Berger's Bulls in Bismarck

On Friday morning last, the alarm went off at 2:45 AM, and I was up and headed to the airport.  My husband and I had the pleasure of four days in Bismarck, North Dakota, to attend the 13th annual PBR Touring Pro event sponsored by Chad Berger Bucking Bulls, Dakota Community Bank & Trust, and Cooper Tires.

Our first stop was the The Lazy YX ranch, and a visit with the bulls.  The great bull, Yellow Jacket Jr. posed for us but wouldn't come too close.  Such a gorgeous location for a ranch in Mandan, ND.

Friday, June 14th, was the first night of competition.  Naturally, this bull lover had to check in with the bulls in the back pens.

The riders were set and ready for the beasts to be loaded.  A vest, bull ropes and gloves waited to be used against the formidable pen of bulls assembled by Chad Berger.

Introductions Friday night. With the PBR's arena announcer Clint Atkins presiding over this event, I really felt like this was more of a BFTS stop than a Touring Pro event.  Excellent job done by all!

The special introductions of the opening were for the local boys, North Dakota bull riders.  I thought that was a really nice touch and gave the crowd a moment to appreciate their hometown boys!

After the Cowboys were introduced, Chad Berger's superstar bovine, SMACKDOWN, was introduced to the crowd.  The audience went nuts!  This bull is a fan favorite, for sure!

The is WIGGLE WORM, a bull owned by Joe and Nevada Berger.  Joe and Nevada's bulls went out in the first flight each night.  Their bulls were wild and unruly.  Wiggle Worm took his time in the spotlight to both thrill and scare the crowd.

Several times WIGGLE WORM went after the safety man's horse, and once got underneath it, almost lifting the hind end of the horse off the dirt.  It got to the point that we feared for the safety of horse, rider and bull.  Two ropes were used to try to get Wiggle Worm under control and the bull got tangled up.  It was many anxious minutes before the bull was out of the arena and Wiggle Worm was not bucked the second night because of his behavior.

Many bulls took their time in the arena, and it's never a good thing for Flint's hat when one is close by!  So much for the clean, brand new hat!

North Dakota cowboy Koty Brugh leaves the chute on WIPEOUT.  The bull was victorious on the evening.

Chase Outlaw comes off HIGH MOUNTAIN after riding the bull for 8 seconds and a score of 86.5 points.

Taking pictures in the arena was a real challenge for me and my little digital camera.  The lighting was not great and since our seats were further away from the chutes than I usually like, I failed to get a good number of action photos.  This picture, however, captured the handsome bull's face clearly.

The cowboys lined up for the draw Friday night.  PBR riders Chase Outlaw and Sean Willingham awaited their picks.

Cody Nance chose third in the draw and picked SMACKDOWN.  The two combined for a Short-Go winning ride of 92 points.

Overall, Friday night, there were 14 rides in the long round and 4 in the short go. Cody Campbell led after night one with a combined score of 174.5 points.

Saturday morning, the cowboys, bull fighters, Flint and event host Chad Berger gathered at the Dakota Community Bank for an autograph signing.  It was fun to see the bank transformed and filled with cowboys!  It was the perfect time to get autographs, photos and have a chance to chat with your favorite cowboy.

The biggest shock of the weekend...and maybe the entire year so far...was seeing BIG TEX in the arena Saturday night.  I almost went in to a full blown panic attack when I saw his name listed in the Championship Round.  Big Tex hasn't bucked for almost two years and this big boy, while healthy, was not exactly in bucking shape!  I have loved and adored this bull from the beginning of my fanship with the PBR.  My biggest worry was not how he would buck, but what would happen if he injured himself?

Introductions on Saturday night had the flames and fireworks roaring.  PBR stars Cody Nance, Austin Meier, Sean Willingham, Chase Outlaw, Nathan Schaper and guest, Robson Palermo, were introduced atop the chutes.

As night two of competition got underway, Cody Campbell attempted to ride FIGHTING SIOUX from Joe and Nevada Berger.  The bull won this match up!

Here, North Dakota Cowboy, David Feickert, leaves the chute on Five Star Bucking Bull's JUMANJI.  Outstanding out for the bull and David came off quickly.

Another North Dakota Cowboy and PBR star Nathan Schaper rode for 8 on THE DON.  Nathan got 77 points and a reride option as the bull just spun slowly, without kick.  Unfortunately for Nathan, he bucked off his reride bull.

 Saturday night's round produced 10 rides in the long round and 5 rides in the Championship round.  Chase Outlaw won the Championship round with a 92 point ride on PRINCE ALBERT.  Chase, along with Cody Nance and Zac Peterson went 4 for 4 on the weekend.  Chase took home the title and much coveted points for qualifying for the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas.

The Championship round was also the place for the final out of BIG TEX's career.  Ryan Prophet attempted to ride this great bull but bucked off before 8 seconds.  I let out a huge sigh of relief when Big Tex ran out of the arena, seeming no worse for wear!  I also checked with one of the handlers to make sure he seemed ok when loading on to the truck.  Now that it is all over, I can honestly say this was the scariest moment for me because I was so scared Big Tex would get hurt.  I thought Chad was crazy for bucking him after all this time!  So now, Big Tex will continue to enjoy life on the ranch and with the ladies! ;) 

One final visit to the ranch before getting on the plane home.  I so enjoyed watching CARNEY MAN digging in the dirt.

Overall, getting to see BIG TEX was the absolute highlight of the entire weekend.  On the ranch, he enjoys a good scratch and is so good-natured.  He came trotting over to me and nothing brought me more joy than to scratch him nose to tail, right side and left side.  One of my first, and always, bovine loves!

My husband and I had a terrific time in Bismarck!  It was awesome to visit with friends we'd not seen in a while too!  Many thanks to the sponsors of this great Touring Pro event, specifically Chad Berger and his family.  If you are ever able to get to this event, do it!  The crowd is large and vocal.  PBR entertainer, Flint Rasmussen, puts on an awesome show!  PBR bull fighter Frank Newsome led the bull fighting team and was fearless, as usual!  Chad assembles an awesome pen of bulls, most of whom are his.  And a great time was had by all!





Photographs by Susan Hanrahan, except for the one taken by my very patient husband, letting me love on Big Tex!  Thanks Paul!!