Rockin' in Nashville!

COOL SPOT made a triumphant return in Nashville.  After a long illness, that almost took his life, it was nothing short of a miracle that this bull was bucking again.  Even though he was ridden, Cool Spot bucked hard and looked strong!

I'M BACK was ridden but helped Brendon Clark to a second place finish in the average.

My bull crush, KING LOPEZ, was rank!  He tallied a 45.25 point score and put Ben Jones on the ground in 1.76 seconds.  "My" boy was outstanding!

RANGO, once again, showed why he is one of the greats!  45.75 point score and a buck-off!

SMACKDOWN was ridden by Robson Palermo for 92.5 points and the event win!  Smackdown posted a score of 45.5 points, and bucked hard.  He looked fantastic, and I think is often overlooked in the race for Bucking Bull of the Year!

Asteroid posted the high bull score of the event with 46.75 points.  He was taken to 7.17 seconds before finally bucking off Chase Outlaw.  Asteroid has logged alot of miles on the truck this year, and I think this little bull needs some rest before Las Vegas.  He is a front runner to challenge Bushwacker for Bucking Bull of the Year, and I hope Asteroid is in the best shape he can be for the Finals.

One thing that had me concerned this past weekend was the quality of the dirt.  From reports on TV, there were rain storms that prevented good, dry dirt to be brought in to the arena.  Instead, a limestone dirt was used and it was painfully obvious, from the first bull bucked, that the animals were going to have trouble with their footing.  I was hugely concerned for their health and safety.  I know I worry about things like that, maybe more than the usual fan, but I know that these bulls are worth alot of money and are important to the stock contractors who own them.  Why jeopardize them?  It was reported Saturday night that the arena crew spent "a sleepless night" trying to get other dirt brought in, and although it wasn't perfect, seemed to be better Saturday night.  Not as many bulls slipped Saturday and the 10 bulls in the Championship Round didn't seemed bothered by it at all.  I just hope and pray none of the bulls were injured!!!

There are just 5 events left before the Finals in Las Vegas.  After seeing the Championship Round, and the 10 bulls who bucked there, I really think the race in Vegas for Bucking Bull of the Year is going to be an exciting one.  Add reigning champion, Bushwacker and Buckey to the mix, and there will be an incredible pen of bulls in Las Vegas.  In Susan's perfect world, there would be 15 champions...I mean, really, how do you choose???  Bushwcker, Buckey, High Steaks, David's Dream, Asteroid, Mulligan Man, Rango, Shepherd Hills Tested, Smackdown, King Lopez, Jack Daniel's After Party, Shepherd Hills Trapper, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey, Palm Springs.......ok, you get the idea!   I look forward to some major excitement in the two rounds when the rank pen is bucked.  I will be on the edge of my seat in the Thomas & Mack Center, screaming like crazy for those bulls...I can NOT wait!





All photographs by Susan Hanrahan