A Weekend Full of Snot!

It was a beautiful, almost summer weekend here in CT and I was absolutely delighted to head out, to undiscovered towns, in search of bull riding.  And, bull riding I found!  On Saturday, the town of Brooklyn, CT  hosted a rodeo during it's "AG Days" Fair.  The rodeo consisted of mutton busting, barrel racing, and of course, bull riding.  The stands were packed with many first time attendees to a bull riding event.  As a fan of this sport, living in a part of the country that does not have many opportunities for bull riding, I was thrilled to see so many people in attendance!!  The bulls were hot - mostly young bulls who've not had much experience with crowds and a big arena, and they put on quite a show!  The bulls bucked off all but one cowboy and the event winner won on a 71 point ride in the championship round. 

Naturally, the first place I went, when I arrived at the fairgrounds, was to the bull pen.  These two bulls posed so nicely for me...the white one reminding me of my Spook!  I think they are cousins...the family resemblance was strong!

The "Mutton fighter" being introduced.  And fight the muttons he did!  Well, he tried to but the sheep kept escaping from the arena! LOL!

The bull fighters had their hands full!  These bulls bucked hard and then played hard!  Granted, I was not in their shoes, but it seemed to me these bull fighters had little experience and kept their distance more often than not.

(1 of 3)  RED HOT PRINCESS...not sure where that name came from but this bull was red hot, no doubt!  He threw in a belly roll that landed that rider quickly on the ground!  And, then the fun began.....

(2 of 3) This bull spent more time in the arena then just about all the other bulls combined!  He chased anything and everything he could, trying to hook as he went.  The safety man was loosing ropes left and right.  The bull fighters tried to distract him with the barrel.....

(3 of 3)  RED HOT PRINCESS sent this poor guy up and over the fence, with a little something to remember him by!  It was several minutes later, and about four friends let in to the arena to herd him out, that he finally decided he'd had enough.  He left on his terms...be assured of that!  Oh, the snotitude!!!

This handsome boy stopped and struck a pose.  With the early evening light just right, it made for a gorgeous portrait!

Speaking of belly rolls, this bull was going in three different directions...the cowboy went only one...straight down!

Let R Buck Bull Riding School's very own Buckshot Bona attempted to ride the absolute biggest bull at the event.  This bull was tall, Buckshot looked like he was sitting on the top of the chute, not on the bull.  Buckshot made a great attempt but came off shy of 8 seconds.  We are proud of him, no matter what!

Just a little snot shot for you!  And a wicked stare, along with big pointy horns, and an attitude the size of Texas....geez, I love these animals!!

Things got a little western when the "help" got in to the arena to escort their buddy back to the pens.  These two got in to it a little bit, just to keep the crowd entertained!

Here's 308 WEED WACKER - it's one of the few names I remember, because I wanted to bring this Spook look alike home with me.  The bull belongs to the son of the stock contractor...somehow, I don't think he would be interested in selling!

This was a hot bull, and he did not want Romulo Campos on top of him!  He spun quick and Romulo went off, over the top of the bull's head.

A shout out to this little cowboy, who gave it all he had during the mutton busting competition!

On Sunday, I headed out to Let R Buck Bull Riding School, to spend the day with my bulls, friends and bull riders wishing to get on some practice bulls and sharpen their skills.  Another gorgeous day...bulls ready to go to work...a pep talk from momma...and it was a fa-bull-ous afternoon!

THE SPOOK making momma proud! 

SNOT JAMMER in excellent form.  This bull always brings it - each and every time he bucks.  We are so fortunate to have this awesome bull at the school!

THE SPOOK was giving me that look of "why is this guy still on my back?"  Spook took another jump, stopped and said "get off!"

So proud of PAPARAZZI - he bucked great on Sunday.

Things got a little crazy when this rider got hung up.  Thankfully, he was uninjured.  PAPARAZZI showing nice form!

Good grief! I love this bull!!  VLAD THE IMPALER always makes the greatest faces when he bucks!  Cracks me up!  And he likes to make big long jumps, high in the air.

VLAD leaves the rider in the dust, and sticks his tongue out for good measure!

A little "brotherly love" at the end of the long day.  Mind you, just seconds before this picture, these two were fighting.  Oh those "Snot Brothers"!

Thanks for checking in the blog this week.  It was great to get out and enjoy time with my bulls as well as attending a local event of the Southern Extreme Bull Riding Association.





Photographs by Susan Hanrahan