I Got Lost in the Nonsense!

It's been a long while since I've written a blog.  I got lost.  I got lost in the nonsense of the new scoring system, and how lower bull scores are being "awarded" for the sake of consistency...as I was told.  I got lost in my anger over certain riders and how they are allowed to soak the bulls.  I got lost in the energy-less events I was watching, and I got lost because I was not focusing on what I love most about the sport of bull riding....the bulls!

This past weekend's event in Sioux Falls, South Dakota reminded me to refocus, and root....root for the bulls.  All the other crap will be, whether I'm angry about it or not.  So, I watched the two night event on my iPad.  I didn't take any notes.  I tweeted when I was happy and when I wasn't and had fun with on-line friends.  I just watched the event, and I enjoyed it more than I can say!  The bulls were spectacular, and they brought me back to where I needed to be...with them.

So, the only stats I'm going to add are these:

10 rides in Round 1
10 rides in Round 2
0 in the Championship Round

That's how spectacular the bulls were!  The majority of the bulls at the event were from Chad Berger, Jared Allen's Pro Bull Team, and Gene Owen/J.A.R.S.  The Championship Round only had 13 riders...couldn't even fill the 15 spots.  And, the bulls were simply stunning!

Chad Berger, the reigning Stock Contractor of the Year, had the bulls with the Top 3 Bull Scores of the weekend.  That's impressive!  COOPER TIRES BROWN SUGAR, pictured here, got the #2 score of 45.25 points.  His buddy, BOOTJACK was #1 with 45.5 points.  And, SMOOTH OPERATOR was scored 45 points.  Chad and his partners must have been really proud of their bulls!

The one bull that I thought was ripped off, with his bull score of 44.25 points, was Jared Allen's AIR TIME.  He was so good that he actually bucked off Renato Nunes IN the chute, before dumping him IN the arena.  Air Time exploded out of the chute.  It was a thing of beauty to witness.  My guess is the judges blinked, or took a drink, or looked away....or simply, they got lost too!

So, that's all I got. 

As I sit here at the computer, I remember that one year ago, exactly to the minute, I was on a plane to Albuquerque, New Mexico for the PBR event.  (Maybe that's why I've been extra cranky this year?...I'm not on a plane going to NM!) Bull riding at The Pit in Albuquerque is one of the greatest experiences.  I've been twice and wish I could go every year.  The crowd is wild, the bull power is amazing, the arena is small and the whole experience is incredible!

So, I'm sharing a moment that I treasure and that I'll never have again.

Stock contractor Julio Moreno loading BUSHWACKER one last time.  Watching Bushwacker trot up that long alley, at bull housing, gave me chills.  I kept my camera going and captured him walking right at me.  I have chills just thinking about it now.  I was in the presence of greatness!

So, I'm sure there will be some moaning and groaning this weekend, as I watch the event from Albuquerque...wishing I was there.  And the bulls scheduled to buck...AMAZING!!!!! 

I'm happy I've found my way back...I hope I don't get lost again!



Photos by and property of Susan Hanrahan