Springfield, MA Touring Pro Event

What a great weekend of bull riding in Springfield, Massachusetts!  Yes, that's right...Massachusetts!  The PBR's Touring Pro Division rolled in to town and bull riding fans came from all over the Northeast to see the big boys in action!

I was lucky enough to attend both nights of the event.  The Cowboys came and tried their hardest but the bull power, even at the Touring Pro level, was tough!  Friday night produced eight rides in the long round and four rides in the short go.  Saturday night, there were only seven rides in the long round and three rides in the short go.

Stock contractors Mike Miller from Pennsylvania, Sonny Williams from Maryland and Jeff Robinson from North Carolina supplied the bucking bulls for this event.

Naturally, this Bull loving gal could not wait to see the big, beautiful bovines!  The pens at the Touring Pro level are a bit smaller than a typical BFTS event.  Most of the bulls got along great, but a few times the back pen crew had to put some bulls in "time out"!

Bull fighter Lyndel Runyon relaxes before the Friday night performance.  There were only two bull fighters at this event, and they worked hard!  Lyndel and his fellow bull fighter were also called upon to crack the latch or pull the gate.  It sometimes did not put them in the best position to protect the cowboys!

The event safety man had his hands full both nights of the event!  The bulls were frisky and full of snotitude.  I must say, the safety man did an outstanding job reining in the bulls.  I think the BFTS could use him!

It was great to see riders Ryan Dirteater (l) and Skeeter Kingsolver together again.  These traveling partners have not been on the road together in a while.  I'd like to see them both back on the BFTS but selfishly, was happy to see them ride in Springfield.

When all else fails, sometimes a bull just needs a buddy to walk out with!  What I was NOT happy to see was the black bull (who bucked a few moments before) still had his flank rope on.  NOT good, back pen crew!!

Gage Gay rides BIG KAHUNA for 86.5 points.  Outstanding effort on a great bull.

Best SNOTITUDE shot of the weekend!

Jeff Robinson's LITTLE MAN TATE takes a victory lap after bucking off Jean DaSilva in the short go.

Wow! this bull went vertical... and that's Pistol Robinson on the ground!  I was not able to get the name of the bull, as championship round bulls were not listed on the day sheet I printed off my computer.  But he sure dumped Pistol quickly and let everyone know who was in charge!

Another bull from Jeff Robinson was outstanding in the championship round Friday night.

 Gage Gay was the winner Friday night.  His 86.5 point ride along with his 87.5 point ride on the great Gunpowder & Lead, in the short go, secured the win.  Jarrod Craig, who was entered twice in the event, rode 2 bulls in the championship round, 75.7 points (with reride option) and 85 points.  Ryan Dirteater also rode Friday night for 81 points to round out the short go rides.

On Saturday night, Gage Gay had a great ride but was DQ'd due to a slap.

The bulls had just as much snotitude on Saturday night, as they did on Friday.  I think, with the cooler weather, the bulls were a bit friskier than normal!  ;)

Jarrod Craig bucked off AMERICAN PIE before the 8 second mark, and American Pie chased Jarrod to the rail.  Wound up with a little "atmosphere" in my lap from this one!

( 1 of 2) Tyler Harr rides this bull for 81.5 points on Saturday.

(2 of 2) The bull decided to have a lengthy run after  Tyler Harr rode him.  He put on quite a show, and again, the arena safety man did a great job!

Ryan Dirteater had an awesome ride aboard GUNPOWDER & LEAD for 87 points, and the win on Saturday.  Gunpowder & Lead was wild coming out of the chute and sent one of the signs flying!

Even though he was ridden, GUNPOWDER & LEAD still took a lap around the arena and stomped right over the sign he ripped off the gate!  Love the snotitude!!

Arena announcer Matt West interviews the weekend's winner, Gage Gay.

The crowd was vocal and had a great time.  Announcer Matt West and Entertainer, Matt Merritt, were terrific in keeping the excitement level high.  Sound man, Richard Jones, kept us rocking.

I did my best to get correct scores and information, but with only a computer print out list on Friday, I had to rely on information given in the arena.  At times, bull names were not given, and riders names were hard to understand.  But having said that, it was great fun and everyone involved did a great job!  I was also happy to visit with some friends at the event, which always makes it more fun.

Here's to more events in the Northeast in 2014....we love bull riding and cowboys here too!!






Photographs by and property of Susan Hanrahan