The "Bull-days" of Summer!

Here it is...July... already!  "Cowboy Christmas" is in full swing with rodeo and bull riding events all over the country.  Typically, the Cowboys try to ride in as many events as possible and win as much money as possible.  Also happening now is the annual "Running of the Bulls" in Spain.  Yeah, I just don't get that but folks by the thousands want to do it or have done it....so, to each their own!  Unfortunately for me, I'm not participating in any of the events.  I'm sticking close to home and hanging out with my bulls at Let R Buck Bull Riding School here in Connecticut.

The bull riding school continues to bring in new students and I enjoy meeting them, and watching the learning process.  I am also enjoying hanging out with my bulls whenever possible.  Progress is being made in the bucking arena and in the back-scratching arena too!  I can finally report that I have petted all of my bulls...even The Spook, who has been most resistant up until last weekend.

 As the bulls continue to buck, and grow, we are seeing more of their personalities come out, and their unique style of bucking, kicking, and spinning.  We are also learning the good and not so good habits these big boys are picking up.  Hopefully, over time, we can break some of these not so good habits!

Big boy, SNOT JAMMER, waits in the back chute for his turn to buck.  He is, by far, the hardest to ride.  He uses his age, size and experience well!

(1 of 3) My partner in the bull business and bull rider himself, JW Gowan, takes a turn at getting on VLAD THE IMPALER.  This is one of the "not so good" habits I mentioned.  VLAD has taken to rearing up in the chute every time a cowboy attempts to get on.  This was the first of three times he reared up.

(2 of 3) JW called for the gate quickly, so VLAD would not continue to misbehave in the chute.  Unfortunately, JW got out of position fast and came off the side.

(3 of 3) VLAD continues to kick as JW gets pulled to the fence.  JW's attempts on VLAD (and THE SPOOK earlier) were some of his first attempts at riding these bulls after an injury has kept him from the sport he so passionately loves!

Rider Nate attempts SNOT JAMMER.  Fearless farm dog Rosin was right at Jammer's side and I worried he'd get stepped on, but a good cattle dog knows how to stay out of harms way.  Nate gave it a good try, but Jammer won the day.

On a lighter note...Rider Hannah attempting to ride JUNIOR.  Junior, evidently, had other ideas!  Maybe it was the heat, maybe it was too much snacking and scratching, but Junior just wasn't going to buck.  After Hannah got off Junior's back, he trotted over to the fence and I petted him.  Guess that was all he wanted! :)

Any guesses on who is posing for this snot shot?

Rider Bryan G. attempts to ride PAPARAZZI, the newest member of the Let R Buck herd.  Paparazzi is young, so he will not get bucked as often.  He is making himself right at home with the other bulls, and so far, everyone is getting along.  Paparazzi is already showing great form, so give him some more time to grow and several hundred pounds and I believe JW has found himself a great bucking bull.

(1 of 2) Rider Bryan C. gives SNOT ZOMBIE a try.  After some smack-talking when Bryan attempted to ride THE SPOOK, he was quieter when he attempted to ride Zombie.  In both cases, the bulls were victorious!

(2 of 2) SNOT ZOMBIE leaves Bryan C. in a cloud of dust.  Zombie decided to keep bucking and kicking...just for good measure!

Gate man, my husband Paul, had his own version of "Running with the Bulls" Sunday afternoon.

(1 of 2) Rider Adam gave it a go on BUCKSNOT.  It was a good attempt but Bucksnot bucked him off.

(2 of 2) And here is another example of the "not good habits" with BUCKSNOT staring Adam down.  If you get up right away and run, Bucksnot will leave you alone. But, if you stay on the ground too long, Bucksnot thinks it's playtime and you are his toy!

(1 of 3) Rider Nate attempts to ride VLAD THE IMPALER.  Fortunately, Vlad reared up only once, and Nate was quick to tie his rope and get out of the chute.

(2 of 3) Nate lasted a few jumps and spins, but VLAD THE IMPALER bucked him off before 8 seconds.

(3 of 3) Whoops! Gate man/hubby Paul had to so some quick thinking and faster moving to get out of VLAD's way!

Our usual comedic entertainment, compliments of BUCKSNOT.  Here he was headbutting JW's chaps.  Guess he didn't like the fringe!

VLAD THE IMPALER and THE SPOOK ended the day with a little sparring.  These two bulls were purchased together, and usually hang out together.  They've each packed on the pounds since we got them last October.  They each have a unique look and bucking style. 

I am blessed by these days at the ranch, with the bulls, and my friends at Let R Buck!  We are gearing up for filming a reality show for the Travel Channel this weekend coming, and the second 2013 event for the East Coast Bull Riding Association on July 20-21st, at Lone Oaks Campsite, East Canaan, CT.

Speaking for myself, I am sincerely enjoying the long, hot "bull-days" of summer!






All photographs by Susan Hanrahan