2013 PBR World Finals, Part 2

Continuing on thru my week in Las Vegas, one of the most interesting events was the Hero's & Legend's Founders Forum. 

Pictured here are Founders (l to r) Larry Mahan, David Fournier, Cody Lambert, Aaron Semas, Cody Custer and Michael Gaffney.  (Darrel Mills joined the panel later)

"For the love of bull riding".  That was the theme of the group back in April of 1992, when the PBR was formed.  Back in those days, people thought those 20 bull riders were being selfish, and trying to ruin the sport of rodeo.  What many of them did not realize was that the Founders of the PBR rode in both PBR events and rodeo events, to make ends meet. And, that the formation of the PBR also helped increase money won in all rodeo sports.

When talking about at what point they'd felt like they'd "made it", the responses ranged from: getting TV rites, to the first PBR World Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center, to receiving that first dividend check on their initial investment, to the hiring of Randy Bernard, to the million dollar bonus.  Quite a list of accomplishments that made these Cowboys proud!

Some of the most interesting quotes of the morning, in my opinion:
- Cody Lambert -  "We never refused to get on a bull because he bucked too hard."
- Cody Lambert -  "It's all about riding these days."
- David Fournier -  "We were humble enough to know that we weren't smart enough to take it to  the next level." On the hiring of Randy Bernard.
- Larry Mahan -  "I won events on bulls, that today, cowboys would get rerides on."
- Cody Custer -  "Guys should be more mature and experienced once they come to the PBR."
- Darrel Mills -  "We want to build cowboys, not break them." in discussing the bull power of today.

Once the Forum got to fan questions, I asked the Founders about their favorite bulls to get on and their least-favorite bulls, and here are the answers I got:
Larry Mahan - favorite bull in the late 1960's was #27
David Fournier - like bulls away from his hand.  Favorites were a Canadian bull "Ben Johnson", and "Dog Face".  Least favorite - "Bodacious"
Cody Lambert - favorite bull was a 2-time bull of the year #777, from West Texas
Aaron Semas - favorite "Orange Pop" and "Promised Land".  Least favorite "Bodacious".
Darrel Mills - least favorite was a Canadian bull named "Sugar Ray".
Cody Custer - favorite bull "Western Wishes".  Least favorite were "Bodacious" and "Rampage".
Michael Gaffney - favorites were "Western Wishes", "Baby Face" and "Moody Blues".  Least favorite was "Hollywood".

It was a fascinating morning, to say the least.  The Founders were gracious in answering our questions, followed by the Fan Club meet and greet.

Wednesday night brought the opening round of the 2013 PBR World Finals.  The Classic 3-4 year old bulls were out, and boy, were they fussy and fiesty!

WALTER PEPPER goes after Frank Newsome, after bucking off Jory Markiss.  The bull was scored 42 points.

Cody Nance won Round 1 on ROY.  Together they produced an 89 point score.

Thursday morning, I attended the Fan Club Production Tour, which began by taking our group through the "Tunnel of Champions" and on to the dirt at Thomas & Mack.  I looked down at the dirt, thinking about the bulls that had bucked on this dirt, which is owned by the PBR, and reused each year.  A shiver went down my spine thinking of the great bulls Mossy Oak Mudslinger, Bones, Big Tex, Reindeer Dippin, Troubadour, Camo, Voodoo Child, Chicken on a Chain...to name a few.  From the dirt, we moved to the sound area, event production board and the TV trucks.  In true fashion, I brought up the lack of bull scores, bull names and stock contractor names given out on TV and in the arena.  In fact, I brought it up several times, to whomever would listen.  Brian Douglas, the TV producer, assured me they do their best at getting that info out, but I was sure to let him know that I "pay my money" to come see the bulls, so they demand equal time.  (Bet he was happy to have me leave the truck!) ;) 

Standing on the dirt in Thomas & Mack, this is one of the out gates and alley ways to the back pens.

Night 2 opening honored the Founders of the PBR, surrounded by the top 35 Bull Riders of 2013.

Round 2 brought out the RANK pen (my favorite pen!).  Kody Lostroh rides HIGH STEAKS for 87.5 points to get the night off to a great start!  Only 11 rides were tallied Thursday night.

Stock Contractor Chad Berger and partner, Winston Loe receive the honor of having the "High Money Bull" of 2013, PRINCE ALBERT.  Chad received a Big Tex trailer.

High Money Bull, PRINCE ALBERT

Other awards given out Thursday night were the Glen Keeley Award, for the top Canadian rider.  This was presented to Aaron Roy.  The top Touring Pro Event award was presented to the "Big Sky Montana" event, hosted by Andy & Jacey Watson.

Flint using his hat to distract a bull during round 2.  Didn't go so well for the hat!

Fan favorite and true gentleman cowboy, Cord McCoy, was honored Thursday night, on his retirement.

JB Mauney won Round 2 by riding SMACKDOWN for 93.75 points.  It was an exciting ride as both bull and cowboy put forth their best effort.  SMACKDOWN's score was 46 points.  At the end of round 2 (which was the first night of competition for Bucking Bull of the Year) BUSHWACKER led the field by 1/4 point.  BUSHWACKER 46.5 - ASTEROID 46.25 - MICK E MOUSE 46 - SMACKDOWN 46 - SHEPHERD HILLS TESTED 46 - RANGO 45.25 - I'M A GANGSTER TOO 42.5 points.

NEW HOLLAND POWERSTAR aka QUIET RIOT greeted us fans early Friday morning for the Fan Club Bull Housing Tour.  (BEST time of the week for this gal!)

Kent Cox (l) handler of BUSHWACKER, and 4-time Stock Contractor of the Year, Jeff Robinson were on hand to take fans around bull housing and answer questions.

A very BRAVE bull handler, who hopped in the pen to retrieve feeding dishes.

Bucking Bull of the Year candidate, RANGO, was quite friendly before the tour started.  After that, he back off a bit due a large number of adoring fans!

BUCK WILD, who is exciting and wild in the arena, was eerily calm and sweet during the tour.  Nice to see this sweet boy without his halter.

Funniest moment of the tour:  Cody Lambert talking to our group about the great bulls from K-C Bucking Bulls, and MISSISSIPPI HIPPY just sticks his nose through the panel and almost licks Cody Lambert's cheek.  It was hysterical, as Lambert didn't realize Hippy was so close, at first.

The now 2013 Bucking Bull of the Year Champion, BUSHWACKER.  It was absolutely brilliant to have Bushwacker out in the exercise area.  He is not a people friendly bull, so having lots of space around him, kept him calm, and in turn, quite curious about all his admirers.  He is such a gorgeous bull, I just kept snapping photos...couldn't help it.  I'll be sure to share more in the future.

So, that is my offering about the middle of the Vegas week.  Please check back next week for the conclusion of my adventure, and a few more bull photos!




All photographs property of and by Susan Hanrahan