctor's orders, he hopped back on a steer.

"Doctors told me there was no reason for me to be alive right now," Mr. Reed said. "If the good Lord didn't want me riding bulls, he would've took me then."

The 25-year-old Mr. Reed has been riding bulls since he was 8. It's not uncommon for riders to pick up the sport at a young age and make it a career.

Eight seconds of work can translate to a handsome payout. Last year, Justin McBride won almost $1.5 million on the Professional Bull Riders circuit.

Money is one of the main reasons Troy Carnes returned to Augusta to defend his title. He planned to drive 10 hours back to Bloomingburg, Ohio, overnight to compete in another competition this evening.

Mr. Carnes was one of 50 entrants competing in front of a sellout crowd Friday night at Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center.

Event organizer Kenny Thomas said the winner will take home between $10,000 and $14,000. On the bull riding circuit, that's a handsome payout.

"This pays real good," said Mr. Reed, the top money earner on the International Professional Rodeo Association last year. "That's why the best bull riders are here."

Every rider hopes to one day advance to the big leagues. Michael Riggs, of Claxton, Ga., who won his second consecutive Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association Southeast Circuit last year, will try to qualify for the nationally televised PBR this year.

"If for just one year I can get up there and make the cut, that's my goal," he said.

Mr. Reed sees the big money in being a PBR rider. There's big-time sponsorship deals. And winning one of the weekly events on the PBR's Built Ford Tough Series circuit can pay more than $30,000.

"That's where you go from being a bull rider to being a rich bull rider," he said.

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.