Cowboys for Kids

On Saturday December 15, 2012 Let R Buck Bull Riding School and Beast of the Northeast Tour presented "Cowboys for Kids", a charity bull riding event to help support Berkshire County Kids' Place & Violence Prevention Center, Inc.  The event also took on another meaning as just 24 hours before the tragic events unfolded in Newtown, CT which took the lives of 20 precious children and 6 adults.  As we came together, prayers were said for the victims and families of this horrific tragedy.

An amazing amount of work went in to the preparation of the Aspinwall Equestrian Center to make it bovine ready!  Many thanks to JW Gowan, Cindi Cappabianca and the whole crew who worked to the wee hours of the morning.  They did a great job!

It was a beautiful day, even though it was cold, and Hilltown Country Smokehouse was on hand to provide some great BBQ for the cowboys and fans.

The Equestrian Center slowly being converted to a bull riding arena.  New dirt was laid down, all the gates, chutes and fencing had to be hauled to the location, lights added, DJ booth set up and even a disco ball for ambiance!

The Spook (l) and Iron Man had a good view of the arena set up.  I spent quite a lot of time with my bulls.  I even got to give Spook a nice back rub, after his pre-event snack!

The Cowboys pitched in to help set up the arena and hang the terrific sponsor's banners.  Without the help of these sponsor's this event would have never happened.  A huge THANK YOU to the many people who supported this charity event!

Matt Schock of 3 S Bucking Bulls made the trip to Lenox, Ma from Pennsylvania.  I had to immediately run to greet the visiting bulls and make their aquaintance.

Here Matt backs his trailer in to the arena, to unload his bulls.  I was amazed at how effortlessly it seemed Matt backed that trailer in to a tight space. 

Does this face remind you of anyone?  Meet 147 Fat Mans Jacket, son of Yellow Jacket.  This is a BIG bull!  I asked Matt what on earth he feeds Fat Mans Jacket and responded by saying "this bull gets this big on dirt and air!"  There were moments he really reminded me of Little Yellow Jacket!

It all came together!  The bleachers were set up, crowd filling them up, lots of toys donated for children in need, and our Flag Riders, Cindi Cappabianca (l) on Breeze and Sherri Haddad on Squirrel ready for the introductions.

The introductions were made, the National Anthem sung and now it is time to start the show.  The Spook is loaded and flank strap tied on.  The Spook was the first bull to buck and he looked great as he bucked off his rider before the 8 second whistle!

I got to stay behind the chutes with my bulls, so I could give them a "pep talk" and watch them in the pens.  But it also provided some great close up views of what goes on in the chute as the cowboys prepare to ride.

Snot Zombie was 2-0 against the cowboys.  He's just coming 3 in the spring of next year so I was real pleased with his performance.  He still has some growing to do and I'm sure he will gain weight as he grows.  I look for him to be a rank bull as he matures!

Vlad the Impaler was the only one of my bulls ridden.  But it was after the ride that the fun began!  Vlad decided he wanted some time out in the arena and he gave the crew and the bull fighters fits!  Here he stopped and posed nice for me, but it wasn't until all of his buddies were sent out in to the arena, that he finally decided to leave!

Each ride is a learning experience for the cowboys, and the bulls.  Here, JW Gowan instructs on the importance of tying the rope and getting out of the chute quickly.

The gate man (in red vest) was none other than my husband Paul.  For only his second time in the arena, he did an awesome job!  However, there were a few tight and scary moments!  I'm thankful that he handled himself well and came out of this in one piece!

Well, hello there handsome! Up close and personnel with the bulls loaded in the chutes!

The Spook (r) was curious when Matt's bulls were put in the pen next to him.  I was impressed at how well the bulls behaved considering there were many new faces, and smells.  

It was an awesome event and the bulls great.  I must confess I just stood and admired my boys after it was all over.  I was such a proud Momma! :)

 At the end of the day, there were two qualified rides.  Two more 8 second rides occurred but were DQ'd due to a slap.  Cowboy Joel Molina won the event with an 84.5 point score.  The other cowboy to ride was Ben Havill with a 78.5 point score.  All of the cowboys gave tremendous effort, as did the bulls.

Thanks to all who made this a successful event.  Looking forward to 2013 and the next show.





All photographs by Susan Hanrahan