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

Unfinished Business

Our time at Devils Tower has come to an end. I encourage you to personally visit the tower at your earliest convenience.

A most sought after license plate for collectors worldwide is the Wyoming edition. Ever since I have lived in Wyoming, the plate has featured Devils Tower alongside the iconic Steamboat bucking horse. Seeing the tower in a photograph or on a license plate doesn’t do it justice. It is a personal experience you need to savor in life, not in a picture.

Granted photos of Devils Tower are spectacular but it’s impossible for a picture to capture the feeling you have when you’re lying under the moonlit sky with every star in the heavens illuminating the tower.

As a matter of fact, Jamie and I will be returning to Devils Tower after I perform at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, WY. We have a little unfinished business to tend to. We have arranged to climb the tower with expert Frank Sanders. Frank is a legend in Crook County, Wyoming. Frank has climbed Devils Tower 365 consecutive days!

We were able to spend a little time with Frank this weekend and with the encouragement of Matt Driskill we are entered in the rock climbing class. O, did I mention neither Jamie nor I have ever climbed anything higher than the bed of a pickup truck?

Frank owns and operates Devils Tower Lodge and Wilderness Climbing making it possible for a novice like myself and avid climbers alike to reach the top.

You can bet I will be blogging about this adventure. I am even going to try and wear a helmet cam so I can upload video with the blog.

Before I sign off this Memorial Day, let’s not forget the reason for our extended weekend. Yes, to some today was simply a day off of work but to others it’s an opportunity to honor those who have served our nation - many of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

I want to send a personal ‘thank you’ to the troops serving outside the wire Memorial Day 09. Likewise, to my uncle Ronnie Sparks who served in Vietnam and a longtime family friend, Mr. EJ Hosey who marched with Patton in World War II and my Wyoming neighbor Mr. Smedley who survived the attacks on the USS Intrepid in WWII.

The United States will remain the land of the free so long as it is home of the brave.

Forever West,
Jeremy

Back in the Saddle Again

Saturday , Jamie and I were able to ride horseback over a portion of the 10,000+ acre ranch the Driskill family homesteaded in the late 1800s.

I don’t get the opportunity to ride much anymore but I sure do enjoy it when I do. In the last few years my riding has been rodeo parades, filming movies or photo shoots. But nothing takes me back to my teenage years like riding horses.

Jamie was even up for the adventure. I’m pretty proud of her. We crossed the Belle Fourche River twice and once jumped the “Red Canyon.” Well, I told Jamie we could call it the Red Canyon but it was really more like a red clay ditch. Nonetheless, she did a great job keeping up with Matt and me as we rode in the backcountry. Along the way, we spooked a turkey, several deer and even a red fox.

Devils Tower is spectacular from the road but seeing it from the backcountry on horseback is simply euphoric. If perchance you are looking for a perfect wedding site, keep in mind Devils Tower.

I’m not sure how many acres we covered or even how long we were out. But the one thing I do know is as we were riding home the sun was setting over our nation’s first national monument. As the American flag gently waved in the cool mountain breeze all three horses stopped and faced the setting sun. It was inspiring to take in that view one more time.

As night fell we thought it would be a good idea to stoke the campfire, make smores and roast hotdogs. And yes, we did it in that order. If you have never made a smore follow these simple directions:

Build a fire
Find a small tree branch (or wire clothes hanger)
Stick a couple of marshmallows on the stick and roast over fire
Break a graham cracker in half
Break a Hershey chocolate bar in half
Sandwich the roasted marshmallows & chocolate between the graham crackers
Eat
Email me simply saying “Thank You!”

Sitting around the fire I couldn’t help but think about days gone by. As a kid my parents would load up the vehicle and search out a campground. Many a vacation was spent under the stars roasting hot dogs, building smores and making memories.

Living in this hurry up, hustle & bustle world, I want to encourage you to slow down long enough to make memories your children will always cherish. Truly, it is the small things in life I hold dear – family time, a good saddle, campfires, and being immersed in nature.

Forever West,
Jeremy

First-Time Close Encounters

Devils Tower is more than I anticipated. The Tower has a way of stirring something inside you that until you experience it you can’t fully comprehend the majesty.

This morning Jamie and I saddled-up the bicycles and peddled the three-mile stretch between the park entrance and the visitor’s center.

It’s a moderate ride in and quite literally it’s uphill the entire time. However, I found it was rather enjoyable. On our ride we spotted deer, turkey, and even got a up-close look at Devils Tower most famous species – the black-tailed prairie dog.

My goodness, as soon as we entered the park we were greeted by 1,000 plus of these little guys. On the map the area is called “Prairie Dog Town.” I tell you, the Prairie Dog President must have been in town today because all the dogs were out.

The real treat was watching a turkey strut for fifteen minutes as he tried to impress a nearby hen. We ended up leaving the bikes in the ditch, walking in the forest a bit, and taking a seat on a fallen tree in order to enjoy the show. The gobbler would sound a few notes, fan its feathers and strut around until the lady had no choice but to notice him. It reminded me of some of my cowboy friends from my early rodeo days.

Well we made the 1400 ft incline and couldn’t believe how massive the tower appeared. From afar, Devils Tower looked big but standing right under it, that emotional stirring really starts to happen. The rock tower doesn’t fit into its surroundings. It’s not like there are several smaller rock towers and then the grand tower. Devils Tower erupts from rolling hills and looms over trees that are a part of the Black Hills National Forest.

There are at least three scientific theories regarding the origin of the tower and at least three more legends. You can read all about those theories as you walk along the Tower Trail. I prefer to side with the Native American’s tale. Legend has it (and I paraphrase) that seven young girls were playing on a small boulder in the distance from the tribe’s camp and a big grizzly bear spotted them. The young girls, scared for their lives, began to pray that the rock would save them. The Great Spirit answered their prayers and the boulder grew and grew, taking the young girls into the sky where they remain today as a group of seven small stars - The Pleiades.

The only question now is how did the tower ridges form? Continuing with the legend, the ridges are the result of that big grizzly scratching and clawing his way toward the young girls to no avail.

It is easy to make a full day inside the park’s perimeter. We only scheduled a half-day before we were off in search of the Vore Buffalo Jump.

In route we came across Aladdin, WY - population 15. Throw a one on the front of the population and you get the age of the town general store (mercantile), which at 115 years old is still open. East of Aladdin, we found what we had been searching. During the construction of I-90, the Vore Buffalo Jump was discovered. Turns out, this is a natural sinkhole providing an exceptional means for the Native Americans to harvest buffalo in numbers hard to comprehend. Ranging from the 1500s to the 1800s at least five native tribes used this sinkhole to trap and then harvest buffalo.

Although limited digs have taken place, bones of an estimated 20,000 buffalo have been found buried and perfectly preserved along with countless Native American artifacts. Despite being directly off of I-90, I would guess not even 1% of the passersby stop to experience Vore Buffalo Jump.

Well it’s suppertime at the KOA and I need to get going. We arrived back just in time to fire up the grill, help start the community campfire, and set up for the nightly showing of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” - a movie shot right here where I’m sitting now! No wonder Devils Tower KOA has earned three consecutive KOA Presidential Awards. They have free WiFi, campfires, movies, playgrounds, and a priceless view of Devils Tower. What else could a tourist ask for?

Forever West,
Jeremy

Memorial Day Weekend, Here We Come

My summer rodeo run is merely three weeks away and there’s no better way to clear my mind and finish prepping for a grueling schedule than to travel Wyoming. Highlights of the trail will include the College Nationals Finals (Casper, WY), Cheyenne Frontier Days (Cheyenne, WY) and the Santa Barbara (CA) stop of the PBR tour.

But today, Jamie and I are off to the northeast corner of Wyoming in search of Devils Tower National Monument, the first national monument in the USA!

Since starting the Blogging Bullfighter, I have wanted to visit Devils Tower and capture my experience in words. However, don’t merely take my word for it, get out and experience Wyoming yourself.

Thanks to Matt and Kathi Driskill of Devils Tower KOA Campground this trip has become a reality.

We left Cheyenne at 1pm yesterday and began the easy 300-mile trip to Devils Tower. I bet we counted over 500 Antelope between Cheyenne and Gillette.

In my eight years living in Wyoming, I have never been east of Gillette. To my surprise, the plains faded in the background as we entered plush, green, rolling hills and acre upon acre covered with towering pine trees. We spotted at least fifteen turkeys and a dozen mule deer. You gotta love that.

The GPS showed 20 miles remaining and it was nearing 7pm. W were making good time despite three pit stops along the way to include a FedEx drop box. You want to talk about fun, try pulling a 33-foot fifth wheel through a FedEx drive-in.

Out of nowhere Devils Tower appeared! I have heard others remarks regarding the same thing but until that moment I didn’t fully understand what they meant. The hills roll, a deep red-rock canyon is winds its way along the roadside, and then “BAM” a massive neck of chiseled rock towering to the sky.

It’s obvious we have arrived. Our home for the next several days is at the beautiful Devils Tower KOA Campground at the base of the national monument. I’m positive I will scout things out and report my findings.

Hey, do yourself a favor. Get off the internet, pack up the vehicle and travel Wyoming…you won’t regret it!

Forever West,
Jeremy