Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Probullstats, Cowboy Sh*t and Bobby Joe


BULL RIDING:

I am going to change the subject entirely this week when it comes to this portion of the Blog.

I have one word for this week; Probullstats.com. (at least I think that is “one word”… come to think of it – is it even a word?)

Anyway, as I considered what I would talk about this week, my mind led to riding percentages, which lead me to Probullstats.com – which lead me to think the following;

“As an avid fan of and a professional in this industry – where would I be today without Probullstats.com?”

I mean seriously?  The more I think about what these guys have created, the more I wonder how in the world we would have EVER functioned WITHOUT them.  The foresight of Mr. McDonald and Mr. Long (and whomever else should be credited) is unreal.

If you are in the bull business, you’ve probably been to the website. If you are a contractor, producer, rider or fan – there is information at Probullstats.com that you will need!

In almost every Major League sport, the teams and players utilize “Scouting Reports”…  Probullstats.com is Bull Riding’s “Scouting Report”… To think that the cowboys in the Bareback and Saddle Bronc events do not have near such a resource is mesmerizing… How do they function without it? 

I can promise you that I will reference Probullstats.com and information I have obtained there in almost every Blog I write.  In fact, I think it would be near impossible to write anything about Bull Riding – intelligently - without needing to turn to such a great resource.

So with that, I say, THANK YOU to the hard working folks at Probullstats.com – without you, this blog would not be possible.  Without you, bull riding WOULD NOT BE where it is today.  Bless You!

BULLS:

Exclusive Genetics.  Say what you will about the program, the Million Dollar Futurity, the clientele, the concept, blah, blah, blah.  I am here to tell you that these guys have some bulls.  Whether bought, sold, bred, raised or traded it matters, not.  Not in the “Bull Riding” portion of the game.

Most recently, I have seen numerous of their partnership “big bulls” in the Palace Station Million Dollar Bull Team Challenge.  They had a solid weekend in Del Rio in the CBR Bull Games as well.  Ragin JT is a bull that EVERY guy that ever strapped it on, should want to draw, EVERYwhere he ever goes.  I will go out on a limb to say, if their recent bull performance is any indication of where they are going – it's the right direction.

RODEO:

Circling back to Probullstats.com for Bull Riding and the lack thereof for the Horse events in Rodeo…  Really? 

Is there a place where I can go find horse stats?  I think the PRCA tried to take this on, but historically when I’ve tried to locate it at their website, the link is dead or may now be non-existent…  If I am missing the boat, I hope that someone will enlighten me.  For the sake of the game, I am hoping I am the only dummy that can’t find a stat database on the horses…

It’s kind of like Fed Ex and the US Postal Service – One outfit is making it happen… While one will get it to you on Saturday – even overnight if you ship on Friday – the other is considering cancelling Saturday Delivery altogether… Hmmm.

Maybe I should do it!?!   Broncstats.com – sounds like the next billion dollar Dotcom to me! NOT!

Next…

HORSES:

I am currently the luckiest guy on earth.

When I am home, I get to wake up each morning and about 100 yards out my kitchen window I can see, in my humble opinion, one of the greatest Bucking Horses ever.

Our north pasture, has a pond, surrounded by shade trees and a few big Oaks… Normally, each morning he’s sitting there hanging out under that big Oak, with his buddy Jo Finn – both anxiously awaiting my lovely bride to arrive with more senior feed than they can eat…

His name is Bobby Joe.  Harry Vold says, “Bobby Joe is probably the best horse I ever had”… Enough said.

Bobby Joe went to the NFR like 12 times.

Bobby Joe was PRCA Saddle Bronc Horse of the year.  Three times.  In a row.

(This is the part of the Blog that if I had “Broncstats.com” fired up I could be providing additional information)

Bobby Joe is retired. In Texas – where the winters aren't so harsh. 

He’s probably about 27 years old.  He doesn’t move like he used to either, but he’s down there everyday just hanging out with Jo Finn, probably telling old “re-ride” fibs…

That’s like having Nolan Ryan, Brett Farve or Wayne Gretzky in your back yard…

That’s badass… and in case you missed it the first time, I am the luckiest guy on earth.

COWBOYS:

J.B. Mauney.  That’s “Cowboy Shit” right there.

The guy is sitting at home with a broken riding hand.  Decides he can't wait for it to heal and be too far behind in the race for a World Title – so he switches hands.  I repeat, switches hands.  At what’s arguably the elite level of the game.

That’s comparable to a pitcher at the Major League level of Baseball starting the game this week as a “Right Hander” and earning a win. Then deciding he will work his next start as a “Left Hander” after a few sessions in the “bull pen” between starts.  Then, not only does he get it across the plate as a “Left hander”, but strikes out other Major League caliber players.

Kudos to J.B.  Thanks for reminding us what “cowboy” really means.  World Titles aren't always won by the most talented athlete in the race, but the one that “wants it” the most.

MUSIC:

I’m in a music funk this week… Lots on my plate and I haven't dedicated much time to it…

However, I did have the opportunity to visit a bar in “Cajun” country down at Lafayette.  I have nothing against “Cajun music” however, I did notice that at one point the band played for like 15 minutes straight… I don't know if it was the same song or if it was some sort of “medley”… But it was LONG…

If you get a chance, dig up “The World Needs a Drink” by Eric Church on YouTube.  This is a GREAT song.  I’m a HUGE Eric Church fan. Rock it!

Shut Up and Make it Happen
Scott Davis