Big Bulls in the Big Apple!

The bulls bucked in to Madison Square Garden this past weekend, and from start to finish it was a fun time!  There's nothing quite like seeing cowboys walking the streets of New York.  It seems the average New Yorker can't get enough of them!  One lady even stopped my husband and I, and our friend John, because Paul and John both had on cowboy hats.  She was in awe!  The whole dynamic of bulls, cowboys, cabbies and skyscrapers is quite unique...only in New York!

But my weekend didn't start there.  It started out in the rolling farmland of western New Jersey....yes, that's right...New Jersey!  And thanks to some wonderful friends, a quick visit to Bull Housing.

LET ER RIP from 5 Star Bucking Bulls was happy to come over and get a scratching.  I love to see all the different personalities of the bulls.  Some just look at you, some are curious, some are friendly and some are FULL of snotitude!

Rickey West had his goose neck trailer backed up, and the loading of the bulls began.  This takes quite a bit of time as bulls must be sorted, to bring the correct ones for that night of competition.  They also must be concerned with which bulls get along and which don't.  Fighting in the trailers is not a good thing!

As in my previous photo-blog, Renato Nunes provided some great photos.  Here, he is attempting to ride EASY DOES IT from Twisted Creek Ranch/3G Cattle Co.

EASY DOES IT was not in the mood to see any backflips, and launches Renato.  Bull score of 40.5 points.  And I'll just start here with the BS Flags, because there were way too many low bull scores and way too many rerides in NYC.

Ryan Dirteater had a great ride going on AIR BENDER from Cornwell Bucking Bulls up until 7.9 seconds.  I felt so badly for Ryan.  It was such a good ride, and paying the challenge penalty didn't make it any easier to swallow!  Bull score 41.25 points.

GIL from Rickey West Bucking Bulls gets honorable mention because he is just so dang handsome.  I saw him at Bull Housing and wanted to share a little love on him until he tried to hook me.  Lots of snotitude this one has, for a smaller bull!  Unfortunately not a great bull score, 33.5 points.

Tanner Byrne received a score of 79.25 points on MOUSE TRAP from Rickey West Bucking Bulls.  Cool looking bull!  Rickey and some of the other contractors had some newer bulls out, and this was their first trip to the big city, with the noise, crowd, fireworks and cold weather.  Some of the bulls were a little sluggish, and the dirt was not great...lots of slipping...so I hope most of these guys will be given another chance or two to get used to the big stage.

The bull fighters: Shorty Gorham (red), Jesse Byrne (purple) and Frank Newsome (gold) never cease to amaze me!  They are so quick to jump in and do their job of protecting the cowboy.  Here Stetson Lawrence comes off of GUNS & DONUTS and the bull fighters  jump in to distract the bull.  I've said it before....you pay these 3 guys enough, for what they do!!

Marco Eguchi found himself in a bad spot after coming off SHAKY WATERS from Show Sports/Jane Clark.  Bull score 43.25 points, and thankfully, no stomping!

JB Mauney won Round 1 in NYC with an 88 point ride aboard ELECTRIC PRUNE from Twisted Creek Ranch/3G Cattle Co.  Bull score of 42.75 points.

Overall, there were 16 qualified rides in Round 1.  The bull scores ranged from a low of 33.5 points to a high of 43.75 points.  The reride flags were flying all night, some to the udder befuddlement of the crowd.  If I'd had my little BS bull shooting balls, the arena floor would have been covered with bright green BS balls!  I know the judges look for spin, kick, degree of difficulty, jump and direction change, but sometimes I just don't understand what they see...or don't see.

Round 2 started off much like Round 1 ended, with reride flags.  Here, Jordan Hupp rides DELTA FORCE, but the bull just kind of jumped towards the center of the arena, near the shark cage.  Jordan took his reride, only to get a score of 73.75 points and another reride.  He kept the score the second time.

(1 of 3)  Billy Robinson had a very scary hang up on GENTLEMAN JIM in Round 2.  Billy's hand was stuck in that rope and it was just not coming loose.

(2 of 3)  Billy still caught up in the rope.  Shorty, Frank and Jesse all moving in to help free Billy, but this bull was spinning and kicking like crazy.  Very scary moments.

(3 of 3) Billy finally became free, but paid a price.  He was out of competition the rest of the weekend.  GENTLEMAN JIM received the high bull score of Round 2 with 44.25 points.

Chase Outlaw made a great ride on SUN DOME from J.A.R.S. Bucking Bulls/Gene Owen for 86 points and second place in the round.  Bull score 42.25 points.

Douglas Duncan riding GET WESTERN from Mike Miller, only to get a reride.  At least Douglas got a qualified ride on SANTIAGO later in the round for 84 points.

Mike Lee had a nice ride aboard MADE RIGHT from Mike Miller for 82.75 points, 40.5 point bull score.  I like this picture because it captures Mike almost completely laid back on the bull.

Mike Lee's celebratory lap around the arena got a little crazy when MADE RIGHT went to the same corner as Mike.  Fortunately, the safety man got right in there, and the bull didn't seem interested in hooking Mike.  The victory lap was complete and the bull was safely escorted out of the arena!

Reece Cates had a wild ride on HIGH TIMES from Mike Miller but bucked off early.  Bull score of 41.25 points.

Cody Nance had a scary hang up on IMAGINE THAT from Jeff Robinson Bucking Bulls.  The only casualty, thankfully, was Cody's chaps torn in two.  Bull score 43 points.

New York hosted the first 15/15 Bucking Battle of the year.  There were six qualified rides in the round.  The high bull score being awarded to FIRE ROCK with 44.5 points.  The bulls were mainly from Jeff Robinson, Gene Owen, J.A.R.S. Bucking Bulls, BMC Bucking Bulls and Bucking B Cattle Company. 

Tanner Byrne made a great ride on my new bull crush TAHONTA'S MAGIC from J.A.R.S. Bucking Bulls/Gene Owen.  Tanner rode the bull for a score of 87.25 points, bull score of 42.5 points.  I spoke with Gene about him and he warned me that Tahonta's Magic is not one to love on.  I guess I'll have to admire him from afar!

Every time I see this bull buck, I like him more and more!! WALK OFF from Jeff Robinson got LJ Jenkins off his back quickly.  The bull was scored 43.5 points in the 15/15 but went on to buck again in the Championship Round Sunday, and walked off with the "High Bull Score of the Event" honors with a 45 point score.

PERCOLATOR from Jeff Robinson bucked off Guilherme Marchi in the 15/15, receiving a bull score of 43.75 points.  He is such a flashy bull, with the big horns and expressive face...makes for great pictures!

Bull fighter Jesse Byrne just hanging out during the 15/15 Bucking Battle.  I was so amused because Jesse seemed so relaxed during the middle of the round.

Eduardo Aparecido received a reride from his original bull SOUTH PAW.  He was lucky enough to get on KISS ANIMALIZE, and won the 15/15 Bucking Battle with a 90 point score and a great ride!  The bull received 44 points.

Sunday in NYC was cold and rainy, so we were all happy to get inside and see the action heat up.  Douglas Duncan in a compromising position after riding WALKIN THROUGH WHITE from Buckin B Cattle Co.  Thankfully, Douglas was unharmed and received 84.25 points, bull score 41.5 points.  This bull is really striking, with his 4 white legs, black body and white V on his face.  So handsome!

Robson Palermo fought hard but BOTOX won.  Bull score of 42 points.  Still trying to figure out how one looks at a bull and names it Botox?   Botox is from Twisted Creek Ranch/3 G Cattle Co.

In the Championship Round,  #15 Kaique Pacheco was left with the bull STANLEY FATMAX from Jeff Robinson.  This bull is so solid, and just keeps bucking cowboys off.  Pacheco was no different.  No 8 seconds.  44.5 point bull score.

Joao Ricardo Vieira had an awesome and difficult ride aboard FIRE ROCK from Jeff Robinson/TNT Bucking Bulls.  This bull was out of line, with huge leaps.  Joao finished 3rd in the Championship Round with a score of 89.5 points.  Bull score of 43.75 points.

(1 of 2)  Douglas Duncan stepped up and picked I'M A GANGSTER TOO from Jeff Robinson.  This bull was stunning Sunday afternoon.  Look how high his jump and kick is.....

(2 of 2) ..... and in the very next frame, look how low he goes...his chin is actually in the dirt!  This bull was incredible, yet the judges only felt his performance was worth 42.5 points.  A "BS flag" the size of Manhattan was thrown on that score!

JB Mauney made a spectacular ride aboard PERCOLATOR from Jeff Robinson to finish second in the Championship Round with a 89.75 point score.  44 points for Percolator.

Guilherme Marchi too the title in New York by riding KISS ANIMALIZE for 86.75 points in the Championship Round.  Bull score 43.5 points.  Guilherme road all 4 of his bulls in New York.  Congratulations to Marchi!!