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.