Tough in Tacoma

The bovines invaded the Pacific Northwest last weekend, and had the Tacoma Dome rocking!  This event was filled with bulls we don't see as often, just because of their location.  One bull in particular had a big weekend, celebrating the 116th out of his career.  CHARLIE BULLWARE, owned by Julio Moreno and Jan & Charlie Chadwick, has been bucking since 2006.  Charlie has an 87% buck-off percentage and has only been ridden 15 times in 116 attempts.  Charlie will celebrate his 10th birthday this year, and is proof that great care and great breeding = longevity!

CHARLIE BULLWARE is known for his dislike of people close to his pen and for being scratched.  I guess I was too close last year in Las Vegas when he tried to hook me!  Charlie is the perfect example of snotitude!

Another milestone was that Tacoma was the 99th straight event for Jeff Robinson, who hauled 22 bulls to this event.  Based out of North Carolina, Jeff keeps a pen of bulls in Colorado, so he can be present at west coast events too.  JW Hart was given a tour of Jeff's bull hauler for the Pure PBR telecast.  JW went up the ramp to the top tier of the truck and showed us viewers how the bulls travel.  He unlatched the gate and JOHNNY ROCKER and WESTERN HAULER, who travel together, exited the truck.  In the front of the truck, MEAT HOOK had his own private space.  JW mentioned that bulls in the running for Bucking Bull of the Year usually get a little extra space and special treatment!

Jeff's superstar bulls NEW HOLLAND POWERSTAR (43 pts), RANGO (44.75 pts), MEAT HOOK (45 pts) and RMEF BUGLE II (43.25 pts) were outstanding in the Championship Round, all unridden.  In Round 2, STUBBY absolutely slammed LJ Jenkins in to the chutes as a parting gift, and WESTERN HAULER logged his 23rd straight buck-off.  One of the clones, MR. SLIM recorded his 40th out, with a buck off of Agnaldo Cardoza.

A few random thoughts from the weekend's event: 
> The Tacoma Dome is a bigger arena, and the bulls had a tendancy to get lost.  Many of them jumped further out in to the arena than they normally would, and that resulted in some lower bull scores.  :(
> Bull Fighter Shorty Gorham noted that the dirt in the arena was the best dirt of the year so far.  He complimented the crew on their good work in preparing the dirt for the bulls.
> JW Hart talked with Jeff Robinson about the way PBR Stock Contractors get paid.  Jeff explained that the contractors are paid per out, if the bull performs.  No money if the bull gets a reride.  Championship Round outs are worth more money for the contractors.
> PBR Director of Livestock, Cody Lambert said that Saturday night contained the "best" pen of bulls ever assembled in the Pacific Northwest.
> There was some discussion about bull breeds.  JW explained that the "Plummer" breeds go back to the 1950's.  They are typically the white bulls with black spots.  The big Angus/Brahma cross bulls are the red bulls found out in the Northwest.
> JW's favorite bull to ride was LOCOMOTIVE BREATH and his least favorite bull was PANDORA'S BOX.
>  JW talked with Cindy Gilbert of Diamond G Rodeo Inc.  Cindy is the 1st female stock contractor/flankman in the PBR.  She and her husband have been raising bulls for 20+ years, and are very passionate about the sport and their bulls, who are known for being mean!  Their superstar bull, WHITE MAGIC, retired in 2011.  This weekend in Tacoma, 3 of White Magic's sons bucked in the PBR.
> Just my opinion, but I really enjoyed hearing from Cindy Gilbert.  I wish all of the stock contractors were given some air-time, and commended for their hard work!

KING OF HEARTS from Corey & Horst/Flying Diamond bucked off Ryan Dirteater in the Championship Round.  This handsome bull has a 84.78% buck off rate, and has only been ridden 14 times in 92 attempts.

Great to see Wentz Bucking Bull's BUCKEY in the Championship Round too.  He sent Emilio Resende flying and was awarded 44.25 points.

The west coast events are difficult with a 3 hour time difference for this east coast gal.  I was only able to catch Sunday's round on TV.....but it provided some great buck-offs and exciting bull performances.  I'm already looking forward to Fresno, CA event, just because I'm feeling a bit "bull-starved"!  Can't wait to see what the big, beautiful bovines have in store for us next weekend!



Photographs by Susan Hanrahan