New York! New York!

 The PBR started it's 2013 season in New York City, and what a start it was!  Madison Square Garden hosted the Bulls and Cowboys for the 7th straight year, with the promise of 2014 already made!  The Garden was sold out and record crowds cheered on the riders and bulls with an excitement I've not seen, except for the Finals in Las Vegas.  It was an awesome weekend, as I had the pleasure of attending the event Saturday night and Sunday.

The weekend started off with the PBR Posse Luncheon, at Niles NY, with bull fighter Shorty Gorham and stock contractor, Jeff Robinson and his wife, Ann.  Shorty, Jeff and Ann fielded all of our questions and were gracious in posing for photographs.

 I enjoyed the luncheon, as it was a time where we fans could ask questions and hear stories that otherwise we may never have the opportunity to hear.  Jeff explained that he takes bulls to the BFTS/PBR, Challenger and PRCA events.  I asked Jeff about any up and coming bulls, and he told me that he's excited about three new bulls that he's purchased from Donnie Gay's father.  They are mean bulls, and that is a trait from the Gay breeding program.  Jeff also shared that he has approx. 150 young bulls on his ranch that he is looking forward to bringing along.  He also has a set of bull calves out of a Chicken on a Chain daughter, sired by I'm a Gangster.  As a fan of the bulls, I am super excited to see how these bulls grow and turn out.  Two superstar parents/grandparents should provide some exciting future bucking bulls.

I asked Shorty if there were any bulls he "feared" when he knew they were bucking?  He explained that he actually likes the mean bulls because they are easier to work in the arena.  A mean bull will move on to the next target, once the cowboy is off his back, which makes it easier for the bull fighters to get the bull away and keep the cowboy out of danger.  Shorty said the "nicer" bulls have a tendency to stay around the cowboy and "play", which makes his job much harder and if there is an injury, harder to get the bull away so the cowboy can get medical attention.

One of the other interesting discussions from the luncheon was the topic of sponsorship.  Jeff explained that he has one of the best sponsorship deals going, and he and Ann are extremely thankful for the folks who sponsor their program.  Jeff estimated that the cost of feed and fuel alone is approx. $600,000 a year.  I, personally, was shocked when I heard how much money it costs to care for and move these bulls around the country.  I guess I have a new appreciation for the sponsors of the PBR.

The next stop was the Garden, and watching the bulls being unloaded.  With the Unions in NYC, security is pretty tight, and we fans could not get too close to the Garden, but it is fun to watch, none the less.  With the carriers waiting on the street to unload, I was able to get close enough to "chat" with some bulls and take some pictures.

Here's Wolf Creek Cattle's, Skatman Hou.  He's sporting his new nose ring for the first time.  His handler explained that Skatman Hou is hard to handle in the chutes so the use of a nose ring, with a rope, will protect the cowboy as well as the bull, from injury in the chute.

I was delighted to meet Wolf Creek Cattle's bull man, Reece Arnold.  Reece has been kind enough to chat with me on the phone for prior blogs, so it was very nice to meet him in person and catch up on what is happening on the Wolf Creek Ranch.

Rex Meier, the driver and bull handler for Wolf Creek, carefully begins the back up to Madison Square Garden.  I always find it interesting to see the cowboys and bull carriers on the streets of New York, being dwarfed by the skyscrapers, especially the Empire State Building.

Mr. Slim, one of the clones, was extremely calm in the truck, despite people walking by and looking in.  What really disturbed me was the number of people who thought it was a good idea to put their hands in and try to touch the bulls!  Bull safety is my priority, stupid people....not so much!

Once inside the Garden, my first order of business is to check in with the bulls.  The bulls are loaded about five hours before the event starts.  Most are calm in the back pens, some even napping!

This bull was just asking for some back scratches!

Once the event gets underway, my favorite part is the bulls enjoying their time in the spotlight.  Here, Jailhouse Rock enjoys a few laps around the arena before exiting. He bucked off Cody Johnson and was scored a respectable 43.25 pts (out of 50).

Jory Markiss' bull, Apache Warrior, did not perform well bucking, but put on quite a show and gave safety man, James DeBord fits and ultimately had to be dragged out of the arena.

Johnny Walker Spot has his sights set on bull fighter Frank Newsome after being ridden by Chase Outlaw.  This bull is notorious for being difficult....a little extra snotitude, this one has!

Caleb Sanderson rides Contraband to just shy of 8 seconds.  Nor score for Caleb, 41 points for Contraband.

Kody Lostroh rides Million Dollar Man for 85.5 points.  A good out for both cowboy and bull!

Gotta love a bull named "Frankenstein"!  He scored 42 pts in his buck-off of Markus Mariluch.

K Bar C's Alternator bucked off Luke Snyder.  Alternator looked great and even took a few victory laps!

Pennsylvania's Pride enjoyed his time in the arena, but not with Austin Meier on his back.  Unfortunately, PA's Pride was all over the place and never settled in to a spin, so Austin got a reride.

Back at the Garden on Sunday, my first order of duty was to check in with the bulls.  This big boy was relaxed and just waiting on his turn to buck.

From my seat on Sunday, I was able to see right in to the back pens.  Of course this meant I spent more time watching the bulls and less time watching the rides.  I noticed this handsome boy had his horn cut down flush to his head.  Hopefully, in time, the horn will start to grow back.

I do enjoy watching the bulls being handled in the back pens.  The maze of pens and gates, and how careful the guys who work the back pens have to be.  Some of the bulls are very cooperative and go where they are supposed to.  Others, let's just say, make the handlers job quite interesting!

Was thrilled to see my bull crush, King Lopez, in a pen right by my seat.  But look at that face!!  The handsome King spent most of his weekend in the dirt.  And from what his owner told me, once he got home, the mud puddle was next!  Next time we see King Lopez, he may be a brown bull!  :)

Larry the Cable Guy's Git R Done was ridden, but still felt the need for a victory lap or two.  He does enjoy his time in the arena and almost always winds up with a lasso around his neck.

South Paw was outstanding in his buck off of Luke Snyder.  South Paw was awarded a 45 point bull score for his efforts.

So, once the event was over, the confetti flew and Robson Palermo was the event winner.  Madison Square Garden hosted a great party to kick off the 2013 PBR season!

One last stop to say good-bye to the bulls.  This is always the most difficult part of the weekend for me.  I hate to see it end so quickly and it will be some time before the big boys come around here again.

Thanks to the PBR for bringing the big show to NYC!  It was a fa-BULL-ous weekend!!







Photographs property of Susan Hanrahan