OK Bulls - Large and in charge!

This past weekend, the back parking lot of the Winstar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma was transformed in to a bull riding arena, and the PBR presented it's only outdoor event of the year.  It was hot!  The temperature reached upwards of 105+ degrees during the day, and by event time the temperature only dropped in to the mid-90's!  But that's not the only thing that was hot...the bulls scorched the cowboys on night one, and the cowboys only did marginally better on night two.  Last weekend in OK, the bulls were large and in charge!

My view on Friday evening in Thackerville.  I was most interested to see how the arena was set up and the event put on in a parking lot.  It was fantastic!  There were all sorts of food vendors, games and clothing booths set up around the arena.  Too bad it was so hot...I couldn't even eat the funnel cake!!

First order of duty was checking in with the bulls.  From what I understood, the bulls were housed in Ardmore and kept in shaded pens until event time, due to the heat.  Friday night was an ABBI Classic event, and the young bulls were fantastic!  Only 8 rides were allowed.  Pictured here is TRAIN ROBBER from George Goins and Mike White.  Train Robber didn't have his best night but he sure is a cutie!

Renato Nunes posted the first score riding BIG ROCK STAR, from Davis/Daw, for 87.5 points.

Valdiron de Oliveira had his hands full with I-M 908 from Austin Manley and Kent Cox.  Valdiron made the 8 second whistle but was called for a slap at under 2 seconds.  This bull was rank!

Billy Robinson was sick with the flu and had a tough weekend. Here, RIMFIRE bucked him off quickly, complete with snotitude!

Brant Atwood placed second in Round 1 riding TRAMPAS for 87.75 points.  Trampas, who belongs to Folds/Strickland/K-C/Spark-Lin Acres, scored 43.5 points.

Lachlan Richardson did not survive this initial steep kick out of the chute.  UNDER PAR was awarded 42 points.  Beautiful bull!

DIAMONDBACK took Guilherme Marchi on a wild ride for 84 points.  Marchi looked like he was in some pain once the ride was over.

JB Mauney put on a bull riding clinic this weekend.  He and CUJO teamed up for 87.25 points.  JB rode all three of his bulls and won the Thackerville event.  Hope he continues this dominance all the way to Las Vegas.

Joao Ricardo Vieira had a rough night one. EMERGENCY slipped, fell and landed on his side.  Thankfully, the bull hopped up and ran around the arena.  Joao received a reride.

The Bonus Bull went to Guilherme Marchi, along with a big, fat zero!  SHEPHERD HILLS TESTED was rank and effortlessly dumped Marchi to the ground. Tested was scored 45.25 points.

Night 2 was again blazing hot.  After the opening introductions and national anthem, the smoking hot bulls continued their domination!

Brendon Clark left the chute backwards aboard BRAIN DAMAGE from Boyd & Floyd.  Clark rode the bull for 84 points.

Douglas Duncan had his hands full with MACHINE GUN from 50/50 Bucking Bulls/Corder. 

MACHINE GUN bucked Duncan off and proceeded to run the arena, enjoying his time in the spotlight.  He received 45.5 points and an escorted exit!

Cody Nance tied for 2/4 place on Saturday with an 87 point ride on Wolf Creek Cattle Co's LITTLE STICK

BIRDMAN from Martinez Bucking Bulls got Luke Snyder off early and in a dangerous location.  Thankfully, Luke got away cleanly and Birdman was awarded 42 points.

                 Marco Eguchi rode CROOKED MILE for 82.5 points and tied for 13/14 place.  

In the Championship Round, Mike Lee was left with MICK E MOUSE from Marlene Henry.  Mick E Mouse had an outstanding trip and was scored 45.25 points.  Mick E also displayed some snotitude after the ride charging Mike and the bull fighters!

ASTEROID was spectacular!  He received the High Marked Bull award with his 46.75 point score.  I must give credit to Brant Atwood, for stepping up and picking Asteroid. 

BUSHWACKER was also spectacular in his buck off of Chase Outlaw.  However, the judges scored Bushwacker low at 45.25 points.  I had to throw the "Bulls#$t flag" on this one, and the judge seated directly in front of me heard my displeasure!  Even arena announcer Brandon Bates was surprised at the low score. 

Sadly, the only look I had at Circle T Ranch and Rodeo's JACK DANIEL'S TENNESSEE HONEY was in the back pen, after the event.  Another great bull wasted on the chance that more than 10 riders would make the Championship Round.  I hope this rule is changed next year, and these bulls are not hauled for nothing!

D&H Cattle Co's JUNGLE CAT is loaded on to the truck after the event.  Jungle Cat had a great out earlier in Round 2 scoring 44.25 points.  Watching the bulls get loaded and driven away is the worst part of the event.  I just love these big boys and won't see them again until the World Finals in Las Vegas, in October.

A few bulls from the event that are not pictured, but deserve a mention are MODIFIED CLYDE from Flying S Bucking Bulls 44.25 points; LITTLE ANDY, from Leflore/D&H Cattle/Flinn, who bucked off Doug Duncan night 1, for 44 points; ROY from Julio Moreno 44.25 points; and STONE SOBER, from D&H Cattle, who absolutely leveled Silvano Alves, scoring 44.25 points.  In the Championship Round Saturday night, SHEPHERD HILLS TESTED went out again and he scored 45 points bucking off Cody Nance.  Jeff Robinson's MEAT HOOK had an awesome out for 45.25 points, bucking off Marco Eguchi.  Overall, there was an outstanding pen of bulls in Thackerville.  What a treat to see these amazing bovine athletes up close and personal.

I had so much fun at this unique event, despite the heat.  I must congratulate the PBR and Winstar World Casino for putting on such a great event! And, it was announced at the end of evening, that the PBR will return to Thackerville, Labor Day weekend 2014.  Let's hope for cooler temperatures for next year.





Photographs property of, and by Susan Hanrahan