An Odd Weekend in Tampa

Maybe the heat and humidity bothered some of the bulls.  Maybe it was the large number of first time bulls at a PBR event, who weren't use to the fireworks, bucking indoors and loud music.  Maybe it was something in the water...I really don't know, but it was an odd weekend in Tampa.

At first I thought the "cranky-pants, stingy" judges were just underscoring every bull.  Then it got  strange when LJ Jenkin's re-ride bull, Bad Moon, took a few steps out of the chute and laid down on the arena floor.  Just like that, down!  Then, some time later, LJ's 2nd re-ride bull, Space Chimp, is bucking and just stops.  Just like that, stops!  These are two very reliable, great bucking bulls!  Usually, when ridden, the cowboys will score big points that turns in to big dollars!  How odd!
I truly hope and pray that both of these bulls are healthy and just didn't feel like "playing" Friday night.  Craig Hummer mentioned on Sunday night's broadcast that Bad Moon was checked out and everything was ok.

Friday night, 10 Penny was blowing snot and fussing in the chute.  Chocolate Drop dumped his rider then proceeded to take some victory laps and good face time in the arena.  He had 2 ropes on him when he finally decided to leave.  (You know that makes me happy....I love to see the bulls antics in the arena!)  Saturday night Dark Shadow, Jitters, Cyber Kat, T-Rex and Cracker Jack were all outstanding.  Smart bulls with big, powerful moves.

Teague's RFD-HD was fussy in the chutes.  He took huge jumps in the arena and pulled Renato down over his front end.  RFD-HD was awarded 44 points.  Unfortunately, Renato hit his head and was knocked out.  He walked out of the arena under his own power but was looking a bit woozy.  Sure hoping he's ok! 

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey scored one of the rare 45+ point scores for the weekend.  He got an even 45 pts when he bucked off Harve Stewart in the 15/15 Bucking Battle.

Git-R-Done finally  bucked off Austin Meier in 5.93 seconds and was given 44.25 pts for his efforts.

Quiet Riot continues to be outstanding, bucking off Renato Nunes in 4.97 seconds and scoring 44.75 points!

Party All the Time helped Chase Outlaw to a second place finish in the event by producing a 89.75 point score in the Championship Round.

The 15/15 Bucking Battle was a stunning shut-out for the bulls!  One of the front runners for Bucking Bull of the Year, Asteroid, scored the weekend's highest score with 47.5 points.  Asteroid's out was one of, if not the, best out of the year.  He was incredible!  His jumps, kick and almost vertical body position was way too much for Valdiron.  I believe it would have been way too much for ANY cowboy that night!  Simply stunning!!  Once again, this pen of top bulls was spectacular, and it did not include Bushwacker, Smackdown, Buckey, King Lopez and some of the other incredible bulls on tour.  I am so excited for the Finals in Las Vegas to see which 5 bulls will fight for the title of Bucking Bull of the Year!  

So even though it was an odd weekend for some of the bulls, I still love them all and look forward to this next event to see what fa-bull-ous antics will be on display.  Because, like I always say, it's ALL about the bulls!




All photographs by Susan Hanrahan