Las Vegas 2014 Finale

As I settled in at the computer this morning, so many thoughts are swirling in my head.  My heart is still soured from the results of this year's competition.  It has nothing to do with the bulls...just the cowboys, so maybe I'd best focus on the bovines to start with.

Saturday night, Round 4, saw the return of the ABBI Classic bulls.  The 3-4 year old's only allowed 9 rides in the round.  Nathan Schaper had a rough go on BAD TATTOO, who bucked him off and scored 42.5 points.

I absolutely love this picture of the Bull Fighters protecting Nathan, as BAD TATTOO showed off his bad self, celebrating his victory!  Shorty, Jesse, Cody and Frank were incredible all throughout the Finals, making save after save.  Those guys are worth their weight in gold, and then some!

Not only did Brady Sims have to deal with a buck off in Round 4, his chaps were ripped right off him by HANG TIME.  I must say it was funny watching Brady try to get away from the bull with his chaps around his ankles.  Thankfully, it was just the chaps that were "hurt".  44 points for HANG TIME.

Yikes!  This is Kody Lostroh, and his broken ankle,  coming off of OSCAR P.  I applaud Kody for trying and riding as well as he did during the Finals, with such a severe injury.  Kody didn't ride in the final round, but once again, with class, solidified the true champion that he is!  OSCAR P was awarded 44.25 points.

Sorry Douglas Duncan, NO petting the bulls!  JARED ALLEN'S MAGIC TRAIN took DD for a ride and promptly dumped him.  Bull score 42.75 points.

Fly, Kasey, fly!  SMOOTH OPERATOR sent Kasey Hayes airborne and tallied a bull score of 45 points and a buck off.

BUSHWACKER'S retirement ceremony had most of us fans in tears.  Julio Moreno, Bushwacker's owner, receives this beautiful bronze sculpture and plaque from the PBR, in honor of the bull's retirement.  This was a sobering moment as I knew I'd only see this magnificent bull one more time.

Cody Nance had his hand stuck in his bull rope and flipped around a few times with FLINT.  Flint bucked really well, and was awarded 44.5 points.

JB Mauney rode D&H Cattle's BRUISER for the round 4 win, 93.25 points, with a bull score of 46 points!  JB had the crowd on it's feet...one of the best rides I have ever seen!  Seriously, how many bulls who score 46 points get ridden for eight seconds?

The fire and fireworks of Championship Sunday came with much anticipation and sadness.  Knowing that I'd seen the last of SMACKDOWN, and this day would be the last out for BUSHWACKER, I was quite emotional as the opening unfolded.

The PBR Trophy on display with the three Bull Riders who had a shot at winning the 2014 World Championship: Matt Triplett, Silvano Alves, and Joao Ricardo Vieira.

Ryan Dirteater unfortunately got a HEAVY DOSE of his bull....hehehe, get it?  Heavy Dose was only scored 39.75 points.  One of those bull scores that made me crazy!

Marco Eguchi made a valiant attempt to ride BRAVEHEART!  I didn't have much luck with photos on my end of the arena, but was thrilled to capture this attempt.

Marco's dismount was quite entertaining, as BRAVEHEART proved to be way too much bull for Marco.  Bull score 43 points.

K-C's WHO DEY bucked really well in Las Vegas!  He deserved much more respect than he got.  Chase Outlaw had no luck and Who Dey was scored 44.75 points.

Ty Pozzobon mad a nice ride on WHITE LIE!  Ty received 87.5 points, with a bull score of 42.75 points.

BEAVER CREEK BEAU had an easy buck off of Tyler Harr, and made a nice subject for this photograph!  Bull score of 44 points.  Can't wait to see this bull buck again next year.

In the ABBI Classic competition, D&H Cattle's LONG JOHN bucked off with the title of Champion Classic Bull for 2014.  His owners received a hefty check of $200,000 for their superstar bull.

Claudio Crisostomo made for great pictures during the Finals.  His dramatic dismount from COOPER TIRES SEMPER FI made a great "Kodak moment"!  The bull was only scored 40.5 points but it was fun watching!

One of the bulls I'm still talking about is SHEPHERD HILLS TRAPPER.  He was outstanding in Las Vegas!  This bull gets so low to the ground, I almost don't understand how he doesn't just fall down.  Here Cody Nance falls off and Trapper gets a 43.75 point score.

1 of 4 - The beginning of the end...  Thru my tears (yes, I cried like a baby) I tried to capture BUSHWACKER'S final out.

2 of 4 - Mike Lee tried hard to ride BUSHWACKER but just was not able to hang on.

3 of 4 - In a scary moment, Mike hits the ground hard as BUSHWACKER kicks high over his conquest.  Bushwacker's score of 46.5 points was enough to earn his 3rd World Championship Bucking Bull title!

4 of 4 - the great champion BUSHWACKER heads out of the arena for the very last time.  As hard as it was to see him leave, I am so happy that Julio decided to retire him now, at the top of his game, and healthy.  May Bushwacker have a long, happy life in California.  He will always be loved!

D&H's STONE SOBER was spectacular in bucking off LJ Jenkins in the Championship Round.  Stone Sober was scored 46 points.  I'm excited to see this great bull in 2015, and along with MICK E MOUSE, LONG JOHN, JARED ALLEN'S AIR TIME and MARGY TIME, I think it's going to be a great race for World Champion Bucking Bull!

Joao Ricardo Vieira made a spectacular ride aboard JARED ALLEN'S AIR TIME, as this bull was all over the place!  He stumbled, jumped high in the air, belly rolled all over the place...I have no idea how Joao held on.  Because of the fall, Joao was given a reride.  His reride bull, YO YO, bucked him off and ended Joao's quest for a world championship.

 JB Mauney won the Championship Round with a 94 point ride on PERCOLATOR, who scored 46.25 points.  That was, by far, the highlight ride of the Finals. 

But this is where it gets sticky for me, and why I am so soured and disillusioned about bull riding right now.  This is my opinion, like it or not, but I feel the "champion" has cheated his way to three titles, and has been allowed to do so.  He wins by taking the power away from his opponent, sometimes causing damage.  IF TRULY, YOU ARE THAT GOOD OF A BULL RIDER, GET IN THE CHUTE, TIE YOUR ROPE AND RIDE!  A champion should not be settling for 60 point bull rides.  I applaud the PBR for changing the point system, starting in 2015.  I hope the competition is greater and that the winner wins, fair and square.  I've never seen so many people pour out of the Thomas & Mack Center early, not wanting to see the champion crowned.  That alone speaks volumes to the fact that I'm not the only one unhappy.

So, as the sun set on Vegas, the Finals were over...another year done.  I'm glad I've got a break.  I haven't watched Touring Pro events.  I'm not sure I'll watch the NFR.  I'm closing this blog out by saying, stepping away is a good thing for me.  I know I'll bounce back...I already have my ticket for the Baltimore PBR on January 2nd.  I know as soon as I see those big, beautiful bovines I'll be screaming like a fool again.  But for now, I'm taking the rest of 2014 off.

Thank you to all who have supported me and my blog.  I wish everyone a safe, happy, healthy holiday season.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! x-o
Susan

All photographs by and property of Susan Hanrahan