Allentown, PA PBR

Everyone was in a tizzy about the Pope visiting Philadelphia.  Personally, I was in a tizzy about finally seeing bull riding and the PBR returning to the "Northeast"!  At one point I suggested that the PBR send the Pope tickets to the event.  Why not have a blessing of the Bulls?  But his visit caused enough problems for travelers, and hotel rooms were at a premium.  So maybe it was best he didn't show.  Anyway, it was a great event in Allentown!  A good crowd, exciting rides, big time bull power and the snot flew!

THE CRIPPLER from Mike Miller Bucking Bulls got the best of Nathan Schaper, bull score 41.5 pts.  But it was the antics in the chute...that chute...that started the night off with some excitement.  That middle chute, just left of the out gate (if you are standing, facing the out gate) had some bad juju in it, all weekend!  If a bull fussed and reared up...it was in that chute!

The proverbial "thorn in my side" was the rail and the light pole from the replay judge's station.  I did my best to avoid these objects when taking pictures, but when the bulls came out of the right side...I was in trouble!  Anyway, Stormy wing had a great ride aboard TAHONTA'S MAGIC to win round 1 with an 87 point score, 42.25 pt bull score.

I was dangerously close to the replay judge on Friday night. <hehehe>  He heard a few things he probably didn't want to.  Here, he is reviewing a ride, I believe it was Valdiron's ride, on the computer to see if he made the 8 seconds.

Renato Nunes is known for his back flips, when celebrating a qualified ride.  This weekend, Renato was known for some fun and exciting buck-offs.  FIRED UP was just that and bucked Renato off. 42.25 pt bull score.

And then, FIRED UP got really fired up and took a few victory laps.  Always my favorite part of the show!  But this night, was the closest to having a bull jump up on the shark cage that I ever seen.  Flint is known to "play" with the bulls a little, but FIRED UP set himself, and jerked forward, almost jumping on the shark cage!!!!!  One of these days, a bull will actually jump up there...if Flint is not careful!

Mike Lee thought he'd made 8 seconds on LITTLE AIR from K-C Bucking Bulls, but he let go of the rope just before 8.  Bull score 41.5 pts

Fabiano Vieira, and his bad shoulder, made a stunning ride on COOTER from Rickey West Bucking Bulls.  84.5 pt ride score, 41.25 pt bull score.

And here we go with more bad chute juju! (1 of 4) GENTLEMAN JIM from J.A.R.S Bucking Bulls/Gene Owen started rearing up in the chute, twisting and fussing.....

(2 of 4) GENTLEMAN JIM actually flipped over and twisted in the chute.  The guys behind the chute grabbed Ryan Dirteater off the back of the bull, but if you look closely, you can see Ryan's helmet that was knocked off of him by the bull's horns.

(3 of 4) Best thing to do is open the gate and let the bull out, however he does it.  GENTLEMAN JIM seemed to want to just sit and visit for a moment.

(4 of 4) Happy to report that once GENTLEMAN JIM finally left the chute, he seemed fine and ran the arena a few times.  He kicked off the bull rope and passed by Ryan's helmet.  Needless to say, Ryan got a reride and it wasn't on this bull.

Kaique Pacheco made for some fun pictures in falling off of SPRINGER MOUNTAIN from Chad Berger.  Bull score 42.75 pts

In the 15/15 Bucking Battle, Friday night, SMOOTH OPERATOR from Chad Berger was high bull score with 45 points.  Shane Proctor took Smooth Operator to over 6 seconds, but ultimately the bull won!

MISSISSIPPI HIPPY made his return, from a horn infection/removal, in the 15/15.  Silvano Alves was supposed to ride Hippy, but for some mysterious reason, didn't.  Wimp out??? Not sure, but Eduardo Aparecido took his place and made a nice ride!  Hippy seemed feisty so I was glad to see him feeling good!

Matt Triplett rode SHAFT for 90.5 points to win the 15/15 Bucking Battle.  Matt made a great ride, as Shaft brought it!

Sitting close to the replay judge had some amusing moments.  The judge was reviewing Matt's ride to make sure he was on for 8, and Flint came over to "help" him decide! LOL!

The last ride of the evening brought the crowd to it's feet, when JB Mauney and MODIFIED CLYDE combined for 90.25 points.  JB worked hard to keep himself centered on the bull, as MODIFIED CLYDE was rocking and rolling.

Saturday night brought Round 2 and the Championship Round.  The crowd was even bigger and the arena was filled with anticipation for exciting rides and buck offs!  Chase Outlaw was out of the gate but came off early from MR. MUSTACHIO.

JW Harris made a great ride on PREACHER, from Jeff Robinson, for 86.25 pts, bull score 42 pts.  This put JW in first place for the event.

Mike Lee rode TOOTH FAIRY, from Jeff Robinson, for 83.5 pts, bull score 41 pts.  Mike was able to make it in to the Championship Round on one score.

Shane Proctor rode WALKIN THROUGH WHITE from Buckin' B Cattle Company for 84.75 pts, 41.5 pr bull score. Handsome bull!

JB Mauney won round 2 with a giant ride on CASH YA OUT from Dakota Rodeo.  They combined for 89 points, bull score 43.5 points.  Good round win points for JB.

The final attempt of round 2 was Derek Kolbaba on DRACULA.  Derek received no love from DRACULA, instead he received a hoof in the side.  Bull score 42.5 pts. (on a side note...I co-own a bull named VLAD the Impaler, whose horns are very similar to DRACULA's.  My Vlad's "impaling" horn is straighter.  Coincidence??? I think not.....)

Here is the line up for the Championship Round.  With the first selection, JW Harris chose REDBONE!

HEAVY DOSE from Rickey West/Rick Rollins was RANK!!!  Bull score 44 points and a punched ticket to Las Vegas for the Finals.  I am excited to see this bull buck again...he was exciting!  Reese lost his helmet, and perhaps a "few chickens were scattered".

Eduardo Aparecido tried hard but AMERICANA was better!  43.5 point bull score.

JB Mauney easily rode MR. U from Buckin' B Cattle Co. for 89.5 points, bull score 43.5 pts.  Wasn't quite enough to give JB the event win, but awesome points to extend his World #1 lead.

(1 of 2) A very scary moment when Kasey Hayes came off FIRE BENDER from Cornwell Bucking Bulls.  Kasey got hung up, and the bull kept spinning and Kasey looked like a rag doll. being flipped around.  The bull fighters moved in but had a struggle to get Kasey free.

(2 of 2) FIRE BENDER's bull score was 44.25 pts.  It seemed like forever, but eventually Kasey's hand became free.  He looked a bit shaken up, but I think ok.

JW Harris rode REDBONE for 89.75 pts, the Championship Round win and the overall event win!  Bull score 43.5 points.  And can you stand those horns???  So handsome!!!

It was a big night for Team Cooper Tires as Chris Pantani presents Chad Berger with the spurs for High Bull Score, 45 points for SMOOTH OPERATOR.  Team Cooper Tires cowboy JW Harris won the"Allentown Invitational presented by Cooper Tires" event.

An awesome event!  Got to see some friends and even introduced my brother & sister-in-law to bull riding for the first time.  Lots of great bulls, intense bull power, good rides and spectacular buck-offs.
And, a good time was had by all!



All photographs property of, and taken by, Susan Hanrahan