August 5, 2018
Editor’s note: I am hoping to stir up some ideas and discussion about an issue that, in my opinion, is of major importance to the bucking bull industry. PLEASE chime in on comments on the buckingstocktalk.com web site or write on the timeline of the Bucking Stock Talk Facebook page. I am looking forward to hearing what you have to say!
An issue that keeps coming up in conversation is the number of non-rides at rodeos and bull riding events. And it’s not only within the bucking bull community. The number of buck-offs is being talked about by bull riding fans and sponsors too.
It certainly isn’t a new problem to bull riding. Bull riding legend Tuff Hedeman has the highest riding percentage of all time at 66.67 percent. The 23 year old phenom Sage Kimzey has the number 2 all time average at a 66.42 ride percentage. And they’re the best. Which means that even the best don’t always ride.
Just recently, I went to the Snake River Stampede. In the entire round of bull riding, there was one bull covered and that was for a score of 83 points. It wasn’t for lack of talent. Top names like Sage Kimzey, Tim Bingham, Eli Vastbinder, Derek Kolbaba and all 3 Meier brothers bucked off.
There may be extenuating circumstances. It was the end of Cowboy Christmas and the guys were worn out and beat up. But it’s happening like this night after night in all organizations. Fans are getting disappointed and riders are going away empty handed.
Let’s be honest here. People want to see a bull rider ride a bull for 8 seconds. A bull that bucks his rider off right out of the chute may be thrilling for the stock contractors and people who love and know bucking bulls. But, for the average rodeo fan, it was a lost opportunity to see a bull buck and a bull rider ride.
As far as the riders are concerned, how many have the will or the financial backing to go week after week, traveling hundreds of miles without the joy of a ride or a paycheck over the course of a long season?
We’re to blame for this decrease in bull riding percentages. And it’s not a bad thing. We are all devoted to developing bloodlines that produce quality buckers consistently. And with modern genetics and advanced veterinary techniques, the best sires and dams are available to the industry at large. That increases the odds of better buckers all around.
So, what is the solution? One of the ideas on the table is to have tiered rodeos with bull power that matches the bull riders’ skills. That might give us more rides and incentives for the young riders coming up, who, at the moment are fighting the conglomerate of top riders who tend to ride in all organizations for the limited number of payout spots. It’s more fun and easier to get through the hard times if there’s a ride or two every once in a while.
Let’s face it folks. We need to be concerned about the future of bull riding. We need to get kids excited about trying out the sport and we need to give them incentives to stay in it. The thrill of bull riding and the passion to ride bulls is there for the taking. We need to provide the opportunities for new blood to find it. It doesn’t start at the PBR or The American. It starts at the grass roots level, right there on your ranch, in your chutes, and in your arena.
It’s up to us to keep the bucking bull industry alive and well. Spread the joy. Stir the excitement. Bring on the buckers.
Looking forward to your comments.
by Terry Lidral
for Bucking Stock Talk
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.
Terry,
So the bulls are getting so much better that riders are getting the full 8 seconds much less often? Is it all about the breeding of these bulls? I just know as a spectator, it seems less exciting.
The ability to incorporate desired genetics into breeding programs has increased the quality of the bulls. The traits of overall power, athleticism and desire to buck hard have become more standard, raising the level of bull scores across the playing field. This means that bull riders at all levels of skill face the very real possibility of drawing a high quality bull. Stock contractors pride themselves on hauling bulls that are at that top level. And bucking bull owners want to show off the bulls that have the best skills. Even at the smaller rodeos and lower level PBR events, with more high caliber bulls available to haul, the bulls are often of a higher quality than a developing or nonprofessional bull rider can handle. It’s discouraging for the bull riders trying to move up through the ranks as well as the fans who would like to see bull and rider combine to make a good ride.
That’s s really too bad. They will run out of riders, right.
It’s an issue that the sport has to address realistically and NOW. There is an interest in promoting junior rodeo on a higher level with finals in Las Vegas taking place at the same time as the NFR. Mini bull riding is being developed and promoted to get youngsters learning the skills needed to be successful as a pro in the sport. Hopefully this will increase the number of skilled riders at the PRCA and PBR levels. And there is much talk about matching bull riders with bulls that have appropriate bull power for the level of their competition. Having bull riding events with bulls averaging 17 and 18 points, as opposed to 21-22 points like the bulls in the PBR final rounds, would provide the opportunity for more 8 second rides. I have total confidence that the sport of bull riding will rise to the occasion to fix this!