The last time I wrote I was sitting in the Sterling, CO, Burger King...
It's been a long 23 days. Over the last 3 weeks I have performed in 18 rodeo performances, traveling from New York to California. This has been one of the best rodeo runs I can remember with my favorite stop being at the Daddy of 'Em All, Cheyenne (Wyo) Frontier Days. I am happy to inform you I am still in one piece, safe and sound in my own home! During those 18 performances I faced off with over 550 bulls. When I look at the odds I consider myself very blessed to be healthy, (not so) wealthy and (not so) wise!
The pro rodeo in Sterling, CO, was a nice event featuring some of our top circuit cowboys. It was a hot week for rodeo but the fans sure didn't mind as they saw first hand the grit and determination cowboys show when trying to win the big money.
Unfortunately, on Friday night the winning bull rider also received a ride to the ER after his spur became hung in the bulls flank strap and he was violently slammed to the ground. As a bullfighter, this is a very bad situation. The rider is drug helplessly by his spur and the tighter that strap becomes on the spur, the harder it is to free them. I was able to grab the rider's leg and help pull him to freedom. However, right before I freed his leg, the bull bucked and the rider was slammed to the ground. In every bad situation, there is good news if we choose to find it. For him, it was the fact that he was freed quickly and avoided being stepped on or gored by the bull. This was the first time that I have seen someone lay helpless on the arena dirt for such a long period of time without moving. Had I been a betting man, I would have left that night thinking he encountered a life threatening or career ending wreck.
After the rodeo, I cleaned up and headed to the ER to check on him. Praise God that he was fine and suffered no major injuries. I was able to visit with his parents and learn the good news that he was in good shape considering the accident. Rodeo is a brutal game at times...the saying is "It's not IF you get hurt, but WHEN." Although rodeo can be a dangerous sport once a person is bit with the rodeo bug, they have it for life and will stop short of dying to pursue gold buckle dreams. Rodeo is full of great people and great times which make for memories that will last a lifetime.
I wrote several weeks ago that I would be on a rodeo run that would be similar to eating an elephant and I would get it done one "bite" at a time. Well I can honestly say, I have conquered the task and it is good to be back home in Wyoming.
Forever West,
Jeremy
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
On the Road Again
I arrived at DIA just in time to get in my vehicle and head to Cheyenne to pick up my rig and repack for the ProRodeo event in Yuma, CO. I had planned on driving to Yuma that night. However, due to delayed flights, delayed luggage, and dead batteries on my camper I opted to stay in my own bed Monday night and leave early Tuesday morning. It was a 1:30 pm performance so I had to be on the road pretty early.
Buying RV batteries after 9 pm isn't the best idea especially when most stores close at 9 pm! I ended up picking batteries up on the road and making a photo finish into Yuma. When I started hooking my camper up to power, water, etc. I ran into a little trouble with my power cord. Thank God for good samaritians...the Yuma Committee wasted no time fixing my rig while I dressed for the rodeo. I really appreciated all their help. It was a hot one and I sure need that AC.
The rodeo was perhaps the smoothest rodeo I've been to in a while. The bull riding went well and my bullfighting was on que. Congrats to my buddies Clayton Savage and the newest Team Wyoming member, Kanin Asay...they were 1st and 2nd respectively. I really enjoy rodeos in my circuit. Over the years, I've had the pleasure to work all shapes and sizes of rodeos and there's no place I'd rather perform. The Mountain States Circuit has as solid bull riders you can find in the country, and some of my best friends in the world.
After the rodeo, I had plans of fishing and walking over to the concert. However, I opted for some much needed rest. I was in bed by 9 pm and slept until 11am!
The Wednesday performance was held at 7:30 pm and several more good friends had entered in the bullriding event. Like always it was good seeing them and cheering 'em on during their ride. After the rodeo, I showered and broke camp in order to head to Sterling, CO for their PRCA Rodeo. I'm sitting in the Sterling BK as I write this! I was on the road by 11 pm so I made a quick stop for fuel and I was on the road again. I made it here a little after midnight. I didn't even bother unhooking the camper...I just crawled in and passed out!
Well, it's going to be a hot one...I'll write soon and let you know how the rodeo went. If you're near by you might as well come check it out and support Team Wyoming!
Forever West,
Jeremy
Buying RV batteries after 9 pm isn't the best idea especially when most stores close at 9 pm! I ended up picking batteries up on the road and making a photo finish into Yuma. When I started hooking my camper up to power, water, etc. I ran into a little trouble with my power cord. Thank God for good samaritians...the Yuma Committee wasted no time fixing my rig while I dressed for the rodeo. I really appreciated all their help. It was a hot one and I sure need that AC.
The rodeo was perhaps the smoothest rodeo I've been to in a while. The bull riding went well and my bullfighting was on que. Congrats to my buddies Clayton Savage and the newest Team Wyoming member, Kanin Asay...they were 1st and 2nd respectively. I really enjoy rodeos in my circuit. Over the years, I've had the pleasure to work all shapes and sizes of rodeos and there's no place I'd rather perform. The Mountain States Circuit has as solid bull riders you can find in the country, and some of my best friends in the world.
After the rodeo, I had plans of fishing and walking over to the concert. However, I opted for some much needed rest. I was in bed by 9 pm and slept until 11am!
The Wednesday performance was held at 7:30 pm and several more good friends had entered in the bullriding event. Like always it was good seeing them and cheering 'em on during their ride. After the rodeo, I showered and broke camp in order to head to Sterling, CO for their PRCA Rodeo. I'm sitting in the Sterling BK as I write this! I was on the road by 11 pm so I made a quick stop for fuel and I was on the road again. I made it here a little after midnight. I didn't even bother unhooking the camper...I just crawled in and passed out!
Well, it's going to be a hot one...I'll write soon and let you know how the rodeo went. If you're near by you might as well come check it out and support Team Wyoming!
Forever West,
Jeremy
Monday, August 6, 2007
A Quarter for Your Thoughts
It has been a busy few weeks for my rodeo travels. I am currently in California waiting on laundry! As you know, I performed at Cheyenne Frontier Days last week. Well this week I flew to Santa Barbara, CA for a Professional Bull Riders (PBR) event followed by a ProRodeo event. The weather in California has been beautiful and it made for great outdoor rodeo.
The Airmen stationed at nearby Vandenberg Air Force Base volunteered to help put on the event. I ran into a couple of my Air Force buddies that I had not seen in a few years so that was a nice treat. The Santa Barbara rodeo committee went out of there way to involve the Armed Forces. Along side me, the Marine Corps Mounted Honor Guard and the Air Force Choir were on hand to perform military honors. Please take a moment and remember our deployed Americans; for we are still at war.
Confidence is key in rodeo...I've always felt that when I think positive and feel good about myself, it is reflected in my bullfighting. I grew up listening to tapes recorded by World Champion Bull Rider Gary Lefew which discussed the power of the mind. I always try to think positive and it showed during this event. Gary was even on hand at the event! Visiting with him certainly took me back to my younger years when I would literally spend hours listening to his rodeo success stories that he contributed to positive thinking. Many miles have been traveled with Chris LeDoux and Gary Lefew tapes. All of which are now committed to memory!
The PBR all-stars were in California! It was a line-up featuring Chris Shivers, Luke Snyder, Greg Potter, Guliherme Marchi, Ednei Caminhas and many more...I fought bulls really well and praise God for that. Luke Snyder drew a pretty mean bull and ended up in a tight spot but I was able to go 'up and over' the bull’s head to allow Luke that moment of freedom to break for safety. It sure put a little hitch in my get-along! I've always said, the one thing that I love about fighting bulls is helping my buddies out...it's a priceless feeling knowing you did your best to keep them safe.
On a different note, California is suffering from one of their largest wildfires since the early 90's and the rodeo ground is just a few miles away from the wildfire. Thursday I experienced something like never before…the winds shifted westward, right in our direction...the enormous winds blew ashes all over the crowd and onto the contestants. It was to the point ash covered vehicles and windshields in a matter of minutes. If memory serves me right, this fire has claimed over 6,000 acres.
After the rodeo, the committee invited me back for the 08 & 09 rodeos. So look out CA, I'm coming back! My mentor and champion bullfighter, Donny Sparks, told me along time ago you can measure your success based on the fact if you were hired back to an event. He said, anybody can work a rodeo once, but getting it year after year separates the men from the boys. I often think back to that...
Well, I’m on my way to catch a flight back to Denver. I won't be in town long...just long enough to get my rig and head to Yuma, CO. I'll be there Tuesday and Wednesday for their ProRodeo event and then on to Sterling, CO Thursday and Friday. I'll be sure to keep you posted.
One last thing! The Wyoming State Quarter was unveiled today, however, the official launch and ceremony is not scheduled until 10 AM, September 14 at the Cheyenne Civic Center. If you would like to learn more about the Wyoming Quarter, including the commemorative card, visit: http://wyospcr.state.wy.us/ God Bless Wyoming!
The Airmen stationed at nearby Vandenberg Air Force Base volunteered to help put on the event. I ran into a couple of my Air Force buddies that I had not seen in a few years so that was a nice treat. The Santa Barbara rodeo committee went out of there way to involve the Armed Forces. Along side me, the Marine Corps Mounted Honor Guard and the Air Force Choir were on hand to perform military honors. Please take a moment and remember our deployed Americans; for we are still at war.
Confidence is key in rodeo...I've always felt that when I think positive and feel good about myself, it is reflected in my bullfighting. I grew up listening to tapes recorded by World Champion Bull Rider Gary Lefew which discussed the power of the mind. I always try to think positive and it showed during this event. Gary was even on hand at the event! Visiting with him certainly took me back to my younger years when I would literally spend hours listening to his rodeo success stories that he contributed to positive thinking. Many miles have been traveled with Chris LeDoux and Gary Lefew tapes. All of which are now committed to memory!
The PBR all-stars were in California! It was a line-up featuring Chris Shivers, Luke Snyder, Greg Potter, Guliherme Marchi, Ednei Caminhas and many more...I fought bulls really well and praise God for that. Luke Snyder drew a pretty mean bull and ended up in a tight spot but I was able to go 'up and over' the bull’s head to allow Luke that moment of freedom to break for safety. It sure put a little hitch in my get-along! I've always said, the one thing that I love about fighting bulls is helping my buddies out...it's a priceless feeling knowing you did your best to keep them safe.
On a different note, California is suffering from one of their largest wildfires since the early 90's and the rodeo ground is just a few miles away from the wildfire. Thursday I experienced something like never before…the winds shifted westward, right in our direction...the enormous winds blew ashes all over the crowd and onto the contestants. It was to the point ash covered vehicles and windshields in a matter of minutes. If memory serves me right, this fire has claimed over 6,000 acres.
After the rodeo, the committee invited me back for the 08 & 09 rodeos. So look out CA, I'm coming back! My mentor and champion bullfighter, Donny Sparks, told me along time ago you can measure your success based on the fact if you were hired back to an event. He said, anybody can work a rodeo once, but getting it year after year separates the men from the boys. I often think back to that...
Well, I’m on my way to catch a flight back to Denver. I won't be in town long...just long enough to get my rig and head to Yuma, CO. I'll be there Tuesday and Wednesday for their ProRodeo event and then on to Sterling, CO Thursday and Friday. I'll be sure to keep you posted.
One last thing! The Wyoming State Quarter was unveiled today, however, the official launch and ceremony is not scheduled until 10 AM, September 14 at the Cheyenne Civic Center. If you would like to learn more about the Wyoming Quarter, including the commemorative card, visit: http://wyospcr.state.wy.us/ God Bless Wyoming!
Forever West,
Jeremy
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