First & Last

First, I'd like to wish everyone a Happy New Year!  I know it's a little late, but it seems we all need as many good wishes as possible.

This weekend past, My husband and I packed up the "Bull Snot Buggy" and headed to New York City for the PBR at Madison Square Garden.

It was a gray day, but mild for January.  Trust me, I'll take gray and 48 degrees over frigid cold any day!  We headed down along the Hudson River, and under the George Washington Bridge.

 I'm always excited when I see the bull haulers on the streets of New York.  Of course, security makes it hard to watch the bulls being unloaded, but I managed to see a few snotty noses getting off the trucks! :)

PBR trucks and TV productions trucks lined W 33rd Street next to Madison Square Garden.  Bushwacker and Douglas Duncan were larger than life!

As always, uninformed and uneducated animal rights advocates were waiting for us.  One guy told me I was a "gun-toting redneck" and that I didn't "deserve" to be in NYC...I belonged in Texas.  And, ALL the bulls should go and live in the "bull sanctuary".  I bet all the bulls in HIS sanctuary have fairy dust on them and run among the unicorns!  We won't even start on his leather boots....
I've learned not to argue with these people.  If they really cared, they'd educate themselves and realize these bulls have great lives and are valuable, amazing athletes!

As I stalked the haulers, I came upon Cornwall Bucking Bulls and BIG DAN.  He was quite curious and willing to play "hard to get" with me.  AIR BENDER is hiding behind BIG DAN.

 Naturally, the first stop, for me, was the bull pens.  Security at MSG is tight, and I was scolded because I had stepped past the red line.  I was able to wish the sweet babies good luck and blow a few kisses.  Even with all the noise and commotion, the bulls were resting and comfortable.

 The bull fighters: Frank, Shorty and Jesse are simply the BEST in the business.  Watching these guys throw themselves in to danger is something I marvel at each time I watch.  Frank cracks me up, as he will stare down a bull and laugh at him, showing no fear. 

 Friday night, we were treated to the first 15/15 Bucking Battle.  WALK OFF from Jeff Robinson was in great form, easily handling Mike Lee.

One of my new "bull crushes" is SHEEP CREEK.  He first made his appearance last October at the World Finals.  He is a bull from Canada, and at the Finals was purchased by J.A.R.S./Gene Owen Bucking Bulls.  Boy was I excited when I learned SHEEP CREEK was coming to New York.  He is large bull with even larger snotitude!  He looks a little like a sheep with a very "woolly" winter coat.  He is yet to be ridden for 8 seconds here or in Canada.  I'd love to see his name in the mix for Bucking Bull of the Year come November!

 OKLAHOMA BELL from Jeff Robinson had a strong out, 42.25 point bull score.  I have to admit that I was REALLY disappointed in the bull scores overall in NY.  But mainly, in the performance from the bulls in Jeff Robinson's pen.  This was the weakest bunch I've seen in a long time.  I'm hoping it's just cold weather and lack of bucking, and as the season progresses, they will get stronger.

The bulls did their thing, ran the arena, threw snot, roughed up a few cowboys and gave the safety man a run for his money!  The crowd in NYC loves the safety man!  A huge cheer goes up every time he ropes a wayward bull.  But, if he misses, the booing commences immediately.  It's rather fun to be a part of it.

Madison Square Garden is a great venue to watch bull riding.  All three events, the Garden was almost filled to capacity.  The crowd was vocal and the PBR put on a great show!  It was the 10th visit for the PBR at the Garden.  I hope this tradition continues for many more years.

And now for the "Last"... this is my last blog.
It's been a great ride.  I have met some amazing people and even more amazing bulls.
I thank each and every one of them for helping me on this journey.
I thank each and every reader for supporting my dream and checking in on the blog.
Life has changed and I need to focus my energy on new projects.

Be blessed and keep watching the big, beautiful bovines!  Remember, it's ALL about the bulls!

Much love to all,
Susan



Photographs by and property of Susan Hanrahan