Wicked in Winston-Salem

2-Time World Champion Bucking Bull, BONES

The big boys were rockin' in Winston-Salem, North Carolina last weekend! The year's first 15/15 Bucking Battle produced only 2 rides and the Built Ford Tough Championship round only produced 3 rides.  The rank pen is breath-taking and continues to dominate the cowboys.  But then I always knew, the bulls are the real stars of the show!

I watched both nights of the event on the PBR Posse's Live Event Center because I enjoy hearing the in-arena announcers and the antics of entertainer, Flint Rasmussen.  I was beyond delighted both nights to see the introduction of North Carolina native, Bones, the 2-time World Champion Bucking Bull from Tom Teague.  Bones looked great as he pranced in the arena!   Bones was one of my three original "bull crushes" so every chance I get to see this amazing creature delights me!

2012 World Champion Bucking Bull, ASTEROID

The reigning World Champion bull, Asteroid, made his 2013 debut in the 15/15 Bucking Battle Friday night.  Asteroid bucked off Guilherme Marchi and was scored 46 points, out of a possible 50.

Circle T Ranch's SHEPHERD HILLS TRAPPER

Two bulls that just blew me away Friday night, in the 15/15, were Circle T Ranch's Shepherd Hills Trapper and David's Dream.  Both of these bulls live in Asteroid's shadow but they each made a powerful statement in bucking off cowboys with BIG moves, cuts, kicks and belly rolls!  David's Dream just leveled Austin Meier, who is a strong cowboy.  David's Dream was scored 45.25 points.  Two "rides" later, Shepherd Hills Trapper took it to the reigning World Champion Silvano Alves, just leveling him and leaving Silvano thinking "what in the world just happened"!?!  Trapper was awarded 45.25 points, which was a bit low I thought.  Outstanding bulls from Circle T Ranch!

Jeff Robinson's Lightmaker's RANGO

Forgive me for a moment as I complain about Sponsor names on the bulls.  Lightmaker's Rango is Rango.  That's how we fans know this bull.  I totally understand the importance of sponsorship dollars and everyone wants their name out there, but as a fan of the bulls, I want to know who the bull is and not have to research to find out who he used to be!  At least Rango was kept in the name, but what I really hate is this..."New Holland Powerstar".  Any guesses as to who this is?  That's my point.  New Holland Powerstar's Quiet Riot would be much better!  Please, please, please stop changing bulls names!  Ugh!

Ok, now that that's overwith, Rango was outstanding this past weekend!  In the 15/15 he bucked off hometown favorite JB Mauney for a score of 45 points.  Rango went out again in the Championship Round and sent Doug Duncan flying to the dirt and Rango was awarded high bull score of the event with a 46.5 score.  Rango is a great bull, and should be talked about in the rarified air of bucking bull greats Asteroid, Bushwacker, Smackdown and Buckey.

New bulls, Johnny Rocker and Western Hauler, made their debut for Jeff Robinson this weekend.  Both bulls were impressive scoring 43.75 and 44 points, respectively.  Jeff has two new rank bulls in his pen and I look forward to seeing these two again.  Teflon Tom, from Tom Teague, who is a son of the great I'm a Gangster, was impressive again this weekend.  He bucked off Billy Robinson in the 15/15.  Palm Springs entered the weekend unridden, but was conquered Saturday night by Jory Markiss, for a score of 89.75 points.  Meat Hook, Shamoun and Delco were also impressive in their buck-offs!

As always, the bulls delight, excite and mesmerize me.  These powerful, athletic and magnificent creatures take my breath away with their in-arena moves.  Looking forward to Oklahoma City this coming weekend and the 2013 debut of the great 2011 World Champion bull, Bushwacker!  Bring on the bulls!





All photographs by Susan Hanrahan