Top Hand Bull Riding Event

THE SPOOK and his buddies from Seven's Pro Bucking Bulls/Hanrahan arrive at Lone Oak Campground, site of "Let R Buck's Top Hand Bull Riding Event".  The bulls were fussy, feisty and full of snotitude upon arrival!

 On Friday, June 7th, the remnants of Tropical Storm Andrea dumped 4 inches of rain on Connecticut, and completely halted the preparation and set up for the Top Hand Bull Riding Event.  Thankfully, by Saturday morning, the rain stopped and the crew was able to finish arena set up.  The bull trailers had a bit of trouble getting up to the pens because of muddy fields, and the arena dirt was a mess.  I wasn't sure if we were going to have bull riding or mud wrestling...or maybe a little of both!

Bullfighter, Chris Poletti, oversees the mid-morning snack for my bulls, (l to r) VLAD, SNOT JAMMER and SNOT ZOMBIE.

As cowboys readied their ropes, bulls were loaded, and the crowd settled in, everyone was expecting a wild time...and that's exactly what they got! 

Cowboy Bryan works the rosin in to his rope.  Bulls, THE SPOOK and SNOT JAMMER, hung out in the back pens.  Ominous clouds hung low in the sky but thankfully no more rain.

 After the introductions and national anthem, the bull riding got underway.  Hostetter Bucking Bulls from Annville, PA. hauled a set of big and mean bulls to the event.  These bulls were completely unknown to the cowboys and bull fighters.  Unfortunately, the bulls handed several riders injuries!

Cowboy Ray heads out on ROAD RAGE.  Ray did not get a qualified ride but he did walk out of the arena after a very scary buck off.

Hostetter Bucking Bull's ROAD RAGE

Cowboy Ben makes a good attempt on WHO DONE IT.  This bull looked a bit like my SPOOK with the black eyes, nose and turned down horns.

Cowboy Bradley on MEGATRON.  These Hostetter bulls were a handful, as even experienced riders like Bradley and Ben had trouble on them.

Cowboy Adam coming off of ROAD RAGE.  This bull was a big boy with a beautiful brindle hide, but boy, was he mean!

Cowgirl Amanda had an awesome 8 second ride on BLACK MAMBA, only to get DQ'd due to a slap just before 8 seconds.  It was a great ride, and everyone was disappointed for Amanda!

The one and only qualified ride was by the event winner, Tyler Szym, on PAPARAZZI for 72 points.  Tyler received the Top Hand champion buckle!

 The second show on Saturday, and the show on Sunday consisted of students at the Let R Buck bull riding school, and bulls from Seven's Pro Bucking Bulls/Hanrahan, stock contractors.

On this attempt, Cowgirl Amanda flew 1st Class aboard Vladimir Airlines!  The accommodations were not good for Amanda and she was thrown off the flight!

Handsome boy, SNOT JAMMER, taking a lap after being ridden. 

Everything a bull rider needs: his vest, rope, boots, gear bag, and of course, bulls!

Experienced and visiting cowboy "Homey" took SNOT JAMMER the full 8 seconds on Sunday.

Cowboy Blue gives it a go on BUCKSNOT. Blue was a first time student and did a great job of riding and getting off without injury!  Hope to have him back at school soon.

The first trip for THE SPOOK on Sunday and he easily sent this visiting cowboy to the ground.  No disrespect to the rider, but I was seriously cheering for my SPOOK!

Cowgirl Hannah taking a turn aboard SNOT ZOMBIE.  Zombie has been bucking great and he won this match-up sending Hannah off with a dislocated shoulder.  Heal up quick, cowgirl!

The visiting cowboy was hoping for a better result on THE SPOOK the second trip.  But, with me again cheering for my SPOOK, the bull sent the cowboy to the dirt early!

VLAD THE IMPALER was giving the cowboys and arena crew fits this weekend.  VLAD was very fussy in the chutes, rearing up several times.  JW changed deliveries hoping that Vlad would not act up, but that was unsuccessful.  Finally cowboy "Homey" was able to get out on Vlad, and the bull won the match-up!

Cowboy Nate attempts a ride on the newest member of the Let R Buck bull pen, PAPARAZZI.  This is a young bull, who felt laying down in the chutes was his best way to avoid bucking, was difficult to ride.  Nate tried his best and came close to 8 seconds.

In the end, the other great attempts were by Amanda on Black Mamba (8 seconds but DQ'd for a slap), Bryan G. went 6.03 seconds on Interstate 78, and Hannah rode for 6.53 seconds on 104.  Cowgirls Amanda and Hannah, and Cowboys Adam, Andy, Ben, Bradley, Brandon, Bryan G., Bryan C., Michael, Nate, Ray and Tyler, gave it their all and helped make this event an awesome time for the fans!  Everyone worked hard and their efforts were greatly appreciated by the crowd.  I'd especially like to thank JW Gowan, Cindi Cappabianca and the crew for their long days of preparation, and great care of the bulls at Let R Buck!  Already looking forward to the next event and the start of the East Coast Bull Riding Association!




All photographs by Susan Hanrahan