by Terry Lidral
Is owning a bucking bull on your wish list but you live in an area where it’s mostly concrete and asphalt and not a lot of grass? Or you don’t have the time or facilities for a large bovine? Bucking bull partnerships can make it happen. And for Matt Scharping of Phenom Genetics, it’s about providing you with the fun without the work and worry.
Phenom Genetics’ success in the bucking bull industry is the product of owner Matt Scharping’s hard work, dedication and commitment to understanding the business. He’s had some luck along the way, but he’s put in the time, effort, money and constant research to stay in the forefront. He does it all because he is passionate about bucking bulls. And he offers partnerships so that others who have the passion, but not the means to raise them, can share in the love of these great bovine athletes.
“I do this because I love it,” said Scharping about the business he’s built from the ground up. “It’s a labor of love. For me, it’s fun. I offer partnerships so other people can experience the fun of having their own bull.”
Because Scharping carefully monitors the quality of his breeding stock, he is comfortable offering partnerships on unbucked calves.
“I know each cow and each heifer in my program,” Scharping told us. “And I know every bull calf they have. If one of those bulls doesn’t meet my standards, then the whole family leaves. That creates a high probability of producing quality calves.”
Although the probability of a quality bull being born in the Phenom Genetics program is high, there is no guarantee. And Scharping warns that buying into a partnership comes with the risk that the bull might not be a successful athlete. It’s a warning that holds true even if the sire is the great PBR superstar Air Time. People are seeing Air Time’s sons putting up huge numbers in competition, most recently in the short rounds of the PBR. For those interested in sharing in the Air Time legacy, partnerships may seem like a great option. But, as Scharping continually points out, calves don’t come with guarantees.
“I want people to know what they are getting in to before they sign a contract,” stated Scharping firmly. “Buying a partnership is like buying a boat. You have to love being on the water or the boat is no fun. That goes for bucking bulls. You have to love the experience to make it worth your investment.”
“I tell people they shouldn’t spend the money on a partnership unless they can afford to take a match and light the money on fire and watch it burn. There’s no promise of any money being made and I don’t want people to buy a partnership they can’t afford. I want the partnership to be about having fun with the bull you have an interest in. If he makes money, that’s a bonus,” reiterated Scharping.
Scharping is serious about his partners having fun and it is important to him that his partners do not have continuing or unforeseen expenses.
“The fee for the partnership is paid when the contract is signed. The only future expense my partner will have to pay for is the entry fee for any competition their bull is entered in. I take care of all the feed, care and transportation expenses. We split any money won in an aged bull competition. I want this to be an enjoyable experience for people. It’s not enjoyable to get a feed bill every month and an unexpected bill for vet care in the mail,” explained Scharping.
Scharping is up front and straight forward about the cost. He also discusses commitment with his potential buyers to make sure partnership is going to be worthwhile for them.
“I’m not in the business to be cheap. I don’t spare expenses when it comes to taking care of my bulls. I pay for their entire care in a partnership,” Scharping said firmly. “My partnerships cost $10,000 to $100,000 depending on the bull you want. I talk with people to find out if it’s worth it for them to spend that kind of money. I want to make sure they know what they want and what the driving force is behind their interest in a bull. Do they want a calf or a ‘big’ bull? Can they afford to do this? It’s important that we give people information so that they make a good decision for them. We should all be stewards of this business if we want it to succeed.”
Scharping encourages his partners to participate in the activities of their bulls. Many of them travel and participate by being there when their bull competes. And Scharping has plans to make partnerships even more fun.
“We are offering an ultimate rodeo access experience, S.P.U.R. Access” Scharping announced. “This will offer partners an experience like never before.”
Author: Terry Lidral
Terry Lidral is a western writer/journalist who lives in Idaho. She is the publisher and editor of the online magazine Bucking Stock Talk and the online magazine Western Living Journal. Her publishing credits include Storyteller for Real American Cowboy Magazine, writing feature articles for Humps N Horns Magazine as well as a wide variety of national and international web sites, historical magazines and news publications. She is known for her "up close and personal" profiles of celebrities and industry moguls such as NPR's Tom Bodett; PBR's Wiley Petersen and D.H. Page, PRCA's Sammy Andrews, Cindy Rosser and Julio Moreno to name a few. She has been applauded for her way of making a personal connection between her readers and her subjects. She indulges in her love of rodeo by serving as an associate board member for the Caldwell Night Rodeo. She is also an accomplished trainer and handler in dog agility. Her shelties Amelie and Milo are titled in NADAC, USDAA and AKC.
