Yellowstone or Bust!

Chris LeDoux’s song “Photo Finish” starts out:

“At seven this morning I got on the phone and said to hold my bronc as long as you can….”

Well my day was pretty similar yesterday. At seven in the morning I got on the phone and asked my good friend from the Cody Stampede committee, Tim Mahieu, if we could park our camper at his place in Cody, Wyoming.

Our “Big Day” is getting near, June 28th to be exact, and we are on our way to Hayden Valley. Before we drive into Yellowstone we need to take care of a few last minute details in Cody…flowers, etc.

Jamie and I decided to take our time getting into town and enjoy some of the sights along the way. Believe it or not, I’ve been through Thermopolis, Wyoming, multiple times but have never stopped to see the natural, mineral hot springs. Today I made it a point to stop. Thermopolis is home to the world’s largest natural hot springs. It is a must see. The Best Western and Holiday Inn are located in the park so it makes for a very convenient layover.

We shared a long walk taking in all the sights and natural wonders at the park. Be sure to bring a swimsuit and have a soak.

After leaving Thermopolis it was off to the Wind River Canyon - another amazing Wyoming sight. The Wind River Canyon area is perhaps one of the most scenic stretches of highway in Wyoming. It features mile-high cliffs, tunnels, never ending rapids, outstanding fly fishing and so much more. Although we didn’t have all day, we did make time for a short walk along the river. Several species of butterflies in various sizes and colors were prominent along the river today - small, medium and large ranging in colors from yellow to black and even some purple.

It was back to the truck and time to put the white lines beside us in search of Cody.
We made it to Tim’s just in time for supper! On the menu was Wyoming raised Buffalo. My o my, I bet I ate a 25oz of buffalo steak all by myself.

The plan is to be in Yellowstone National Park by 2pm today. I’ll be camping at Fishing Bridge several nights before moving into Old Faithful Inn. I hope you stay close to your computer and follow our trip through the most beautiful place on earth!

Forever West,
Jeremy

College Finals Completed

The 2008 CNFR is in the books! Governor and First Lady Freudenthal were in attendance as were many of the founding members of National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.

I’ve stated previously that the CNFR Championship Round ranks among the best in all of rodeo. Saturday night was no different. I’m always eager to see the talent compete for a national title at such a young age. Believe it or not a lot is on the line for these young adults including thousands of dollars in scholarships.

The electricity was outstanding and the Casper crowd provided an amazing atmosphere to compete in. The bull riding was intense as each of the Top-12 were focused on winning and determined to give their best effort plus a little extra college try.
I was really happy to see my buddy Seth Glause (of Rock Springs, Wyoming) ride his short-go bull and climb to the number 3 spot overall. His ride was flawless and was rewarded with 84 championship points. But my hats off to Montana bull rider Dustin Jenkins as he was the only man to ride all four bulls during the 2008 CNFR and was ultimately crowned the Collegiate World Champion bull rider.

Photographer Wes Mostaert was kind enough to share a few photos he captured of me in action this week. His vantage point for several of his shots was the catwalk some 300 feet above the action.

I can’t compliment Al Sandvold enough for a job well done. Our bullfighting at the CNFR was noted as the highest quality bullfighting the CNFR has seen in recent years. We both already look forward to CNFR 09.

Special thanks go out to the City of Casper for playing host to the CNFR and making me feel so very welcome. Likewise, the Days Inn of Casper - my home away from home the past nine days.

Forever West,
Jeremy

Best of the Best

Note: this blog was written Saturday, June 21, 2008

The stage is set for what promises to be an exciting CNFR Championship Round. Only the Top-12 contestants in each event have earned the right to compete for a national title. The CNFR is always a thrill but the Championship Round vaults that energy to the next level…it’s certainly among the best performances in all of rodeo.

I’m eager to see what bull rider will step up to the challenge, block out all of the hype and rise to the occasion.

A few bull riders to watch include:

Craig Begay, a three-time CNFR Qualifier from Central Arizona (Coolidge) is in great shape heading into the final performance having been successful on every ride thus far. Should he hold on to win the title it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. Dustin Jenkins competing for the University of Montana has also been successful on three rides.

But then there are the sentimental favorites: Hutch Haslasm, Brent Menz and Seth Glause. Hutch, the recipient of several stitches thanks to his bullrding attempt in the “Bull and Broncs” performance has fought his way back to the Championship Round despite riding with one eye swollen shut. Menz, a southern boy riding for the University of Tennessee-Martin has been here before only to see his national title hopes fall short. He’s an outside shot to win the overall title but that beats no shot at all. But you have to pull for Wyoming native Glause! In my opinion, Glause provided the CNFR with the best ride of the week when he rode Wyoming raised bucking bull “Q” owned by Bill and Donna Larsen. Seth doesn’t have a shot at the national title but he is very capable of winning the Championship Round.

No matter who you root for one thing is certain, the CNFR Championship Round won’t disappoint!

Forever West,
Jeremy

There’ll Be No Golf For You!

Once a year I trade in my bullfighting cleats for golf spikes. I’m no Tiger Woods but I have always enjoyed playing golf at Casper’s Paradise Valley Golf Club during the annual CNFR Golf Tournament.

As blogged previously, I wasn’t too sure if I was up to the challenge this year since I was hooked in my right knee just two days prior. My knee is going to be okay but it can bother me when I’m on it too much. Since youth isn’t on my side anymore I have to use my common sense. My better judgment was to take it easy and avoid twisting and turning my knee on the golf course. It was the first time in my CNFR career that I haven’t competed…bummer!

Although I avoided playing eighteen holes, I couldn’t avoid taking in some of the local Casper attractions. Jamie, Ty (our Black Lab) and I opted for a little fishing. The North Platte River flows right through Casper merely yards from our home away from home so we thought we would give it a try.

Needless to say, very little fishing was done due to the fact Ty couldn’t stay out of the water! I didn’t manage to catch any fish but we all enjoyed being outdoors. The City of Casper has beautiful paved trails which make it very easy to walk, bike, and run along the river. Don’t fear, I still have my fishing gear with me and I’m sure some lucky fish will find its way to my bait before I leave here.

I needed to get cleaned up and ice my knee prior to a 1pm interview with Corey White with Casper K2TV. Our interview will air on K2TV’s Sports Corner and we’ll do our very best to get a link added to the blog ASAP. Corey and I had a nice interview covering topics such as: Wyoming, the US Air Force, the CNFR and more.

Speaking of videos on my blog…a big “thank you” goes out to Lori and all the Wyoming Tourism staff responsible for the recent face-lift of the blogging bullfighter. Now, easier than ever you can find links to all the places I visit, watch videos from interview and more.

My decision to take it easy and fish versus play golf paid off as I was able to fight bulls with very little pain in my knee. Overall, it was an uneventful performance from a bullfighter’s perspective. Al and I could get used to days like that.

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

Bulls and Broncs in Casper

Wyoming plays host to several of the best rodeos in the country. If you are a rodeo fan you already know Casper, Wyoming is the host city of the prestigious College National Finals Rodeo.

The CNFR kicked off with the Bulls & Broncs specialty section on Sunday. The ladies also had a chance to showcase their skills in the Breakaway Roping which is a fairly recent addition to the “Bulls and Broncs” event.

ESPN U is covering the event and I will try to get a broadcast schedule for you ASAP so you can get in on the excitement of the CNFR.

Speaking of excitement - Seth Glause takes the cake! Glause is from Rock Springs and he drew one of my favorite bulls going down the pro rodeo trail, “Q” owned by Wyoming residents, Bill and Dona Larsen. Seth had “Q” once prior to the CNFR and failed to make a qualified ride. However, Sunday night would be different. Not only did Seth win the round with an 87.5 score, his next closest competitor was a distant seven points back.

“Q” is widely known on the pro circuit and has produced round winners at the famed Cheyenne Frontier Days and the National Finals Rodeo alike. Be sure to keep your eyes opened for this 1700 pound black and white spotted bull the next time you are at a rodeo event. “Q” is an amazing animal athlete and certainly worth watching.

In terms of bullfighting, it was a good performance with only one minor injury. One cowboy was jerked down on a bull’s head and hung in the bull rope causing us to work a little. All in all that was our only issue and it was fixed with a few stitches. Did I mention rodeo is not a sport for the faint of heart??

Speaking of “us” in regards to bullfighters, the CNFR has a new one working with me this year. Al Sandvold, a Montana resident, has made the trek to Wyoming for his first appearance at the CNFR.

Check back often as I update from the CNFR. If you’re looking for a weekend getaway, the CNFR has a lot to offer: fast times, wild rides and overall high flying action. Couple that with the Casper fishing, golfing, hiking and more you might find yourself having the time of your life merely miles from home.

The CNFR runs through 22 June.

Forever West,
Jeremy

I'm Back!

Since my recent stay in ICU I have been cleared to rodeo again. It has been an uphill battle regaining my strength and trying to pack on the pounds but I’m determined to get back in the shape I was prior to my hospital stay.

I was a little curious regarding how I would hold up at my first rodeo since the kidney surgery. The doctors cleared me to rodeo on 2 June and by 7 pm on 6 June I was headed to New Jersey to fight bulls at the historic Cowtown ProRodeo Series.

The flight was delayed due to engine trouble resulting in our arrival being pushed back an hour-and-a-half making a midnight arrival even later. Knowing the plane you’re about to be on for the next four hours has engine trouble makes for a real relaxed mind. Needless to say, I didn’t get much sleep.

It was my first trip to the Northeast with the exception of a taping for the CBS show “Power of 10” with Drew Carey in New York City last summer. I landed in Philadelphia and was able to see the baseball stadium but all in all that was the extent of sightseeing in the Liberty City. I didn’t even have time for a real Philly cheese steak.

New Jersey was nothing like I had imagined. The Cowtown Rodeo is merely 30 miles from Philadelphia. However, driving east you leave the big city behind and enter lush countryside and rural communities. The weather was exceptionally hot - 105 degrees with 100% humidity!

After a little R&R at the Harris’ Ranch it was time for the rodeo.

I picked up a day sheet to see how many contestants were entered and to my surprise several of the cowboys entered were guys I’d rodeo’d with in previous years. That’s what I love about rodeo. No matter where you are you’re always with friends. And get this: three of the guys participating were from the Cowboy State!

All things considered, I thought I held up pretty well. It certainly gave me a much needed confidence boost helping reassure me that my body is ready for the upcoming College National Finals Rodeo next week.

After the rodeo, I caught a ride to the airport. I’m not much for sleeping in airports but it beats missing an early morning flight. I couldn’t afford to miss this flight back home as I was scheduled to speak at the 2008 Wyoming Boys State in Douglas, Wyoming.

The American Legion and various Wyoming legislators are responsible for ensuring the states’ best and brightest high school students are offered this leadership opportunity. Kudos to Dan Zwonitzer and his staff for putting on a first-class event and making me feel very welcome.

After my speech I opened the floor to questions. I’m used to the typical “How many bones have you broken? Is bullfighting dangerous?” etc, etc…but one student, having recognized the Wyoming logo on my shirt, asked, “Would you rather be sponsored by your birth state or by Wyoming?” My reply was simple, “Wyoming! Nothing compares to a cowboy getting to represent the Cowboy State.”

Well, I’m back in the office for four days and then it’s off to one of the best rodeos in Wyoming – the College National Finals which is held in Casper. Stay updated as I blog from the CNFR.


Forever West,
Jeremy