Going was a last minute decision and so I headed to Scotiabank place with a heavy heart because I had sadly opted to not wear my riding boots with my outfit that day. Neither was my giant brass Ox belt buckle anywhere to be found, despite the fact that I should really keep it in my purse in case of emergencies, like this one (or for protection cause it could do some serious damage!).
Every year a rodeo comes to my hometown but its nothing like Professional Bull Riding. Riders have to stay on the bareback bucking bull for 8 seconds in order to qualify for points, which are awarded based on both the riders performance and the bulls. Honestly this seems to be haphazardly, there must be some type of system set up for grading but its really confusing. Sometimes the most exciting ride would receive very few points so it was really hard to judge at the end of the ride. I think it has something to do with style because the riders with good scores all seemed to wave their arm around--- clearly Im an amateur because that is the only common denominator I could come up with!
Its called the toughest sport on earth for a reason thats for sure! Just like how all riders have statistics based on how often they can stay on the bull, each bull also has stats! One bull even had a 100% buck off ratio-- meaning since its debut in the PBR circuit it had consistently bucked off every single rider!! I can't imagine sitting on that bull, especially with names like Fiery Devil. Excitingly, the rider managed to stay on, defeating the 100% buck off ratio!!
If you think about it watching Bull Riding is pretty sick ( and not in the hip slang way!). I was sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for something to happen.. making sure I was ready so I wouldnt miss a thing! Its like a part of you is hoping that someone will get trampled or rammed. I probably shouldnt admit that but part of you is somehow able to disengage yourself from the reality of how dangerous it is and just concentrate on the pure entertainment. Bulls would sometimes trip and fall, they would run after the riders, a couple wouldnt go back into the pen and would even kind of freak out the horse that was trying to scare them into it!
The last few rides were definitely the most exciting!! Towards the end of the final round a 19year old Canadian was in the lead with 86pts.. I was routing for him because I think its insane that hes only 19!! The last rider of the night was an Australian, who at this point had already rode (is ridden a word?!) two bulls. He gets on the bull and after a few seconds the bull trips and falls. This means that he is given another chance, but since he is the last rider to go he doesn't have much time to recover. Shortly after he gets on the next bull (at this point he'd be pretty tired) and not only does that bull fall before the time is up, but he falls sideways on top of the Aussies leg!! At this point hes super tired (hes been on 4 bulls!) and his leg was crushed. To the crowds excitement, he decides to go again and limps off to the next bull!
Seriously this was intense because it could go any way. The Aussie gets onto the final bull (which had some terrible name like Terror of Hell or something!).. not only does the bull not fall, he stays on and wins the whole championship with 87.5 pts!!!! The crowd went crazy! There were even fireworks-- and if theres one thing hicks love its fireworks!! .. well that and danger and big trucks, which were in no short supply since the event was sponsored by Ford! Basically the perfect event I guess!
The only part of the show I didnt really get is the purpose of the giant chaps the riders wear, called Batwing Chaps. Regularly, chaps are worn fairly tightly to the pant and serve as a protection but these chaps are basically only connected up at the thigh and then they bag out from there. Apparently, when they flap out like that it is cooler for the rider and easier for him to get on the bull. Although they probably offer some protection, it seems to me that mainly they just look cool and its actually a style choice! --- look at that, the blending of my two worlds-- fashion and farming! ;)
I think I'm truly just a country girl at heart because I loved every minute of the night!!
-WOO HOO Giddy-Up Little Doggy-
-B
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