Bushwacker & OKC Bull Power

Let's just put it out there...the BIG announcement this past week in Oklahoma City was Bushwacker retiring at the end of the 2014 PBR season.  I can't say I'm surprised.  I pretty much had myself convinced that he would be retired if he won in 2013.  Maybe it was a protective mechanism on my part...preparing myself for the big retirement...but as much as it saddens me, I want this great champion bull to go out on top and healthy!  I cried when Chicken on a Chain ran out of the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas in 2012, and cried again last year when Charlie Bullware ended his great career by bucking off Luke Snyder one last time.  When Bushwacker runs out of the Thomas & Mack for that last time, I'll probably need to go in to therapy!  But in the mean time, I suspect each and every out of his "Farewell Tour" will be spectacular!  I hope and pray he stays healthy and gives us fans memories that will last forever!

Round 1, from OKC, was an ABBI Classic competition.  There were some spectacular young bulls that made their debut Friday night.  The bulls absolutely dominated the round by only allowing 9 qualified rides.  Young bulls, such as BEAVER CREEK BEAU who came out of the chute backwards and was a very fast spinner; DALE DOBACK, who is a son of the legendary LITTLE YELLOW JACKET, looked just like his daddy, staring down the crowd after his buck-off; JO JO, who was another quick spinner and had Renato Nunes on the dirt in under 3 seconds; FLAB SLAB, who had tremendous back end whip and spin; CLOSING TIME, who had tremendous speed; and KUNG FU FIGHTER, with his monster kick, are all bulls to watch in the coming year, as they compete for the ABBI top prize.  But the winners of the night were both from D&H Cattle Company, MAGIC TRAIN (44.75 points) and MARGY TIME (44.5 points).

At the beginning of Round 2, I remember someone saying the bulls would be more rider friendly, and that they suspected there would be 20 rides.  Evidently the bulls didn't get that memo, and stayed true to form by only allowing 11 rides. 

The funniest moment was the very beginning, when BUSHWACKER was introduced to the crowd and run out in to the arena.  In true Bushwacker fashion, he runs out and promptly spins around, turning his butt to the crowd, waiting at the gate to go back out.  He is too much!

In my continuing complaint about time in the chutes and riders not being disqualified, I must point out that Claudio Crisostomo took way too long in the chute, and FLIRTING WITH DIASTER let him know it.  As Claudio fussed, the bull sent snot raining down all over him and once the gate finally opened, Flirting with Diaster (44 pts) put Claudio on the ground in 1.72 seconds.  Justice done!

Let me also continue my rant on judges bull scoring...or should I say, LACK of bull scoring???  I just don't get it.  I was really surprised at some of the low scores thru round 2 but once the 15/15 Bucking Battle started, I was convinced the judges would reward these rank bulls with 45+ marks!  Two, that's right, two of the Top 15 Bucking Bulls in the world scored over 45 points.  The BS flag was flying at my house!

ASTEROID made his 2014 debut by easily sending Alves to the dirt and had his typical, almost completely, vertical kick.  A mere 44.5 points were awarded.

RANGO was spectacular and combined with Marco Eguchi for the round winning ride, 90.75 points.  Rango was scored 44.75 points.

I'M A GANGSTER TOO easily got Mike Lee off of his back and got 44.5 points.

MICK E MOUSE also made his 2014 debut with a strong out and quick buck off of Marchi...to the tune of 44.75 points.

SWEET THANG, who truly is anything but sweet, was rank!  Cody Nance had a spectacular ride on him, to finish second in the 15/15.  The ride was scored 89 points, with the bull marked at 43.75 points.

I don't know if it's just me, but I easily would have scored these bulls at least a full point higher, sometimes more.  I don't buy the "didn't see them long enough" bit!  If the animal is that strong, powerful, and quick...reward him! and his owner(s).  BUSHWACKER's 46.75 points was the highest of the weekend, followed by STONE SOBER who received 46 points.

In the final long round of competition Sunday, two bulls received the high score of 44 points, MR. SHOWBIZ and ROCKIE SMOOTH.  Stormy Wing won the round on his 89.5 point score aboard MR. SHOWBIZ.  The bulls allowed 14 rides in the long round, and 6 in the Championship Round that followed.

I'm mentioning my bull crush, KING LOPEZ, who helped Nathan Schaper win his first event, with an 86 point ride in Round 3.  During the TV broadcast, the announcers didn't name the bull, or the contractor (K-C) during the ride.  In fact, an interview was going on and we could only see the ride in the split screen.  Lopez is a great bull...it was a great ride...I think it deserved more than a split screen and an afterthought.

K-C's ALTERCATION was the "Kawasaki Strong Bull of the Night" on Sunday.  Altercation was left for last in the Championship round draft.  He was rank! and Brant Atwood realized why the bull was left for last!  Altercation was scored 44.5 points...easily could have been a point higher!

 It was awesome to see the Circle T bulls back in action, ASTEROID, SHEPHERD HILLS TRAPPER and JACK DANIEL'S AFTER PARTY.  Last year's ABBI Classic Champion THE ROCKER looked strong in his 15/15 outing.  Perennial Bucking Bull of the Year candidate, SMACKDOWN, continued his strong bucking performances.  DAVID'S DREAM along with the giant MISSISSIPPI HIPPY both proved too much for the cowboys and looked fantastic.  SHEPHERD HILLS TESTED had a bit of an off night, but this bull is way too good...he'll be back strong next time.  WHO DEY, a young bull from K-C, is an outstanding little bull!  And I can't wait to see what this "little crackerjack bull" (according to Justin McBride) has to offer in the future!  I thought the bull power was terrific!  I hope one day it will be "in the cards" for me to get to Oklahoma City and see this event.  It seems that the rankest bulls in the country are always in OKC! 
Congratulations to Nathan Schaper, from North Dakota, on his first ever Built Ford Tough Series event win!





All photographs by Susan Hanrahan