Tuesday, March 31, 2009

No Bull About It

Since writing about wanting to get a new helmet, I've thought a lot about rodeos, and bull-riding in particular. Especially the wrecks. The crashes. The injuries. Part of this bubbled up because of my recent attendance to my first Professional Bull Riding (PBR) event. Yep, I was a PBR rookie.

I watched a few rodeos last summer. It had been years since I'd been to a rodeo. I really enjoyed them and hope to attend more this summer. I am particularly fond of the barrel racing and bull-riding events.

Barrel racing is just fast. The need for speed. My heart pounds as I hope for the horses to make sharp turns around the barrels, and I can't help but root out loud as those horses dig in and dog it for home.

The steer roping and bulldogging are action packed. Saddle and bareback bronc riding....well, that can leave me a little troubled. Goodness, that isn't surprising for this pony girl, who mostly worries about one of the horses falling and injuring itself. In general, I am not comfortable seeing a horse buck with a rider on it's back.....it just seems so unnatural. Hmm... could that be because in every other realm, a horse bucking with a rider on it's back is not acceptable behavior?

Bull riding is always the final event at a rodeo. Probably because event organizers know it is the big draw of the night.

At the rodeos and the PBR event I attended, I have witnessed numerous wrecks, many which resulted in both minor and major injuries (broken bones.)

The Kevlar vests that bull-riders now wear were the result of the legendary bull-rider Lane Frost's unfortunate death during one of his rides. I heard somewhere that Tuff Hedeman, one of PBR's founders, helped develop the protective gear to prevent what happened to his fellow bull-rider.

Lane Frost pictured with the bull Red Rock.

Along with the vests, I was pleasantly surprised to see many of the bull riders now wearing helmets and face masks. It makes sense, after reading the recent injury reports on the PBR website:

".....sustained a concussion and a neck injury when he landed on his head as he was thrown from his bull in the second round in Albuquerque. He did not compete on Sunday and is questionable for Nampa."

"......sustained a concussion when he was hit in the head by a horn as he was thrown from his second round bull in Albuquerque and a bruised right thigh (quadriceps), a bruised left groin, and a bruised right flank when he was stepped on after he landed. He did not compete on Sunday and is not expected to compete in Nampa."

"......sustained a concussion when he was stepped on after being thrown from his bull in the second round in Albuquerque. He did not compete on Sunday but is probable for Nampa."

By the way, if you didn't notice, all of those injuries occurred at the same event. Best wishes to those boys for a speedy recovery!

These riders tally up so many concussions throughout their careers, it's downright scary. And few of them are a day over 30 years old. Their bodies are so broken down, and many of them will suffer permanent aches and pains for the rest of their lives.

Is it wrong of me to like the thrill of bull riding? Yes, it's exciting to watch a rider, especially a fan favorite, ride for 8 seconds, bounce off the bull, land on his feet, and raise his arms triumphantly at the crowd. However, when one gets tossed hard, maybe stepped on, or caught up in his hand strap and dragged around under the bull, you feel your heart stop beating until you know he's okay. Then you breathe and think whew. The little adrenaline rush I get from watching this drama is strangely addictive. And that is where the guilt comes in. I don't like watching man or beast get hurt. Yet, we watch it. Is that what makes the sport attractive?

It's a sport for the riders, and entertainment for the viewers. Those bull-riders feel compelled and driven to master those bulls, as many horseback riders do their equines, whether it be dressage or reining. They risk their lives every time they climb onto the massive back of a bull. Yet there is probably nothing else they'd rather do.

A friend just loaned me this book. Have you heard of it? It is written by a reporter who chronicled "a year in the life" of the riders on the 2004 PBR tour. I just started it, but so far it's an insightful read.

What about you? Are you a bull-riding fan? A rodeo fan? P.R.C.A or P.B.R fan, or both?

43 comments:

  1. Love bullriding...love all rodeo..(long ago I dated several rodeo cowboys) I am going to have to read that book...looks good! Glad you liked your little gifts from me.

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  2. I have attended the CFR (Canadian Finals Rodeo ) every year since I was about 12 (41 now ) I think I might be a fan!
    Love all the events as each have a different root in the old time industry of cowboys and farming/ranching .The bull riding always leaves me breathless but I keep going back .My first crush was Cody Schneider (PRO bull rider and all round cowboy several years ago ) Funny when I met my hubby we were cleaning his basement and found his old bull rope from college ! never saw him ride a bull but I guess I got me a bull rider anyhow!

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  3. {Fern Valley}~ My bull-riding crazy friend and I oogled over the cowboys too....but we're now realizing they keep getting younger and younger....and we obviously aren't! ;)

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  4. Pony Girl ,the trick is to find one that used to ride bulls , but quit while he was ahead .Not too many out there !

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  5. Pony Girl! I date a BULLFIGHTER. No, not a clown... He protects the cowboys when they get hung up and thrown off. He has suffered at least 8 concussions (no wonder he dates me), several broken bones, and has a titanium rod in his leg. He is one tough man! (Again, has to be to date me... LOL) I always loved the sport of rodeo, but love it even more since I have learned so much. It truly is a sport, not only for the cowboys, but for the animals. It takes lots of competitive passion for both. Glad you enjoyed your first PBR!

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  6. Well... I do admit to enjoying watching man v beast occasionally, but sometimes bull-riding goes way too close to the edge. Sport shouldn't actually hurt anyone (or thing).

    That said, I took some great pics (shall have to find them) years ago at the Mt Isa rodeo (huge event here) of the legendary bull Chainsaw (funny how we idolise the bull and not the riders Down Under!). He was the meanest looking thing ever under a cowboy, but as sweet as pie once the rider was off. He'd do a victory lap of the arena every time - loved the applause!!

    Looking forward to hearing some mixed responses here though...
    :-)
    BB

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  7. I love the P.R.C.A. and the PBR. Go every chance I get.

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  8. I'll be honest, I've only seen it on tv. PBR came to San Antonio a month or so ago but to a bar (club?) on the nastier side of town and I didn't want to go by myself. I love watching it on tv though. It's kind of a guilty pleasure for the same reasons you stated. Like watching a train wreck, you just can't stop watching until some one gets hurt and then you really can't pull your eyes off. What really freaks me out is when a rider falls off and the bull stomps on him with the front hooves and then the back ones. The guys body totally bounces off the ground like a rubber bouncy ball. And yet we continue to watch....

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  9. I love a good rodeo. I am the biggest fan of the Ranch rodeos. There is quite a few of them, but I am partial to the ones sponsored by the Working Ranch Cowboys Association. http://wrca.org

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  10. {Ranch Diva Rachel}~ it is so interesting you bring this up, because I was watching those "bull fighters" at the PBR event (there were at least 3 of them!) I was thinking wow, they are brave, and boy, must be IN SHAPE! They are quick on their feet. And, they almost seem to be in as much as if not more danger than the riders! Does your guy travel with a tour or just work local events?

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  11. I married a bull rider. He was the all around cowboy in the Little Britches association in '97. He rode bareback, saddle broncs, and bulls. Crazy man. He now is 30 and he has a hard time getting up out of his lazy boy chair. I call him my old man. He actually gets up slower than my dad does. My dad is 64. He would still get on a bull too. With his torn rotators cuff. He has two metal plates around his left eye, wire mesh holding his sinus together, and he broke his leg and was told he would never walk again. It shattered in about 20 different places. He has broken ribs, fingers, toes, and so much more. Bull riders are crazy. They get a sick rush from it all. My husband went to college on a bull riding scholarship. Then he got his face smashed in, so he had to drop out. He knows a lot of the boys that ride in the PBR and CBR. He loves to watch and really wishes to ride.

    I love to watch rodeos. I think they are fun. All events are action packed and the money is good for the winners!! But you gotta win. The rodeo bunch is just a different breed of folks. I love 'em. Heck, I married one!! From the English jumping ring to the rodeo arena!! Loads of fun!!

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  12. Pony Girl, The line you need to know is..."This ain't my 1st Rodeo"! LOL
    Yes, I do love the Rodeo! Have been to the Idaho Stampede in Nampa years ago and for the last 2 years the NFR in Las Vegas! Have great seats for next year too!!!

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  13. {Desert Rose}~ You do have extra NFR tickets for all of your beloved Pony Cousins, right?! ;) xo

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  14. {Andrea}~ Holey Moley cowgirl!!! You cowboy must wreck havoc on the metal detectors at the airport! What a life. It doesn't surprise me at all that he would still ride a bull. I think once you are past 35, your body just can't bounce back anymore. I think you posted some great pictures of him from his rodeo days at one point??

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  15. Ever seen kids do mutton busting? It's great fun. Now only if I could be a kid again.

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  16. Both! But PBR is my fav. LOVE IT! And dang, I want to read that book!

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  17. My fav event at a rodeo is the barrel racing (big surprise! lol) And my other fav thing to watch isn't actually an event but rather the skilled pickup men and their horses. I looove to watch a good pickup horse in action!

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  18. I love this post!!! It's right up my alley as my family and I are huge lovers of rodeo's. My daughter is 10 and she does Barrel racing, Pole bending, Goat tying, and other things as dictated by the rodeo circuit. My son is 14 and he has just recently tried his hand at Bull riding...No I was not happy about this but my Hubby took him to a clinic taught by some PBR guys and he had a blast!! They didn't get to stay for the whole 3 days because the weather got bad but he's ready to ride again at a summer circuit we do.. Now I know what I can blog about LOL, my day was fairly boring but I always love sharing my DD's runs!!

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  19. Yup, PBR and rodeo fan but I would like to see more people wear safety gear including helmets, especially kids. My daughter does barrel racing and gaming and she wears a helmet always. I think it's good horse sense especially since she is running flat out.

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  20. Hmmmmm....I have always enjoyed going to rodeos, and my favorite part is watching the bull riders "warm-up" behind the chutes...teeheehee!!!

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  21. I've never been to a rodeo in my life but I would love to go! Have you ridden rodeo yourself, Pony Girl?

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  22. I'm a big time rodeo and PBR fan. Some of my earliest memories are being at the rodeo!

    My mom almost went pro in barrel racing, so we went to a lot of events. I did barrels for a while, but found my real love is in cattle work (team penning and cutting at the moment). I'd love to learn how to rope! Right now I can't rope daylight, much less a steer.

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  23. I haven't been to a rodeo in forever and would love to go but seems like I always hear about local events after the fact.

    I'm glad to hear they are beginning to wear protective gear. Living with someone with a permanent brain injury I know what the risks are. It's just not worth it when it can be prevented with proper gear.

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  24. I love it too! Sometimes it like a train wreck you cant look away from! I tip my hat to those men who do what they do...

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  25. I, too, love to watch the bullriding. The only thing I miss when watching it live, is there are no replays!!

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  26. You've watched the movie 8 Seconds right? (About Lane Frost). If not, you have to!!! Seriously, you'll love it. There is a poem in that movie that I know by heart (though I might not get every line so will post it on my blog now, swing by and give it a read!....

    http://crazyhorsewoman.blogspot.com

    I used to love rodeo...now... I dont know... I'm undecided. I certainly wouldnt protest against it but it just isnt for me anymore... other than the barrel racing of course. I just dont like to see people get hurt!

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  27. I love rodeos, especially the bull riding. I love the bull riders....yum....not actually that they are all that cute, but just to courageous, and that is sexy to me.....

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  28. Well it sure is a dangerous sport, but it is exciting to watch those cowboys! At least they are wearing some protective gear than they used to. I'm planning on going to the NFR in Vegas this year, which I have heard so much about.

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  29. Well, I bet you can guess what I am a fan of! The husband is so messed up from his many years of riding bulls. He's in constant pain but I don't think he would change it for the world. I've dealt with the injuries. One time, I had both the husband and his BFF in the emergency room. Husband tore his shoulder out, BFF broke his jaw for the sencond or third time! I went back and forth between the rooms! When you live it, the injuries are just part of the game. The husband had so many concussions at one point, you could practically thump him in the head with her finger and knock him out! Seriously, his little brain was scattered. One night he called me after an event where he got knocked in the head. He couldn't find his way out of the parking lot! Oh I could go on and on with the stories but I'm rambling. Can you tell you hit a topic I know something about!!

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  30. I have a friend who trains bucking bulls, well, he did last I talked to him anyways. He was always driving from Ohio to pick up bulls in Texas and what not. He always wore a helmet/cage and a vest though because he knew it wasn't 'when' he'd get hurt it was 'how badly' he got hurt. He was also my farrier so I appreciated that he wasn't always laid up in the hospital from a rodeo incident. : )

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  31. I'm just AMAZED at the "cowboys" and "cowgirls" that go out there at do that Western speed stuff. And BULL RIDING! INSANE!

    Sorry, but I'd never try it. I'm not that gutsy and I'd be afraid of DEATH! Haha.

    Lydia

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  32. That picture of the bull is so cute. I love the brahmas - the babies are absolutely adorable. Nothing cuter! I like rodeo too, not all the events, I don't like the calf roping, hate the wild horse races, but...LOVE the bull riding!!!! They are the best! My old mare Flex and I used to do barrel racing, and some pole bending, but her very best event was keyhole - she was the queenie and always won that event. She was one little hot tamale!!
    Those were good times back when I was fearless.

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  33. What a great post! I've become a fan of the PBR but not too many folks to discuss it with here in Maine, let alone admit it because they don't "get it". All of the comments have answered a lot of questions that I keep having. I also didn't realize the money behind the bull owners and they are talked about (the bulls) like a fine race car. Very interesting because if we were south of the border their lives would be different. When you go to a PBR event is there a lot going on outside? Can you see the bulls up close and meet the riders? Like I said, not a lot of rodeo here in Maine;)

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  34. Oh one more thing and it's just a coincidence I posted a picture on my blog today from a 1948 LIFE magazine, the article was on ALL-GIRL RODEO. Maybe some of you may have heard of this woman? THANKS

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  35. I love rodeos. And during the bull riding I think I sit there holding my breath in both fear and awe of what could/can/does happen.

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  36. Well, I am definitely in the minority here. I do not care for rodeos -- I feel too sorry for the animals. I do enjoy the events like barrel racing, flags, stuff like that. Perhaps because my horse is so fast -- I think she could be a pretty good barrel racer.

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  37. Awww, you know my family loves the rodeo. My favorite event is Saddle Bronc Riding. There is just something so beautiful about a horse who jumps and kicks so big and bold and a cowboy in perfect time with each kick. Of course, SD is well-known for producing top SB riders, decade after decade and generation after generation in certain families, so we are exposed to a lot of it around here. And I am with Cdn too. I really like to watch the pickup riders and their horses. THAT is a skill. Most of those guys take pride in their pickup horses too and ride NICE ones.
    I don't mind watching bull riding, but it's not real high on my list. Bull Riding, Bareback Riding and Barrel Racing are events that were especially created for the sport of rodeo and actually have no roots in ranching history. The bareback riding event is really struggling right now. There just aren't that many cowboys that want to participate in it anymore. I can't blame them. It's really hard on your arm and neck(lots of snap) and while every other event has lots of venues(depending on your area), the only place to ride BB is at a sanctioned rodeo.

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  38. I love rodeo and yes the bull riding is one of our favorites. We always keep a mental tally for the night - cowboys 4, bulls 6... It's fun but yes you sure cringe when someone gets seriously hurt.

    Also, we are near one of the biggest bull and bronc producers around... The same people who owned, bred, and buried Red Rock. Red Rock was one of THE neatest bulls. He knew when the show was on and when there were children on his back! He was really cool! I saw him just before he died and he came to the Redding Rodeo (our local one) to trot around the arena... The spotlight was on him and he snorted, pawed, and threw dirt... Too cool, I'll never forget him! :D

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  39. One of the most fun times I've ever had was at a PBR event in Kansas City. I got to meet J.W. Hart, Michael Gaffney, Bubba Dunn, Pam Minnick, Flint Rasmussen, oh jeez... there are more and I can't even think of their names. Hubby took pictures of me with each of them lol. Oh, and Mark Harmon was there too! woo HOO

    Later that month I got to meet Tuff Hedeman up close and personal. Hubby and I used to follow it REAL close. We've kinda gotten away from it, but it still gets the adrenaline rushing.

    Hubby rode one bull... once. In his teens he tricked his Mom into signing the release. After that he stuck to calf-roping and bulldogging.

    We have a steer at home. He would surely die if I tried to ride him lmao.

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  40. Hah! Ironic that all those concussions happened here in Albuquerque! We do run quite a few rodeos and cowboy events in our state.

    I must admit that I'm not all that crazy for flashy, dangerous rodeo show events. I tend to be more appreciative of the traditonal cowboy rodeo with calf roping, reining, roping, etc.

    The other events are mostly for the 'wow shock factor'. Yes, they are exciting. But it's such a weird human condition where we must watch something even though we know the chance of injury or death is very likely...just like car racing, horse racing, dog fighting and cock fighting. It's like the Romans watching Gladiators and 'criminals' fighting for their lives as they battle lions, tigers and bears.
    We just can't turn our heads away, even when blood is spilled.

    As for me, I find that especially as I've gotten older, that I feel sick when watching these types of show events.

    I do think barrel racing is a fun rodeo game, as long as the kids wear helmets and vests.
    But I'm not so sure I like mutton busting and goat wrangling, etc.
    I've seen many little ones, without any head or chest safety, fall off a horse, get stuck in the stirrup, and even fall on their head trying to flip their goat in time.
    And the little kids getting kicked and thrown off the sheep at high speeds...and again no head or body protection.

    It's ironic that little kids are expected to cover their bodies from head to toe with protective gear when playing sports like football, but when riding fast, potentially dangerous, out-of-control animals the same little kids don't wear anything at all to protect their breakable bodies.
    The kids would wear the protection if parents and the rodeos enforced it. I don't know why they don't.
    Sadly, maybe more serious, life threatening accidents have to happen, like with Lane Frost, before things change.

    ~Lisa

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  41. {Lisa}~ I just posted a bit more on mutton busting and included two photos....thankfully both children were wearing helmets. What do you think of the perspective of it being "abusive to the animals"?? I haven't thought about it much...I think it's a post in and of itself. After all, those same animal activists probably think that riding and owning horses is abusive, as well....

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  42. Good thought provoking questions, PG. I've not thought about the animal abuse side of it, though the rodeo folks do seem to fit the right size kid on a sheep so the sheep's back isn't injured. Of course that probably has alot to to do with: if the kid is too big then the sheep can't even move...which would make for a boring ride. lol!

    There's animal abuse all around. True animal abuse. I think most rodeos are pretty strict with making sure the critters are treated humanely, though.

    I think my only beef is making sure the kids are protected. Yes, it's fun to ride an out of control, bucking animal. I probably would have done it as a kid if my parent's had encouraged me, but I would have hoped my parents would have encouraged me to wear a helmet and chest protector, too.

    As everyone knows, bad injuries can happen in an instant. Sometimes even lethal (like Lane Frost) or that affect us for the rest of our lives (like Christopher Reeve, for instance) and can eventually kill us.

    It would break my heart to hear of a child ending up a paraplegic, or dying, just because of an unprotected ride on a sheep.

    ~Lisa

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  43. I echo almost all you said. I hate to see 'em get hurt but enjoy watching the ride.
    I love going to the rodeos and sometime the best ones are the small town ones with the roughest cowboys.
    I just got done watching my recorded "Toughest Cowboy" season and it was all about not getting hurt to make it to the end. Those boys are tough!

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I love hearing from my readers!! I truly enjoy all of your feedback, advice, helpful tips, and stories. You all make me laugh and I learn so much from you, too. I will try to post replies to your comments as often as I can.

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