T-Rex, Asteroid and Clones - OH MY!

Jeff Robinson's Clones made an appearance Sunday.  Can you tell which one this is?

Enjoyed watching some good bull riding from Des Moines, Iowa this past weekend.  But I must confess my mind is on the upcoming event here in Connecticut, The Mohegan Sun Invitational.  Three glorious days of all things snotty!    If you are in the area, be sure to go to this fun event!  Ok, focus! Susan, focus!

Round 1 in Des Moines produced 16  qualified rides, and some spectacular buck-offs!  Upgrade and Booger Red were two bulls who really impressed.  Upgrade launched his rider off in just 1.62 seconds, and Booger Red came out with a big jump, backed up and jumped out big a second time to get his cowboy off in 4.69 seconds.  I just sat there saying WOW!  Phe Phe’s Secret also launched his rider and grounded him in 2.23 seconds, In my humble opinion, he was one of the better bulls of the entire round.  The judges awarded him a 44 point score.

Stoltzfus Cattle Company had two bulls out in round 1 out of Locomotive Breath, “Loco’s Big Guns” and “Snortin’ Loco”.  Just had to mention them...absolutely loved the names! 

The short round Saturday night produced only 1 ride.  The bulls were great!  Grey Ghost, Gray Squirrel, Josey Wales and Great White all produced a score of 44.50 to 44.75 points in their buck offs.  T-Rex grounded his rider in 5.28 seconds, in an unusual trip but a great buck off none the less.  Robson Palermo had the only qualified ride on Sam T. Straight, and it was an outstanding ride because the bull had huge jumps, with all 4 of his legs off the ground.

Chad Berger's Yellow Jacket Jr.

Round 3 on Sunday only recorded 12 qualified rides.  Lots of great bulls showing their snotitude!  (But evidently, snotitude doesn’t get a score!)  During the broadcast on both the Live Event Center on PBR.com and the TV, I witnessed bull scores of 12, 14, 15.5, 16, 18 and 19.  In my usual sarcastic manner, I sat screaming, “REALLY!?!?!?”  Just don’t get it!  One of those bulls was Yellow Jacket Jr, who is a great bull but takes 3 long jumps in to the arena before he spins.  Unfortunately for him, the rider fell off, so the jumping was all the judges had to score.  :(  JD had the honor of receiving both the 12 and 14!  And his rider still couldn’t stay on for 8 seconds.  I think we need to give some props to these bulls who are scored poorly but still tally a buck off!  Love them anyway!!

Chad Berger's superstar, Smackdown

The Championship Round was exciting! Great bulls on display!  One of which was Smackdown, twice.  Smackdown exploded out of the chute and was going to spin right in the chute but he fouled and his rider was given a reride.  They decided to run Smackdown through again.  Smackdown has bucked off 8 of 9 riders this year.  I’m not sure I would have wanted him again!  He gets stronger as the ride goes on and the front & back end whip gets stronger.  Just ask Chase Outlaw....he got to experience it, twice!  Smackdown posted a too low 45.75 points - He was outstanding!!!

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey

Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey lead off the round with a 2.43 second buck off, posting a 45.25 point score.  Southern Wine, After Party and Party All the Time (I see a theme!) all rocked with 44 point scores or better!  Shepherd Hills Trapper continued to impress with a 2.17 second buck off and a 44.50 point score.

Shepherd Hill's Trapper

Then there was Asteroid!  WOW!  WOW! WOW!  47.25 point score in a dominant showing.  The rider touched at 1.99 seconds so the ride was over at that point, but Asteroid decided it’s his show, and we all are just spectators!  His completely vertical kick made me wonder how he didn’t flip over his front end.  Spectacular doesn’t seem to describe it!  If you've not seen it, or wish to watch it again, check out this link from the PBR website.  http://www.pbr.com/en/media/videos/2012/4/asteroid-tosses-stomy-wing.aspx

On a serious and very touching note, Des Moines was the first event in which bulls were bucked again from Lufkin Ranch and Rodeo.  Approx. five weeks ago, David Weisner was hauling these bulls to Glendale, Arizona and was involved in a horrific accident.  David lost his life, but protected the bulls to the end.  Overdraft, Raven’s Mistake, David’s Dream, Backdraft and Geronimo were all bucked this past weekend and looked great considering what they’d been through.  David’s Dream (formerly Black Widow) now carries David Weisner’s name in tribute.  Many thanks go out to the Vets and people who cared for these magnificent creatures over the past weeks.  Prayers go up for David’s family and the Lufkin Ranch and Rodeo family.

Emotional, powerful and dramatic.  The big boys did not disappoint in Des Moines!  Now, let’s all hope I don’t burst with excitement before the bulls get here to CT, or you can just call ME snortin’ loco!





All photographs by Susan Hanrahan