CBR Rolls Into College Station ,TX

The CBR Bull Bash rolls into College Station ,Texas on April 29th at 8 PM at Reed Arena at Texas A&M University. Reigning CBR/PRCA World Champion Matt Austin will be there as will 2000 PRCA World Champion Cody Hancock and 2004 PRCA World Champion Dustin Elliott and many more great cowboys as Jesse Schellhammer,Ronnie Kitchens,Texas A&M's Tate Stratton, Clayton Williams,B J Schumacher, and so many others barring injuries. Among the bulls  in the long go will be Mean Machine,Renegade,Choctaw,Baldy, Del Rio,Culpepper,Coyote Ugly,Orbit,Wampus Cat,Lil Wasp,Consider This,Ram Jam,Society's Child,Boobie Dance, Cha Ching,Predator and so many others. Great riders and great bulls from great contractors.Wish I had been able to get out there. Its sure going to be exciting.Ticket prices are $12,$25,$32 and $50. The host hotel is the Hilton-College Station and has a special CBR rate of $89/night.
After the CBR Bull Bash there will be an after event party at The Texas Hall od Fame with music by Texas Country Music Star Johnny Bush.
You can catch the CBR on Outdoor Channel TV three times/ week and they never get pre-empted  for hockey,football,races,etc.
One of the event's stars will be Tate Stratton  attends Texas A&M  in their Animal Science program.He graduated from Western Texas College with an associates degree and Magna Cum Laude honors in 2005.That is quite an achievement for anyone..He is currently ranked 12th in the PRCA and this boy can ride.I have seen Tate at PRCA and CBR events  and he is just a great guy with lots of guts and lots of heart.
Tate has long been a protégé of CBR President 4X WorldChampion Bull Rider Tuff Hedeman.He began his career at age eight   and Tuff was right there for instruction and guidance. I will have to check this out but would not be surprised to find out that  Tate was one of Tuff's mom's "boys" as she calls  young riders she tries to help.She lives in  Mexico and is very active in JR and high school rodeo.
Tate has won multiple New Mexico titles and the 2004 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Championship.
And do not forget .May 5&6 will be the dates for the CBR's Red Rock Championship Bull Riding.I attended it last year and  had planned to make the trip this year  but  may not be able to go . Between the cost of fuel today and having our own bulls at events out here I have had to curtail a lot of trips.Iwill have all the results though. Red Rock is a real bargain as tickets are only $16 for adults and $6 for children 6-12.Five and under are free(advance sale-$2 more at door).The CBR bullfighters and barrelman Rocket Ryan will sign autographs at  Rio West mall from 10 am - noon on May 6th while CBR President Tuff Hedeman and Pam Minick the greatest lady of rodeo broadcasting will sign at Gurley Motor Company from 1:pm -3PM.Judging from last year's crowd you ought to try and get there early.Lines stretched around the block at the showroom.While there try a Ford Focus.With today's gas prices its a great buy.I am on my second one now and am completely sold on the Focus.Ford has a real winner here.
There is a really cute piece on CBR bullfighter Matt Baldwin on PRCA's www.prorodeo.com entitled "Nutcase"{. Prior to his fighting bulls in the CBR Matt  spent a summer at Scott Littrell's Circle 13 both riding and bull fighting along with Scott's son Matt.I remembered Matt Baldwin from there when I met him on the CBR tour. Great guy and very talented bull fighter.He reminds me of Ronnie and Donnie Sparks.
I want to congratulate CBR National Sales Director Justin Monsen and his wife Diane on the birth of their second child, daughter Ellie Grace. Sometimes we don't say enough about the people behind the scenes but everyone who is part of the CBR  is great.They are caring people with lots of heart and I salute the behind the scene people today.
Terry Holland  has gone from the broadcast booth to judging events for the CBR while Andy Stewart  is their arena announcer now that Tuff  Hedeman and Jeff Medders  have taken over the broadcast positions.And Tuff really has been making some cute remarks  about the bulls and the riders.
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PBR News and Results

The PBR has had three more BFTS events since my last report . The Ty Murray Invitational was held in Albuqurque,NM the weekend of the  Circle 13 Bull Riding Clinic;and for the first time I missed seeing Ty's event as I was bucking my own bulls. I was glad to see that Sammy Andrews ,Tommy Tsosie and Caspar Baca all had bulls at Ty's event.
It was 24 year old Colby Yates(Ft .Worth) who won the event. He scored 88 points on Diamond S' Hoodlum in the first round to come in second behind Cody Whitney who scored 90.25 aboard 5G's Dash Cat.Cody faced off against Sammy Andrews' Bo's Excuse in the Mossy Oak Shoot Out  and failed to make the whistle.
Colby scored 86.25 aboard Clueless in round two and finished 7th in the round but bucked off of Tequila Magic in the third round.He entered the championship round in seventh place and like so many others in the past Colby had been riding well but was getting bucked off of his  short go bulls.His draw for the championship round was Diamond S's Cat Daddy who had bucked him off at another event.It was Colby who beat the odds here as he made a great ride for 90.75 to win the event.
Jared Farley and Edgard Oliviera tied for 3/4 in round one.Jared was second in the average while Edgard finished  sixth and round one winner Cody Whitney was third.
Round two was won by Jared Farley with 87.75 aboard Martin Baca's Speedy Gonzales.Farley faced Silverado Rodeo's Polywog in the Mossy Oak Shoot Out but was unsuccessful. Rookie Brian Canter was second aboard Tommy Tsosie's  T Bull with 87 points while finishing 7th in the event .Andre Moraes tied for third/fourth aboard Hart Cattle Company's Hillstreet ( 86.75) with Steven Shelley aboard Frontier Rodeo's Silent Angel.Andre was 10th in the event while Shelley didn't make the cut for the championship round.
Robson Palermo (Rhome ,TX) won round three aboard  Sammy Andrew's Rompus with 89.25 points while J.B. Mauney was second with 88.5 on Hebert's Shark.Luke Snyder was third with 88.25 aboard Diamond S' Gigilo.Brian Canter scored  88 on Bruce/Goodall's  Chicken Hawk to tie with Guilherme Marchi aboard Caspar Baca's Painted Wolf for 4/5 in the round. Its good to see Luke Snyder back in form.He finished 9th in the average.
Edgard Oliveira scored 91 aboard Jerry Nelson's Just A Dream in the short go and took top honors there. Colby Yates was second in the short go aboard Cat Daddy with 90.75 while Cody Whitney was third in the round with 84.5 aboard Shanghai. They were the only qualified rides in the round.
Kody Lostroh was fourth in the event while Matt Bohon was fifth.J.B. Mauney whom I met on the CBR tour was 8th.
Round two added more riders to the injury list as Dan Hendricks aggravated his elbow injury and is out of competition now.Dusty LaBeth fractured his femur and had to undergo surgery to place a rod inside the bone and will be out six months  while Sevi Torturo was stepped on and suffered two broken ribs. Although no injuries were reported for Friday's round Cody hart was stepped on and may have a broken ankle.
In more PBR news former General Hospital star Tava Smiley seems to have failed as the replacement for the much loved  and respected Leah Garcia. Smiley made the character of Chloe Morgan come alive for GH fans and they all felt bad when her character was killed off. No such feelings here as PBR fans wish OLN could get Leah back.And now the big news-why Smiley as a replacement? The perennial thorn in the side who has now been given the boot Brett Haber  brought her aboard. Now with both gone maybe ,just maybe if they ask nicely our Leah would return.Meanwhile Craig Hummer has been filling in and Craig is good but  the broadcast team has always had a female interviewer and  it really needs Leah back.Wish NBC would replace  Kenny Rice with Hummer though.
According to Josh Peters Randy Bernard acted like John Kerry on the Smiley issue. Randy ,probably remembering the first  fiasco with a replacement for Pam Minick raised concerns when OLN said they were hiring Smiley.When OLN firmly decreed it was to be Smiley as the interviewer to keep peace Randy  diplomatically defended her lack of abilities. Now that she is gone Randy no longer needs to defend her.Again if this reeks of Kerryism do not forget as CEO Randy has to keep peace  with OLN .
The next event was the Niles Invitational held in Billings,Mont. Rookie Brian Canter  won his first BFTS event in yet another three round event.I saw Brian ride on the CBR tour last year and was impressed.He was compared to Lane Frost in style but  at 5'3" reminded me of Chris Shivers when I first saw him ride in high school rodeo with Andy Stewart doing the announcing.
Kody Lostroh won round one aboard Sankey's Coyote with 86.25 points. Chad Denton was second in the first round with 86 points on Diamond S/Jaynes Gang's Black Willy.Travis Briscoe scored 85 on Diamond S' Hoodlum and Brian Canter was 4th on Berger/Whitford's Big Mack with 83.75 points .Kody failed to ride the Mossy Oak Shoot Out bull Dr.Proctor.
Brian Canter won round two with 88 points aboard Doug Butcher's Navajo  and took the lead in the event.He was unable to make the whistle on Shallow Hal in the Mossy Oak Shoot Out.
Cody Whitney is riding hot this season and he was second in the round with86.75 points aboard Berger Bucking Bull's Caramel Corn. Cord mcCoy was third with 86.5 aboard another great berger bull Peacemaker while Chris Shivers was 4th on Diamond S' Hot Diggity with 86.25.Somehow I cannot get used to this new point system;and frankly I don't like it.
Round two had its share of injuries with newcomer Justin Koon out for a possible 6 weeks with a separated right shoulder.Fellow newbie  Rusty Patrick sprained his neck and was doubtful to compete while yet another rookie Matt P injured his right elbow and thumb.Colby Yates re-injured his right shoulder.
Chad Denton won round three with 88 on Chad Berger/Chad Weishuhn's Kamo Kat.Canter made a good choice opting for a reride when  Big John had a bad trip.Canter scored 86.25 aboard Berger/Ryken/Smith's What About Me and finished tied for 2/3  in the round with Colby Yates aboard Navajo.Fourth in the round wasTravis Briscoe with 85.5 on Dippity Doo. Steven Shelley's87.25 ride on  C&H's Stoney was the only qualified ride in the short go..Brian Canter now has his first event win  while Marcello Cruz was second in the event.Jody Newberry finished  third with Chad Denton 4th. Steven Shelley was 5th,Gerardo Venegas 6th,Travis Briscoe 7th,Cody Whitney 8th,Jared Farley 9th and Guilherme Marchi 10th.
More injuries were :Jared Farley - strained groin andAdriano Moraes - strained right hip.I hate to hear that as Adriano has been in first in the standings.get well soon guys.

Detroit results to follow.

Circle 13 Bull Riding Clinic

There were definitely future stars of bull riding present at the Circle 13 Bull riding Clinic held March 31st and April 1st in Denmark ,TN. Between the bulls and the riders present there was so much “heart” exhibited that it was phenomenal. I have attended other schools but never have seen the positive atmosphere as I did here. There were no quitters! Neither was there negative feedback. Riders were shown errors in such a positive way that they could only feel like trying harder. Matt Littrell ,an accomplished rider and also bullfighter knows the value of positive reinforcement and proved to be a good instructor while carrying on the tradition his dad , Scott Littrell, rodeo stock contractor and General Manager of the American Bullriding Association taught him.

This has become an annual event at the Littrell’s ranch with the entire family taking part in the clinic though this year daughter Morgan barely had time to show up due to her heavy schedule at college. Terry Littrell is the event and clinic secretary while younger son Marv who helped out in the arena and during the clinic is now a stock contractor on his own . And it was great to see former rodeo promoter Pete DeLoach.He was there celebrating his birthday.

The clinic really started with a bang as severe thunderstorms rolled through the area on Friday afternoon. As we traveled there along I-40 we hit gully washer downpours with hail and lots of thunder and lightning. Fortunately the only Tornado we saw was the four legged kind-our own TN Tornado who we were transporting to Circle 13 along with his sons Cat Five Hurricane and TN Two Hawks. The rain was over by the time we arrived and the cowboys were going over drills with Matt and Scott. Terry Littrell made photographer Teri Lann, her son Nathan and myself comfortable in the house as we waited for the riders and bulls to get ready for the first riding workout in the arena.It was good to sit and talk with Terry.

It was great seeing all the positive effort these riders put into their practice. Steven Davis from Martin, TN was the first one out aboard our own Cat Five Hurricane and stayed on him for 6 leaps. He was followed by Tony Schuller aboard Two Hawks who unloaded Tony on his second leap. Then came their daddy the TN Tornado who is about 300 pounds over his bucking weight and Tornado gave Carl Klouse a loping buck in the mud for a good confidence building ride. Circle 13’s Golddigger came out with Robert Millholland aboard and proved its not just the riders who are future stars here. The bull bucked hard in a straight line for seven jumps before Robert came down. Blayne Hayse who is only $600 shy of filling his PRCA permit was the next out on White Demon who faked left seven loping leaps then faked right then faked left. Evan Garner drew Joker’s Wild who faked left then faked right getting Evan off on the seventh jump. Tornado came back out with Brad Williams aboard. The bull faked right then turned back to the left in a loping buck and it was another confidence builder. Brock Hayse got too far back on his pockets as Cat Five Hurricane took three jumps to the left; and Brock was in the mud. Circle 13’s Git R Done bucked straight left with Billy Summers aboard and then stopped.

TNT Dynamite is a typical Plummer. He bucked hard as he took three jumps out then faked left to get Jeremiah Melson off early. Now don’t forget this was not an event but the first riding drill of the clinic and we were already seeing some good form in the riders and some hard bucking in the young bulls.

Brad Williams came back out aboard Two Hawks who took five hard bucks out straight with lots of kick getting Brad down early. Tony Schuller was a little sore after coming off of Two Hawks earlier and turned out Tornado who was getting lazy in the chute. The riders were allowed ask for certain bulls and it was Hurricane again with Jeremiah Melson who made it seven strong leaps.J6 Jordan’s Pet was awful in the chute and a real challenge once the gate opened He had Steven Davis off on the second jump as he beat him out of the gate with lots of power and kick.

We missed part of Saturday’s early riding drill session but got there in time to see Carl Townsend come down early off of #33 who took two leaps out of the chute then turned left. Billy Summers came out on Joker’s Wild who bucked straight five leaps then turned left to get Billy off. Blayne Hayse drew Boo who faked right then faked left then faked right and left again with good action.Blayne made a good ride and we wish him well in the PRCA.Hope to see him at some Xtreme Bulls Tour events..

Tornado just loped across the arena in that loping buck with Steve Davis aboard.

Watch for #21 Black Jack! This bull is going to be a star. This small black bull not only bucks hard but leaps with all four off of the ground. He went airborne then bucked to the left with Brad Williams aboard. Evan Garner made a good ride aboard Get You Some who bucked to the left along the rail with good kicking action.

Brad Williams came back on Two Hawks who took four strong leaps with high kicking to get Brad off. The next bull out was unnamed and I told Scott he ought to call him Texas Hold Em.Jeremiah Melson was aboard and the bull took a hop skip jump and then stumbled and Jeremiah was down. Kyle Townsend went out on Snowman who took four hop, skip and jump leaps to get Kyle down. Kyle asked if he could try Tornado again and we said okay and Tornado loped out with lots of power but Kyle made the ride. The guys stopped the drills then as they had a jackpot bull riding that night. They went through some more balance drills and watched the videos of the rides.

Aside from the practice on the bulls Matt had led the riders through drills aboard a Mighty Bucky and also aboard horses bareback for balance. Photographer Teri Lann and I were surprised when her son Nathan took right to riding Mighty Bucky like a pro.I think he has been bitten by the bull riding bug! The first time aboard his dad had him and his younger brothers on backwards so they could hold onto the bucking pole. The second time aboard Matt Littrell had Nathan sit the right way and Nathan had perfect upper body and free arm motion. I think Matt and Scott have turned an “I don’t ever want to ride a bull” boy into” I might decide to be a bull rider “ boy!

The actual bull riding began at 7PM.Brock Hayse became the first rider to ever ride Cat Five Hurricane; and Hurricane had bucked them all off on The Young Guns Tour last year in Kentucky. Hurricane made eight good leaps and Brock rocked a little side to side but scored 67.

Brad Williams came out on Two Hawks who took three high jumps to dust the rider. I didn’t catch the name of the third bull out that Evan garner drew but he took two leaps out then spun to the left and threw Evan off into the gate.

Jeremiah Melson drew Boo who faked right then faked left then took three jumps forward then faked right again and it would have made a good ride but Jeremiah touched the bull with his free arm and was disqualified. Steven Davis drew Black Jack who took two jumps out to the left with lots of action to toss Steven off. I really like this bull and I think he will be a real star. TNT Dynamite took two leaps straight out of the chute then faked right ,faked left faked right and faked left again as Blayne Hayse scored 72.

Golddigger had Robert Millholland off at 6.2 and his 4th jump as he bucked out straight with belly rolls.

What was unusual in this bull riding was that the riders were allowed to choose the bulls and the riders also scored the rides. Because of this Cat Five Hurricane got the nod again with Tony Sellars aboard. Hurricane circled left with lots of kick and had Tony off by the fifth buck. He then did something he never has done before-he cleaned the arena out. He is not used to being rode and I think that made him mad! Carl Townsend drew Snowman who took one leap out then made one spin to the left then jumped out of it and bucked straight left getting Townsend down early.

Carl Klouse drew another of Scott’s bulls that I think will go far-Super Dave. Super Dave took four strong leaps out straight before turning to the left in a loping buck and Carl scored 71. Congrats to new daddy Billy Summers. He drew 49 percent who took two leaps to the left then reversed right in a circle to buck Billy off.

Tony Sellars hit his head hard when Git R Done took two hard leaps out and threw him to the ground. Toad Frog had Steven Davis off as he reversed sharp right and dunked his head down after three leaps straight left. Brad Williams got a reride as Star came out on his knees and fouled. Brad got a reride on the same bull. I missed the name of the next bull who took two leaps out with belly rolls to get Robert Millholland down. Evan Garner drew Jordan’s Pet who had good action and took one leap out then two bucks to the left and sent Garner off over his horns. Jack Hammer was turned out as his rider injured his leg.

I have to say Scott Littrell is a good arena announcer. He even has a Jay Leno side when he picks on people. He gets the audience involved and to be honest with Scott announcing you don’t need a funny barrel man! Scott handles it all!

Lower tier PBR rider Altus Dieterheim and his wife were here and Altus helped out. Hopefully he will make it to the BFTS soon.NFB rider Billy Joe Berry was also here helping out.

Carl Klouse drew Recon who took two leaps out with lots of action but fouled himself at the gate and Carl was awarded a reride. Blayne Hayse drew Prince Albert who has lots of power and elevation. He faked left then faked right then circled around to the right.Blayne scored 77 and had 149 on two. Brad Williams took his reride on Star who bucked left but flat and then bucked straight down the arena. Brad scored 64.

Super Dave finally proved himself. He took two leaps straight out then went into a fast right spin and beat Jeremiah Melson around the corner. Brock Hayse bucked off as the bull he drew(some of the bulls are unnamed)after two loping leaps. Billy Summers hurt his knee when the bull landed on it in round one .he was the rider who turned Jack Hammer out. Carl Klouse got his reride aboard Beevis who has bucked in the PBR with Junk Bull Rodeo Company. The bull took two very strong leaps out and had Carl off.

Blayne Hayse won the event with 149 on two while Carl Klouse was second with 71 . Brock Hayse was third with 67 and Brad Williams was fourth with 64.

Blayne Hayse broke his arm when he came off of Prince Albert

After the event we all gathered back at the ranch house where they held the awards ceremony. Special thanks was given to Wayne Elison who cooked the meals served all weekend. That man makes a great barbecue and his sauce is to die for. Marv Littrell and Norman Totten were thanked for bringing their bulls while Matt Littrell and Brent Sisco were thanked for their bullfighting efforts. Teri Lann was acknowledged for her photography and Scott had to tell all about her great country music singing talents. Terry Littrell was thanked for her work as secretary.

The riders voted for the awards. Top Hand went to Mississippi and Dave Miller. Top bullfighter went to Matt Littrell.Most improved rider was Tony Sellers Jeremiah Melson and Kyle Townsend didn’t receive awards but they are expected to do really well.]

Pictures from the event will post shortly.

It was a great weekend and the most positive bull riding clinic I have ever attended. Circle 13 currently has a Thursday night practice pen going on so if you are in the area contact Scott ,Terry or Matt Littrell at :1 -731-424-1296.