NFR 2001

Third Performance
Sunday Night December 9, 2001

Pen of Bulls:     The Almost Famous

Most of the bulls get ridden 3-4 times a season and usually for scores in the mid to high 80's. Not just spinners.... these are pattern buckers with a little something that allows them to win most of their fights. They should ride 6-8.  If you're going bull buying this is the type you should be looking for. 50% of the bulls that are selected to the NFR fit this description. Guys come get on them and when ridden your rodeos get high scores. Not a lot to talk about here but we should get some good rides.  The last two perfs no matter who you are—those bulls can make you look stupid.  Most are unridden or very seldom covered.  The next few performances are more reasonable.

Vince Stanton              69 Titanic                Catelina

1. $96,877.50 ---- NFR: $0 ---- 0-2

Veteran bull that Sammy Andrews hauls most of the year.  Turns back and is good but away from your hand he's a little uneven.  Blu Bryant was 85 on him at Waco.  Probably this bull’s last trip to the NFR.    Big Sam better put away the barbeque and go looking for another good bull.

Rob Bell            L63 Hard Copy                          Donna Vold

1. $96,648.33 ---- NFR: $5,670.60 ---- 1-2

Bull raised by husband Bill Larson.  Was just a bull last year but became a star on the PBR Touring Pro Circuit this year.   Nothing tricky.    Should be a good ride.

Lee Akin                 92 Moonshine                    Beutler &Son

3. $95,398.82 ---- NFR: $5,743.30 ---- 1-2

Solid bull that raises most guys up but won't Lee.  Should place. Judge Horton 24'ed this bull at Phillipsburg.   If he marked Jesse Bail's bull 01 Snot Man of Rumford's a 19 then MOON must've jumped through his butt.  Fred Boettcher was 87 on him in the short go at Greeley.

Cody Hancock                 916  Indian Blanket          Thomas Taylor

4. $90,311.21 ---- NFR: $2,181.00 ---- 1-2

Young. A good one.  Bucked off McFadden and Duarte at Pueblo. Elkins was 88 on him at Waco.

The Champ looked a little dazed and confused last night.  This should be a better deal.

Jesse Bail                  -3 Pole Cat JR.                    Pinz

5. $89,868.91 ---- NFR: $8,069.70 ---- 1-2

Circled a bit at the MGM then got on the correct lead and licked um. Good match but Jesse should be better.   Bull named after Buddy “Pole Cat, SR” Pinz.    Bucked Kagan off at Deadwood.    Think that was the only rodeo this bull went to that didn’t have woodchucks and raccoons in the arena.

A varmit in Deadwood is a BIKER.   Didn’t Flint “Let Me NOT Entertain You” Rasputin split his time between Deadwood and O’Chey?  Ah yes… one rodeo’s gain is another rodeo’s loss.    Not sure who gained and who lost on that deal.

Mike Moore              014 Cowtown Classic            Beutler & Son.

6. $87,619.85 ---- NFR: $10,686.90 ---- 1-2

Cowtown calf that had his horns removed because he was tagging the opposition.  Still has lots of head action but with that hair DOOO--Mike has plenty of head action himself.   This bull’s daddy was as mean as any Vold sister.   Bennie had to remove this bull’s knockers (at great expense I might add) in order to return him to the competition draw.

Philip Elkins          3F Spin Doctor                       Andrews

7. $83,681.59 ---- NFR: $16,430.20 ---- 2-2

Welly.  Can embarrass but after HURRICANE it'll all be relative from here on out.  DID YOU KNOW... that Hurricane was marked a 24 bucking off Tyler Fowler at Albuquerque? Did you know that these same yappy judges 24’ed the sucker all year long.  Now they jump ship like the little warf rats that they are.   Clint Craig was 89 on Spin Doctor at Albuquerque and then Coy Dickson was 69. So to be fair Phillip has to be 79.

Not many guys in this group or anywhere else who ride good CONSISTENTLY.  Pretty hit and miss.  Bull riding is a lot about try but there are some basic things that guys must to in order to ride bulls that buck hard.   These type of riders are talented enough and try hard enough that they overcome technical problems on most bulls… but on ranker bulls FLAWS will get you bucked off CONSISTENTLY.

Proper technique on the other hand will make riding rank bulls EASY.   It doesn’t have to be such a strain where it seems like the harder you try—the worse it gets.

 If life, in fact, is all about learning lessons then bull riding follows suit.  If you have a weakness in your riding then in critical situations you will draw bulls that will expose the flaw.  Think about it.  How many times when the chips were down did Aaron Semas draw bulls that went into his hand when maybe 14 of the 15 normally went away from it?  Even bulls that always went away from his hand would turn back into it.   Tuff drew bulls that didn’t kick.   Whatever your weaknesses are--you better address them. 

This isn’t rocket science… get back to the basics.

Cory McFadden                   610 Artic Cat              Double J/ Joe Simon.

8. $76,405.81 ---- NFR: $13,522.20 ---- 1-2

Good bull.  Big and bucks but rides good. Might be first place if Sirett doesn't ride Panda. I really like to watch this guy ride. When he’s riding well and you watch him on tape—his technique is almost flawless.  Had a really tough 2000 but if anything it made him mentally tougher.

This bull was really good at the PBR Finals and so was Corey.

Blue Stone             122 Copper Head                Walls

9. $75,972.43 ---- NFR: $13,522.20 ---- 1-2

This might be the only bull in this pen that none of these guys have seen.  An unridden bull this year but never went many places with tough bull riders.  Still... I heard he was some famous Texas Amie bull of the year in 2000.  The tape I watched I remember him bucking good--moving forward in it. Seems like it was to the right but I'd ask Terry to be sure.   He’s never lied to me.  Don’t recall ever meeting him though.   Usually if they’re talking—they’re lyin.

Myron Duarte        847 Johnny Walker Red            Thomas Taylor

10. $75,420.24 ---- NFR: $5,743.30 ---- 1-2

Just another one of Taylor MADES good bulls.  Dusted Legler quick at Pueblo. Was a 22 at Waco.

Is only a 21 at times.   Should be a ride.   Doubt that the announcers will say this bull’s name… probably change it to Jack Daniels.  Think it is SCOTCH.  Now there is BOOGERS in a bottle.  YUK.

Note:  Only a 21 at times does not sound too good in this age of high scores.  It’s interesting that a judge might tell me that he didn’t see any NFR bulls at a rodeo then  a few weeks later I’ll be going through the sheets from that rodeo and see that a 94 won the rodeo and it took an 88 to place.  Several 23+ buck-off bull scores.   Is the guy crazy?  Sure—he judges—that’s automatic.  Spoiled, lazy, smelly, and crazy.

But in my mind a judge’s most important duty is to get the money going to the right places with scores that benefit the rodeo business.   So… that judge did his job at that rodeo and NO there probably wasn’t an NFR bull at that rodeo.

Fred Boettcher                 P57 Wanna Dance             Gilberts

11. $64,941.83 ---- NFR: $0 ---- 0-2

Based on this bull's last NFR performance I'm not sure he's strong enough for this pen but someone was 90 something on him at the SEAGULL SNACKERS Circuit Finals--split the round with R8 of Kerby's so he got moved up.  I assume someone flanked R8.   Greg Whitlow was 85 on him to win second at Parumph.   Was a 22+ at San Bernadino.   It always seems like tall guys draw little bulls and little guys draw the Dinosaurs.   Should place.

Josh O'Byrne          450H Top Gun                  Kish

12. $64,309.29 ---- NFR: $0 ---- 0-2

Kish has more good bull's than anyone. When we went to trying to help the BR event throughout the PRCA both Kish and Bennie took the most hits as we put on other bulls. Kish started with 13 and ended up with 9.  Eight that could walk on four legs and one that limped a little.   Bennie and Rhett 12--cut to 8.  So when a contractor goes to whining about us missing a bull that was good enough well HELL—we missed a hundred good enoughs because we only can take 100 and there are maybe 200 out there.   IF Salt River cranks up and rodeos next year—well they can rock and roll with Kish and Beutler.   And if Harper reloads—shoot—no telling how tough a set a bulls there will be.  

This bull kinda stands out in a pen of outstanding bulls.  Resembles his owner... inbred... eye in center of head.... floppy ears.  In Red Bluff EVERYTHING is inbred.  Mothers to sons to sisters to fathers. You need to keep moving if you stop to gas-up there.  Attendant will be hunching on your leg.

Bet you didn’t know that O’Byrne was a stud football player?   Think he played in Junior college or something.  JC Trujillo was a college quarterback.  Dee Pickett (Cody Pickett’s old man) was a Dallas Cowboy draftee.  Duhon played for LSU.   Rod Lyman.   The Dorenkamps.  We could go on and on.   Even rodeo guys who didn’t play much organized sports are pretty athletic.   Have to be.  

I remember Marvin Paul Shoulders going on a televised Super Star athlete sports competition one time.   Placed in 2 or 3 events against the most famous athletes in the world.   Jerome Robinson carried a basketball with him all year.   Still plays.   Never passes either.   Think Cervi runs 6 miles a day.   Wish he’d run by a pasture with some good bulls in it.  Of course there might be a reason a stock contractor would run.  Escape.  

The point of this discussion is that I see guys here in every event who are having heck.  Look uncoordinated… out of sync.   Making what should be EASY for them seem almost impossible. 

If they would just put on some sweats, grab a basketball or a ball and glove, they could snap out of their slumps.   Loosen up… work-out the soreness… clear their heads… stimulate their hand-eye coordination and their natural athleticism.   Something about dribbling that helps your riding.  Something about getting off by yourself and shooting… thinking….  it works.   Guys with a history of head injuries need to play catch or dribble or shoot any time they get a chance. 

Former Wrestlers?  Guess they could go out and MUG someone.   Hockey Players?   Get a stick and beat on a rock.   Team Ropers?   Skip rope or play jacks.   Actually skipping rope IS good.   Calf Ropers?  Tetherball.   Steer Wrestlers… get a date.    Bronc Riders… a vibrating chair.   Bareback riders… chase a sheep or put your riggin on a Greyhound bus.

I’m not big on that faggy, kicky bag deal.  The guys I saw doing it at Cheyenne (comparable to masturbating in public) were guys known to catch their loops.  Got no idea why they were working on moving their feet.   Impress the judges I suppose.   It worked.

For many years (and some may still be doing it)  guys from all events would play basketball here.

Nearly every day.  You sure didn’t want to drive the lane on Tuff Dennis Rodman Hedeman. What a hacker.   Bobby D had the flattest and hardest (and sorriest jump shot) in the history of the game.  Donny Gay was (and IS) a little Allen Iverson.    Imagine that.   You better had been wearing a jock cuz sweet little Lane wasn’t above giving you a shot to the nuteroonies with an extremely sharp elbow.   Of course I was the Michel Jordon of the era.   Did underwear commercials. 

They needed a wide angle lens to capture all my magnificence. 

Sitting in a room and pouting… or beating yourself up mentally … will not help.    Get out and get moving.

Jason McClain                  4 Grey Cat                           Bailey

13. $62,348.96 ---- NFR: $0 ---- 0-2

The best bull in this pen.  I can't see him getting Jason and he could be 92-24.    23 bull and a 24 ride. Has different trips depending on how many tail cranks Cool Daddy gets.   MR. Gadget probably has computer chip implants and a remote control operated by shifty eye movements.  Something about getting on a Brahmer with an Okie behind me—would make me real nervous.   Okies.   Afganies without the good looks. 

Greg Whitlow

14. $62,129.62

Another bright idea…..

I wonder if the high marked animals each night get a buckle?  The cash is nice but a buckle is something that will last or can usually be hocked.   If they don’t then maybe that stock contractor rat organization could spring for it.  Sure….  it would be after the fact this year but it’s easily a do-able deal.   Probably $7,500 for 30 buckles… a little more to take care of any ties.   Have them by Denver.  It’s not like they don’t have any money.    They got more money than the Sopranos.   Organized crime.  

 Even though most of the recipients would never be able to actually SEE their buckles—it would be a nice gesture.

Jason Legler                      620 Shyster                         Kish

15. $58,183.35 ---- NFR: $0 ---- 0-2

The judges like this little bull more than I do. He's a 23+ to Jade but then Jade is high on heavyset Native Americans.  He's a choppy 21+ to me.   Sure can see how he gets guys.  Just can't over ride him. Sometimes bulls are named after their owners.  Sometimes not.   If you named all rodeo bulls after their owners it wouldn’t sound too good.  Copenhagen RAT... Copenhagen FAT.... SMELLY Skoal... CRAZY Copenhagen.... BROKE Skoal. 

Seriously though… stock names are important.  You can alienate people and not even know it.  For example… let’s name a bull “Hitler”… even though I can’t think why we’d do it.   I don’t know many Jewish people but I assume some go to rodeos.  Might have lost a grandparent… or even a parent.    How would that make them feel?  What memories and emotions would that attach to their rodeo experience?   Who knows?   Guess you’d have to ask a Jewish person.  

The reason the Hitler name caught my attention was that I watched the BAND OF BROTHERS World War II series in HBO.  Think they said that over a three year period 6 million Jews were executed and another 5 million of other ethnic minorities.  MILLIONS not thousands.   There were some brave soldiers in that war.   Hearing that name makes me think of my uncle.    It makes me sad. People don’t need to be sad watching a rodeo.   

Kagan Sirett             17 Panda                Donna Vold

16. $58,183.35 ---- NFR: $0 ---- 0-2

They bought this bull--was already a star in the Colorado Mountains.  Think Cody Custer was 96 on him at a Steamboat PBR in 2000.   They sent me a tape.   C.O.D.   Looked legit to me.    Kagan has had a hard time late in the season.   Don’t know why--this guy is something special.   Late in the season last year NO ONE was riding better.   Maybe Kagan got on Panda here last year. 

There is a reason Doug is crazy.   SISTERS.

Reride Bulls:  Not necessarily in order:

B00             Cigarettes and Alcohol             Burch Brothers
Outstanding at the Mountain Goat Circuit Finals.   Supposed to not stay hooked though.

50             McCarty Rose     Gilbert
The judges at Parumph said that if Justin Andrade would have ridden this bull .1 of a second longer at Parumph--he'da beat Jesse Bail who was 92 on R410 T Bug.  But then I heard he wasn't much at their Circuit Finals.  Wonder if he is better outdoors?   Could someone please retract the roof?  And the walls. Nice building for ice staking... Barrel skating.

43        Bandit             Guidry
Good bull.  Blue won short round at San Antonio on him.   Named after his owner.