Brau Motors Gives Away Chevrolet Silverado at the 13th Annual Sibley County Bull Riding Event Arlington, MN — The dust has settled at the Sibley County Fairgrounds, and the 13th Annual Sibley County Bull Riding Event is officially in the books. Across two nights — Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12, 2026 — 34 riders squared off against 52 bulls in the Horse Arena at the Sibley County Fairgrounds. When the final buzzer sounded, 19-year-old Owen Monfeldt of Cody, Wyoming stood alone as champion — and drove home in a Chevrolet Silverado, courtesy of Brau Motors. The Champion Takes Home a Silverado This wasn't a raffle or a gate prize. The truck was the champion's prize: win the bull riding, win the truck. Brau Motors teamed up with co-sponsors: Alloy Insurance Agency, McGuire Electric Inc, and West Metro Mechanical to put a white Chevrolet Silverado — wrapped in "2026 Champion Bull Rider" graphics and event sponsor logos — in the winner's circle. Monfeldt earned it. The first-year PRCA rider had won the Gem State Classic in Blackfoot, Idaho with an 88-point ride the night before traveling to Minnesota, then outlasted a full field of invited riders across two nights in Arlington. In a September 13 post, he confirmed the prize himself and thanked God and his sponsors. Before the event, he'd told his mom she'd need to come along — he was already planning to drive the truck home to Wyoming. The giveaway was announced before the event in a Facebook video from Brau Motors, filmed in the dealership lot with the Silverado under the Brau Motors sign. Rob from Brau Motors joined Mike and Matt from the event committee to run through the weekend schedule — and to confirm that the winning rider would be taking home a Chevrolet truck. A Hometown Tradition 13 Years Strong What began as a local fundraiser has grown into one of Minnesota's premier bull riding events. Presented by Brick House Meats LLC and McGuire Electric, Inc., the event keeps finding ways to grow — 2025 brought expanded seating and increased ticket sales, and in 2026 organizers added $40,000 to the riders' purse, plus another $10,000 for second- through sixth-place finishes. Arlington resident Matt Scharping of Phenom Genetics — a longtime stock contractor whose bucking bulls compete in professional rodeos nationwide — personally invited 40 riders from across the country. As Scharping told The Cowboy Channe l, the event is built to give back to contestants: it's funded entirely through sponsors, and nobody takes a cut. The weekend delivered well beyond the arena. Friday's gates opened at 5 PM with bull riding at 7 PM and live music from Ragtown to follow. Saturday brought a 3–6 PM tailgate, bull riding at 6 PM, and Maiden Dixie closing the night. Between rides, fans packed in a live auction, a gun raffle, food trucks, and mutton bustin' — the pint-sized crowd favorite. Riding for a Cause: Jared Allen's Homes for Wounded Warriors The heart of the event was never the buckles or the prize money — it's the mission. Every year, the Sibley County Bull Riding Event raises money for Jared Allen's Homes for Wounded Warriors, which builds and renovates accessible, mortgage-free homes for injured military veterans. Two dollars from every adult ticket goes directly to the cause, and organizers announced at the 2026 event that lifetime giving has climbed past $350,000 — a tangible, life-changing difference for the men and women who sacrificed for our country. Three Generations Strong: The Brau Motors Story Brau Motors didn't just show up with a truck — it's a family name Arlington has trusted since 1946. Now in its third generation and 80 years strong, Brau Motors has grown from a small-town dealership into one of the most successful Chevrolet stores in south-central Minnesota, serving drivers from Arlington, Gaylord, Glencoe, New Ulm, Waconia, Belle Plaine, Le Sueur, and the Twin Cities metro. That success was built the old-fashioned way: treating every customer like a neighbor — because they are. From sales to certified service, parts, and collision repair, everything happens under one roof at 502 W. Main St. in Arlington, backed by a low-pressure approach that's earned the store generations of repeat business. Giving back is part of the Brau DNA — the dealership regularly sponsors and supports community events and fundraisers across Sibley County, and beyond. What's Next If you missed this year's event, mark your calendar for next September — the 14th annual is already in the works for September 10 and 11 2027. If the truck giveaway has you thinking about your own Chevrolet, stop by Brau Motors and browse the new Silverado lineup — and see why three generations of Sibley County drivers have made it their dealership. Brau Motors — 502 W. Main St., Arlington, MN 55307 — (507) 262-4533 — braumotors.com Frequently Asked Questions: When is the Sibley County Bull Riding Event? The 13th annual event was held September 11–12, 2026, at the Sibley County Fairgrounds Horse Arena in Arlington, MN. The event traditionally takes place the second weekend of September. Next year's will be held September 10 and 11 2027. Where is the Sibley County Bull Riding Event held? At the Sibley County Fairgrounds Horse Arena in Arlington, MN 55307. Who won the 2026 Sibley County Bull Riding Event? Owen Monfeldt, a 19-year-old bull rider from Cody, Wyoming, won the 2026 championship — and with it, a Chevrolet Silverado provided by Brau Motors and our co-sponsors. How was the truck won? The truck was the event champion's prize, not a raffle. Brau Motors and co-sponsors awarded the Chevrolet Silverado to the winning bull rider. Who benefits from the Sibley County Bull Riding Event? The event is a fundraiser for Jared Allen's Homes for Wounded Warriors, which builds accessible, mortgage-free homes for injured veterans. Organizers announced at the 2026 event that lifetime giving has surpassed $350,000. Where can I buy a Chevrolet truck near Arlington, MN? Brau Motors at 502 W. Main St., Arlington, MN is Sibley County's Chevrolet truck headquarters, with new Silverado 1500, Silverado HD, and Colorado models in stock. Call (507) 964-5539 or visit braumotors.com.
Brau Motors Celebrates 80 Years in Arlington, MN
Brau Motors Turns 80: Celebrate With Us at the Heritage Center on October 25 Arlington, MN — Eighty years. Three generations. One family name Arlington has trusted since 1946. On Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Brau Motors invites the whole community to celebrate its 80th anniversary at the Brau Motors Heritage Center — and you're invited to walk through memory lane with us. The Celebration: What to Expect The party is at the Heritage Center, on the east side of HWY 5 at 502 W. Main St. in Arlington. The event is public, there's no admission fee, and no RSVP is required — just show up. A light lunch will be served until it's gone, so come hungry and come early. The heart of the day is simple: a thank-you. Brau Motors is celebrating 80 years of customers, employees, and community members who made this milestone possible. More than 70 people have already responded to the Facebook event, and the Heritage Center doors will be open for everyone to explore. A Walk Through Memory Lane: The Heritage Center If you've never been inside the Heritage Center, the anniversary is the perfect first visit. It's Brau Motors' own slice of local history — classic rides and artifacts from decades of service that tell the story of how the dealership grew alongside the people it serves. A few of the pieces you'll find inside: The 1972 Chevrolet wrecker — preserved just as it was on its last day of use. The crew even left the work gloves in it. A parts list from 1949 — a walk down memory lane from the dealership's earliest years. The Shell pump many area residents remember from its working days at the dealership. 1980s ad posters and working dealership pieces — the tools and signage that served thousands of customers before everything went computerized. A 1990s-era exhibit and the brands that started it all back in 1946. Every piece has a story, and most of them have a Sibley County connection. If a display sparks a memory, you're in good company — that's exactly what the Heritage Center is for. 80 Years, Three Generations What started in 1946 as a small, hometown Chevrolet dealership is now a third-generation, family-owned store serving drivers from Arlington, Gaylord, Glencoe, New Ulm, Waconia, Belle Plaine, Le Sueur, and the Twin Cities. Through all of it, the approach hasn't changed: low-pressure sales, real conversations, and helping customers make decisions that fit their lives. Today, Brau Motors is a full-service dealership under one roof — new and used vehicles, a GM-certified service center with ASE Certified mechanics, parts, and collision repair. But ask anyone who's been around a while and they'll tell you the real constant is the people: owners who are hands-on in every part of the business, and a team that treats customers like neighbors — because they are. Giving back has always been part of the Brau DNA. From sponsoring community events and fundraisers across Sibley County to showing up for the moments that matter to Arlington, the dealership has grown up with this town — and the 80th anniversary is a chance to say thanks in person. What's Next Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 25, 12:00 PM–3:00 PM, and bring the family to the Heritage Center. Walk memory lane, enjoy a light lunch, and help us celebrate 80 years of Brau Motors. Can't make it? The Heritage Center is always worth a visit, and the showroom is right next door. Stop by and browse the new Chevrolet lineup, schedule service, or just say hello — after 80 years, the coffee's still on and the welcome's still warm. Brau Motors — 502 W. Main St., Arlington, MN 55307 — (507) 262-4533 — braumotors.com Frequently Asked Questions When and where is Brau Motors' 80th anniversary celebration? Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM CDT at the Brau Motors Heritage Center, 502 W. Main St., Arlington, MN — on the east side of HWY 5. Do I need to RSVP or buy a ticket? No. The event is public and free — no RSVP or admission required. A light lunch will be served until it's gone. What is the Brau Motors Heritage Center? It's the dealership's own local-history exhibit, featuring classic vehicles and artifacts from decades of service — including a preserved 1972 Chevrolet wrecker, a 1949 parts list, a vintage Shell pump, 1980s ad posters, and more. How long has Brau Motors been in business? Brau Motors has been family-owned and operated in Arlington since 1946 — now in its third generation. Where is Brau Motors located? 502 W. Main St., Arlington, MN 55307. Sales: (507) 262-4533. Visit braumotors.com. What does Brau Motors sell and service? New Chevrolet trucks, cars, and SUVs, plus a wide selection of pre-owned vehicles of all makes. The service department features GM-trained, ASE Certified mechanics, along with parts and collision repair that work on almost all makes and models.