The opening session of the new series Listen to the Thunder at the Texas Longhorn was enough to make the problems of the last session go away. The bulls performed better and the riders looked better. It was a good night in the arena.

Nathan Dupry blew out of the chute for the first ride of the night on a big, bad brown bull. The first move out presented the classic bull riding picture with the bull’s rear high in the air and Dupry leaning back with good posture. Dupry has not looked that good in a long time. Unfortunately Dupry’s injuries are still keeping him from being all he can be. He made a good five seconds on the bull but was not able to last for the last three seconds needed to score.

Joey Bergeron’s pockets were empty Friday night so rodeo director Coleman Peveto allowed Bergeron to ride as a “mount out." If a rider cannot pay the entry fee he may be allowed to ride “just for fun.” He cannot score or win any money. Bergeron’s fun did not last more than three seconds on the second ride of the night. As he hit the dirt the bull turned and came back on him as he was getting to his feet. The bull lowered his head and rolled Bergeron like a frozen turkey on a tile floor.

Bullfighter Bubba Tacker ran in and distracted the bull. Bergeron was able to gain his footing and make a getaway.

As if once was not enough, Bergeron would come back for a second turn in the next to last ride. His luck was not any better, lasting three seconds. As he tried to regain his footing, it was almost a replay of the first ride, except this time the bull’s aim was off and he did not put a horn to the rump as he passed by.

Bergeron’s second bull did not want to leave the arena at the previous show. Someone must have told him a bull that does not learn to leave quickly when he gets his back empty will quite possibly end up on a truck to the sale barn before usually heading to the meat market.

At any rate, the bull bucked off Bergeron and then looked for the exit gate like he was an old pro. With a little more seasoning, he may become a good bull.

Sometime bull rider and sometime rodeo announcer Shannon Faircloth made another appearance in the arena. Faircloth came out off balance to the right side and continued to lean right and go to the ground in less time than it takes to tell the tale. In about two seconds he was on the ground looking over his right shoulder at the bull making a run for him. Once again it was Tacker to the rescue.

Josh Barrentine made the first eight second ride of the night. His speckled bull came out of the chute, turned right and moved into a series of spins. Even though he did not buck much his spins were enough to give Barrentine a fairly difficult time.

Barrentine matched the bull move for move and managed to keep both his seat and his balance. The buzzer buzzed, and the judges awarded him a respectable 72 points. At the night’s end that would earn Barrentine fourth on a night that paid three places. Good score, but no money.

Marcus Clowers made a few seconds on a big bull that overpowered him. He made slightly less than half the required time.

Justin Lopez followed Clowers and did not last quite as long. That set the stage for Dillon McNeil.

McNeil’s bull came out hard and fast and kept McNeil’s chaps flapping for the entire ride. The bull came off the ground with all four legs at least twice, with a lot of spins and other bucking motions. McNeil hung tough until he heard the buzzer then just threw his left leg over the bull’s right side and hit the ground with both feet moving.

That ride was good for 80 points, second place and $219.

The next four riders were not as lucky.

Travis Prejean  ended up on the ground with his rear to the bull’s rear in less than four seconds.

Joey Johnson drew a bull that hopped like a thousand-pound grasshopper. His bull would go straight up with all four hooves clearing the dirt and come down like a four-legged pile driver. Johnson shook loose with time on the judge’s watch.

Keegan Labry came out off balance and stayed that way. No time, no score.

Kyle Blanks was popped off the rumble seat and for a moment he still had a hand on the rope. It looked like he was walking a bull on a leash. Thankfully the hand came loose and he avoided looking like a plow.

Billy Joe Griffin was the old man of the arena. Old enough to be the dad of any of the other riders, he showed the kids how the grownups can play.

Griffin’s bull came out fast with the turn that everyone likes to see. After his turn to the right he began a combination of spins and bucks that would give anyone on his back trouble.

The bull made moves that were not spectacular, but were moves that would put the rider in the position of having to keep his form and also think faster that a gale wind to be able to counter and stay in the game. Griffin did all that he needed to do and did it well. After the buzzer he got off and walked away, no big deal.

The judges gave him 82 points. He went home in first place with $365 to buy his gas.

Josh Smith was the last rider of the night. His bull slowed down for a moment after he left the chute, but later in the ride made Smith’s chaps flap a time or two. Overall it was a good ride. The bull moved good in the last few seconds, Smith stayed with him and after the buzzer, the ride was the third place ride worth 75 points and $146.

If the rest of this series is as good as the first night it will be worth the time of any rider to stay in the series and make the five required appearances – to stay in the running for the buckle and the added money.

It will also be worth the time of any bull riding fan to attend. In addition to the bulls there are also the amenities of the Texas Longhorn entertainment complex.

March 12 the arena will turn into seating. The popular Jamie Johnson will appear in concert. Tickets are nearly sold out for what promises to be a great show. For tickets call the Longhorn at 337-589-5647.

The next bull riding is March 19 with a rodeo in the covered arena following on March 20.