New Year...New Snot...New York!

Happy New Year Snotitude Friends and Followers!  May each one have a happy, healthy, bucking 2014!

What better way to start out the new year, than with a trip to New York City and the opening of the 2014 PBR season, in grand style, at Madison Square Garden!  Mind you, we drove down in the remnants of winter storm Hercules, who dropped up to a foot of snow and sent temperatures plummeting to below zero.  The poor travel conditions affected many of the cowboys trying to get to NY and the stock contractors driving their precious cargo in to the city.  Bull fighter, Shorty Gorham, missed Friday nights round due to cancelled flights.  A few of the cowboys made it just in time for the event, and a couple riders from Brazil never made it at all.   But, those who were there started the year in a spectacular way with 19 scored rides...a great round of bull riding!

Kasey Hayes started off the event with an 85.75 point ride aboard TATANTINO.  Kasey was called in at the last minute, as an alternate, to replace Edevaldo Ferreira, who did not make it to NY.

Brant Atwood was second out of the chute Friday, but KISS ANIMALIZE was too much to handle.  The bull was awarded 43.75 points (out of a possible 50).

No dancing for Ben Jones in Round 1.  Here he comes off early from CIRCLE CITY. 43.25 points for the bull score.

It was awesome to see new daddy Austin Meier ride so well Friday night. FAT CHANCE was no match for Austin!  85.75 points was the result.

After being out most of 2013, Robson Palermo returned to the arena in New York.  He opened his 2014 quest for a gold buckle with an 85.75 point ride aboard MONSOON.

Kody Lostroh's first bull, BAD MEDICINE, slammed in to the chute and Kody came up limping a bit.  Kody got a reride option, and later in the round covered KING LOPEZ for 87 points. (please see the blogs new cover photo of my two favorites...Kody and King Lopez!)

A new and extremely welcomed change this year, is the 60 second clock.  From the time the rider pulls the rope, he has 60 seconds to get out of the chute.  He will be awarded more time if the bull is really acting up.  I sincerely hope the judges stick to this time clock, for the safety and health of the bulls.

K-C Bucking Bulls ALTERCATION was rank Friday night.  He sent Joao Ricardo Vieira flying to the ground in under 3 seconds, and Joao had that look on his face like "what on earth just happened?!!"  Altercation was awarded 44.25 points.

Pistol Robinson returned to New York City to compete for the first time since having both his legs broken two years ago at the Garden.  KUJO didn't seem interested in Pistol's triumphant return, and bucked him off.  Bull score 42.25 points.

The ultimate snot shot!  I know...it's downright disgusting!  But every once in a while, you just get lucky, and get that special picture.  (I will use the term "special" loosely in this case!)   My husband likened it to the contrail of a plane. So, Ryan Dirteater survived the "snot contrail" and rode SHOWOFF for 86.5 points.

SHOWOFF must have been feeling pretty good after getting rid of all that snot, and decided to enjoy his own "New York minute".  He came right at me, and I was hoping he'd stop by for a scratch!  ;)

Fabiano Vieira took to the air courtesy of SPECKLED IVORY.  It's amazing to see this big bull get so high off the ground!  Fabiano enjoyed the ride and the Round 2 win with 87.75 points.

Douglas Duncan didn't have the night he wanted and wasn't in the best place after bucking off ROAD CANDY.

Jory Markiss went to the ground early and was almost stepped on by COME BACK.  Please notice Jory's expression, the space between his legs and the back legs of the bull....you can figure out where those back feet almost landed!  Every man in the arena groaned....

HIGH STEAKS was not in an accommodating mood Saturday night, sending Marco Eguchi to the dirt. 44.25 points for High Steaks.

Sunday started with a visit to the bull pens.  I just wanted to snap some photos, and the security guys at MSG got all hot and bothered!  Really guys???  I just wanted a few photos of the sweet babies!

Nathan Schaper rode KISS PSYCHO CIRCUS for 73.75 points and an option for a reride.  Nathan chose to keep that score and made it in to the Championship Round, where he rode CHEWEY for 82.5 points.

COME BACK had no love for Ty Pozzobon on Sunday.  Ty bucked off and Come Back had a nasty look in his eyes.  His score, 42.5 points.

All weekend long, I was amazed at the Bull Fighters!  Somehow, when you are there in person, their job seems so much more dangerous than just watching on TV.  Maybe it's because you get a better feel for how big the bulls are and how fast they move.  I captured LITTLE BIG TOWN going after Sean Willingham, and immediately all 3 of the bull fighters where there to protect Sean.  Frank, Jesse and Shorty are truly THE best at what they do!

Come Championship Round time, DAVID'S DREAM was left for last.  He was not happy about that!  He sent Pistol Robinson flying in a quick buck off.  The bull received a 44.5 point score...low...too low!!!

Austin Meier made it in to the Championship Round and chose RANGO.  Austin finished in 11th place for the weekend. Rango finished with a buck-off and 42.5 points....low...too low!!!

The giant MISSISSIPPI HIPPY tolerated Cody Nance for a few seconds, but not the full eight!  Hippy was scored 43.75 points...low...too low!!! (see the theme?)  Cody Nance finished the weekend in 10th place.

Kody Lostroh had an interesting dismount from I'M A GANGSTER TOO!  Not exactly the way Kody wanted to end the weekend, but he did finish in 7th place overall.  Stock Contractor Jeff Robinson received the "High Marked Bull of the Event" for Gangster, who was awarded 45 points.

JB Mauney finished the event with a great ride aboard JACK DANIELS WINTER JACK, winning the Championship Round with a score of 89.5 points.  JB looked like he did at the end of the year, last year...riding everything they run under him and looking great while doing it.

The Monster Energy Buck Off at the Garden co-champions JB Mauney and Fabiano Vieira head to the shark cage to be interviewed by Brandon Bates and congratulated by Monster Energy's president.

19 rides in Round 1.  11 rides in Round 2.  13 rides in Round 3.  And, 6 rides in the Championship Round.  The Cowboys rode.  The bulls bucked and the PBR had a great crowd cheering on the start of the 2014 PBR season!  Had an awesome time at the event.  Caught up with some friends and made some new ones.  My only complaint was about the bull scores...low...too low!!!  Wished I'd had some "BS Flags" to throw at the judges.   Let's hope they find some happy juju soon and award the bulls, and their stock contractors, properly.




All photographs by Susan Hanrahan