Bulls Beat Bull Riders

The last round of bull riding at the Texas Longhorn was a night filled with action, but there were more wrecks than at a demolition derby.

It was just one of those nights when the bulls were on and the bull riders were off and went off. Some of the riders went off the bull’s backs so fast it was hard for the photographer to get a picture while they were still in the seat.

Josh Durant is a good solid rider that is in a slump. Durant led off the action Friday night and looked for a few seconds like he may make it this night.

Durant came out of the chute in good position, but bull 31 made a move that moved Durant back to the “rumble seat.” As Durant moved up to counter the move he slid to his right. The left-handed rider could not pull himself back into position and he kept going off until the former series winner was eating dirt. His six or so seconds ended up with a zero for a score.

Sterling Johnson was out next on bull 220. It was the first mismatch of the night. No. 220 made three moves and two of them were too much for Johnson. He was gone and running from 220 in about three seconds.

Bull 12 is a big, strong, black bull that has dynamite in his jump muscles. His fuse was lit and it only took one buck out of the chute and one in the pen and Jace Coleman was left with nothing to show for is entry fee.

Timmy Faul is another rider capable of earning a good score on any night, but not this night. Faul is still a little off his game. He is recovering from a broken ankle and is not using his right leg like he needs to. A rider needs to grip with his knees and keep his ankles turned out and his spurs dug in. Possibly there is still a problem with that right ankle. Bull No. 3 made four moves, two of then a little hard on the come down and Faul lost his seat and rolled off the right side and nearly went under the bull’s back legs.

M10 blew out of the chute flat and fast, and then made the move for the roof in the pen. Josh Arceneaux was not ready for that.

If you expect the bull to buck out and he runs out, it does your psyche no good. There is a lot to be said for the mental side of the ride. A rider needs to have his knees in the bull’s side, his spurs in the ribs, his rear on the bull’s backbone and his brain in high gear. If any piece of the puzzle is missing it equals a no score. Arceneaux had that happen. He never recovered from the flat blow-out. He hung on, but the big white spotted bull won the match.

The Bergeron brothers seem to be giving their utmost in providing the Longhorn bull riding fans new, unexpected entertainment.

Hunter Bergeron drew Y34 Friday night. Y34 is a good, solid, fairly predictable bull. He is a good draw for any rider on any night. The rider that draws Y34 has a good draw for earning a good score and possibly some money.

Bergeron looked opportunity in the eye, and blinked.

Y34 made two moves, nothing out of the ordinary, and on the second move Hunter threw both hands in the air in an “I surrender” motion. There is only one place a no-hands bull rider is going and that is off, fast. The look on Hunter’s face through the face guard on his helmet was priceless. It was evident he did know what had happened and why. At that moment he was the Forrest Gump of the arena.

Following Hunter was his brother Joey. Joey bucked off bull 100. It was an uneventful buck off. Joey kept his jeans on and the moon did not come out on this night.

Landis Hooks followed Joey Bergeron. Hooks is another series winner, however this was not his night to win anything other than a hat throwing contest. Bull 338 made his usual moves. Hooks did not counter the moves and went down fast, less than three seconds.

Hooks took his frustration out on his hat, throwing it about 30 feet across the arena into the wall. It was the best move he made Friday. Seth Tippit and Nathan Dupry were the last two riders for the night. It seemed almost that the chute boss had turned into a choreographer. Both bulls made similar moves and both bull riders made similar counter moves and both bull riders received a no score.

Rodeo Director Coleman Peveto always brings in a good pen of bulls and has $250 added money for each session of these open bull ridings. Every rider has a good opportunity to win a good payoff.

At each session the crowd is treated to some of the best bull riding action around. At this series of open bull ridings anything can happen at any time. The action is exciting, and often unexpected things happen. On July 4 the new outdoor, covered arena is opening. That will bring new events to the Longhorn. Team roping practice sessions are already going and full event open rodeos are being booked. Peveto has installed a state of the art sound system and the arena is the best and biggest in the area.