by Terry Lidral
If we didn’t love watching bucking stock buck, it’s a good bet we wouldn’t be associated with the bucking stock business. There has been lively, and positive, discussion about what can help the futurity, classic and derby aspects of the industry. But the majority of conversations were about money, prizes, and how to get the professional industry involved with the lower levels of competitions.
For those who have built a program that will withstand the financial and personal investment of traveling to sanctioned events, there are more opportunities than for the little guy and the newbie. Partnerships and sponsorship don’t come easy and can be elusive to those who don’t know the right people or live in the right geographic location.
Considering that bucking competitions fall under the category of sports, we can perhaps compare competing in bucking stock events to playing baseball and hockey. There are a lot more people who have played those sports on an amateur level than there are in the professional ranks. And the amateurs love playing baseball and hockey as much, if not more, than the pros. I grew up with the Sunday men’s town baseball leagues playing games every weekend in the field across from my house. They had their own umpires and their own league. It was for fun and bragging rights and for the love of playing baseball. The same went for hockey when my son became a teenager and played goalie in the men’s league. Local hockey became so popular that games were played on schedules that included midnight start times. Referees were local and it was far from professional standards. But it was very successful.
So, getting back to bucking stock competitions, it just might be worth giving a thought to grass roots events that are home grown. A group of people getting together to buck bulls with some local folks to judge who have understanding of the game, are fair and are consistent in their scoring can provide an opportunity to play the game. Just like baseball and hockey, local events can build the bucking stock industry and make getting into it worthwhile.
It’s just an idea I’m throwing out there. Take it for what it’s worth. But I hope you’ll chew on it for a little while. I know it works in baseball and hockey.
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.