2000 NFR     EIGHTH PERFORMANCE

Pen of Bulls:  THE BACK STREET BOYS

You don’t want to meet any of these MUGGERS on a back street late at night.   These bangers will do more than steal your wallet (or if you’re a team roper--your purse). This pen used to be called the BIG E’s   (Big Eliminators) Over a period of years it has evolved into a pen of big buckers.They can eliminate you from winning money but aren’t as apt to eliminate you in the literal sense. 

Trying to get the best bulls out twice we moved some Linebackers and Street Punks in and benched some Big E’s. How many will they ride?  Hard to tell--it’s actually drawn up to where there could be 5-6.   Any qualified ride will get you a check.  

Cody Hancock                           112  Red Alert                                    Walls

Looks like Cody is staying hot.  Alert was rideable with Akin in the second go round.   Doesn’t kick much--kinda balls up... but at least he looked like a guy could get by him.  Unridden this year, though..

Robey Condra                        78   Tuff E Nuff                                  Guidry/Nelson

This my scratching friend.   Couldn’t really tell much when he got Tyler quickly in the 2nd round.  Looked to me like he was going to go along the chutes and circle back although he can turn back at the catch pen.  Probably the most difficult bull in the pen.  This is the bull that won Mike White the world title. No one thought he could ride him--except MIKE.   

Tyler Fowler                              70   Malpractice                              Guidry

I thought this bull was one of the rankest out when he dusted Rockin Wolfe on the turn back in the 2nd round.   They say he won’t stay hooked.  Don’t recall this bull ever being ridden but I’m sure he has been.  Just looked like a bucking bull to me.

Tail Gunners....My nickname for flank women and men.  Some contractors don’t think they make much difference.  To them a good flanker is someone who works cheap, drives truck, and can take verbal abuse.  It’s even better if it’s a family member because they work for NOTHING and you can REALLY scream at um. Far too many good Tail Gunners have left the business over the years because they just couldn’t make it financially.   And they DO make a difference.   It’s a touch type thing... it’s a human/animal bond type thing.   At its best it’s teamwork. 

For example.... take the Guidry /Nelson partnership.  Since each outfit can only have one flanker and he has to flank every one of the outfit’s animals (bulls and horses) for the entire rodeo or they get their flank credentials jerked, Vernon is flanking Jerry’s bulls and his own bulls.  This is Vernon’s bull and he really bucked. Vernon has flanked thousands of bulls... but Nelson’s bulls haven’t bucked as good or the same as they normally do.   It makes a difference.   Burns and Cowtown didn’t send their flankman--both bulls didn’t buck.   It makes a difference.

Now let’s look at the Growney /Kish partnership.  All year long either Growney or Joe Baumgardner (the bullfighter who dresses like a street person (actually saying that is being disrespectful to people who have to live on the street (more than two million--nationwide) flanks the horses.  They get here and get nailed.   So Kish is flanking the horses.   Might buck better--might buck worse--but it makes a difference. I’m sure there are some good reasons that the NFRC is cracking down on this.  Abuse of some sort even though I’m not sure how big a problem it actually was.--

But then I hear about Bud Kerby.  They wrote his name on the rodeo office bend-you-over board-to have his flank pass confiscated because someone else flanked one of his horses.   Guess what?   One of Bud’s good friends unexpectedly passed away.   Here’s a guy who grew up in the rodeo business.... works to scrape out a living putting on rodeos--has good stock... is a long standing member of the rodeo family--and in mourning to boot.   Just kick a guy in the nuteroonies when he’s down.

They didn’t end up pulling the credentials but the damage had already been done.   Besides how it must’ve made Bud feel... it made the NFRC look petty and mean spirited.   Rules can make good people look awfully bad. If the goal of having the NFR is product quality--seems to me you’d want the regular tail gunners flanking.  In fact, it ought to be a $3,500 fine for not sending one.   Yeah that’s steep but you just screwed some cowboy out of $13,000.  Now THAT’s a BIG fine.

Phillip Elkins                          604   No Can Do                    Growney/Kish

One of the three buckiest bulls out the first time through the 100 bulls. Got Danell in less than two seconds in the sixth performance.  Not certain this young red bull has a set pattern yet.   He has had spinning days but I wouldn’t bet that like lots of rodeo cowboys--he’s isn’t gonna stay anywhere very long.  Hang on tight Philip.

Rob Bell                                 42   Boom Shacalaca                                      Andrews

Good draw.   The high leaping Brahmer that got Fred right at the end in the 4th go round. He’s going to go three or four jumps and turn back.  Away from your hand he can raise you up and buck you off.   I can’t see him bucking Rob off.

Lee Akin                                 K78   Unforgiven                                            Big Bend

This high leaping red is just a bucking sonofagun.   Turned back close in and bucked off Kagan in the second round.   I figure him to go straight away this trip.   Gotta think that he fits Lee and that Akins is glad to have him.  Mid 90’s.

Jesse Bail                               CL  Clayton’s Pet                              Guidry/Nelson

This just a big time bucker... a BMF.  Didn’t have a good day with Potter in the second go... just hopped and skipped until he got his rope coming into the fence. You can’t favor anyone against this bull but Jesse stands a chance.   Depends which way the bull turns back.

Gregory Potter                                  142  Voo Doo  Jr.                                Bailey

I assume this is a calf out of Voo Doo Sr.   Bull bucked okay when he got Boettcher in the 2nd round.  Greg may have been on this little bull before--I know he’s seen him.   Not sure that this bull has been ridden in a couple of years but then again they turn him out a lot and don’t have many rodeos.   I just don’t see DOO DOO bucking Greg off.

Bet you didn’t know... that Tyler Fowler almost qualified for the Olympics. Track and Field.    Javelin.    At least that must what people in high places think.

They fined the dangerous little outlaw $250 for waving the Alabama flag in the grand entry.   Apparently thought he was going to throw it and skis kabob someone.  Yeah, I know why the rule is there.  A few years ago probably some butthead Texan nearly hit a flag girl with his flag while galloping his horse at 90 MPH and acting like an idiot.   But, you know... on deals like TYLER’s all you’d have to do is tell the guy not to do it again.  Give them a warning on minor infractions. This is supposed to be fun.

I guess rodeo finally made it into being a BIGTIME sport.  If NFL players can’t celebrate then dad gummit neither can them cowboys.  

Danell Tipton                         88  Color Me Bad                              Double J

This is the bull that got Cody on a roll when he was 90 on him in the second performance.  While I was REALLY impressed with Cody’s grit--I didn’t think much of this bull.   Just kind reared and jumped backward.  Like his clutch went out and his tranie got stuck in reverse.   This bull’s MO is that he normally is WILD... big BLOW then turn back-and keep getting in the air.  Maybe Danell’s luck will change on a bulled named BAD.

Fred Boettcher                                   76  Red Crusher                     Flying U/Rosser

Never got to see much of this red built-like-a fire truck bull when Danell got knocked out in the second go round.  Remember?  The bull kinda stalled... the gate men couldn’t hold the gate shut... the bull really blew out of there... Danell declared himself by letting go.  Hit the ground hard.  

This bull was picked for the linebacker pen here last year but didn’t get to come because an ownership dispute.  We’d used him in the short go at Reno last year and Aaron Semas had ridden him right to the whistle to be maybe 88-92.   Two jumps and turned back.   This summer Cotton got him back.   Unfortunately most Califunio bull riders turn him out or jump off.   Never seen Fred jump off or turn out anything that he might win something on.   

Tail Gunner Reno Rosser said this bull needs to be slapped on the butt when the gate cracks.  Due to humane concerns and television--that isn’t allowed here. We’ve got some good young tail gunners comin on.  Little Dan Russel, TJ Korkow, Reno Rosser... and that young guy working for Five Star looked like he knew what he was doing too.  Reno hasn’t had anything buck for him here.  At Pocatello his bulls were outstanding.   This young guy really feels bad--not for himself but for the bull riders he drew.   He has good bulls--they just didn’t buck.   Looked like this one was gonna with Danell.

Shane Drury                                       S7   Dr. O                               Wayne Vold

Missed seeing him with Lee in the second round.  He isn’t supposed to be that bucky.  Judges gave the Doctor 91 bull points so he musta done something spectacular.  (Or perhaps they were on mind altering substances again).  

Hey man... cool... dude ... man... right on... hey?   Hey Dude--what’s that coming?  .A bus?   No... maybe a train?   No.   Hey...  it kinda looks like a ....a... BULL!    Oh oh spagettios.   SMUSH.  

Josh O’Byrne                         G21  Dodge Durango             Mesquite

This is that brindle that had nearly a $50,000 bounty on him if you could ride him at Mesquite.  Three judges 24’d him his first time out with Philip and the other judge 25’ed him.   The only problem with that is that he was a three point ranker bull with Tyler at the Mesquite Cup dealy finals thingamagig.   So that would make him a 27-28 point bull.... for a total bull score of 109.   Sure not one you want to draw but you play the cards you’re dealt.   MIS- DEAL!

Kagan Sirett                                       9 Wimpy                     Beutler/Gaylord

Pretty good draw in this pen.  Bucky around the corner then flatten out. EXCEPT at the PBR.... he was really kicking and looked like he might reverse it.

AMERICA’S MOST WANTED

Call immigration.   He’s dangerous.   Who?   Kagan of course.   What did he do?  Murder?   Terrorism of some sort?   Nope ....even more despicable than that!

He ALLEGEDLY talked... yep  TALKED to the judges.   Least that’s what they wrote on the wall beside his $250 fine.   Except he didn’t. What the fine was for was this....

He had a reride option coming on the Cowtown bull that ran off (which by the way sold for $3,900 at the NFR sale)... Judge Horton told him what it was but didn’t tell him his score---most of the time judges don’t).  Kagan was supposed to immediately make a decision.  Either take his score or get on a reride.   Supposed to report directly to the chute boss.  Salute first.  Even though they failed to go over it in the orientation meeting it is in the ground rules... on page 479... paragraph 8, line 7.   He’s supposed to know it--it is his responsibility.  Okay... that’s cool.

Let’s Screw Kagan   (continued)

He shoulda read it.... learned it--lived it.   At regular rodeos they give you a bull or twoto collect your wits and ask someone whether the reride bull is any good.  Here you have to get that done before the performance.  He’s a rookie... that’s cool.   He’s got $250 American. I was going to plead his case before the hang man’s jury but they didn’t meet last night.  Based on my relationship with this jury... having me defend you is like having Marcia Clark as a prosecutions attorney. 

So anyway... I ask a jury member what the deal was. “Forget it... they’ve been fining my guys.... so they  damn sure have to stick it on your guys.”  

Didn’t know they were MY guys.    Personally--I’m not gay.  Nothing against gay people--I just ain’t one of um.   You can ask Heather... (actually she’s too wore out to testify in my behalf)   If that contestant rep has HIS guys... I don’t have a problem with it.   Rump Rangers.  No problem-O.

So I take a couple steps back and make sure not to drop anything on the floor. 

He continues.... “Tim couldn’t get ahold of him.... he went in the corner... started back out toward the judges... jumped over the chutes.... then came back into the arena and started to walk out toward the judges.” 

It’s a rule that TIM gets to jerk everyone’s butt out of the arena.  But hey, that’s cool... but if Sirett did all those things--he ought to be shot not fined.   I mean to actually let your feet touch arena dirt twice--that’s unacceptable.   I’d deport him. But see... their case is based on circumstantial evidence.  ( Besides the jury being rigged ).  There was a reason for his unusual behavior.   See ...in order to make a decision on whether you want a reride or take your score--you first have to HAVE a SCORE.    

He never heard it announced.  Waited in the corner for it to be announced... it wasn’t... so he started back out to ask the judges (70 yards down the arena)... thought better of it.... jumped over to the backside of the chutes... asked me what his score was... I never heard it... asked a couple of other guys--no one had heard it... so he goes back into the arena to ask the judges.   They’re busy with the next ride so he comes back over the chutes and asks me whether to take his reride or not. 

I say yes... ( a mistake because Kirsten Vold later attacked me) so he immediately tells the chute boss.  All this happened in 2 minutes and 14 seconds (I was holding my breath, you see... and I can hold it 2 minutes and 2 seconds).  Maybe the fine ought to be $1 per second.   That’s my case for the defense anyway. 

So now I’ve got to ask them if they will play back the audio so we can see if the announcers ever verbalized the score.  If they did--it’s our fault.  Need to wash our ears now and then.  If not then it should be waived.  Probably won’t be. But that’s cool... if you’re gonna hang a $250 fine on a good guy like Robert Etbauer--it would be worth $250 just to have your name beside his.  

Yep... Tyler Fowler.... Robert Etbaur and Kagan Sirett... now there’s three criminals for you. Public enemies number 1 thru 3.

Cory Check                            731   Bokeman                                   Andrews

The bull Kagan got on for a reride in the 4th perf.  Bull was marked--91 points.  Really blew, kicked and turned back.   To my knowledge this is the first Bodacious calf to make it to the NFR.   That’s great.   I think they bred him to every four legged creature they could find.  Cows, goats, sheep, armadillos, possums... there is more of Bo’s semen in the air these days than there are Untied Airlines planes.   This bull bucks hard but Cory rides hard.   Can’t keep his girlfriends--but does okay in the bull riding.   (Actually Cory HAS NO girlfriends--he’s MARRIED).

Dan Wolfe                              99  Nine-0                                           Guidry/Nelson

I thought 99 was a handful with Cory in the 2nd round.   This bull and Rockin’ Wolfe are a lot alike.  Non conformists.   Never know what they might do. You could draw a straight line across a map of the Sahara desert... marking the only water holes.... and Dan would tear his map up and NINE-O would eat his. They do things their own way... PERIOD.   Take um or leave um the heck alone. These two outlaws deserve each other.   Hopefully they can stay together for eight seconds.

Rerides:   You don’t want one.

+100                Playmate         Western                     

Got benched because he bopped Josh in the chest with his horns on the turn back and also re creased his hat--looked kinda like one of those Aussies in World War II movies.  Someone should go scratch MATE’S back though.

F6        Hard Copy                  Harper/Morgan/Auger

Never has bucked good enough his second trip here.  PLUS... he’s too big for these chutes.   We don’t want to have to invest in heart paddles.  I’m sure the chute bosses would have another coronary. 

-08       Rip Tide                      Beutler/Gaylord

Here to keep Wimpy company.  They “no sale’d” him at the NFR sale.    Someone bid two dollars but they held out for 3.   Greedy.