Citizen – Soldier – Cowboy

Tonight (18 Jun) was a big night for Jamie and me. After nearly 8 years of serving active duty in the US Air Force, I made the switch to the Wyoming Army National Guard.

It was a whirlwind of media activities leading up to my transition and it continued after the rodeo performance. The story was on Casper K2 News live at 6pm just prior me putting on the Army uniform and followed up on the front page of the CNFR section in the Casper Trib.

During tonight’s opening ceremony the CNFR paid tribute to the Soldiers and Families of the Wyoming National Guard. Just so happened, I needed to take the Oath of Office on the 18th as well.

It was pretty neat to see patriotism is alive and well in Wyoming. Two humvees were parked along the bucking chutes, the Wyoming National Guard - Color Guard was on hand to present the colors and the Casper Troopers performed the National Anthem. Applause was thundering all around the Casper Events Center as the announcer thanked the Wyoming Soldiers and their Families.

Brigadier General Olin Oedekoven, Commander of the Wyoming Army National Guard was gracious enough to drive in and administer the oath of office to me in front of a standing audience of 4,000.



Jamie and I knew a transition would be taking place in life and began the decision making process over a year ago to see what direction our future should go. A couple of things were certain. One, we wanted to continue to represent and live in the Great State of Wyoming. Two, I wanted to continue to fight bulls. Three, I wanted to continue to serve the country in some fashion.

My time in the Air Force was truly a great experience and helped elevate my bullfighting career through the positive publicity. However, the active duty career path would eventually take me out of Wyoming. In effort to achieve all of my goals, the Wyoming Army National Guard stepped-up.

So tonight, my official title of being the ‘USAFs Only PRCA Bullfighter’ is over and I embarked on a new chapter in life representing the National Guard. I will continue to serve the country and rodeo even more than in years past. My military role will again be dually related. I will work a recruiting mission while rodeoing and also serve as the Officer-in-Charge of Wyoming’s Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon program is designed to support the deployed Soldier and their Family throughout the deployment process.

For years, the National Guard has been made up of people just like me – Citizens who have a unique role in the civilian world and are not scared to put personal goals on hold for the greater cause.

Again, thanks to everyone who helped make this event possible. I look forward to being a Citizen-Soldier!

Forever West
Jeremy

Time Flies

Time sure does fly at the CNFR. It’s Tuesday afternoon and the two days of slack are in the books and our sights are now set on Round 3.

Since arriving in Casper Saturday night I have been going at full speed. The good news is that the CNFR slows down a little after today.

Through two mornings of slack, 39 bulls were bucked and 11 cowboys managed to ride for the full 8 seconds. Among the qualified riders were once again, LCCC freshman Justin Thomas, making him only one of four riders to cover both bulls thus far. I’m starting to think he will be in Saturday's Championship Round!

From a bullfighter’s perspective, slack went really well. I enjoy working with Al as much as I enjoy working with anyone. Sometimes in this line of work, you end up working with guys who are not team players. Al and I are not those types…our goal is to keep the rider safe no matter who has to step up to the plate.

So far, when called to perform, both of us have done just that. Today was perhaps the biggest test we’ve seen in the arena and once again, we were both ‘Jonny on the spot’ to do our job. Bullrider Luke Dodson was thrown off his bull only to land right in front of it. It was at that moment Al and I moved in to take a shot. ..after all that is what we are paid to do! I was able to jump over the bulls head and land in between it and Luke just in time to take the shot.


I hope you like the photo from the Casper Trib

http://rodeo.trib.com/features/article_723ca242-5bc2-11de-8ae4-001cc4c03286.html

In other CNFR news, look out for the University of Wyoming Women’s Rodeo Team. I’m going to go out on a limb and say they will be the 2009 National Team!

Forever West,
Jeremy

Bulls, Broncs & Broken Bones

The 61st edition of the College National Finals Rodeo got off to a great start Sunday (14 June) with the Bulls, Broncs and Breakaway performance.

Thirty-nine bull riders from across the US and Canada qualified for the CNFR. On Sunday each cowboy attempted to ride the first of three bulls in hopes of securing a spot in the coveted Top 12 championship round.

In rodeo, momentum is everything. For the eight riders who successfully covered their first bull Sunday, it was a step in the right direction to earning a national title.

Joining me in the bullfighting duties again in 2009 is PRCA Bullfighter Al Sandvold of Belgrade, MT. We work really well together and certainly got off to a good start. Much like the riders, bullfighters rely on momentum to help carry them through a long event and we were happy with how things started Sunday.

I didn’t break anything but did manage to tear a ligament in my middle finger. It’s not a bad deal, I just can’t fully extend my middle finger. The ligament I tore is in the fingertip so for six weeks I will be wearing a splint in efforts to get it to heal straight verses straight down!

Just so happened a rider ended up in a precarious situation and the bull was headed for him. I was able to step in and grab the bull's head allowing the rider to walk away… but in doing so, the bull lunged at me and somehow managed to mangle my finger. All in all, it’s no big deal.

Justin Thomas carried the Wyoming flag for bull riders Sunday as he was the only cowboy with Wyoming ties to successfully cover his first round bull. Thomas is a freshman at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne. The freshman gitters didn’t deter this young cowboy as he turned in a 72 point ride.

Well, it’s off for a good night rest as Al and I have to be ready to fight bulls in the morning during the slack portion of the CNFR. Oh yeah, did I mention slack starts at 7am!

Forever West,
Jeremy