2013 PBR World Finals, Part 1

What does one say, after a perfect 9 days in Las Vegas?  The weather was gorgeous.  Enjoyed seeing old friends and made lots of new ones. Awesome shopping opportunities and delicious food.  The hotel room was spacious and clean.  My view from the 22nd floor included majestic mountains and the rankest bucking bulls on the planet playing in the dirt.  Really...what more does a girl want?

Here's a picture I took from my room...please excuse the color/clarity...I was shooting thru colored glass.  SMACKDOWN enjoying his time in the dirt/exercise pen!

 The only thing that could get me away from my window, where I watched Smackdown, Rango and Buck Dynasty (to name a few) playing in the dirt, was more bucking bulls.  Tuesday morning I attended the ABBI Classic Wild Card competition at the South Point Hotel/Casino arena. Twenty five 3-4 year olds had one more opportunity to try and qualify for one spot in the Classic competition, to be held the following evening at the Thomas & Mack Center during night 1 of the PBR Finals. 

One of the young bucking bulls exploding out of the chute during the wildcard competition.  Out of the 25 bulls entered, only three scored rides were tallied.

This is the aftermath of the bull, DOCTOR SPOON,  who jumped over the rail!  I've never seen anything like it...I knew bulls could jump...but over a 6+ foot rail?  Doctor Spoon bucked off his rider and headed right to rail.  In one swift movement, jumped the rail and wrecked havoc on anything in his path.  People went flying in to the stands or over the rail in to the arena.  Doctor Spoon demolished a few chairs and some equipment before exiting the walkway back in to the arena, where he was quickly escorted out.  He seemed fine, no worse for the wear!  I just wish I had stayed composed, and was able to get a picture of him jumping.  Instead, I was screaming, like the rest of the audience!

 I have to say, it was quite an exciting and nerve-wrecking morning.  In the end, KING BUCK from BMC Bucking Bulls won the all important last spot to compete in the Classic Competition.  He did so with a bull score of 87.5 points.  In his two outs, on the big stage at the Thomas & Mack Center, KING BUCK scored 43 points (out of 50) in round one, and 44.5 points in round 4 to win 2nd place overall, and earned $85,000+ for his owners!

Once the wildcard competition was over, off I went to the PBR Fan Zone to find more bulls!  And the bulls I found came in all shapes and sizes!

The first bulls I found were two bull calves, sired by Futurity winner OMG.  These adorable little calves were under a year old, and for sale.  Had I had an extra $15,000 to spend, I might have brought one home with me!  Instead, I took pictures, blew them kisses and called them sweet babies!

The next size bull I found at the Fan Zone were the miniature bucking bulls, and oh my goodness, did I want to herd them all in the trailer and head home immediately! (More on these little bulls to follow.)

The last size bull I found was the rather large CHICKEN ON A CHAIN.  CHICKEN, along with SLIM'S GHOST and UNPREDICTABLE, were the Legend's Bulls on display at the Fan Zone.  

Tuesday evening, I had the honor to attend the Heroes & Legends Reunion and the Induction ceremony for the PBR's Ring of Honor, the Sharon Shoulder's award, the Jim Shoulder's award and the Brand of Honor receipient.  This year, the Brand of Honor award went to RED WOLF, owned by Herrington Cattle Company.

RED WOLF bucked way before my time as a PBR fan, but as I learned more about him, he is definitely a bull I would have loved!  Although stats are spotty for Red Wolf, what I did find was an average mark was 22.77 points (out of 25), with an average score of 45.55 points (out of 50).  He was the PRCA Bull of the Year in 1996.  And, if he bucked off a rider he would take a victory lap.  If he was rode, he'd try and run someone over!  Now that's snotitude!!

One of my absolute favorite moments of the entire trip to Vegas, was a quiet little trip to Bull Housing and getting to visit with K-C Bucking Bull's, Mississippi Hippy.  This gentle giant tips the scales at over 2400 pounds.  He was featured in the rank pen, bucking in round 2 and the Championship round of the PBR Finals.

Getting to visit with Hippy was awesome, and I petted him for quite a while.  It didn't matter to me that I had dirt, shavings and bull poop on the nicest outfit I brought to Vegas!  On a side note, please notice my "bull crush" King Lopez - who threw snot on me - standing behind me, suddenly all jealous that I was paying attention to Hippy. LOL!

On Wednesday afternoon, my sole focus was the Miniature Bull Riding event at the PBR University in the Fan Zone.  I was able to meet up with Cirildo & Lillie Leal, owners of the MBR, and their adorable miniature bucking bulls.  (I posted a blog containing my interview with Cirildo Leal back on October 1, 2013...please check it out!)

Mini bull, CASPER.  Absolutely, an adorable little bull.  But don't let the cute facade fool you.  These bulls have more snotitude than some full size bucking bulls!

PBR University arena set up and ready for action.  The two mini bulls events I was able to attend had the stands full of supportive fans, and young bull riders who tried their hardest!

At the beginning of the event, the young riders were introduced and got to shake hands with PBR legend, Chris Shivers.  Chris and his family are instrumental in getting the MBR off the ground and have been a major help to the Leal's.  Chris's son, Brand, is also one of the miniature bull riders.

This mini bull headed right towards me...thank goodness I was behind the fence!  These little bulls are solid muscle and quite strong....

....and full of personality!  After he dumped the rider, he shook his head, threw some snot and posed!  What a face!!

Bull fighter, Andy, coming in to make the save!

Four bull fighters worked hard to protect the riders, and helped out this young man while he was hung up on Casper.

A special shout out to my new friend, Thumper Meadows!  Thump had quite a time in the chutes with his first bull, and was given a reride.  Unfortunately, that day, the reride was Leal MBR star bull, HEMI.  Thumper gave it all he had but didn't quite make eight seconds.  Excellent try and great determination, Thump!  Glad I got to see you ride!!

Hope you enjoyed the recap of my first two days in Las Vegas.  There is much more to share with you and I will be doing so in the next few weeks.  I loved every minute of my trip to the PBR Finals.  And the bulls were outstanding, no matter what their size or which event they bucked in!




Photos by and property of Susan Hanrahan