Thursday Cardinal Couple -- Sandy has laundry day----today the Commish cleans out the Bull Pen

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-The Commish is in the bullpen.


-The Flying Cardinal.


(We thank you for your comments on the series of bull riding articles that Mark the Commish has been posting over the last two months. Today's final in the series covers ownership, bull-fighters, wrecks and girls. 


Add a few chimps, beverages, bananas and Poobah and it sounds like a typical night around CARDINAL COUPLE Worldwide after Sonja and I have left for the day.) 

Would you like to own a bull ?  There is a new Turn-key ownership Program sponsored by the PBR and American Bucking Bull Inc (ABBI) called the Back Seat Buckers Program.  If you have the money, you could own a competitive bucking bull and become a Stock Contractor. Once you own the bull, the ABBI will do the rest.  They will house it, feed it, take care of it, train it , etc.

Basically, it is an auction and there are only 100 spots.  To obtain a spot (sold on a first come first served basis) in the auction one needs to cough up $3500.  An auction spot ensures the right to bid on a draft position at the Live Draft and Back Seat Buckers Auction held at the PBR Iron Cowboy Invitational in March 2013. A draft position will dictate when the buyer (contractor) will be able to pick their bull(s).

Minimum bid for a draft position is $1000. Once the bull is bought, you will need to fork over another $3600 to the ABBI for feeding and housing.

Here is how the competition works: There are 100 top-rated 2-year-old Futurity bulls (plus alternates) in the program. They will be competing for $500,000 in prize money this season. They’ll buck in four regular season events, and at the World Finals in Las Vegas in November. These animals are still babies and will buck only four seconds with a 25-pound weight aboard.

This years bulls will buck at 4 PBR BFTS events across the country and the World Finals:

Event 1: Pueblo Invitational Pueblo, CO May 18-20, 2012

Event 2: Tulsa Invitational Tulsa, OK August 11, 2012

Event 3: Thackerville Thackerville, OK September 1 , 2012

Event 4: Springfield Springfield, MO September 15, 2012

Final Event: Las Vegas World Finals Las Vegas, NV October 23, 2012

Final Event: Top 5 Return Las Vegas, NV October 27, 2012
  

Here is a list of some famous people that bought bulls this year:
John Elway, Wayne Gretzky, Reggie Jackson, Bear Pascoe, Chad Ochocinco (who recently got married and changed his name back to Chad Johnson) and CBS Sports' Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton.  Thoroughbred trainer Bob Baffert and Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens also got into the act. (they named their bull Silverbulletday) He bucked May 19, 2012 and scored a 61.  Didn't place in the money.  All the bulls are scheduled to buck again August 11.

If you got the "bucks" and want to buy a bull, here is all the info on the program.  Auction spots for 2013 are available August 1, 2012.

http://backseatbuckers.com/home.html

The Bull Fighters

Sometimes during or after a ride things go wrong. A cowboy gets his hand caught in his rope, or he may get stomped on by a bull.  This is called a wreck. When this happens, the ones who save the day are the Bull Fighters: A bullfighter's job is to distract a bull when a bull rider either bucks off his bull or dismounts after his eight-second ride. The distraction provided by the bullfighter gives the rider a chance to get back to his feet and out of harm's way.

Bull Fighters get hurt too.  According to one of the top Bull Fighters--Shorty Gorham:  "Broke my shoulder, blew out my knee, broke a leg and an ankle, broke ribs, broke arms, separated both shoulders and separated my sternum … but it’s part of the deal. None of them are serious injuries. It’s just a part of it. You gotta know that going in that there’s going to be some broke bones. We’re like the Secret Service guys. If things are going well you don’t notice us, but when things go bad, we’re there."

Watch as retired 5 time World Champion Bull Fighter Rob Smets explains what Bull Fighters do:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4Swn2XwmpI&feature=related

Wreck, Wrecks, And More Wrecks:

When there is a wreck, the Bull Fighter will usually save the day. Here is a video of the top 10 Wrecks of 2010.  There are some squeamish moments so watch with caution. Due to some violent content...Parental Discretion is advised.  As bad as some of these wrecks are, all the Cowboys lived to tell about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WnYZxhOV1w&feature=relmfu

Let's hear it for the Girls:

One of my articles featured Women Bull Riders.  One was about 13 year old  Tayler LaFlash of Plantersville, TX. Recently her Grandmother wrote Cardinal Couple with more information about her and an update on her status:

"My Granddaughter is Tayler LaFlash and at age 9 she started riding the mechanical bull at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. She did this for 2 years. At age 11 she entered the Grimes County Fair N Rodeo Steer Riding and won her first buckle in 2009. That was her first time on a live animal. We are so proud of her accomplishments and we stand behind her 100%. Good luck at World Finals, Tayler. Ride Rank!!!!!"

Looking forward to seeing how her career develops.  Hope to see her riding in the PBR someday.  I'm sure with her will and determination she will be a success.

Kallie Kautzman

A female Bull Rider that missed being mentioned in the article was Kallie Kautzman.  I found out about her because her stepdad emailed Cardinal Couple and mentioned she rode bulls as well.  I did some research and here is her story:

Kallie Kautzman is from Bismark, ND and has been on the Bull Riding Circuit for about 5 years. She has won several prizes and  events including the 2008 Little Bull Riders junior championship and 2009 Mandan Horse and Saddle championship. Every event she has won was against Men---or should I say young boys.....and I almost forgot to tell you---Kallie just turned 13.

What does Kallie think about competing against the boys?  She says, "It doesn`t feel natural being around all boys, not really a girl thing but it`s okay."  And what is in the sport for her besides prizes like trophies or Belt Buckles? Well, as Kallie says,"You win money".

Kallie's stepdad who was brought up in Rodeo himself got her started in the sport.   Kallie was watching her brother ride a Bull and decided she wanted to try as well. Turned out she was a natural and rode him pretty well.  She has been riding ever since.

It seems Kallie is going to hang up the Bull Rope when she turns 14 because the Bulls get bigger and stronger. Have no fear--she will continue her Rodeo career by concentrating on her true passion of Barrel Racing.

Best of luck in the future as well Kallie.

This concludes my series on "Everything you wanted to know about bull riding but was afraid to ask".  Although Bull Riding does not fit the profile of "Cardinal Sports", since Paul gave writers free reign to write on any subject they wished sports related, I chose Bull Riding because I knew about it, and wanted to share with readers the different aspects of a  sport that  no one would think that WOMEN participated in.  I figured that most may not know much about the sport and would be interested in learning something new.  Even I learned some new things about the sport researching the articles: I never knew 13 year old girls rode bulls. I know Bull Riding is not everyone's cup of tea, but I never was a fan until I actually sat down and watched it on TV. Then I attended two live events (Nashville and Chicago).

PBR viewers have an average household income of $66,000, and 40% are women; 70% own their own home; 53% attended college and 68% own a computer. The PBR has more crossover with NASCAR and with the NFL than with rodeo. So, why not Cowboy Up and take in a PBR event?  You can watch it on TV or attend a live event.  It is really a family orientated event. Lots of things to do and see. And tickets prices would fit into anyone's budget. Ticket prices range from  $10, $25, $35, $50, $75, and $100. Events usually last about 2 hours.

Here is the PBR BFTS Event schedule with ticket and TV schedule info:

http://www.pbr.com/en/bfts/schedule.aspx

And the level below the BFTS--the Touring Pro Division schedule:

http://www.pbr.com/en/tpd/schedule.aspx

Note: The Touring Pro Division usually has a stop in Louisville each year--they were here February 24-25 at Broadbent Arena.  The Touring Pro events don't have as many "bells and whistles" as the BFTS events but it is Bull Riding with some of same bulls and riders that are on the BFTS Tour.

Commish Mark


( Mark will check back in from time to time with "bull updates". We've currently got him scheduled for women's sports duties and also to see if he can ride the offensive and defensive linemen on UofL's football team or guard Asia Taylor and Sara Hammond for eight seconds. Stay strong, Commish!)  


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The first FLYING CARDINAL has been introduced by UofL Director of Social Media Nick Stover. His first episode includes guests we know and love here at Cardinal Couple...Howie Lindsey and Charlie Springer. 


Charlie's got a link to it at his site...UofL Card Game. Link below.


Card Game

You can follow Nick on Twitter as well. We're checking into the legalities over contacting him and seeing if he'd like to challenge the Commish to a bull-riding contest or taking the staff chimps out for Bananas Foster and bowling. 


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Thursday Cardinal Couple -- Professional Bull Riding Is Not Just For Men

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-Dads...don't let your daughters grow up to be Bull Riders 


-WE finally found a picture of the UofL billboard in Springfield, OR. 


( Commish Mark continues with his reports on Bull Riding today. He looks at some of the female riders on the PBR circuit.) 




Dads Don't Let Your Baby Girls Grow Up To Be Bull Riders....or something like that--(with apologies to Ed Bruce, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson).

The Commish's understudy 

In keeping with the tradition of Cardinal Couple as a site dedicated to Women’s Athletics, readers may be interested to know that bull riding is not just for men. Women ride bulls as well. Today's article focuses on four women Bull Riders-- Kaylynn Pellam, Maggie Parker, Wendy Persons, and 13 year old  phenom Tayler LaFlash. 

Kaylynn Pellam

Kaylynn Pellam's claim to fame is that on  January 8, 2011 she competed in a PBR Touring Pro Division Event (division below the Built Ford Tough Series) in Grad Rapids, MI.  She was the second Woman to compete in a PBR event.  (Four years ago, Sarah Bradley competed in three Challenger Tour events, attempting to ride five bulls, but she did not reach the eight-second mark.) 

Unfortunately, Kaylynn didn't make the 8 second mark either. She bucked off a bull named SUPER HOU in 1.4 seconds. The Bull must have bucked pretty well since he received a score of 43 from the Judges. (If Kaylynn would have ridden him, she could have scored at least an 86.) Note: The Challenger tour was what the TOURING PRO DIVISION is now. Before the Touring Pro Division there was the Challenger, Discovery, and Enterprise Tours which were the Minor league PBR events. 

Kaylynn Pellam (22) is from Murrieta, California and attended Oklahoma State University (OSU), where she competed in a variety of rodeo events for the OSU Rodeo Team. The events she specialized in were Breakaway Roping,Team Roping, and Goat Tying. (Wonder if she tied down Bill the Goat? I believe when Paulie would fall down on hard times he would send Bill the Goat out on the rodeo circuit in order to make some extra cash to help make ends meet). She also served as Ag Council representative for the Oklahoma State University Rodeo Team.


( Editor's note: Bill likes to tye-dye but isn't especially fond of being tied down. Peace, dude!) 

Her ride was not a publicity stunt.  She is an experienced rider and Cowgirl and has several awards to her credit:

She won the Open Bull Riding Championship at the Vinita County Fair (in Oklahoma) in 2009. She also qualified for the National Junior Bull Riders Association Finals for eight consecutive years (from 2002 to 2009), finishing both fourth (2005) and seventh (2007). She also won top sectional titles in Southern California (2004 and 2005) and Northern California (2005 and 2006) championships.

She attended California’s Paloma Valley High School where she earned varsity letters in track and field and Volleyball.  (How did The University of Louisville Track and Volleyball coaches miss out on this recruit?)

In College she majored in biochemistry and molecular biology (with a minor in microbiology). Kaylynn graduated from Oklahoma State University in May 2011 and  has already applied to several veterinary schools, such as OSU, Washington State University and California’s Western University.

She plans on becoming a large animal-vet. Perhaps in the near future she will be taking care of some of the bulls in the PBR.

Here are links to two articles about Kaylynn and her historic ride:

http://theequestriannews.com/2011/04/21/kaylynn-pellam-bucks-expectations/

http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/01/kaylynn_pellam_bucks_trend_as.html

Maggie Parker 

Another Cowgirl is 19 year old Maggie Parker. Maggie was born and raised in Shaftsburg, Mich. She now lives in Edmond, Okla. where she works at National Saddlery selling rodeo equipment, spends one day each week horseback at the livestock auction, and in her spare time also shoes horses. She started riding at 16 and would drive 2 hours to the practice pen where she would improve her ridng skills.

She rides bulls in the Professional  Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). (The PRCA is an organization whose members compete in rodeos throughout North America, primarily in the United States.) She is the first woman ever to win money in a PRCA Bull Riding event.  She was 1 of 38 riders that competed  at the May 31-June 2 Bennington Rodeo in Kansas.  She rode a Bull named B12 for 70 points which was enough to qualify 6th and place in the money.  For that ride she earned $190.  She also received an additional $270 in "day money". Day money is money given to each contestant that makes a qualified ride during the event.  She left the event with $460 in her pocket. She had this to say about her feat: "The important thing is how many girls and women I inspired. This shows that women can do anything they set their mind to."

Below is video of her historic ride where she scored a 70.  Notice the bull did not perform very well. He just basically "cut a trail".   The bull B12 received a score of 35 from the Judges. Maggie received 35 points as well for a total score of 70.  The bull score was low since he just jumped forward and up and down with no spin. (If the bull was better, Maggie could have scored higher).  This was a PRCA event so I do not know if she was offered a reride.  If it was a PBR event, she would have since that bull was not up to PBR standards: 

Video of Maggie's ride

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct5-isHtbrs

Here is an article about Maggie's ride:

http://worldofrodeo.com/rodeonews/2012/bull-rider-maggie-parker-makes-prca-history-in-kansas/

Wendy Persons

Wendy Persons is another female Bull Rider.  She is 28 years old and from  Aliso Viejo, Calif., where she works at an equestrian facility that specializes in English riding. Persons gives hunter/jumper riding lessons and trains horses along with working at the feed store. She feels that this experience works to her advantage when riding a bull. 


 According to Persons:  “The position that your body is in when you ride a jumping horse is very similar to the position you are in riding a bull. The muscle memory and leg use also has some comparisons.”

She started riding bulls because of a rodeo she attended with her father when she was little. She decided she wanted to try it and has been ever since.  She drives 40 minutes one way to get on practice bulls three to five times each week.

Here is a short interview with Maggie and Wendy and why they ride bulls:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGEL4JrBYLg

Tayler LaFlash

Finally, let me save the best for last.  While researching this article, I came across a young lady who seems to have a PBR career ahead of her. Her name is Tayler LaFlash and is from Plantersville, TX.  And from all indications she is NO "FLASH IN THE PAN".  And did I say she is 13 years old? YES---13 years old.  According to the article she has all the natural ability to be a successful Bull Rider.  Another reason for her projected success is because she is riding for all the right reasons:  The LOVE of the sport.  Hopefully in 5 years she will be on the PBR circuit competeing with the men.  That would be a historic day that I would love to see.

Here is the link to an excellent article about Tayler.

http://www.navasotaexaminer.com/news/article_feee6f42-b0d1-11e1-a0af-0019bb2963f4.html

Today we learned about four women doing something they love to do. It just so happened that SOMETHING was riding bulls.  They were not seeking publicity and Bull Riding was not the only thing they excelled in.  From training and shoeing horses, to even becoming a veterinarian taking care of large animals, all four young ladies are well rounded individuals and I am sure they will be a success in any career they choose---even Bull Riding. (Wonder if Bull Riding is covered by TITLE IX?)


Commish Mark


( We can just see Sean Moth announcing the 2014 starting lineup for the UofL women's Bull Riding team in the KFC YUM! Center against UK. Bet we'd get at least 15,000. ) 


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Better late than never. Our writer Jenny O'Bryan found and forwarded to us a picture of the UofL billboard in Springfield, OR and near Mercedes Russell's home. 

( No truth to the rumor that UNC WBB has put up a billboard of Coach Hatchell outside Mercedes' bedroom window or that Tennessee actually has Pat Summit sitting on the Russell front porch bringing in the daily paper and mail. Who loves ya, Mercedes? Why the best college sports town  around, that's who! L1C4 !! )

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Raise Your Free Hand If You Think You Can Ride A Bull

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-The Commish recalls Chad Ochocinco's bull ride.


-Walz Elite Skills Camp today


-Vote for Angel!

( The "Commish" Mark reviews a historic bull ride in today's CARDINAL COUPLE. Now that Chad Ochocinco is in Miami, FL....we can only surmise that Dolphin riding is next for him...) 

Do you think you have what it takes to ride a Bull? Some may say, "It's not that tough". Or "What is the big deal?"  One may think any one can do it and that being a Bull Rider is easy.  As a matter of fact a famous Professional Football player thought that. He was being a little too disrespectful to the sport and was challenged to put up or shut up.  Who was this famous athlete?  It was none other than Chad Ochocinco  (Cincinnati Bengal/New England Patriots now Miami Dolphins wide receiver).  The PBR challenged him with this offer:

If...at the 2011 Built Ford Tough Series PBR event scheduled at The Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Ga.... he got on a bull the PBR would give him $10,000.

If he rode the bull for the required eight seconds, the PBR would give him a new Ford F-150 truck and allow him to permanently rename the bull anything he wanted.

If he didn't show, the PBR would rename the bull "#58 No Show Cinco." (The number is the reverse of Ochocinco's jersey No. 85.)

It all started May 4, 2011.  He posted on his twitter account that he was headed for a showdown with PBR top rider Valdiron Oliveria at the BFTS Event in Duluth, GA.:

Ochocinco tweeted:
 

"Valdiron de Oliveira vs. Lil Taco May 13th-14th Duluth,GA. Who coming to watch the longest 8 seconds of my life?"

Sean Gleason, the Chief Operating Officer of the PBR then tweeted:
 

"that's the deal. Show up and get on the bull u get 10K, ride him for 8 secs and its a brand new F150 from @teampbr @fordtrucks."

Ochocinco responded:
 

"if I stay on for 8 seconds FORD will give me an F-150? I challenge your best bull and i'll give the truck to 1 of my followers."

Gleason also had this to say about the offer:

"The Ford F-150 we're offering will be there, we hope (Ochocinco) is too,"  "He's a gifted athlete, but bull riding is a much different sport and climbing on the back of a bull in the chutes takes a little more than Twitter confidence, let alone calling for the gate (to open).
"We admire Ochocinco's interest in the sport. If he actually gets on and nods his head (to open the gate), he'll find out that two-a-days in the summer heat are nothing compared to the eight seconds faced by PBR bull riders week in and week out."

Before his ride he had a day of training by co-founder of the PBR retired Nine Time World Champion Rodeo Cowboy Ty Murray. He tried giving him a crash course in the basics of Bull Riding. Ocho also had to sign a waiver releasing the PBR of all liability and that he knew Bull Riding was a dangerous sport.

Before his ride, Ochocinco tweeted:
 

"The real question is not how long I can last on the bull, but how long the bull can last with me riding him"
 
The Bull he was given to ride was a Bull named DEJA BLU. He is co-owned by none other than Ex-Los Angeles Dodger Manager Tommy Lasorda.  As a matter of fact the Bull is named after him.  Lasorda is friends with the stock contractor Tom Teague who originally owned the Bull.  Teague felt the bull had a touch of blue in him and decided to name him after Tommy Lasorda.  DEJA BLU as a play on the words "Dodger Blue".  (Teague sold DEJA BLU to another Stock Contractor--Jeff Robinson.  Lasorda still is part owner.)  Since then, DEJA BLU  has had a slight name change. Instead of DEJA BLU The Bull is now known as DEJA BLUE EMU.. (Blue-Emu is a pain relief product containing Emu Oil and is a sponsor of the PBR.)

DEJA BLU EMU is one of the top rated Bulls in the PBR with an average Bull rating/score for the past 5 years of 44.004.  The average score received by the 16 riders that successfully rode him is 88.52 points.  That is a very good average score. This Bull was no Gimmee.

How did Ochocinco do? Did he get on DEJA BLU or was he a "no show"? Who won this historic battle of Man vs. Beast?  Well, it sure wasn't Chad Ochocinco. He did show and got on the Bull's back. He actually nodded his head---the gate flew open---and down Ochocinco went in 1.5 seconds.

Afterwards Ochocinco had a new found respect for the Bull riders of the PBR.  He was quoted as saying,"The sport doesn't get enough credit – the guys who do this week in and week out … should be the highest-paid athletes in sports."  And "It was fun--I can cross bull riding off my bucket list."

As promised Ochocinco did receive the $10,000 for showing up and getting on the bull. Afterwards he pledged to give the $10,000 he won to FEED THE CHILDREN. Several sponsors then  stepped up, including Ford, and gave  that F-150 away in a contest among Ochocinco's Twitter followers.

Here is the video of Ochocinco's ride:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z38ell5-Ivc&feature=relmfu

And here are some video thoughts of the Bull Riders before Ocho's ride and Ocho's thoughts afterwards:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PHa2b2rmxU

Me and Bill on the way to Prospect Beverage Shop.

I would venture to say Cardinal Couple Co-Owner & senile Senior Columnist Paulie Sykes being a farm boy at heart would have done much better than Ocho. That is because Paulie had plenty of experience riding four legged "beasts" in his youth.  Namely goats down at the Drunken Amish Farm in Goshen, KY.  Paulie was known as "THE GOAT RIDER" and has numerous trophies from the many Saturday Night Goat Riding Competitions he participated in. The best Goat he ever rode?  Bill the Goat of course. Rode him for 98 points June 5,1971.

Here is some grainy video footage of that historic ride. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFG8hDKEbho

Goats are effective short-term methods of transportation.

( Editor note: No goats were harmed in the filming or participation of the video. Bill has since retired from competitive goat riding but has been known to sneak up behind "The Commish" and send him scurrying down the sacred halls of CARDINAL COUPLE Worldwide headquarters with a succession of head butts .) 


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Just a reminder that the Elite Skills Camp is today at Cardinal Arena on the UofL campus from 1-5 p.m. Get out and watch these talented young ladies in action and show some love for Mercedes Russell and the rest of the participants.  


A stellar group of high school stars will be going through the camp. They deserve and have earned our respect. How many coaches besides Jeff Walz would open this event to the fan base? 


This is a chance to see the #1 recruit for 2013 and show her that UofL WBB fans represent all year long. 


See you there!


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Cardinal great Angel McCoughtry is one of five WNBA players up for an ESPY...the annual award the four-letter network gives out to the best and brightest in the world of sports. 


She's deserving...no doubt. The talented Ms. McCoughtry leas the WNBA in points per game (22.6) and steals (3.55). 


Also nominated Diana Taurasi, Seimone Augustus, Tina Charles an Tamika Catchings. Two Huskies, a Volunteer and a bayou bengal Tiger. 


Go vote for Angel at:


Vote for Angel!

(There are over 30 categories to choose from. A lot of them I had no idea on who to pick. There is a "next" button, fortunately. Angel's category is about halfway through the selections. )


Commish Mark

So--You Want To Be A Bull Rider?

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


- Bull riding more than just jumping aboard and holding on..


( The Commish continues his insights into the world of Bull riding today. )

Even though Paulie may call me a detective, a Commish, or even a writer (I use that term loosely), a Bull Rider I am not.  After all, what person in his right mind would get on the back of a 1500-1800 pound Bull and try to stay on its back for 8 seconds with the chance of being tossed around like a wet dish rag , stomped on, ran over, or even killed?  Cowboys are of a rare breed.  They are probably some of the best athletes in the world and they play their sport for the LOVE of it.  Yes, large amounts of money can be made since the inception of the PBR but that was/is not always the case.  

Like sports where athletes are under contract and get paid whether they play or not---the life of a Bull Rider is different.  NO PLAY---NO PAY---and you only get paid if you RIDE your bull and WIN.  Some Bull Riders in the PBR have done really well.  Twenty Five have career earnings of 1 million dollars or more.  The top 5 earners of all time are:

1  Justin McBride--Two Time World Champion 2005,2007--retired in 2008--$5,124,418.42

2  Guilherme Marchi--World Champion 2008--still riding-- $4,010,813.61

3  Chris Shivers--Two Time World Champion 2000,2003--retiring this year--$3,916,279.33

4  Adriano Moraes--Three Time World Champion 1994,2004,2006--retired in 2008--$3,504,344.71

5  Mike Lee--World Champion 2004--still riding--$3,004,254.71

The chances of earning 1 million dollars and making it BIG in the PBR? Pretty slim. More than 1,200 bull riders from the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico hold PBR memberships.  Only the top 35 can qualify for the World Finals. (Total Money won determines that). As you can see 35 out of 1200 riders are not good odds.  Almost as bad as the chance a college football player has making it in the pros. As a money making proposition, Bull Riding is a RISKY BUSINESS in more ways than one.

Before the PBR the amount of money to be won was not very good.  And since there were no sponsors for the riders, they paid their own way.  Most riders would travel by car to events with a couple other riders.  They would share expenses and use their own money for entry fees, food, and hotels.  As Bull Rider Mike White (retired 2010) said, "In 1999, it showed I made $155,000.  It does not show I SPENT $55,000 to make the National Finals Rodeo.  In 1999, BEFORE the National Finals Rodeo started, I had won $56,000 but SPENT $55,000. If I had not made the National Finals, I would have been in DEBT".  (In 1999, at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) Mike White placed 12th and won $57,887.13 in the Bull Riding Category).  The National Finals Rodeo, organized by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, is the premier championship rodeo event in the United States and is not affiliated with the PBR.

The quickest way to make the most money in the PBR is to be the overall Season point leader after the World Finals and collect (in his Doctor Evil’s voice---from AUSTIN POWERS): "ONE MILLION DOLLARS”. Of course that is the goal of every rider.  Become the World Champion.

The age range of a Bull Rider in the PBR goes from 18 to the late 30's.  At this time the #1 Rider in the standings is Valdiron de Oliveira.  He is 33 years old.  The oldest rider to compete was 3 time World Champion Adriano Moraes.  He retired in 2008 at the age of 38.

Most pro bull riders are approximately 140 - 150 lbs and are usually no taller than 5' 8".  Of course there are exceptions.  For example, rider Beau Hill is 6'1 and 190lbs.  He has been riding pro for 13 years.  On the other hand, Brian Canter is 5'3 and 120lbs.  He has been riding pro for 7 years.

There is more to riding a Bull than just climbing and holding on for dear life.  A Rider must be in top physical condition.  To be successful, he should participate in a program which includes work on the following: 

A. Strength

B. Flexibility

C. Endurance

D. Weight Control

E. Ab conditioning

Lots of weight lifting,running,flexibility exercises, and eating a balanced diet all contribute to the Rider being able to perform at his best.  It may not prevent injury but will help him recover at a faster rate.

Two of the top riders--LUKE SNYDER and AUSTIN MEIER have added something different to their training regimen:  YOGA and PILATES.  Pilates is defined as: a system of exercises using special apparatus, designed to improve physical strength, flexibility, and posture, and enhance mental awareness.

According to Snyder, “We’re athletes. We’re some of the toughest, if not the toughest athletes out there. If you can put your body into the right shape, you can handle injuries better, you come back quicker, you get off bulls cleaner and your reaction time is up.” 

Every move the Bull makes there is a COUNTERMOVE the Rider must make. Snyder explains: “You have to be able to put yourself in a position to take the power away. When they come up in the front, you have to be quick to the front, and when they break over, you have to shove your hips back down and you have to be quick on the kick, too. If you find that happy medium, it’s easy.”

Snyder also felt he does not breathe as hard during rides and is not winded afterwards.

Meier had this to say: “One of the first things a guy recognizes is your endurance.  You might think, ‘Eight seconds, well, how much cardio do you need?’ In those 8 seconds, you use up a lot of cardio.”

Meier also felt that his balance has improved giving him a better idea of where his center of gravity is, regardless of what position his body is in.

Did this training pay off?  

In 2010 Luke Snyder finished 37th in the standings with a riding percentage of 30%. After starting the program, in 2011 he finished 12th with a riding percentage of nearly 40%---the highest it had been since he first started in 2001. This year he is currently ranked 10th.

Meier went from finishing 42nd and 28th in the world standings to finishing sixth and second the past two seasons.  This year Austin is currently 8th with a riding percentage of 50%. 

( Editor comment...In case you don't want to be a bull rider, the Byrds offer some advice on becoming a rock 'n roll star at the link below)

So you want to be a...




Unlike sports where teams are playing against each other, Bull Riding is more of an individual sport.  Even though riders compete against each other, it is essentially Man vs. Bull.  The rider does not go out thinking  “I have to beat Rider A to win”----His mindset is “In order to Win I have to Ride My bull and take the score the Judges give me.”  And if any of our readers watch the sport for any length of time they will notice this:  Even though the Cowboys are competing against each other---They actually CHEER for and help ONE OTHER. For example, a rider may be unfamiliar with a bull he has drawn.  If he knows a fellow Cowboy has ridden him before or knows about the bull, it's not uncommon for him to ask about the Bull's tendencies. What did he do the last time you rode him? Does he spin to the left? Does he spin to the right? How many jumps before going into a spin? Does the Bull have any "tricks" he may need to be aware of? The Cowboy will always tell him.  It is not a cut throat competition.  They want to see their fellow Cowboys do well---even if it means they score  enough points to beat them.  Next time (or first time) watching an Event, notice the Cowboys behind the Chute as a Cowboy is riding his Bull.  They are cheering for him, shouting words of encouragement, and if that Cowboy gets hurt/injured during the ride, they can be seen removing their hats and praying for him.  That is one aspect of the sport I admire. The fact that they are like a family---A close knit group of athletes. 

 Bull Riders do this for the love of the game and are some of the best athletes around.  And since the Cowboys can only make money if they ride, many compete with injuries.  I have seen Cowboys compete with a broken arm and even a broken leg.  One rider had a broken hand and decided to ride using his opposite hand which is not easy. That's like a left handed pitcher having to all of a sudden start pitching with his right hand. Or Paulie having to ask CO-CO the Chimp to open his can of Bud Select because he injured his fingers typing the latest edition of Cardinal Couple.   

Injuries sustained in bull riding are comparable to injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident.  Broken legs, torn ACL’s, Broken Ribs, lacerations, and even death.  For an inside look into the mind set of a Bull Rider, why they do it, and injuries they have sustained, view this excellent video: PBR: THE DANGERS OF BULL RIDING: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et8KdwVg-do

After watching the video and reading this article--if you wish to become a Bull Rider on the PBR Circuit just like Paulie does, click the link provided and fill out the 2012 Bull Rider Application Packet which includes:

 

a) 2012 PBR Membership Requirements:

b) The current membership application;

c) Waiver of liability for third party claims (Paulie may have trouble signing this since it has no mention of his beer being replaced if dropped/spilled during a ride);

d) Compliance with PBR rules and policies; 

e) Publicity consent form;

f) Waiver and Release form;

g) Membership Dues;

h) Examples of PBR Approved Rowels;

Notice the legalese when reading the Waiver.  The PBR Membership application even requires  the applicant to name a LIFE INSURANCE BENEFICIARY. (Paulie's is BILL THE GOAT but CO-CO may have something to say about that.)

 Any one interested in looking over/filling out the Application just click the link below. And Good Luck in your newly found career!

http://www.pbr.com/media/1613746/2012_bull_rider_application.pdf

Commish Mark


( Great stuff, Mark! We have a specifically tailored Life Insurance policy that gives the massive profits earned here at CARDINAL COUPLE to our favorite charity...Children Without Foreheads. Co-Co and Bill the Goat are to be donated to Poobah in the event I've fallen and can't get up. ) 
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Thursday Cardinal Couple -- YOU GOTTA KNOW THE RULES

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-The Commish explains the rules


( Mark continues his series on the PBR today with a review of the rules. We wonder how they are explained to the bulls...Enjoy!) 




As with any sport there are rules.  In Bull Riding the rules are simple. Stay on the Bull for 8 seconds and you will receive a score provided certain conditions are met.  Here now the rules as stated by the PBR:

  

A qualified ride is 8 seconds. The clock starts when the bull's shoulder or flank breaks the plane of the gate and stops when the rider's hand comes out of the rope, the rider touches the ground or the rider's free arm touches the bull.

Four judges rate each rider and each bull on a scale from 1-25. Those points are added together and divided in half to reach a rider score and a bull score of between 0-50. Those numbers are then combined to reach a final ride score between 0-100.  For example, let us say Paulie Sykes--(Cardinal Couple Co-Owner & senile Senior Columnist)--- is on the back of a beast and he executes a qualified ride while holding an open can of BUD SELECT in his free hand and does not spill a drop.  That would not gain him extra style points but he would receive a SCORE: Let us say he and the bull get the following scores:

        Rider scores   Bull scores
Judge 1   22.50          21.00

Judge 2   21.00          22.00

Judge 3   22.00          22.75

Judge 4   21.50          21.75

Rider Scores added together (22.50 + 21.00 + 22.00 + 21.50) divided by 2 gives the rider 43.50 points.

Bull Scores added together (21.00 + 22.00 + 22.75 + 21.75) divided by 2 gives the Bull 43.75 points.

The total score for the ride would then be: 87.25 (43.50 + 43.75).

87.25 points is a pretty good score.  Paulie did well.

The bull always receives a score, even if the rider is bucked off. His score is based on his degree of difficulty. Judges look for drop in the front end, kick in the back, spin, and direction changes.

In the above example, the Bull's SCORE is 43.75.  Even if Paulie was bucked off, the BULL still would receive his score of 43.75 points. Paulie receives nothing but a few broken bones and is left with a crushed can of Bud Select that the Bull stomped on as it fell out of Paul's hand to the arena floor.  (Paulie was warned before the ride that his actions were dangerous and that he could spill his beer.)

( Editor's note. Anyone who saw me river-board down a boulder-filled, raging stream a couple of summers ago in California will realize that bull-riding is like riding a tricycle to me.) 

A Bull score of 43.75 is considered an average score for a Bull in the PBR.  (Bulls are rated by their average BULL SCORES.)  A rider can estimate the type of score he could potentially get if the bull performs up to expectations and he does as well. Look at it this way: If a bull’s RATING is 43 (his average points each out), and the rider does his job, simply double the bull’s RATING  and you have a ballpark figure of the total score a Rider could receive.  In this example he "should" score at least 86 points. Of course, Bulls do not always perform to expectations and neither do the riders.  The key to scoring a high point total is to ride a Bull that scores high. If the rider stays centered on the bull and demonstrates control during his ride, the judges will usually mark him equal to or even a point or two higher than the Bull.  As a rule, the BULL score determines the kind of mark a rider will get.  The higher the bull scores, the higher the rider can score.

A bull that averages 44-50 points is Excellent

A bull that averages 42-43.75 points would be an Average PBR Bull.

A Bull that averages 40-41.75 points would be Fairly Good but not great

A Bull that averages 39.75 -below on a consistent basis would not be on the PBR tour very long.

Want to see an Excellent Bull in action?  Here is video of one of the Top Bulls in the PBR named ASTEROID. This OUT he scored 47.25 points.  If the rider stayed on he could have scored almost 95 points or more.  All of the elements needed for a high bull score were present: drop in the front end, kick in the back, spin, and direction changes.  This is evident and easy to see when it is replayed in Super Slow Motion.  Check out the POWER this bull has especially when viewing what happened to the rider at the very end. (And Paulie wants to be a Bull Rider.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3svI1VF5trQ

A rider only receives a score if he lasts the required 8 seconds. Judges look for control - the ability of the rider to successfully counter the moves of the bull. Spurring is not required, but tends to demonstrate control, and can add points.

Cardinal Couple staff chimp Coco is a
veteran bull rider.

Every sport has an action an athlete performs that shows excellence. In baseball it is a home run, football a touchdown, and boxing a knockout.  In Bull Riding it is a 90 point ride.  Since 90 points is the Gold Standard in Bull Riding, a Rider would like to ride a bull that averages at least 45 points.

What does a 90 point ride look like?  Here is an example of a rider that had “A LOT OF BULL” and took advantage of it.  He countered every move the Bull made and was never out of position.  He scored 95 points. (96.5 points is the PBR record).  Because the Bull bucked so hard the rider’s helmet flew off during the ride.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-7UabJdf38

Who determines which bull a rider is going to have at each Event?  It is decided by the draw.  The Draw is an event's list of bull riders and the bulls with which they are randomly paired. The draw for a Built Ford Tough Series event is typically created via computer the Wednesday prior to an event. If a bull rider says he has a 'good draw' it means he is happy with the bull that he was randomly selected to ride.

Also, there is something called "the draft".  After the first round of each event, there is a second round consisting of the top 10 riders in the round. They get to select the bull they wish to ride.  Some try to choose the one that "fits" them. Some choose the one that may give them the most points or one they feel is the most easiest to ride.


( We just hope David Stern isn't at this particular draft. )

There is a Fifth Judge at the events and he is positioned on the announcer stand.  He reviews replays in the event of an infraction or when a contestant challenges a ruling. The decision of the replay judge is final. Yes, in the PBR there is a replay judge. A rider can actually challenge a ruling.  Here is how it works:

Bobby Petrino after bull riding? 

Say a rider completes his 8 second ride but the Judge says he slapped the bull with his free hand and got disqualified, thus removing his score from the board. The rider can push the challenge button located by the chute and the ride will be reviewed.  IF IN THE RIDER'S FAVOR, he will then receive a score.  If however the decision STANDS and there is nothing to turn the decision over, the rider is out $500 from his own pocket.  What is interesting is this:  ANY rider can push the challenge button. Here is a real example that led to some controversy:

A rider came out of the chutes and within the first few jumps, his free hand came across his body in front of him and went down and he touched the bull.  He continued riding and got a score. At this time ANOTHER RIDER went to a judge and asked him if he saw him touch the bull. The judge said no. So he went over to the challenge button and pushed it.   A challenge of another rider's ride had never been done in the PBR until then.  It was reviewed and it showed he did indeed touch the Bull and his score was taken down.  Needless to say the rider was MAD. He said that was just not the "cowboy way". The rider that challenged it said he did so because he felt the judges had been inconsistent with two calls earlier in the night.

Was this rider wrong for pushing the challenge button?  I don’t think he was because it was within the rules.  The purpose of the replay is to get the call right.  No one faults the rider who challenged his fellow bull rider's ride.  Let’s just say it was unprecedented and to date has not happened again. 


 Here is the video of the ride in question.  The slap the Judges missed is obvious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaMM3ZfB0qM

If the bull's performance is sub-par (negatively affecting the ride score) or if a foul occurs during the ride (the rider is rubbed against the chute, the bull stumbles, the flank strap detaches, etc.) judges can offer the rider a chance to take a re-ride.  If a rider's bull performed poorly and received a low score, he is offered the re-ride ONLY IF HE STAYED ON THE FULL 8 SECONDS.  If he was bucked off before the 8 seconds, and the Bull score was low he could not get a re-ride. If he fell off because the bull stumbled and its momentum was stopped, a re-ride could be offered.

If a rider's total score was low (e.g. 68) because HE performed poorly, he would not get a re-ride.  For example, his score would be low if he was hanging off the side of the bull during the qualified ride. In this case his score would definitely be lower than the Bull and because it was his fault he received a low score, no re-ride would be offered.

Furthermore, the re-ride IS AN OPTION.  He does not have to take it.  If a rider scores 68 points and is happy with that he can let it stand.  If he chooses the re-ride option the points are taken OFF THE BOARD and he is offered a chance on another bull. It is usually best to TAKE THE RE-RIDE because 68 points may not be enough to win an event. It is usually best to take a chance on a new bull and try for a higher score.  Usually the re-ride bull offered is easier than the one he just rode.  By easier I mean he is usually more rider friendly or predictable.

Why would a rider DECLINE a re-ride?  Here are a few reasons:

-If he was the final ride and scored just enough to be declared the winner of the event there would be no need to try for more points.  Quit while your ahead.  Remember, the points would be taken down and if he failed on the re-ride he would lose the event he already WON.

-If a rider was injured he may choose to decline the re-ride. 


-Sometimes the DOCTOR will step in and decline it for him if the injury is too serious. (The rider may want to accept the re-ride in his condition but the Doctor has the FINAL SAY.) 

Some riders may take the low score and decline the re-ride as a "business decision".  Even though it may not be high enough to win the EVENT, the rider is looking at the LONG RUN. Since points are added to the overall standings for the entire year he may decline because his thought would be if he rode MORE BULLS during the year than the others, there would be a good chance he would have more TOTAL POINTS AT THE END OF THE SEASON and become the WORLD CHAMPION. I call this the "BULL IN HAND THEORY".

I have seen times where a rider declined a re-ride, kept his low score, and it caused him to lose the event by a couple points. Just think if he took a re-ride and was successful.  He would have won.  And if he was unsuccessful? As one can see the points he kept were not enough anyway.

Most Rider's will always take their re-rides. They want to score as many points as possible. They want to WIN events and place in the money.
 

Angel to Geno;
"That's a bunch of bull..."

Sometimes a spur will get caught in the rope. If a rider is caught placing his spur in the rope as he mounts the bull inside the chute he is disqualified.  No score if ridden.  However, if during the ride a spur gets caught in the rope, that’s ok. Generally speaking, a rider is not allowed to catch his spur in the knot of the rigging because it provides an unfair advantage for hanging on.

If a contestant is taking too much time in the bucking chute or sulking his bull he can be disqualified. I saw this happen once.  The rider was taking too long. He had several chances to nod his head and leave the chute.  The judge had no part of it. One could hear him say, “That’s it—Get off!—You're disqualified!!” The reason for this is to protect the bull and keep it from being injured.  Also, it tires him out and the rider may get an unfair advantage. The Judge can usually tell when a rider is sulking his bull. 

The object is to get out as quick as possible.  There is no 30 second clock so it is a judgment call.  Judges are experienced and can tell if it is because a bull won’t cooperate.  Sometimes if the rider can’t get “out” on the bull because of that---he may be given a different bull for his ride. He usually has 3 tries to get out.

What triggers the opening of the chute and the beginning of the ride?  Pretty simple really.  The Cowboy will usually nod his head.  I have heard some Cowboys shout "GO!!", "BUCK HIM", or "OPEN THE GATE".  Sometimes this is known as "Calling For The Gate".  Sometimes if a rider is bucked off because the gate was opened and he did not call for it he may get a re-ride.

There you have it. The rules of Bull Riding in the PBR. By knowing these it will be easier for new fans to follow the sport and understand it.  For a crash course in Bull Riding 101, view this short video.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmxtHv6WpR0

Commish Mark 


 ( Thanks for sharing the "ins and outs" of bull riding, Mark. The staff at CARDINAL COUPLE is still ready to ride a bull...we just want to be coated in bubble wrap and foam rubber.)