Friday, April 4, 2014

fa-BULL-ous in Fresno

Having gone to the PBR event in Albuquerque the week before, I just wanted to hitch a ride on a bull hauler and head west to Fresno for the next PBR event.  My husband, however, doesn't want me to do that...can't imagine why? (hehehe...ok, yes I can...but, he's happy our bulls are in CT, so I actually get on the plane to come home!)

Fresno was filled with rank bulls and was another stop on the "Bushwacker Farewell Tour".  More on that later.  Once again, the east coast/west coast time change did me in, and I was not able to watch Friday night's action on the Live Event Center.  I did manage to catch Round 2 and the Championship Round on TV, and, thanks to my friend Charlotte, who recorded the 15/15 Bucking Battle (I forgot!), I was able to see that too.

Here are a few observations from Fresno:
- It was explained that a rule exists, that the Promoter of each event can invite two Bull Riders to each event, at their discretion, to assure the best riders are at the event.  So, now I understand why PRCA champ JW Harris and IBR champ Guytin Tsosie were included.  Bring on more riders and more bulls!  As a fan, why would you not want this!?!
- BOOT JACK had an impressive weekend.  Saturday night, he bucked off #2 in the world Joao Ricardo Vieira, and Sunday, bucked off #1 in the world Guilherme Marchi for 45.25 points!  Both buck offs were under 2 seconds! Whoo hooo!  Great bull!
- The bulls were good in round 2 but the judges scoring was inconsistent.  I sometimes wish we, as fans, could get a better understanding of the judges thought process in awarding scores.  I'd love to not have so many BS Flags flying around my living room!
- CRAZY ACTION was jumping in the chutes with Renato Nunes aboard.  This makes me so nervous, to see bull legs flailing, as I'm always afraid of an injury to the bull.  Bull fighter, Shorty Gorham, said it takes away from the bull's power, when he's jumping around in there, and in there too long.  Thankfully, CRAZY ACTION had a great trip (43.5 pts) and helped Renato to the Round 2 win with an 89.25 point score!
CRAZY ACTION from Irwin Cattle Co. and D&H Cattle Co. had a strong trip in Fresno.  This big, muscle-bound bull has some good snotitude, too!
 - The Championship Round produced four rides, and a lot of excitement for the fans.  I was curious as to why Marchi was given a reride option when he clearly grabbed the gate and got off DEERANGO.  This bull is sometimes hard to get out on, and will go out backwards, but I am questioning, when the cowboy grabs the gate to get off, why is the bull discredited?
- RANGO was given a change in deliveries and had a super strong buck-off of LJ Jenkins.  Rango's bull score of 44 points was on the lower side, in my opinion.
- MAVERICK continued his wild ways.  After exiting the arena, he turned around and came back out, hooking the gate man in the process.  Guess his buck-off and 43.5 point score were not enough for the evening!
LONG JOHN from D&H Cattle Co and Tim Dougherty didn't have his best trip in the Championship Round but was still rank.  Doug Duncan took way too long in the chute with this bull!  Yes, the BS Flag went flying!  Long John bucked out but didn't turn back until the 7 second mark.  86.25 points for Doug, 42.25 points for Long John.
- In the 15/15 Bucking Battle, the bulls gave up 5 rides, which is pretty good...if you like rides. ;)
- Here, again, I thought the bull scores were all over the place.  From STONE SOBER's 34.5 point score to BUSHWACKER's 45.25 point score, I thought the judges were stingy.  C'mon guys, these are some of the top bulls bucking!  Why can't we reward the bulls and the stock contractors with some higher scores?
MR. BULL from Julio Moreno was one such bull I thought deserved better than a 44.25 points.  I snapped this photo of Mr. Bull in Albuquerque the week before Fresno.  He wasn't interested in having visitors.
- I was really frustrated and upset with STONE SOBER's loooong time in the chute.  This bull is a "get in and get out quick" type bull.  There was no need for the rider to take his hand out of the rope and rewrap.  The bull was standing good.  This is such a great bull, and so exciting to watch.  It's hard to see him fade across the arena and not jump and buck as he usually does.
- LONG JOHN was spectacular as he jumped a good 5+ feet in the air. He absolutely slammed his rider to the ground.  44 3/4 points???
- I'M A GANGSTER TOO was a bit fussy in the chute and when the gate opened he exploded out of there, hitting his hind hooves on the back of the chute.  That makes me so nervous, as I'm afraid they will get caught up and hurt themselves.  He had a funky out...not great timing.
It took BUSHWACKER a mere 1.45 seconds to dismiss LJ Jenkins.  He was incredibly powerful and the in control....LJ didn't stand a chance.  The judges could only reward Bushwacker 45.25 points.  That's one of the lowest scores Bushwacker has had in a long time.  You can bet the BS flag was flying.  Seeing Bushwacker bucking so strong and so great makes me  sad that he is retiring. Each one of these buck offs we witness is one of the last and a special memory!
Another great event is in the books.  Looking forward to seeing what the big, beautiful bovines have in store for all of us this weekend in Boise!  Buck hard big boys! 




Photographs by Susan Hanrahan

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