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

Can’t Keep a Good Man Down

The CNFR is in full swing. Hopefully you’ve been keeping up via the internet with all the highlights thus far. Several media outlets from across the nation are in Casper to capture just that - the thrills and spills!

Al and I had our work cut out for us Tuesday making it very easy for the media to fill their tapes and cameras. We finished the morning slack performances and returned to the Casper Events Center for the first night performance since the “Bulls and Broncs” event. Al seemed to have a “magnet” on his body as the majority of the action seemed to go his way in the morning slack. I really enjoy fighting bulls with Al and everyone seems to think we make a great team.

Al’s “magnet” found its way to me for the night performance! The first bull out ended up hooking me as I moved in to protect a fallen rider. The bull's horn hit me square on my right knee. It always puts a little scare in you when you take a shot because as we all know, it only takes one shot to be a career ender. Fortunately, I will be fine. The Orthopedics Center of the Rockies staff examined me after the rodeo and found no broken bones or torn ligaments. I’m very thankful.

The soreness did make for a little longer/tougher night but again, Al and I seemed to be flawless in our duo of cowboy protection.

Speaking of tough, Super Bowl Champion and PRCA cowboy Walt Garrison was on hand last night to present the annual Walt Garrison Award. His award is given to a college student who has been selected by peers for demonstrating leadership, sportsmanship, and academic excellence. I always enjoy visiting with Walt and this year was no different. Did you know that Walt once played an entire NFL game with a broken ankle??

The annual CNFR Golf Tournament takes place tomorrow. I’ve competed there the last three years taking second in 2005. I hope my knee feels up to the challenge.

For other news and results regarding the CNFR visit: http://www.cnfr.com/

Forever West,
Jeremy