by Terry Lidral
“We started this program a long time ago, in the 1980’s,” James Andrews told us of the Andrews Rodeo Company bucking bull breeding program he has taken over from his father, Sammy Andrews. “It was started to raise bucking bulls to use in our rodeos. And it’s stayed that way ever since.”
Sammy Andrews started his bucking bull program in 1987, the same year he got his PRCA card. At that time, it was standard practice for rodeo contractors to buy bucking bulls at the sale barn. But it usually took dozens of bulls to find a few that would make good rodeo bulls. Read more of his story here: https://westernlivingjournal.com/rodeo-legend-sammy-andrews-looking-back-on-a-rodeo-legacy/
“Our program is very successful. The years and years of hard work are paying off. The percentage of buckers that we produce is outstanding,” Andrews told us proudly. “Around 70 percent of those bulls we raise buck.”
When asked about a favorite bull from the Andrews’ line, James Andrews named Bo’s Excuse. With 58 outs and only 1 ride, Bo’s Excuse put up amazing numbers during his career on the professional bull riding circuit: Average score of 22.230; Power Ranking of 94.36 placing him 7th all-time in Probullstats (Average long round power ranking is 73 and average short round power ranking is 83.); Historical ranking in Probullstats of 126 all-time. This bull’s last out was at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas on December 4, 2007 where he bucked off J. W. Harris in 4 seconds for a remarkable bull score of 47.
The Andrews program was founded on the great bloodlines that go back to the foundation of the breed. Added to those are the genetics of one of the most athletic, powerful bucking bulls of all time, Andrews’ legendary Bodacious.
Eventually weighing over 1800 pounds, Bodacious’ weight came from a mass of muscle. Amazingly, along with his intense power, the bull had a lot of speed and that, combined with his signature head back power move, made him nearly unrideable in the 4 years he was on the professional tours.
“Our foundation is in large part Bodacious. Half of our program goes back to him. The other part goes back to California genetics,” Andrews explained.
“That other part includes Russell and Naccarato bloodlines,” Andrews continued. “And we leased bulls from Kish for breeding. Some of our Bodacious crossovers on top go back to the Copenhagen line.”
Andrews Rodeo Company was named the PRCA Bull Herd of the Year in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In 2016, Midnight Bender, a son of Bodacious was named the PRCA Bucking Bull of the Year.
Andrews considers cows to be a major part of the quality production of his breeding program.
“Cows are probably 60 to 70 percent of it,” Andrews told us about his thoughts on his program. “Cows with Bodacious genetics seem to really produce. There are no Bodacious daughters left. We’re now breeding Bodacious grand-daughters.”
Those grand-daughters are being bred to different genetics. Andrews feels it’s important to bring some different crosses into the herd.
Check out the photo gallery of the current Andrews herd.
“This year we’re adding Page genetics. Our cows are smaller so we’re breeding to bigger bulls. Hopefully that will pass on more bone in our bull calves,” Andrews said.
“We run 60 head of cows. We AI our heifers every year and we live breed all our cows,” he went on to say. “This year we have 30 bull calves.”
Andrews bucks his young bulls several times in order to make a decision on their potential. He’s looking for rider bulls so he gives them several trips.
“We don’t raise futurity bulls. With our busy rodeo schedule, we don’t have time to play the futurity game.”
“I give our bulls one trip before they turn 2. At that age they can be wild and crazy. It’s just to have them buck,” Andrews explained about his evaluation process. “They get a second trip after they are 2. What I’m looking for then is kick and some getting in the air. I am also looking to see if something shows me they want to buck hard. They get 2 or 3 more trips before I make a decision just before they are 3.”
Andrews chute breaks those 3-year-olds that he puts into his rodeo herd. Then he takes them to their first event.
“For their first trip with a human, we buck our 3-year-old bulls at slack at Belton, Texas. It’s a special session of slack that is a regular round for all the bull riders who enter the rodeo,” Andrews told us. “They bus in all the area school kids to watch. It’s become a yearly tradition.”
James Andrews is very proud to be carrying on the family’s bucking bull program they have developed over the past four decades. Its success is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of those who have a passion for the industry.
“This breeding program was started way back there in the 80’s. I can’t begin to say how much work it has taken to get to this point. Or how much work it takes to maintain it. I’m proud to be carrying on the breeding program that goes back to Bodacious and those California genetics.”
Sammy Andrews is also known for his great bucking horses. His favorite was a rebellious quarter horse named Roanie Wiggles. Read the story here: https://buckingstocktalk.com/sammy-andrews-my-most-memorable-bucking-bronc-roany-wiggles/
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.
Great article!
Very interesting how cows play such an important role. I learned something new!