A Visit to Three S Bucking Bulls

On 42 acres of land, in southern Pennsylvania, Matt Schock enjoys his hobby (as his wife Jessica calls it)...bucking bulls and cattle.  When Matt was a kid, his Dad rodeo'd.  Matt has been in the contracting business for 8 years now but before that, Matt was a bull rider for 13 years.  He was a semi-pro competing along the east coast and even in a few Touring Pro events.  In 2003, he was the UBR (United Bull Riders) Rookie of the Year.  Matt admits he could have worked harder during his career.  But, it seemed to me, in talking with him on the phone, that his real passion is for cattle and putting together a solid pen of bulls to haul to bull riding events.  He doesn't have a huge herd, but he believes he has the best.....quality, not quantity!

A week ago, I was able to visit Matt and "meet" his herd...bulls from 1 week old to 7+ years old.  It was a treat to see these boys at their home, and also enjoy the antics of these stubborn and comical creatures.

Matt's property is next to his Dad's farm, so the bulls have lots of room to roam.  There is a hill in the back and the bulls live up on the hill, and have a wooded area for shade and protection.

This is JERK BAIT, a 3 year old belonging to Matt's Dad.  Jerk Bait is the son of Copenhagen Black Powder Skoal and a Rooster grandson.  Matt tried to coax the bulls off the hill when I arrived.  They seemed to know that something was up...they usually don't get fed in the afternoon...so being their smart selves decided NOT to come greet the guest!

Thankfully, #68 TWO PIECE came down for a snack and a close-up.  He is a handsome 7 year old, who actually bucked in an event last December up in Mass. with my bulls at Let R Buck.  TWO PIECE is a Hot Rod son, Vegas grandson, out of a Buck Wild Rodeo cow.

Since the bulls didn't come down the hill, Matt took me up the hill!  I must confess, even though we kept our distance, I was a bit unnerved standing there with this line-up staring at us.  I knew there was no way I could out run one, if one of them decided to charge.

Meet 777 SWEET JOHNNY, the 4 year old 1/2 brother to my bull, Snot Jammer.  I instantly fell in love with Sweet Johnny...oh the snotitude this one has!  Both he and Snot Jammer are out of Frick F77 Jam Alot and a cow out of a Rooster son.  Recently Matt bucked Sweet Johnny at the Waynesboro bull riding event and the ride was scored 87 points.  Since Matt changed deliveries on this bull, he's been bucking crazy!

This is the 2 year old YANKEE KID.  His sire is Broke in Vegas, grand sire is Chasin' Vegas and great-grand sire is Broke Back V.  I looked at this young bull and immediately thought of the great 2x World Champion, Bones.  Could this not be a young Bones?  He had a nice temperment and I was able to hand feed him grass.

These 5 precious calves are all sired by the bull I co-own with JW Gowan, SNOT JAMMER.  Two heifers and three bull calves were born from mid-March to the end of April.  The little bull calf (with the hidden face) was just a week old when I visited.  I felt like such a proud "bull-grandma"!

#1241 the black heifer is a yearling and her pen-mate is 241 Spicy Peanut, who is out of momma Juicy Peanut.  Matt currently has 4 yearlings, these two, plus two other bull calves.  Matt's friend, Brett, cares for these youngsters and gets them used to being around people.  Such big snotitude in little bodies....I guess the term "little" is relative!

Matt owns five females, who have proved to be good producing cows.  One, named "Sharp Lady" looks like a longhorn female.  She is a Page/Naccarato bred cow.  Another momma, #41, is out of a Cowboy Cash son, from Page breeding. 

I've never been around female cows who have calves, and believe me, I was shocked by the aggression and protectiveness they displayed.  Matt said, after being charged by one of the momma's, that he'd rather handle a pen full of bulls than deal with momma cows!

Matt hopes to continue to haul bulls to SEBRA (South East Bull Riding Assoc.) events this year, as well as working on a 2-day bull riding event in October.  He hopes to haul bulls to several more events as the spring and summer seasons get underway in the east.  Matt also works with "River Valley Ranch", a Christian camp for children in Maryland.  The folks at River Valley Ranch were instrumental in getting Matt involved in stock contracting, as he took over their herd and produced rodeo events for the camp. 

In closing, Matt mentioned two stock contractors, who were instrumental in getting him started in the bucking bull business and he wanted to thank them for all of the help. Scott Morton of Longbranch Rodeo, Blackstone, VA whom Matt purchased most of his breeding cows and big bulls from.  And,  Matt DeJohn of Bucking B Cattle Company in Waynesboro, PA.  Matt bought his very first cow from Bucking B.

I'd like to extend a huge thank you to Matt for taking some time out of his busy schedule to show me around the ranch, introduce me to all his bulls, and teach me a bit about owning bucking bulls and cattle.

Here's my most recent photo of SNOT JAMMER.  Since I mentioned him a few times, I decided he needed a little face time! :)

Photographs by Susan Hanrahan