Wednesday, December 02, 2009

8 Seconds At A Time Forum

I've decided to create a forum for 8 Seconds At A Time. And to minimize confusion, I'm just going to combine the blog with it to make it a one-stop shop. So for those who still visit the blog, the 8 Seconds At A Time forum is now ready for use.

I haven't updated much lately, but I'll be hitting the road running as it gets closer to 2010. Thanks for your support, and I hope to see you contributing at the forum.

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Key Match-Ups for Kansas City

The PBR Built Ford Tough Series heads to Kansas City this weekend in what will be the second consecutive week in the Midwest. Kody Lostroh took over the number one spot in the world after a second-place finish in St. Louis last weekend. The remainder of the top five includes J.B. Mauney, Austin Meier, Wiley Petersen, and Zack Brown.

The first round in Kansas City will feature the classic bulls for the first time since the Oklahoma City event. It's always fun to watch the young bulls show their stuff. I've put together a few match-ups for this week's first round, so sit back and enjoy!

Brendon Clark vs. I'll Make You Famous
Brendon Clark had a rough weekend in St. Louis and continues to battle through a groin injury. He currently sits in 19th in the world standings. His first-round draw this week is I'll Make You Famous, a bull owned by Kooper Branum and Gene Baker. This bull will be making his PBR BFTS debut, but he won the NBBA Futurity event in Lufkin this past weekend with a 91.25 score. All signs point to I'll Make You Famous in this match-up.
My Pick: I'll Make You Famous

Cord McCoy vs. Bo Jammin'
This is Cord McCoy's last event to make enough points to stay on the BFTS. He is currently in 35th place in the standings and needs to make at least a few hundred points to keep his spot. His first-round draw is Bo Jammin', a bull owned by D&H Cattle Company and Jason Aduddell. This bull fell down in Oklahoma City, but his average bull score in two prior trips was 23.5 points! Bo Jammin' might be the rankest bull in the draw Saturday night, and Cord McCoy has been struggling. This match-up also goes in favor of the animal athlete.
My Pick: Bo Jammin'

Josh Koschel vs. Black Pearl
Josh Koschel barely survived the last cut, but he is still on the bubble for the next one. He is currently 31st in the standings and needs to get something done in a hurry. His first-round draw this weekend is Black Pearl, a bull owned by Ravenscroft/Boyd-Floyd Bull Co. Black Pearl has been out once in 2009, and Ryan Dirteater won the round on him with a 90.75 point ride score. This bull has been awesome in his few trips so far, and that will continue Saturday night.
My Pick: Black Pearl

Kasey Hayes vs. Mission Accomplished
Kasey Hayes is in another one of his infamous slumps. He hasn't made a qualified ride since Anaheim three events ago. Nonetheless, he is still 16th in the world standings. He has drawn Mission Accomplished in this weekend's first round. This bull, owned by Diamond S Bucking Bulls, has been ridden in both outs this season for an average ride score of 87.5 points. This is the draw Hayes needs, and he will take full advantage of it. This draw should put the Kansas cowboy in the top five or so in the round.
My Pick: Kasey Hayes

Kody Lostroh vs. Range War
Kody Lostroh is the number one bull rider in the world, and he is riding nearly 72 percent of his bulls in the process. His first-round draw this weekend is a great one! Range War, a bull owned by Brent Bullard, was one of the highest-rated bulls in the "classic" round in Oklahoma City (44.25 points). Lostroh has ridden eight bulls in a row, and he will make it nine on Saturday night. This draw will put the Colorado cowboy in first or second after round one.
My Pick: Kody Lostroh

Robson Palermo vs. Buffalo Hump
Robson Palermo has cooled off a little in recent weeks, but he is coming off a seventh-place finish in St. Louis. He is currently eighth in the world standings as well. His first-round draw this weekend is Buffalo Hump, a bull owned by Hebert Bucking Bulls. Buffalo Hump will be making his BFTS debut and will fit Palermo's style nicely. The Brazilian will get a qualified ride and finish somewhere in the mid-to-upper 80s.
My Pick: Robson Palermo

Ryan McConnell vs. Crosswired
Ryan McConnell is coming off a sixth-place finish in St. Louis and came very close to riding Big Tex in the short-go round. The Oklahoma cowboy is currently 12th in the world standings. His first-round draw this weekend is Crosswired, a bull owned by D&H Cattle Co./Clifton Wiggins. Crosswired was the highest-rated bull in the "classic" round in Oklahoma City (45.25) and was ridden twice by J.B. Mauney in 2008 for at least 93 points each time. This match-up could produce a huge score, but the bull will be a little too much for McConnell.
My Pick: Crosswired

Skeeter Kingsolver vs. Heebee Geebee
Skeeter Kingsolver has been to seven BFTS events in 2009, and he has finished inside the top 18 in every one of them. He is currently 25th in the world. His first-round draw this weekend is Heebee Geebee, a bull owned by Boyd/Floyd Bull Company/XS Ranch. Even though Crosswired won the "classic" round in OKC, Heebee Geebee (44.75) was number one on my list. This bull will be very tough for Kingsolver to get by, but he will do it and win the round in the process. This one is going to the 90s!
My Pick: Skeeter Kingsolver

The Final Say
The rounds with the young bulls are always tough to predict, but it can't get any worse for me after going 1 for 8 on last week's picks. Hopefully, I'll get a few right this time around.

If you have any further comments or match-ups of your own, please comment below or send me an email at: CThrash13@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading, and enjoy the Kansas City event. The entire first-round draw can be found at the PBR Website.

Monday, March 02, 2009

PBR Bull Power Rankings- March 2009

The PBR Built Ford Tough Series is now 12 events into the 2009 season, and things are slowly starting to take shape in the World Title races. Kody Lostroh and J.B. Mauney are the top two and have created a little separation from the rest of the pack. On the other side of things, the top bulls are also putting themselves in position for Bull of the Year talk.

I've put together my list of bull power rankings through the first two months of the season. I definitely took average bull scores into consideration, but I also looked at other things such as recent performance, number of outs, etc. Remember, this is just one person's opinion, and it's in no way official. Enjoy!

1. Troubador
Troubador was last year's runner-up for PBR Bull of the Year, and he hasn't missed a beat in 2009 either. He has been out four times this season, and while he has been ridden twice, the average ride score is nearly 94 points! On top of that, he is sporting an average bull score of 46.06 points. All in all, Troubador has been the most consistent bull the first two months of the season, and that's why he is number one on this list.

2. Bones
Bones was the 2008 PBR Bull of the Year, and he dominated early on in 2009 as well. J.B. Mauney finally broke the ice and rode Bones at Oklahoma City, and his next trip with Matt Bohon is the reason he is number two on this list instead of number one. Overall, he has been ridden once in five outs in 2009, and the average bull score is 46.25 points. With all the talk of the bull losing a step, he is still pretty darn impressive and could easily be number one on this list. He is very capable of being there next month.

3. All In
All In still doesn't get the respect some of the other top bulls get, but he takes care of business every time out. He was one of the five finalists for 2008 PBR Bull of the Year, and he is well on his way to achieving the same this season. So far in 2009, All In has been ridden twice in four outs with an average ride score of nearly 91 points. Also, his average bull score is 45.75 points. I expect to see All In in a similar spot to this all season because of his consistency.

4. Code Blue
This might be the first surprise to some, but Code Blue is legit. He has slowly snuck under the radar, but it's time to give him the respect he deserves. In four outs so far in 2009, he is unridden with an average bull score of 45.69 points. That's comparable to the best in the business, and Code Blue will only get better. Keep your eye on this one. Walton and Wagoner Bucking Bulls have themselves a great one.

5. Big Tex
Before you get on me too much for having Big Tex so low, hear me out. The bull has been outstanding lately, but his first three trips of the season were all scored under 45 points. That's just not good enough at this point in the season. That being said, his last three trips were 45.25, 46.25, and 45.75, respectively. By the end of the season, Big Tex (who currently has an average bull score of 44.88 points in 2009) will find himself in the top five for PBR Bull of the Year. And he is more than capable of stealing the show at the World Finals and walking away number one a lot like Bones did last year.

6. Chicken on a Chain
Don't look now, but the 2007 Bull of the Year is back. I'm not sure where he would have been on the list before last night's out in St. Louis, but that trip put him back in the mix for sure. Chicken on a Chain has been ridden three times in six outs in 2009, but the average ride score is 90.75 points. Also, his average bull score this season is 45.33 points. That's very respectable to say the least, and if he has a few more trips like he did last night, he will keep moving up this list.

7. Hawaiian Ivory
Hawaiian Ivory is the wild card in the PBR Bull of the Year race. There aren't many bulls who have been more electric than this bull in 2009, but not many people have taken notice quite yet. He has only been out three times this year, but he is unridden and has an impressive average bull score of 45.67 points. If he gets the outs and attention from the bull riders, he could very well end up in the top five heading into the 2009 PBR World Finals.

8. I'm a Gangster
I'm a Gangster has been very impressive this season, and if his last trip in Oklahoma City would have been a little better, he would be even higher on this list. Nonetheless, he has only been ridden once in five outs in 2009 for a score of 90.75 points. On top of that, his average bull score is 45.10 points. On any given night, I'm a Gangster is capable of being the best bull in the arena. It will be interesting to see how he bounces back after his last trip.

9. Charlie Bullware
Charlie Bullware gets overshadowed a little by Troubador, but this little guy brings it every time out. He is currently one of my favorites to watch because of that, and his numbers back it up. He has only been ridden once in four outs this season for a score of 92.5 points. And his average bull score is a very consistent 45.06 points. I'm not sure Charlie Bullware will ever get enough respect to finish in the top five, but he is a top-10 bull at the very least.

10. Voodoo Child
Voodoo Child had a couple rough trips towards the end of 2008, but he is definitely back at the top of his game in 2009. His first out of the year was marked 44 points which was too low in my humble opinion. Every trip since then has been over 45 points, and judges are starting to see the old Voodoo Child again. All in all, he is unridden in four outs this year with an average bull score of 44.81 points. I expect his bull scores to keep growing as the season moves forward, and he will probably continue to climb this list in the process.

Just Missed the Top 10: Say I Won't Gunner, Chance, Ricky Bobby, and Skyhawk Cut-a-Rug.

The Final Say
Like I said above, this is just my opinion on the bull rankings so far in 2009. I'd love to hear what you have to say as well. If you have anything to add or want to do your own top 10, please comment below or send me an email at: CThrash13@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading, and keep an eye out for another article or two this week.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Cut Loose Passes Away

Cut Loose, formerly known as I'm a Crook, passed away yesterday morning. He had only been out seven times on the BFTS and had quickly established himself as a short-round caliber bull. His last out was two weeks ago in Oklahoma City. Guilherme Marchi picked him in the short-go round and bucked off in 3.2 seconds.

Cut Loose was owned by Tom Teague. My thoughts go out to Teague and everyone else involved with the bull. This one's life was cut way too short, and he will be missed.

Click here for the official PBR release.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Key Match-Ups for St. Louis

The PBR Built Ford Tough Series heads to St. Louis this weekend for a three-day event. Last weekend, the World Title race heated up as Kody Lostroh pulled to within 32.5 points of J.B. Mauney for the number one spot. There will be a lot of points up for grabs this weekend, and there are a handful of riders that can have a great week and move into the top spot.

There are several solid match-ups in the first round, and it's obvious the bull power will be very strong all weekend. Fans are going to see a lot of scores in the upper 90s, and there will probably be several 90-point rides before things are said and done. Here are the first-round match-ups I have my eye on the most.

Brendon Clark vs. Stiffler
Brendon Clark has been fighting a groin injury all season, but he put together a couple nice finishes last weekend. The Aussie finished second in Anaheim and 17th in Glendale, and he moved up to 17th in the world standings in the process. His first-round draw this weekend is Stiffler, the one owned by Boyd/Floyd Bull Company. This bull has been ridden in both outs this season for an average ride score of 88.75 points. Clark can ride bulls into and away from his hand, and this one should work out very well. He will be near the top of the leaderboard after the first round.
My Pick: Brendon Clark

Bryan Richardson vs. Big Coyote
Bryan Richardson has only been to three BFTS events this season, but he came very close to winning Anaheim last weekend. He had Troubador in the short-go round and was seconds away from taking first. His first-round bull in St. Louis is Big Coyote, a bull owned by Jeff Robinson Bucking Bulls. This bull has been ridden three times in seven outs in 2009 for an average ride score of 89 points. This is a great draw for B-Rich, and he should be in solid shape after the first round.
My Pick: Bryan Richardson

J.B. Mauney vs. Ft. Worth
J.B. Mauney did well enough last weekend to remain number one in the world, but his lead is very small heading into St. Louis. His first-round draw, Ft. Worth, is making his BFTS debut and could very well be the best in the round. If this is the Ft. Worth I'm thinking of, he was outstanding at the 2008 NFR. And if that is indeed the case, Mauney will have his hands full and then some. If it's not the same bull, I'd appreciate it if someone would correct me. Either way, I'm going on the assumption it's the same bull.
My Pick: Ft. Worth

Jimmy Tubbs vs. Outa Da Blue
Jimmy Tubbs will be making his BFTS debut this weekend, and he has drawn the one to have in the first round. Outa Da Blue, owned by Circle T Ranch and Rodeo, has been ridden twice in three outs this season for an average ride score north of 89 points. Riders making their debut in the big leagues have had success in the past, but this will be no easy chore for Tubbs. I'm taking the bull.
My Pick: Outa Da Blue

Matt Bohon vs. Pinball Wizard
Matt Bohon has been better in 2009, but he still hasn't had a great season by any means. The Missouri cowboy currently sits in 21st in the world standings and will be riding in front of a lot of friends and family this weekend in St. Louis. His first-round draw is Pinball Wizard, a bull owned by Jeff Robinson Bucking Bulls/Broken N-N Bucking Bulls. This bull is unridden in seven outs in 2009 with an average bull score of 43.86 points. This bull should fit Bohon very well, and he will be sitting in the top five or so after he gets the job done.
My Pick: Matt Bohon

Sean Willingham vs. Frosty
Sean Willingham has ridden over 50 percent of his bulls this season, but that's only been good enough for 22nd place in the current standings. He is coming off a tie for sixth and seventh last weekend in Glendale, however. His first-round draw this weekend is Frosty, a bull owned by Circle T Ranch and Rodeo. This bull has only been out once in 2009, but he bucked off the cowboy and racked up a 44.25 bull score in the process. I'd like to take Sean in this one, but the bull will probably get him leaning back. And we all know that's bad news with Willingham.
My Pick: Frosty

Shane Proctor vs. Spit Fire
Shane Proctor has cooled off a little since his hot start to 2009. That being said, the Washington cowboy still sits in 12th in the world standings. His first-round bull this weekend is a tough one. Spit Fire, owned by Boyd/Floyd Bull Company, has been ridden once in three outs this season with an average bull score of nearly 44 points. Spit Fire hasn't been nearly as rank as he was last year, but he is still capable of throwing out a high number. On top of that, he really isn't that rider-friendly either. I'd like to see both have a great trip, but I'm leaning towards the bull in this one.
My Pick: Spit Fire

Travis Briscoe vs. Semi-Automatic
Travis Briscoe survived last week's cut, but he will have to ride better the next few events in order to make it through the next one. He is currently 26th in the standings and has really struggled since the first event of the season. His first-round draw this weekend is Semi-Automatic, a bull owned by Hebert Bucking Bulls. I was out at the Hebert's this past weekend, and Cody told me this bull has been rejuvenated. Semi-Automatic wasn't out at all in 2008, but he returned in Dallas and was scored 43.5 points. This match-up could really go a long way in helping Briscoe snap out of his slump, but the bull will get him on the end of his rope and win the battle.
My Pick: Semi-Automatic

The Final Say
The first-round seems to be pretty solid, and you can bet the bull power will get even better as the St. Louis event continues over the weekend. It will also be interesting to see which rider will be number one in the world this time next week. It could be a number of top riders.

If you have anything to add, please comment below or send me an email at: CThrash13@hotmail.com. It's always fun to read your picks as well. Thanks for reading this week's match-ups, and enjoy this weekend's event. The entire first-round draw can be found at the PBR Website.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

The Future is Bright for the CBR

Championship Bull Riding, also known as the CBR, is improving by the day. I've been watching for a few years, and it's come a long way in that time. While there are still some things I'd like to see implemented in the future, the overall experience has been enjoyable.

The good news for CBR fans is the fact 2009 will bring even more improvement. In the last couple months, a few changes have been announced. These changes, along with the current quality, will help elevate the CBR to new heights over the next year or two. Whether or not it becomes to best bull riding organization around has yet to be seen, but these steps forward are sure to help.

Move to Great American Country (GAC)
I've watched the CBR on the Outdoor Channel, and I've watched it on the RFD-TV over the last year or so. While those channels did a nice job, the move to Great American Country (GAC) is a huge one. Not only will the product be seen in more homes, it will probably get a lot more advertising as well. Add to that the fact RFD-TV will still be televising a 30-minute show called "Behind the Chutes." This combination will give CBR fans more of what they love on a week-to-week basis.

Regardless of the channel, the CBR is already known for maximizing the amount of rides shown per telecast. There isn't a lot of extra talking, and that's a great thing for fans of the sport. The CBR seems to be all about business, and that will help them down the road. I'm highly looking forward to the first CBR on GAC telecast on March 3rd.

New Website
The move to a new TV network was a huge step for the CBR, but the implementation of a new website was also great. I've always visited the older website, but it was in major need of an overhaul. The new one is night-and-day different, and that's a great thing. It has a very classy look to it, and I'm looking forward to seeing how things evolve in the near future.

While the look of a website is important, the content featured is the real key. From what I've seen early on, the new CBR website will provide substantially more than the older one. The bull section has been slightly improved, and it looks like there will be a Fan Club (CBR Outlaws) introduced in the near future. These changes may seem minor, but in this day and age of computers, it's a big deal. I hope fans see continued improvement.

In addition, the official magazine of the CBR, The Short Round, recently published its first issue. I snagged a copy of the first issue, and it was impressive. I've read a lot of magazines from the industry, and this one is by far the most thorough. One half is dedicated to the riders, and the other half is dedicated to the bulls. If you haven't seen the first issue, you are missing out.

Underrated Bull Power
The two things I mentioned above are meaningless without great riders and bulls. That is the meat and potatoes of the sport of bull riding, and the CBR is in good shape in both categories. There are a lot of talented riders making their way into the CBR, but I'm going to focus on the bulls.

Cochise, a bull owned by Tut Henry of Klein Brothers Pro Rodeo, is the best bucking bull going right now in any organization. If you are a fan of the bulls and haven't seen Cochise buck, you are missing out. He has been out a couple years and hasn't been ridden yet. On top of that, his average bull score in the CBR is over 46 points.

Shakedown, a bull owned by Benny Cude Bucking Bulls, is one of the best in the world as well. I saw him for the first time last year in Huron, SD, and his trip was one of the best I saw in 2008. To date, Shakedown hasn't been ridden, and his average bull score is over 45.5 points.

The CBR doesn't stop with those two awesome bulls. There are other great ones including Full Throttle (Alan Murphy), Hasta Luego (Bumbaca), Apollo (Alvin Jones), and Twig 'N' Berries (Bumbaca).

While the entire pen of bulls isn't always as strong as I'd like to see, the overall bull talent in the CBR is awesome. It's definitely one of the main reasons I watch. Tuff Hedeman, also the CBR President, does a great job of putting together the stock for every event. And from what I've seen in recent years, the bull power is getting even better as the days go by.

Improvements Needed
Keep in mind some of these changes I'm mentioning below could very well be in the future plans, but they haven't been implemented yet. The first thing has to do with the amount of time between the event and television airing.

I don't expect to see every event televised LIVE, but it would be nice to see some events aired a day or two after the event actually occurred. It's tough to visit the website without seeing the results. I know some people who don't care either way, but I don't like to see the results before watching an event. It takes some of the intrigue out of it.

My second gripe has to do with draws being posted before events. In the past, I've rarely seen a CBR draw before an event. I always enjoy doing match-ups and things of that nature, and a lot of my fellow bull riding fans do the same. This isn't anything major, but it would definitely be a nice addition for future reference.

My last gripe also has to do with the website, but it's geared more towards the bull side of things. The new CBR website does place a little more emphasis on the bulls, but there is still a lot to be desired. I'd like to see how many outs a bull has had, who attempted to ride him, and bull score/rider score. A lot of people watch for the riders, but others (myself included) watch more for the bulls than anything else. While this isn't anything major either, it would be great information to have. It would also increase the amount of time CBR fans are at the website.

Like I mentioned above, these things may be implemented in the near future. If they are, that will be great. If they weren't in the plans, then hopefully we can get the CBR's attention and possibly push for them a little more.

The Final Say
The 2009 CBR season should be very exciting, and I'm very interested to see where the organization goes over the next 365 days. I'm going to watch no matter what because I'm a huge bull riding fan, but hopefully these new changes will continue to bring in new fans. Championship Bull Riding has a lot to offer, and it's time for new fans to see that.

For those interested, there will be a Q & A chat with Wes Bruce (CBR CEO) tonight(February 19th) at 8PM Central Time. This will take place in the Bucking Stock Connection Chat Room. If you have any questions for Mr. Bruce, get them to me or post them in the thread at the Bucking Stock Connection forum.

Now it's your turn to let me know what you think. If you have anything to add, please comment below or email me at: CThrash13@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading, and have a great day!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Key Match-Ups for Anaheim

PBR fans get another two-event weekend, and the first stop is in Anaheim. The West Coast events have been better in recent years because of the improved bull power, and this week should be no different. Jeff Robinson will be hauling a number of bulls across the country, so we should see Chicken on a Chain sometime a couple times this weekend.

Diamond G Rodeos, Inc. will be making their 2009 BFTS debut as well. That means we get to see White Magic for the first time this season. In fact, he will be out in the first round and is part of my key match-ups. The action should be exciting, so let's get down to business.

J.B. Mauney vs. Poison Oak
J.B. Mauney had an up-and-down weekend in Oklahoma City. He rode Bones for $20,000 on Friday night which was one of the best highlights of the season so far. On the other hand, however, he only rode two of four in the event and finished in 15th place. Nonetheless, he is still number one in the world and in great position heading into Anaheim.

Mauney's first-round draw is Poison Oak, a bull owned by Corey and Horst Rodeo Co. Inc. This bull is unridden in two outs this season with an average bull score of 43 points. This bull should have a pretty solid day, but Mauney will dominate and put himself in good shape for a possible event win.
My Pick: J.B. Mauney

Kody Lostroh vs. Encore
Kody Lostroh rode three of four bulls in Oklahoma City last weekend en route to a seventh-place finish. The finish moved the Colorado cowboy back up to third in the BFTS standings. His first bull this weekend is Encore. This bull, owned by Jeff Robinson/Anchor Bull Company, is the pick of the litter in the first round. This is his first out of the season, but he was ridden 9 of 13 times last season for an average ride score of 88+. Lostroh won't let this opportunity get away, and he will put himself in the top three or four in the round.
My Pick: Kody Lostroh

McKennon Wimberly vs. Brass Knuckles
McKennon Wimberly hasn't had the start to 2009 he would like. In BFTS action, he has only ridden two of eight bulls and currently sits 51st in the world standings. His first-round draw this week is Brass Knuckles, a bull owned by Priest Creek Ranch. The bull is unridden in two outs this season with an average bull score of 44.25 points. I'm going with Brass Knuckles in this match-up, and if he has a trip like he did in Fresno earlier this season, he might end up in the short-go round as well.
My Pick: Brass Knuckles

Mike White vs. Firebird
Mike White has started a little slow this season, but he picked it up last weekend in Oklahoma City. He finished fifth, but he was about a second away from winning first. White has had some draws this season, and that will continue this weekend in Anaheim. His first-round draw is Firebird, a bull owned by Big Bend/Flying 5 Rodeo Co.

Firebird is unridden in two outs in 2009 with an average bull score of 43 points. He is better than that, however, and had an average bull score of over 45 points at last year's World Finals. If he has a 43-point trip, Mike White will ride him. If he has a 45-point trip, he will get the cowboy on the ground before the eight seconds. This is a very tough match-up to call, but I'm guessing the bull will be awesome and get himself into the short-go draw as well. Firebird will win this one.
My Pick: Firebird

Renato Nunes vs. Spotted Bear
Like Mike White, Renato Nunes also had a very good week in Oklahoma City. He finished fourth when all was said and done, but he was also a second or so away from winning the event. His first-round draw this weekend is Spotted Bear, a bull owned by Corey and Horst Rodeo Co. Inc. This bull is unridden in two outs this season with an average bull score of 44.25 points. This is a tough one to call because Nunes has been a little inconsistent this season. That being said, this match-up should fit him nicely, and he should win the round in the process. Look out 90s!
My Pick: Renato Nunes

Ryan Dirteater vs. Charmed I'm Sure
Ryan Dirteater had everyone in Oklahoma City going crazy last weekend, but he came up a little bit short in his efforts to win the event. Nonetheless, the Cherokee Kid finished third in the event and moved up to second in the BFTS standings. If his roll is going to continue, he will have to get by Charmed I'm Sure Friday night. This bull, owned by Diamond G Rodeos, Inc., hasn't been out yet in 2009. Last year, Charmed I'm Sure was ridden once in 10 outs for a score of 90 points. Dirteater has drawn a good one, and he will get the job done yet again. Could he be the number one bull rider in the world this time next week?
My Pick: Ryan Dirteater

Ryan McConnell vs. White Magic
Ryan McConnell has quietly put together a very solid season so far. He has ridden over 60 percent of his bulls and is currently 12th in the BFTS standings. That being said, his first-round draw for Anaheim, White Magic, is going to test him to the fullest. This bull, owned by Diamond G Rodeos, Inc., is making his 2009 BFTS debut. His average bull score in 2008 was 45.36 points, and it will be interesting to see if he is still one of the rankest in the business. McConnell is very capable of getting the job done, but White Magic will be too much for the youngster this weekend. I look for the bull to end up in Saturday's short-go round as well.
My Pick: White Magic

Skeeter Kingsolver vs. Bring It
Skeeter Kingsolver has only been to four BFTS events, but he has ridden 60 percent of his bulls so far and currently sits in 35th in the world standings. With the cut coming after this weekend, he will have to make a few more rides to stay safe. His first-round draw this in Anaheim is Bring It, a bull owned by Flying U/Cindy Rosser Bucking Bulls. In two outs this season, the bull is unridden with bull scores of 44.5 and 44.75 points. This bull could be a future star in the sport, and he will continue his roll this weekend against the young Kansas cowboy.
My Pick: Bring It


The Final Say
If you see any other match-ups you like, feel free to list those as well. Or if you have anything else you would like to add, please comment below or send me an email at: CThrash13@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading and enjoy the events this weekend!

For a look at the entire first-round draw, you can visit the PBR Website.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Key Match-Ups for Oklahoma City

My wife and I will be heading to Oklahoma City on Sunday for the third round and short go. Judging by the first-round draw, it looks like most of the big-time contractors will have bulls bucking this weekend. I'm definitely excited, and I'm sure my wife will take plenty of pictures. I'll be sure to post some of those next week.

As far as the first round goes, there are plenty of awesome match-ups. We are either going to see a lot of buckoffs, or we are going to see a few 90-point rides. Add to that the fact J.B. Mauney will be getting on Bones tomorrow night with a chance to add $20,000 more to his wallet. That is definitely one of my match-ups this week, but there are several more to keep an eye on. Enjoy!

Brian Herman vs. Spit Fire
Brian Herman has started very well in 2009. PeeWee has ridden over 50 percent of his bulls this season, and he is currently 11th in the Built Ford Tough Series standings. His first-round bull in Oklahoma City is Spit Fire, and he will have his hands full. The bull, owned by Boyd/Floyd Bull Company, was one of the five finalists for 2008 Bucking Bull of the Year. He has only been out once in 2009, but the bull score was 44.75 points. I like the way Herman has ridden in 2009, but he won't be able to get by Spit Fire.
My Pick: Spit Fire

Cody Campbell vs. Hot Pistol
Cody Campbell started off the season on fire but has slowed a little in recent weeks. That being said, the young cowboy is still riding 60 percent of his bulls and is 13th in the world standings. He has drawn another bull owned by Boyd/Floyd Bull Company in Hot Pistol. This bull was very good last season, but he has only been out once in 2009. The bull score was 42.5 points. This match-up is a toss-up, but I'm going with Campbell. The bull will have a solid out and put the cowboy in the top three or four in the round.
My Pick: Cody Campbell

Dustin Elliot vs. Bad Blood
Dustin Elliot has flown under the radar a little this season, but he is still riding nearly 60 percent of his bulls and is 17th in the BFTS standings. His first-round draw this weekend is Bad Blood, a bull owned by Chad Berger and Clay Struve. Bad Blood has been ridden twice in four outs in 2009 for an average ride score of 89.25 points. Elliot is coming off a rough weekend and will be looking to prove himself. This is a tough one, but I'm leaning towards the rider.
My Pick: Dustin Elliot

Guilherme Marchi vs. Big Iron
Guilherme Marchi is in a slump by his standards, and it's rare to see him as low as eighth in the standings. That being said, the reigning World Champ is still riding over 60 percent of his bulls. His first-round draw in OKC is Big Iron, a bull owned by Diamond S Bucking Bulls. In three outs this season, the bull has been ridden once in three outs for a 90.5 ride score. It's hard to pick against Marchi, and I'm not going to do it this weekend. The Brazilian will ride Big Iron for 90+ and be well on his way to a possible event win.
My Pick: Guilherme Marchi

L.J. Jenkins vs. I'm a Gangster
L.J. Jenkins was cut from the BFTS a few weeks back, but he has been competing as an alternate. He has ridden just over 40 percent of his bulls this season, but he has climbed up to 29th in the world standings. That's still a disappointment for one of the world's most talented bull riders.

His first-round draw this weekend is I'm a Gangster, a bull owned by Teague Bucking Bulls, LLC. This animal athlete is one of the best in the business. He has been out three times this season, and his average bull score is 45.33 points. Marchi rode him in his last out for 90.75 points. If Jenkins wants to make a statement before the next cut is made, this is his chance. I'd love to pick the rider, but I can't do it. I'm a Gangster will continue to beef up his resume'.
My Pick: I'm a Gangster

Mike White vs. Cat Man Do
Mike White's season has been about the same as Jenkins'. He has ridden just over 40 percent of his bulls and sits in 28th in the world standings. White's first-round draw couldn't be any better, however, as he has drawn Cat Man Do. This bull, owned by #10 Bucking Bulls, is the one to have on a week-to-week basis. He has been out once this season and was ridden for 89 points. White has been inconsistent this season, but this match-up should get him headed in the right direction. He should end up in the top five in the round as well.
My Pick: Mike White

Robson Palermo vs. Red Bull
Last weekend, Robson Palermo finished third in Tampa and second in Tallahassee. Those solid performances helped move him up to third in the BFTS standings. The Brazilian is a definite threat in the World Title race. His first-round draw this weekend is Red Bull, a bull owned by Teague Bucking Bulls, LLC. The bull is unridden in two outs this season with an average bull score of 45 points. With a couple solid outs this weekend, he could move himself into Bull of the Year contention. Other than the bonus match-up of Mauney vs. Bones, this is as good as it gets tomorrow night. Palermo is riding great, and this is my pick to win the round. Look out 90s!
My Pick: Robson Palermo

$20,000 Ride- J.B. Mauney vs. Bones
This is the big one! J.B. Mauney is the number one bull rider in the world, and Bones is the number one bull in the world. The young cowboy has ridden nearly 80 percent of his bulls this season. Bones, on the other hand, has racked up an average bull score of 46.75 points in three outs this year. Tom Teague owns the bull and has offered to pay $20,000 to Mauney if he rides him. J.B. Mauney comes in a little banged up, and while he is as tough as they come, I'm not sure I could pick him at 100% health. This one will be dominated by Bones. You want a buck-off time? How about 3.5 seconds.
My Pick: Bones

The Final Say
If you have any opinions on my match-ups or anything to add of your own, please leave a comment below or send me an email at: CThrash13@hotmail.com. Enjoy the action in Oklahoma City. I know I will! Check below for TV times for each round.

First Round- Saturday at 3:30PM Central Time (NBC)
Second Round- Saturday at 7:00PM Central Time (Versus)
Third Round and Short Go- Sunday at 7:00PM Central Time (Versus)