GOOD COPP.....HOU

Copp Hou  Photo courtesy of Tracy Copp

 Lightning C Cattle’s Copp Hou first grabbed my attention in 2009 when Kody Lostroh rode him at the PBR World Finals for 91 points, en route to becoming the 2009 World Champion.  That was one scored ride of only six that Copp Hou allowed out of 30 attempts, an 80% buck off rate!  Three times Copp Hou was scored 45 points or better, out of a possible 50 points.  Last year at the PBR World Finals Copp Hou bucked off Ryan Dirteater in Round 2, being scored 44.75 points.  In Round 5, Copp Hou bucked off then reigning World Champion Renato Nunes, being scored 44 points.  An impressive way to cap a career.

Copp Hou leaves Ryan Dirteater in the dust!

Renato Nunes attempting to ride Copp Hou

Copp Hou has other ideas!  No petting the bull, Renato!

  I noticed that we’d not seen Copp Hou so far in 2012, so I decided to find out what is going on in the life of this star bucking bull.  Copp Hou’s owners, Jerry & Tracy Copp, were kind enough to take some time and tell me about their very special bull.

     Sired by Houdini, Grand-sire being White Sports Coat, Copp Hou is six years old. “His mother came from our original cows purchased from Newman Breeding in Montana.  He’s very people-friendly.  Our grandkids have fed him since his yearling days.  His name came because [he’s] out of Houdini and a Copp cow.  Jerry doesn’t put a name on them ‘til they show something special, and he just got famous too quick.”

Relaxing at home.  Photo courtesy of Tracy Copp.

    Tracy mentioned to me that they could have sold Copp Hou several times but didn’t.  I asked what makes him so special?  “As a 2 year old [he was] ABBI Futurity Champion.  As a 3 year old [he] won the ABBI Wild Card, and as a 4 year old was in the top 4 Classic Bulls year end.  Then as a 5 year old, a PBR Finals bull.  Our breeding program has worked for 15 years to produce this excellent all-around bull.  He was born and raised at our place.  He has always been low maintenance and gives 110%.”

     I asked about Copp Hou’s life on the Lightning C Cattle ranch and how he gets along with their other bulls?  Tracy explains, “[Copp Hou is] pretty low maintenance.  [He gets along] great, just stands his ground when necessary.”

     I was curious about eating and traveling habits.  “[Copp Hou always traveled] great, never had to do anything special with him.  His Futurity buddy through 2010 PBR’s was 61 Wine Hu that was owned by our daughter and son in law (they have since sold him).  Depending on the event, he was compatible to be either [penned alone or with other bulls].  He continues to be fed individually, as if still on the road.  [Copp Hou gets a] 14% 4-way commodity mix plus Two Bull Vitamins.  No treats to speak of.”

     Tracy continues, “we feel his future is in breeding.  He doesn’t need to continue the haul and bucking to prove himself.  Guess you could consider him retired.  His first offspring are Futurity calves this year and are showing excellent.  Looking forward to the year.  [Our] grandson is showing in youth ( he’s 7 this year) in NBBA, a Copp Hou calf. (you have to be 9 in ABBI youth).  We built a training facility that has the nickname “the barn that Copp Hou built”.  We built [it] to train bulls and hold events to further the industry.  We feel he has given our family so much that he has earned his spot.  He is our claim to fame!”

"The barn that Copp Hou built."  Photo courtesy of Tracy Copp.

   Tracy summed it up this way, “you know the short version is he never required a whole lot but has given us so much.  Thanks for letting us tell his story.” 

     Thank you so much to Tracy & Jerry Copp for sharing about their very special bull.  It was an honor to learn more about this great bovine and how much joy he has brought the Copp Family, and all of us bull-loving fans!



Finals photographs by Susan Hanrahan