Bull riding competition was fun for first-time spectators
I’ve been to many rodeo events, but this past Saturday was my first time to attend a complete bull riding competition as I sat in the crowd at the Convention Center and watched the Professional Bull Riders Express Classic, and enjoyed the whole experience.
First, like most rodeos, the PBR event exudes patriotism from the opening ceremonies all the way to the final eight seconds of competition. During the opening ceremonies, a group of about 15 young recruits were sworn into the Air Force and will be heading to basic training by the end of the month.
Then there was a patriotic video shown with the pro bull riders thanking those men and women who serve our country in the armed forces and as rescue workers. This was a very cool video showing the sincere gratitude of these bull riders toward some true American heroes. As the bull riders were introduced, they were greeted on the dirt by eight military members from Oklahoma who recently returned from Iraq.
Following the opening prayer, the crowd was introduced to the widow of Clem McSpadden, whose death we wrote about last week. She addressed the crowd by saying, “The first thing Clem would have said was how proud he was of the young people who were just sworn into the Air Force this evening.”
Then she kept the moment light by offering a greeting to the competitors.
“The bull riders know how Clem felt about them,” Mrs. McSpadden said. “He wished he had a flat tummy like those riders. He struggled with that for a long time.”
The competition was truly fun to watch and it was obvious these guys really are tremendous athletes. Although their game or match only lasts eight seconds, it is likely the most bone jarring and most dangerous eight seconds in all of sports.
They used to say in baseball, “you can’t tell the players without a scorecard.” Well, on this night, I had a program roster of the bull riders competing, but I still didn’t know who these guys were. Remember, I’m a PBR novice. But, even though I was representing a media outlet, and thus should remain neutral, I found myself pulling for certain riders and hoping they all had successful rides.
My daughter Alyssa, who was watching her first rodeo-type event, also enjoyed the competition. As an animal lover, she at times was rooting for the bulls, or at least for the animals not to get hurt, and she quite genuinely was cheering with exuberance whenever a rider made it past the eight-second buzzer.
We may have stuck out in the crowd, as neither one of us wore cowboy boots or a hat, but we both agreed we’ll be back again for another PBR event.
PBR INTERNATIONAL
I didn’t realize how popular bull riding must be in other parts of the world, especially South America, and I thought it was most popular here in the land of cowboys.
The PBR boasts several stars from Brazil, including the current point leader Guilherme Marchi, who has won over $1.6 million in his career.
Australia is also represented on the circuit with a couple of riders from down under.
Even the U.S. Border Patrol has gotten in on the act. The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, a federal agency, is a sponsor of the PBR. Now I don’t mean to be negative, but I was just wondering if this is a good use of my tax dollars.
I understand that Border Patrol agents are present at these events as a recruiting tool. They had a table set up in the lobby to encourage young men and women to join their ranks. I told one of the agents at the table, “keep up the good work, but work harder.” Meaning - you guys are doing a good job, but people are still getting in to this country illegally, so get on it and do a better job.
I’m just wondering how expensive it is to sponsor the PBR and if that money couldn’t be used in some other means of recruiting.
I don’t know, maybe it works. I read their brochure last night and was ready to sign up.
FRANCIS TO PITCH HERE
The Tulsa Drillers return home Friday night and open a four game series with the Arkansas Travelers, then the Northwest Arkansas Naturals follow into town for a three game series that wraps up on July 31.
Colorado Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis has had some shoulder problems this season and is being sent to Tulsa for a rehab assignment and to work with the Drillers pitching coach Bo McLaughlin. Francis pitched a few innings on the road earlier this week, and will make two appearances at Drillers Stadium this week.
Francis will pitch on Saturday against Arkansas and then he’ll get another start on July 31 against Northwest Arkansas. Both games will begin at 7:05 p.m.
[Jeff Brucculeri can be contacted via e-mail at: jeffb@tulsabeacon.com.]