Humps N Horns Bull Riding Magazine - Dec 2020

$4.99 USD DEC 2020

Your donation can change a life.

Western Sports Foundation focuses on supporting total athlete wellness for those competing in Western Lifestyle Sports. Our program focuses on five areas of wellness: Mental Wellness • Physical Wellness • Life Skills Financial Planning • Education and Career Planning Western Sports Performance Clinics WSF offers the only training of its kind for Western Sports Athletes. These three-day clinics include one-on-one sessions with a Sports Neurologist, Nutritionist, Financial Planner, Life Coach, Crisis Manager, Sports Psychologist, and Personal Trainer.

Be a part of the growing community that supports health and wellness for all western sports athletes. Visit westernsportsfoundation,org to become a Friend of the WSF and learn more. Donate today at donate.onecause.com/wsf/donate

Our mission is to assist Western Athletes both while competing and after.

Subscribe today online or by phone www.humps-horns.com 325-500-BULL (2855)

Humps N Horns December 2020

On The Cover - Jose Vitor Leme raises the Championship Trophy as he celebrates being crowned the 2020 PBR World Champion.

Photo by Andy Watson / BullStock Media.

Humps-Horns.com ¡ 4 ¡ December 2020

HUMPS N HORNS® BULL RIDING MAGAZINE PO Box 34172 Fort Worth, TX 76162 325-500-BULL (2855) www.humps-horns.com

ADMINISTRATIVE Stacie Blake

Publisher/Owner stacie@humps-horns.com

Terry Blake

Editor in Chief/Owner terry@humps-horns.com

Features

ADVERTISING ads@humps-horns.com

CIRCULATION

9 Rebecca Flores

circulation@humps-horns.com

Senior Manager of Competition - ABBI

FEATURE STORY WRITER Barbara Pinnella barbara@humps-horns.com

12 MBR World Finals

2020 World Champions are Crowned

PHOTOGRAPHY Andy Gregory Director of Photography andy@humps-horns.com

19 Smooth Operator

2020 World Champion Bucking Bull

CONTRIBUTORS Georgia Akers Justin Felisko Barbara Pinnella Keno Shrum

22 Jose Vitor Leme

2020 World Champion Bull Rider

Also In This Issue Bull Pen 19 Classifieds 28 Country Kitchen 15 Inspiration Point 14 Livestock Layovers 28 Outside the Arena

Practice Pens Talking Bull w/ Brayden Through My Eyes Where’s the Beef

28 7 8 25

9 Humps-Horns.com · 5 · December 2020

Andy Gregory Phillip Kitts Kelly B. Robbins Andy Watson

Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine reserves the right to alter, edit or reject all advertisement or editorial for it’s content, clarity, and/or length. Viewpoints expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine. No material may be reprinted or reproduced without first obtaining permission from the publisher and/or editor in chief. All advertisement, editorials, letters, and press releases are accepted with the understanding that the representative, advertiser, and/or advertising agency are authorized to publish the entire contents of submitted material. Not responsible for errors or omissions in any advertisement. Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine will not assume responsibility for any late publication due to the printer, the USPS, or an act of God. Under no circumstances will Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine be held liable for acts of privacy, plagiarism, copyright, or trademark infringements. Material submitted for publication becomes the property of Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine and will not be returned unless prior arrangements are made.

USPS #022-617 Periodicals Postage Paid at Fort Worth, TX and additional offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine, PO Box 34172, Fort Worth, TX 76162. ISSN1554-0162. Publication Number 022-617. ©All rights reserved. Humps N’ Horns® Bull Riding Magazine 2015

Letter from the Editor Well, if that wasn’t a World Finals for the ages! In spite of the challenges that were faced and overcome during the year 2020, the PBR endured and provided a first class culmination for the season.

From my feeble recollection, it seems like there were more big rides at this finals than any in recent history. This year saw a total of 38 rides marked at 88 points or more which included 15 rides of 90 points or more. Kudos to all who worked so diligently to pull of the 2020 World Finals. As a fan, I am certainly grateful.

We have some great articles looking back at the excitement that took place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Congratulations to all the newly crowned World Champions and also to those who were able to experience some of the highlights of their careers over the past week.

In just a few short weeks, the holidays will be here and it is usually a time to gather and celebrate with friends and family. We hope that it is a joyful time for you and your loved ones.

Until next time, Terry

Humps-Horns.com · 6 · December 2020

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Talking “Bull” with Brayden season. Jose Vitor Leme rode Woopaa for the highest score of the year and it got him the world title for a monstrous 95.75 points. This was this bull’s debut at the PBR World Finals and he didn’t disappoint neither did Jose.

In round 4, Dalton Kasel rode HeartBreak Kid for 89 points.

Dalton came in as an alternate and got on two bulls and, even though he was a little banged up, he still got a great score. Jess Lockwood rode Lil 2 Train for 91 points. Jess had a bad injury which derailed him from a good year, he didn’t have the year or finals he wanted but this round win will help.

Hi my name is Brayden Hollywood Brown and I’m a miniature bull rider. Today we are going to be recapping the 2020 PBR World Finals. So let’s get into it.

In round one, Mason Taylor rode Strange Cargo for 89.25 points. This bull was put on tour at the end of last year. Strange Cargo didn’t disappoint here and the same can be said about Mason. Next up, Eduardo Aparecido rode Hocus Pocus for 91.50 points. This bull tied with Legit for the Bull of the Finals at the 2018 PBR World Finals. Hocus Pocus had a good out here but he wasn’t fast enough for Eduardo aka Fast Eddy. Derek Kolbaba got the round one win on Boogie Bomb for 92.75 points. Derek didn’t have the year he would have wanted to but he definitely had the World Finals he wanted. He couldn’t have drawn a better bull for round one.

Moving on to Round 2, Cole Melancon rode Sugar Boom Boom for 88.75 points. This is a veteran bull and Cole is a veteran of the sport. It was no surprise to see them come together for a decent score. Boudreaux Campbell rode Bullseye for 89.25 points. Boudreaux had a great weekend full of great scores and this one on Bullseye was one of his best. Keyshawn Whitehorse got the W on Rocky for 91 points. I’ve been waiting for Keyshawn to have a pop off weekend like this and for it to be at the Finals was a blessing for Keyshawn.

Boudreaux Campbell rode Buckin For Cash for 90.75 points.

Boudreaux was of only two guys to go 4 of 5 and he ended up winning the finals. Not only did he win the finals but he also won the 2020 PBR Rookie of the year. This is by far his greatest achievement in his young career and I can’t wait to see this young gun again next season. Cole Melancon rode Spotted Demon for 92.75 points. This was the second meeting between these two and, both times they met, it was big points.

Finally, the round winner of the championship round was my favorite ride and that was Keyshawn Whitehorse who rode Chiseled for 93.75 points. Keyshawn had a decent year and a great finals. I can’t wait to see Keyshawn next season because I think that now he has matured enough to where he will contend for the title.

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed, you can check me out on Facebook Brayden Hollywood Brown or Instagram braydenhollywoodbrown.

Thank you Brayden Hollywood Brown

Round 3 saw Derek Kolbaba ride I’m A Secret for 90.75 points.

This is a newer bull and Derek stuck it to him for a good score.

Ryan Dirteater rode Payin Debts for 91 points. This was Ryan’s last World Finals after he announced his retirement at the beginning of the year and this was one of his best rides of the Boudreaux Campbell rides Buckin for Cash to win PBR World Finals event title. Photo by Andy Watson/ BullStock Media.

Humps-Horns.com · 7 · December 2020

The Future of the Sport My opinion is that the key to our sport’s future goes back to how young “want to be bull riders” are started and trained. Allowing them to excel at a young age will help down the road. My generation didn’t start on rank little born to buck bulls. They didn’t exist back then. We were able to stay on more than we hit the ground. Too many Jr rodeo/bull riding associations are forcing them to get on buckers before they learn to ride. If all Jr associations will commit to getting the right stock in the calf, steer and bull riding we will see every level of bull riding advance.

They do it for young calf ropers and it has shown up at every level.

If a contractor brought a bunch of 250 pound fresh calves to a Jr calf roping they would string his ass up and never let him come back. Because its “Bull Riding”, they think they should cowboy up and be men when in fact they are just little boys with dreams of being bull riders someday, (not today). I’ll get criticized for speaking out about this but becoming a bull rider is a process not an overnight deal. Guys that keep saying how we got on the same kind of bulls that these kids these days get on have faded memories.

There were a few and they never got ridden at Jr rodeos. Its no wonder there are so many who are looking for a soft landing, because all they know is that the ground is hard. They will never even have a chance to be tough guys if the get an ass whooping every time they nod their heads. The boys now days are no less athletic or talented than our bunch but they are overmatched from the get go, in most cases. It’s up to our generation to help develop the young guys into real bull riders not just guys who feel lucky not to get wiped out, and the only way for this to happen is for us to speak up about it at every opportunity we get.

The theory behind my thinking is how young guys became bull riders when I was a kid. This is not a stupid theory as some seem to think. It works. I get tired of seeing kids pay the price of a parent or guy who is training them that has more interest in the

kid having a title of bull rider now and won’t hold them back to slowly progress and achieve great success down the road.

Many of them are finished by the time they are 17 and a lot of the ones who do happen to make it to full maturity are so beat up that they never reach their full potential and become real bull riders. You see a lot of the guys in the pro ranks who never became winners at the Jr bull level and now they aren’t winners at the top level. They are mediocre and settle for that because they don’t know any different. I was not the best bull rider in Arizona until about my senior year of high school and then I had to leave so that I could go learn to win somewhere else and continue to develop as a bull rider.

I’ve seen many talented kids fall by the way side from being consistently overmatched. The kids today face what no earlier generation has had to deal with. Born to buck programs were never part of the mix when we were learning so we had the luxury of hearing the whistle while we were still on the back of the bull.

Mediocre is accepted in bull riding circles because greatness is not the goal, just to hear their name called is good enough for a huge percentage of kids who are getting on these hot blooded bulls today.

Riding a bucker for three or four seconds probably won’t yield as much as hearing the whistle and picking their spot to get off will.

My goal is to build real bull riders not a bunch of pretty good 4 second riders. It will play out and the ones who will buy into my method of training bull riders will be the ones y’all will hear about in about 10-12 years. I have no problem with the ones who will disagreeing with me because so many already do. I’m just doing my part to save bull riding from itself.

Jesus loves you.

Cody Custer

Humps-Horns.com · 8 · December 2020

Outside the Arena with...

Rebecca Flores

By Georgia Akers

My normal last article of the month is “Outside the Arena” photos of all the activities that go on that do not get a lot of publicity.

Unfortunately, I am unable to be at the finals this year. It will be the first finals I have missed in 13 years. But it is what it is. I wish everyone a safe and healthy Merry Christmas and I know 2021 will be much better than 2020. God Bless.

I think everyone will agree this is a male dominated sport. But there are some amazing women that are also involved in the bucking bull industry. Without them, I wonder if things would get done in such an efficient manner. My next couple of articles, I hope to focus on the women who are involved in the bucking bull world. Their stories are varied as to how they got where they are. They have earned the respect of everyone who works with them and comes in contact with them.

One of the ladies that I have gotten to know is Rebecca Flores with American Bucking Bull Inc. As a stock contractor, she is the lady I go to with any questions I might have. She is always there for me and is kind, courteous and professional. We are fortunate to have such a lady in our sport.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a Colorado native, born and raised in Pueblo. I have three amazing children, two boys and one girl. My oldest son, Dylan, is 19, my middle son, Jace, is 18, and my little girl, Peyton, is 11.

My children and my job definitely keep me busy, and sometimes it is a challenging balancing act. When I have free time, I enjoy spending it with my family, being outdoors, and yep, you guessed it, going to bull ridings!

You are senior manager of competition for the American Bucking Bull Inc. What does this entail?

There are a lot of moving parts, so I’ll just list the highlights: • Create and open event for all classes on the website.

• Take all entries for all classes for each event • Go through each bull entered to make sure they meet all ABBI competition criteria. This includes working with veterinarians to get age certifications.

• Collect and run payments for each entry • Execute the draw for all events with the exception of the Unleash The Beast Classics • Create day sheets When I am onsite at events my job expands to include things like: • Be onsite at check in to hand out tickets / credentials • Dress arena when needed • Create and supply judge’s sheets for our futurities • Input and audit scores throughout the event • Calculate payout and points so they can be uploaded to standings Then there are always those other duties as assigned which can be a variety of tasks.

What is the American Bucking Bull Inc? American Bucking Bull Inc (ABBI) is dedicated to unifying,

Humps-Horns.com · 9 · December 2020

my good friend Jennifer White, whom previously was in this role, was promoted to the Back Seat Buckers program, she recommended me for the job. I was ecstatic that I landed the position because this is truly my dream job!

Do you have much contact with the riders or is it mainly the stock contractors?

I predominately work with the stock contractors but have on occasion, worked with riders. Many of which are now also getting into owning, raising, and competing with bucking bulls.

What about judges? Are you responsible for assigning them to different competitions?

Though I don’t have any role in hiring the judges, I do get to work with them closely at the events. We all know they supply me with the most important information at the event, bull scores. I can say I am fortunate enough work with the best judges in the business!

developing and promoting the bucking bull industry through pedigree preservation; enhancement and promotion of bucking bull ownership, breeding, and welfare; and development of programs and events showcasing the world’s finest bucking bull stock. In recording and preserving the pedigrees of the world’s premier bucking bulls, ABBI is the third-largest cattle registry in the U.S. and the world’s largest bucking cattle DNA registry with more than 262,000 registered animals. The ABBI was formed in 2004 to help develop the sport’s animal athletes and increase their value through documented quality blood lines. The ABBI also holds competitive events for bucking bulls, paying out more than $3 million each year in prize money strictly to the animals.

Which is the easiest part of your job?

The easiest and most fulfilling part of my job is getting to work with the incredible stock contractors.

Many of whom have become like family to me. I can honestly say, I have met some of the best people I have ever known while working in this industry.

What types of competition are there for the bucking bulls?

The competitions available are all encompassing with classes for all ages of bucking bulls. To start there is the Juvenile class, which are one year old bulls and heifers that compete with a dummy.

Then there is the Futurity, Jr Futurity, and Cowgirl Futurity classes, which are strictly 2 year old bulls that also compete with dummies. As they get older, they move to the Derby class which are strictly 3 year old bulls and can compete with either a dummy or be introduced to compete with a rider. The most well-known is the Classic class, which are 3 and 4 year old bulls that compete with riders only. Last but certainly not least is the Maturity class, which is for any bull 5 years or older, or any 3 and 4 year old bulls that are ineligible to compete in the Derby or Classic. The Maturity class strictly competes with riders.

How did you get to be the senior manager of competition?

I joined the ABBI team as the office assistant, giving me a great overview of the company from registration to competition. When

Humps-Horns.com · 10 · December 2020

What is the hardest part about your job?

To be completely honest, the hardest part of my job would be the long hours and the many miles traveled away from my family.

Also it is difficult to manage the days and nights of worrying that my part of the event is executed without a hitch. There are many details to manage to ensure everything is right. From entries, deliveries, owner/partnerships, and making sure I get all of the information to each of the departments; my priority is that it all comes together to have a perfect show. Sometimes the pressure is so great that I’ve actually have thought about walking away a time or two. When that feeling comes over me, I close my eyes and think about all I love about this career: The once in a lifetime moments with a remarkable group of people I’m blessed to work with and be supported by, the extraordinary people I’ve been honored to meet, the priceless memories I’ve made, the memories I’ve yet to make, the amazing human and bovine athletes that I build relationships with, and the blessing of getting to be a part of this exciting industry that I love and help to grow. There is no denying the adrenaline as that first latch is popped and the feeling of complete accomplishment as a team who have wowed and amazed the crowd by the performance. It’s then I know that I never want to leave, as this is truly my calling!

How many days do you have to travel to events?

I usually travel about 10 times a year. A travel week typically runs Thursday thru Sunday, with the exception of World Finals. The finals in Las Vegas, NV are about two weeks long. So overall the time I spend traveling is much less than the days I spend supporting the events remotely.

Which event do you like the best and why?

I would have to say World Finals is my favorite event, because it is a culmination of all the hard work that our contractors put in all year long to produce the best bucking bulls in the business. I can’t even describe what a completely fulfilling time it is for me to see the pure joy and excitement on their faces when their bull is crowned the champion.

What is the easiest part about your job?

There is not really a good answer to this, but I do know that the people I get to meet and work with through my job, makes it feel easier.

Do you ever have a favorite bull? If so who?

Honestly, I love them all and am so in awe of the amazing athletes they are. However, if I had to pick just one, I’d say the late Pearl Harbor of Chad Berger is my favorite bull so far. I got to see him come up from just a young calf and watched him get better and better as he matured. I also have a soft spot for Stone Cold Crazy of Hodges Bucking Bulls because he’s a big ole loveable guy that loves to be petted. Don’t think me crazy but I just love getting to love on these magnificent bovines.

really is. Especially the event side of it, since that part is so dear to me! I would definitely like to see more participation in the Jr and Cowgirl programs as it is so amazing to me to see such comraderie going on behind the chutes. It really is good to see how each participant is so eager to help out the other, cheer each other on, and be genuinely happy to see their fellow competitors succeed!

For someone new to entering their bull, what is the most important things to know?

That I am always available to help them in any way I can with any questions or just walk them through the process. I would also tell them that they will be entering into a wonderful group of people, that will welcome them like family and bend over backwards to help them. Most importantly, I will tell them they are in for the most fun and rewarding ride of their life!

What do you hope to see in the near future for this industry?

I truly hope to see it keep growing, to get more and more people involved, and for others to see what a truly amazing industry it

Humps-Horns.com · 11 · December 2020

Jay Rodrigue - Senior World Champion

Chance Theiss rides, the previously unridden, Party Time at the MBR World Finals in the PBR World Finals FanZone.

Photos by Phillip Kitts / Avid Visual Imagery

Humps-Horns.com · 12 · December 2020

Noah Lee - Junior World Champion

Sawyer Roth - PeeWee World Champion

Humps-Horns.com · 13 · December 2020

Inspiration Point

existing manuscripts that we can compare and cross-check them to reconstruct what the originals would have said. With proper technique, we can do this with a very high degree of accuracy.”

As members of the church, we must rest assuredly in the overwhelming evidence supporting the Bible’s validity. We can know that the Bible and secular evidence both speak to the accuracy of the Holy Writ.

Guest article writen by Keden Shrum

by Keno Shrum

Let the Bible Speak I​t is too often we hear of those who fail in providing a defense when the validity of the Bible is brought into question. It would seem a large number of self-proclaiming “Christians” have no assurance of the very book that provides the basis of their beliefs.

The fact is, we do not have to work nearly as hard as one might assume in developing an apologetic argument for the Bible. The Bible has already spoken for itself through the vast quantity of historical manuscripts, known to be in existence and accurately translated.

S​ herri Bell, author and blogger for Josh McDowell Ministry, writes the following concerning the number of biblical manuscripts: Of just the known 5,800+ Greek New Testament manuscripts, there are more than 2.6 million pages! That equates to one mile of New Testament manuscripts (and 2.5 miles for the entire Bible), compared with an average four feet of manuscript by the average classical writer. Combining both the Old and New Testament, we have more than 66,000 manuscripts and scrolls that speak to the validity of Scripture!

The imagery Bell uses paints a clear picture of why we should have far more confidence in the accuracy of the Bible than in the classical writing adored by so many. In a separate blog, Bell writes, “The earliest surviving manuscript of Homer’s Iliad, which highlights the final weeks of the Trojan War, is about 400 BC. More manuscript discoveries have been made of this epic poem than any other classical work, yet the number of extant manuscripts is less than 2,000.”

If we compare only the New Testament writing to that of Homer’s Iliad, we see the New Testament manuscripts more than double, almost triple, the known manuscripts of the Iliad. This is crucial because while some critics proclaim the Bible to have many errors, the vast number of manuscripts shows that any variance is human error and in small portions, compared to the totality of manuscripts. Matthew Tingblad brings this point out when he said, “These manuscripts have some differences, and this is to be expected because of human error. But there are enough

Humps-Horns.com · 14 · December 2020

Peppermint Fudge Cookie Bars INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

• 1 pouch (17.5 oz) Betty Crocker™ double chocolate chunk cookie mix • Butter, water and egg called for on cookie mix pouch • 1 1/4 cups dark chocolate chips • 4 teaspoons shortening • 4 hard peppermint candies, unwrapped, coarsely crushed (about 2 tablespoons)

1. Heat oven to 375°F. 2. In large bowl, mix cookie mix, softened butter, water and egg with spoon until dough forms. Divide dough in half; place on ungreased large cookie sheet. Press each into long rectangle shape, about 1/2” thick.

3. Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until edges and center are set. Cool 2-3 minutes then cut the long, rectangle cookies crosswise into 1-inch slices. It is best to use a sharp knife and you may need to clean the knife blade as you go. Cool for another 5 minutes on cookie sheet and then move the slices to a cooling rack to cool completely (about 30 minutes).

4. In a small bowl, microwave chocolate chips and shortening uncovered on High for about 30 seconds. Stir; continue to microwave in 15-second increments until mixture can be stirred smooth.

5. Working with one cookie slice at a time, hold cookie stick and dip one end into the melted chocolate. Place on waxed paper and then sprinkle with crushed peppermints. Repeat with remaining cookie slices. If chocolate has cooled too much, reheat. Let stand until chocolate is set.

Submitted by Sonya O., Little Rock, AR

Send us your favorite recipe to bullnews@humps-horns.com

Humps-Horns.com · 15 · December 2020

Photos by Andy Watson / BullStock Media

By Barbara Pinnella

Bridesmaid No More!

Jose Vitor Leme is Your 2020 PBR World Champ!

Things like the CoVid 19 virus and a venue change from Las Vegas, Nevada to Arlington, Texas did nothing to diminish the excitement of the 2020 PBR World Finals. Nor did it manage to keep the World title away from Jose Vitor Leme. This modest man from Brazil not only won the title, but did so a day early. In order to secure his World Championship in the third round, Leme had to win the round, and win he did!

Leme scored a whopping 95.75 points in Round 3 on the previously unridden Barker Bulls LLC’s Woopaa. The bull made a record of his own, posting a bull score of 46.75. What a ride and what a way to win that buckle, the money, and the accolades that go with being a World Champion!

After the final round, Jose had this to say.

“This feels like a dream to me. You work so hard to become World Champion and now I am, and it’s very hard to explain.”

Round 1 Because the event was four days, the men had to jump right in the deep end, with the eliminator bulls out the first night. But that just made for a great showing for Derek Kolbaba, who scored a big 92.75 after his ride on Boogie Bomb. That bull is owned by Bland Bucking Bulls / Cooper / Scruggs.

Eduardo Aparecido joined that 90-point club, when he covered Hocus Pocus for 91.50, coming in second. Hocus Pocus comes from D&H Cattle/Almand/Lone Star/Outlaw. In third was Tye Chandler with a score of 89.50. He rode the D&H Cattle Co/Buck Cattle Co bull, Tested and Bruised. Mason Taylor, the Velocity Tour Finals winner the prior weekend, was right behind Chandler in fourth place. Paired with a bull owned by Gene Owen/Jane Clark called Strange Cargo, he posted an 89.25.

This round also marked the first of two remaining outs to determine the Yeti World Champion Bull. Chiseled, owned by Flinn/D&H Cattle Co, came into the evening leading the race, but was passed up by the Dakota Rodeo/Julie Rosen/Clay Struve/Chad Berger star, Smooth Operator. The lead was not a big one, and Sunday’s Championship Round would determine the Champion.

Round 2 Keyshawn Whitehorse won this round and energized the crowd with his 91-point ride courtesy of Rocky, owned by Cord McCord/ Ronnie Chism Farm & Ranch. Boudreaux Campbell and Bullseye teamed up to score 89.25 points to be second in the round.

Third and fourth was split between Eduardo Aparecido and Alex Cerqueira, with both men posting 89. Aparecido covered Monkey, owned by Cooper/Scruggs Bucking Bulls, while Cerqueira got his score after riding the 444 Bucking Bulls/Stockyards/Winston/ Durham/Davis/Melton bucking bull, Secret Weapon.

Round 3 As previously mentioned, Leme had to win this round to win the World title before Sunday, and he definitely rose to the occasion.

With his giant score of 95.75 with his dance partner Woopaa, Jose could not be denied his victory.

“I knew if I rode my bull today, I would be really big in the competition, and if I didn’t win today, I would win it tomorrow,” Leme said. “There was no way I was gonna let that gold buckle slip by me! That bull is a great bull and I’ve always wanted to ride him.

Since he was a young bull, I’ve been watching him buck.

“God gave him to me at the right moment, and it worked out perfectly. To have that kind of score – it’s not every day you can say, ‘Hey, I had a 95.75 in my career. That’s just amazing. That is a memory for a lifetime.”

Humps-Horns.com · 16 · December 2020

Jose Vitor Leme teams up wth Woopaa (Barker Bucking Bulls) for 95.75 points in Round 3 of the PBR World Finals to secure his first World Championship.

And kudos also to Woopaa and his connections Barker Bulls. He was named the ABBI Classic World Champion Bull!

But 90-point rides were plentiful this round. Ryan Dirteater, set to retire at the end of these Finals, showed he still had it, as he scored a 91 with Payin Debts, owned by Gary Long/Dean Wilson.

That placed him second in this tough round. Third went to Round 1 winner Kolbaba. He earned a score of 90.75 with K-C Bucking Bulls/Bull Creek Bucking Bulls’ I’m A Secret.

Whitehorse, Campbell, and newcomer Kyler Oliver tied for fourth, all putting up 90 scores. Keyshawn covered Skeeter Peter, owned by Owens/Wyatt/Smith/Chad Berger, Boudreaux rode the Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger/Clay Struve/Hruby/Kainz bull Safety Meeting, and Kyler got his eight on Kruger Bucking Bulls’ Chain Smoker.

Round 4 Jess Lockwood notched his one and only ride at these Finals, and he made it count. He won the round after putting up a 91-point score. Lockwood covered Lil 2 Train, owned by Gene Owen/Jane Clark. Coming in second was Daylon Swearingen. He grabbed his second score of the Finals, posting a 90.25. He rode the Hart Cattle Co./Hale/Randy Wood bull, Hostage.

compete, but he did appear on RidePass. He said he realized after seeing the wreck on tape why he was getting so many calls and texts. Even he admitted it looked very bad.

Championship Round Whitehorse was paired up with Chiseled, and stuck it on him for a great score of 93.75. Chiseled had come into these Finals leading for his own World Champion title, but was overtaken by Smooth Operator in Round 1. He needed a 47-point bull score to grab the title, but was only given 45.75 – a good score, but not nearly enough. Smooth Operator bucked off Dirteater in 2.60 seconds, and earned a bull score of 46.25.

Coming in second in this Championship Round was Cole Melancon. He covered the Julio Moreno/Dallas Schott bull Spotted Demon for a score of 92.25. Marco Eguchi put up a big score of his own, a 91, after he paired up with the good young Diamond G bull, War Fury. And fourth, with a 90.75, was Campbell. He rode

Cooper Davis came in third, after his ride on Marquis Metal Works Bill the Butcher netted him a score of 89.25. Bill the Butcher is owned by Paradigm Bull Co./Marquis Metal Works. A score of an even 89 on D&H Cattle/Buck Cattle/Erwin Cattle bull Heartbreak Kid gave Dalton Kasel fourth in the round.

Colten Jesse and Ramon de Lima were both out of round 4 due to injuries. Lima suffered a left knee sprain, while Jesse was involved in a very scary wreck that resulted in a concussion. He did not pass the concussion protocol which would have allowed him to

Humps-Horns.com · 17 · December 2020

Boudreaux Campbell

Keyshawn Whitehorse rides Chiseled for 93.75 points in the Championship Round at the PBR World Finals.

PBR for continuing to do their best to keep this great sport as safe as possible during these very trying times.

2020 World Finals Champion AND 2020 PBR Rookie of the Year – Boudreaux Campbell Stock Contractor of the Year – Chad Berger (10th time winning that honor.)

Buckin’ For Cash, owned by Paradigm Bull Co. By placing in every round but one, it was Boudreaux who took home not one, but two important titles in these Finals. He was the Rookie of the Year as well as the World Finals Champion – quite an accomplishment!

“I’m at a loss for words,” Campbell said at the post-event press conference. “especially with the year we have had; it was crazy.

The PBR went through a TON of stress to get us to where we are.

Winning the Rookie of the Year was a goal I had coming in, but I knew I was far behind when I got here.

Yeti World Champion Bucking Bull – Smooth Operator (Became the oldest back-to-back Champion at the age of 10.) owned by Dakota Rodeo/Julie Rosen/Clay Struve/Chad Berger Classic World Champion – Woopaa, owned by Barker Bulls, LLC Derby World Champion – Cuttin Torch, owned by Flinn/D&H Cattle Futurity World Champion – Little V, owned by Cord McCoy/ Kevin Graber

“But every time I come, I want to win. That fire in my eyes never goes away, whether I’m getting on for $1 million dollars or $1,000.

I am looking forward to the NFR in a couple of weeks, but I am really excited to come to the PBR for a full year and ride the best bulls and with the best guys in the world. I am blessed to be the World Finals Champion, but now I want the buckle Jose has!”

Must mention here that it was so unfortunate that Joao Ricardo Vieira, while sitting second in the World Standings, could not compete at these Finals. He tested positive for the Coronavirus. Joao, as well as those who had been around him, were not allowed to come to Arlington. It is so sad for those who had planned on competing, but hats off to the Ryan Dirteater rides Payin Debts (Gary Long / Dean Wilson) for 91 points during Round 3 of his final PBR World Finals.

Humps-Horns.com · 18 · December 2020

SMOOTH OPERATOR 2020 World Champion Bucking Bull Photos by Andy Watson / BullStock Media

By Kelly B. Robbins

The dust has finally settled, and the fans have all gone home. This unusual and sometimes difficult 2020 PBR season is officially in the record books. Chad Berger’s 001 Smooth Operator and D&H Cattle Company’s 43C Chiseled were locked in a battle to the finish. Smooth Operator’s world average bull score of 46.13 points barely outdueled Chiseled’s world average score of 46.03 to claim the 2020 PBR Yeti World Champion Bull title and earn the $100,000 payout!

In addition to Smooth Operator winning back-to-back championships, Chad Berger was named the 2020 PBR Stock Contractor of the Year. This is the tenth PBR Stock Contractor of the Year title for Chad, and his seventh consecutive title.

Both are PBR records. His partners include Clay Struve, Julie Rosen, and Ken Barnhardt.

Smooth Operator and I’m Busted, another Chad Berger bull,

Ryan Dirteater called for the gate one last time as he battled Smooth Operator in the Championship Round.

Humps-Horns.com · 19 · December 2020

Dener Barbosa tries to tango with Smooth Operator in Round 1 of the PBR World Finals. Smooth Operator marked a bull score of 46 points.

were named co-bulls of the PBR World Finals. Their two-out bull score total of 92.25 points earned Chad and his partners the $25,000 prize for Bull of the Finals!

I spoke with Chad early Monday morning. He had to watch the PBR Finals from home in Mandan, North Dakota due to a bout with Covid-19. “I’m feeling good and back to work today!” Chad said. “And it feels really good to be named the PBR Stock Contractor of the Year again. You never get tired of it. Winning that award is a total team effort. My wife, my family, my partners, my bull men Delbert Nuse and Rex Meier, Juan Gonzales, Denver Killingsworth and all the guys here at home are the greatest team that make all this possible.”

“Smooth Operator’s win feels the greatest!” Chad continued.

“I’m so happy for that bull. He just went out there and did what he had to do to win. He’s ten years old and he just never quits.

When Smooth Operator was five years old, I thought he was the rankest bull I’d ever seen. Then he was injured back in 2015 and 2016, and it was a long road back. I almost retired him two years ago. But I took him to Chicago, and he bucked for 46.75 points. I let him go and he won the championship!”

Heading into the PBR Finals, there were five bulls with a realistic shot at the championship. Chiseled was in first place with a world average of 46.16 points. Smooth Operator was in second place, with a world average of 46.13 points. D&H Cattle

Company’s Hocus Pocus was next with 45.66 points, followed

by JW Hart’s I’m Legit Too with a world average of 45.56. JW Hart’s Smooth Over rounded out the top five with a world average of 45.47.

After the first round of the finals, three bulls were still in contention. I’m Legit Too was ridden to the buzzer by Silvano Alves for a score of 85.25 points and a bull score of only 42.50.

Smooth Over bucked off Cole Melancon in 5.90 seconds for a bull score of only 43.50. These scores eliminated both from the race. Hocus Pocus was ridden by Eduardo Aparecido for 91.50 points and a bull score of 44.75. Smooth Operator took over first place from Chiseled by dumping Dener Barbosa in 3.57 seconds with a bull score of 46 points. Chiseled bucked off Andre Da Cruz De Souza in 2.81 seconds for a bull score of 45.25 points.

The stage was set for some real drama and excitement as Smooth Operator was now in first place with a new world average of 46.11 points going into Sunday’s Championship round. Chiseled had a world average of 46.06 points and Hocus Pocus had a world average of 45.56 points.

Hocus Pocus was up first in the championship round. He bucked off Dalton Kasel in 6.33 seconds for a bull score of 44.25 points. This score eliminated Hocus Pocus from contention.

Next up was Smooth Operator. Ryan Dirteater rode Smooth

Humps-Horns.com · 20 · December 2020

Operator for his last ride before retiring. He was bucked off in 2.60 seconds and Smooth Operator had a bull score of 46.25 points. That left Chiseled, who needed to score 47 points to overtake Smooth Operator for the championship. Keyshawn Whitehorse outlasted Chiseled for an amazing ride score of 93.75 points! Chiseled’s bull score of 45.75 points fell just short and Smooth Operator clinched the 2020 PBR Yeti World Champion Bull title!

At ten years old, Smooth Operator is the oldest back-to-back Yeti World Champion Bull in PBR history. He became the fifth back-to-back champion, joining Dillinger (2000-2001), Little Yellow Jacket (2002-2004), Bushwacker (2013-2014), and SweetPro’s Bruiser (2016-2018).

Smooth Operator had 17 outs in 2020 and was ridden twice. His career buck off percentage is 92.31% and his career average ride score is 90.22. Newly crowned 2020 PBR World Champion Bull Rider Jose Vitor Leme rode Smooth Operator for a whopping 94.25 points last September in Billings. Smooth Operator’s bull score was 46.50 points!

Chad has had a lot to overcome this year as well. This past summer he had two open heart surgeries and a third operation for a pacemaker. “It’s been a tough year,” Chad admitted.

“Delbert Nuse has done a great job helping us through this summer and at the Finals. All things considered, we ended up with a great year!”

I asked Chad the question that is in everyone’s mind now: “Will you let Smooth Operator compete next year for a possible third PBR Yeti World Champion Bull title?”

His answer did not surprise me. “I will probably let Smooth Operator buck in January and see how he’s feeling. We’ll see how he bucks and go from there. I’ll definitely pull him out if he bucks less than 100%. We’ll just have to see how he does. But I don’t think that old bull is ready to quit yet!”

I’m Busted dispatches Daylon Swearingen in Round 1 of the PBR World Finals to earn a bull score of 46.25 points and a share of the Bull of the Finals title.

Humps-Horns.com · 21 · December 2020

By Justin Felisko

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media

A humble path to gold buckle greatness for 2020 World Champion Jose Vitor Leme The newly minted World Champion’s iPhone would not stop buzzing as the golf cart hummed its way toward the ramp that exits the home of the Dallas Cowboys onto East Randol Mill Road.

A LONG BIKE RIDE IN BRAZIL Leme grew up in Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil. He quickly became enthralled with the sport of bull riding and started getting on calves as early as 7 years old.

Leme turned his head toward the left and peered inside the arena, giving himself one more glance at where he had just ridden Woopaa for 95.75 points to clinch the 2020 PBR World Championship about an hour-and-a-half earlier.

His father, Antonio, used to compete at local bull ridings in Brazil, and has a ranch with livestock. Jose Vitor seemed destine to be on the path of becoming a bull rider until his parents divorced when he was 13.

“This journey is amazing,” Leme said. “This is my dream. My life. But I know there is still plenty of work to do.”

With his parents separated, Jose Vitor switched things up and became focusing on soccer, which he first started playing at 11 years old, and practicing karate, eventually displaying his tremendous athletic ability on the field as a semiprofessional soccer player.

Leme finally had a small moment to exhale and sit back in the aftermath of his title-clinching ride.

As the golf cart slowed to a stop just before Lot 4, where Leme’s white 2017 Ford F-350 was parked, Leme paused before hopping into his truck to make the quick 2.5-mile, five-minute drive back to the Hilton Arlington.

He looked back at the stadium where he had finally achieved his lifelong dream.

“You see, someday I want to be like J.B. (Mauney),” Leme said. “People love him. The fans. The 90-point rides. He is the best. There is still so much I want to accomplish. I have always said I wanted to be a World Champion, and if I got that accomplished, I know I want to be a two-time World Champion. But, really, I want to be the record-breaker. I want do so something impossible, something nobody has ever done.

“I have that drive. I always want to do better and do the impossible because I know I can do it.”

Leme, however, still had this burning desire to give bull riding a shot. The problem was, in Brazil, it often takes an invitation to compete at an event or elite level. Therefore, his options were extremely limited at first seeing as he wasn’t fully immersed in the bull riding culture just yet.

When he was 17 years old, Leme finally found an opportunity in Rochedo, which is near where his mother, Silvia, lived in Campo Grande.

The problem was Leme did not have a car or an easy means to get there.

So what did Leme do?

Unlike his easy 5-minute drive to and from the hotel this past week during the PBR World Finals, Leme hopped on his bike and pedaled the six miles, both ways, to compete at his first event.

Humps-Horns.com · 22 · November 2020

“As a kid growing up in Brazil, it’s different,” Leme said with the help of Paulo Crimber translating. “It’s not a championship or an association you can ride in.

You’ve got to be invited to be able to go somewhere. I was just a kid starting. I didn’t know nobody. Nobody really knew me, and the only little things I had around me was 10 kilometers away. It was kind of a jackpot type of deal, a small deal, and I had to ride my bike that much to get to it. I didn’t have anybody to take me.”

“That was kind of the beginning, the very beginning, of my story. I always wanted to go to a big tour, a big association, but it took a while to make that happen.”

And how did he fair at that first event? “I bucked off,” Leme said with a laugh. “I got called for a slap.”

A HUMBLE UPBRINGING AND A FRUITFUL PHONE CALL HOME Leme would continue to ride his bike, walk, or take the bus to find places to compete in Brazil as his love for bull riding grew.

Antonio was excited to share in his son’s passion for the sport. Antonio quickly bought his son a bull rope, boots and spurs.

“It was really funny, because when I was playing soccer, my dad never bought me new soccer shoes or anything new,” Leme said before smiling. “My dad helped me out on the path (of becoming a bull rider) because he really liked it.”

It was not easy, though, Leme admitted.

Traveling to events could be costly, and so too is maintaining equipment.

Leme learned to improvise with his gear as best he could and would reuse tape to tie his boots.

Leme’s family likely would have come to the United States to watch their son cap off his historic World Championship season if not for the COVID-19 pandemic leading to travel restrictions all over the world.

Last year, Silvia and Leme’s little sister, Lais, attended the 2019 PBR World Finals only to see Jose Vitor lose in heartbreaking fashion to Jess Lockwood.

It was then Leme vowed to his family that he would not return home to Brazil until he was a World Champion.

“I told them I was not going to go back home before I got that gold buckle,” Leme said. “Last year, I was going to go, but I had that loss, and I was second, and I just changed my mind about going back. This year, I was kind of waiting to see where I was to make sure I was going to go back a World Champion, and now I got it.

“I can go home and get there and give them a big hug and say, ‘Mom, dad, now I came back home and I did what I went there for, to get that gold buckle. Now I’m a World Champion. Thank you for all you’ve done for me.’”

HEARTBREAK IN LAS VEGAS Jose Vitor Leme stood just beyond the out gate and began to tug at the riding glove on his left hand on November 10, 2019.

“The champ is here” was blaring on full blast throughout the loudspeakers at T-Mobile Arena as newly minted 2019 World Champion Jess Lockwood climbed aboard Canadian Mist during the championship round of the 2019 PBR World Finals.

Leme tucked his chin and his upper lip quivered as he waited for Lockwood’s celebration to end inside the arena. CBS Sports Network needed to do an interview with him, and Leme understood.

“At times I didn’t have money to buy the equipment for me to do my work,” Leme explained. “We have some kind of bags in Brazil. I cut off the hangers of them to make spur straps, or I would just get some old tapes to get my boots wrapped up and tied on. It was really hard.

Regardless, Leme could not hide his pain any longer. His heartbreak. His soulcrushing disappointment.

“But it paid off, and my dad helped me a bunch, and I owe all that to him.”

The 2017 PBR World Finals event winner had received a standing ovation from the PBR’s loyal fan base minutes earlier.

Antonio was one of the first phone calls Leme made on Saturday night before he attended a virtual press conference following his title-clinching, win in Round 3.

Antonio was unable to watch Leme’s sensational World Finals victory live three years ago, but a family friend was able to help him watch his son win the world title on RidePass this weekend.

A small tear began to trickle down his right cheek as that reality set in.

Everyone in attendance, as well as Lockwood and the other 39 riders in the locker room, knew Leme put forth an unbelievable season even if it did not end with a gold buckle.

Leme lowered his cowboy hat over his eyes and he attempted to tuck his chin as tears began to stream down his face as the father and son shared in the victory.

But being runner-up for a second consecutive season a year after finishing 422.5 points behind 2018 World Champion Kaique Pacheco cut into Leme unlike anything else. Rarely has he ever displayed that level of sadness or frustration since he went 6-for-6 to win the 2017 PBR World Finals in his United States debut.

“I was kind of a lot like him, really quiet (at first),” Leme said. “He never wants to express his emotions through words or anything like that, but I knew that in his own way, he was really, really proud of me. He never was the kind to say ‘congratulations’ too much, but he did today, and that was really great.

Lucas Divino saw Leme struggling and gave him a massive hug, letting him bury his head away from the cameras. Divino is one of Leme’s closest friends. The two traveled together in Brazil, and Divino knew in that moment that his best friend needed someone to tell him to not give up on his dreams.

“That’s the reason I came over here (to the United States), to try to give them a better life. And today I’m able to, and it’s something that’s really emotional and touched me really hard.”

Divino held Leme tight and told him, “Don’t stop. Keep working. Know you are the best the entire year and next year you will be a World Champion.”

Leme concluded the 2020 season with $1.6 million in earnings, and he hopes his father will let him buy him a new ranch or help make improvements to the family ranch. In 2017, Leme used portions of his winnings from the 2017 World Finals event victory to buy Silvia a new house.

Silvia had Leme laughing on stage when he called home to tell her he was finally a World Champion.

“My mom is the opposite of my dad,” Leme said. “She cannot speak right now.

She only cries. She’s just really emotional, and she was crying a lot, but I know she just had no words to describe how proud and how happy she was for me, for this moment I’m living right now. And it’s just amazing.”

One year later, and Divino was one of the first men inside the locker room to give Leme a big hug.

He once again held him tight, “You see? You fought. You are a World Champion right now. Congratulations, my friend. You have fought real hard for this.”

Leme made a promise to himself last year inside T-Mobile Arena that he would work that much harder in the offseason. He was determined to reach the pinnacle of being a World Champion this year.

“That was probably the moment I walked away from the arena last year, knowing I lost, and I knew this year I was going to work so hard to make that (not) happen (again),” Leme said. “And I did. I won a lot of rounds. I won of events, and I was

Humps-Horns.com · 23 · November 2020

better than everybody else. I knew the only way for me not to get it this year was just because God didn’t want me to. But if it was counting on me to do my job, I knew I was going to get it. And here I am. World Champion.”

A COMMITMENT TO BE BETTER Leme path’s to his first gold buckle was nothing short of relentless.

He began to train, train and train at home in the days, weeks and months following his second consecutive runner-up finish in the world title race last fall.

He would get on practice bulls almost daily, even after he had opened up a 593.09-point lead in the world standings by the second week of September. Even after he became only the third rider all-time to win three consecutive premier series events this past August/September, he refused to become complacent.

Leme wanted to make sure he left no stone unturned in the 2020 World Championship race, and dedicated himself to making sure he could ride the rankest bulls in the world, not just into his hand, but away from it.

“My crying today is different. That was crying of joy, and that’s different from last year,” Leme said. “It’s hard for anybody to work so hard through the year, and leading most of the year, being No. 1, and then come to that point and finish in second. That’s so tough, and so hard, and most people probably give up on that.

All my friends, Lucas and all my other friends, helped me go through that and keep my head up and work for it, because I know as hard as I worked, one day I would get it. It wasn’t last year, but I knew sooner or later I was going to get it.”

If none of his friends were available to practice, he would get on bulls by himself and have his dogs, Angel and Turbo, serve as his bullfighters.

“Every day I tried to keep getting better at my work, at my job,” Leme, who also improved his English in 2020 as well. “I think that’s it. God gave it to me because he see how hard I work, and how hard I work to ride bulls away from my hand, and in my hand, and now I can ride them.”

Leme’s wife, Amanda, saw how hurt her husband was last year in the agony of defeat. She saw him wake up early and train nonstop during the last 12 months to reach this moment.

Amanda stood on the stage of AT&T Stadium Sunday night beaming from ear to ear. She knew her husband would one day make his dreams a true reality. She told him as such last year when he walked out of the locker room on Championship Sunday at the 2019 World Finals in Las Vegas without the gold buckle.

“It is a really different set of emotions from last year to this,” Amanda said with the help of Paulo Crimber translating. We are expecting a baby (boy in February).

Our baby is going to be so proud of his daddy. Last year was a loss. This year is a win. He never really changed. Everything he does, he never does halfway. He always goes forward. He did what he was supposed to do and kept his belief in himself. He worked hard, and here it is.”

Leme had already put forth one of the greatest seasons in PBR history before he finished off his gold buckle campaign with a 3-for-5 performance at the PBR World Finals. The four-time PBR World Finals qualifier finished 2020 44-for-65 (67.89%) with seven event wins, nine 90-point rides and 16 round wins. Leme failed to earn world points in only four of the 20 Unleash The Beast events at which he competed.

He was also one event win away from tying Justin McBride’s all-time record for most event wins in one season (8). McBride competed at 34 events in 2008 compared to Leme’s 20.

“That is a special young man,” McBride said during the CBS Sports Network telecast. “I have got to watch over the last 20-plus years all of the greats that have come through the PBR and I have not seen anybody do it in any bigger fashion than what Jose Vitor Leme has done in 2020.”

Three-time World Champion Adriano Moraes witnessed Leme’s rise to greatness beginning in 2017 when Leme won the prestigious PBR Brazil Triple Crown – 2017 PBR Brazil champion, 2017 PBR Brazil Finals event winner and 2017 PBR Brazil Rookie of the Year. Leme’s dominance in Brazil in 2017 led to him

receiving a berth at the Velocity Tour Finals, which led to Leme then qualifying and winning the 2017 PBR World Finals.

Moraes spoke at length with Leme this past January in New York about how Leme could improve riding bulls away from his hand, and Moraes is proud to see Leme put the work in to add his name to the PBR record books.

“I am very excited, very pleased that he finally got it,” Moraes said. “But I am not surprised. I knew it was coming. I am very proud he was able to overcome these bad couple of weeks at the end of the season he had compared to what he was. I am very proud, but not surprised. I knew it was coming, and I am very, very very excited that he was able to wrap it up with a 95.75 ride. I am very, very thrilled.”

One of the rankest rides Leme made in 2020 outside of his emphatic 95.75-point ride on Woopaa wound up coming away from his hand when he rode 2019 ABBI Classic champion Chiseled for 94 points in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Aug. 22.

Leme then conquered two-time YETI World Champion Bull Smooth Operator for 94.25 points on Sept. 12 in Billings, Montana, as he won both the 15/15 Bucking Battle and the event title that weekend.

Coincidentally, what wound up slowing Leme down was not the rankest bulls on the planet, but rather a worldwide pandemic. Leme had to miss the next two UTB events, putting a halt to his winning streak, after coming in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

During a year of uncertainty, Leme never worried about COVID-19 cancelling the remainder of the season. He was confident the PBR and its Commissioner Sean Gleason would keep the sport moving forward.

“I really never kind of got too worried about the COVID or anything like that,” Leme said. “I didn’t think about any of that through the year, because I knew God has a time for everything. And if it was God’s time – God puts something down, right, and nothing’s going to change. And I didn’t let that bother me none.”

2008 World Champion Guilherme Marchi finished runner-up in three consecutive world title races before ultimately winning his gold buckle 12 years ago.

He knew exactly how Leme was feeling last season, and he remembers Leme explaining to him how much harder he was going to work in 2020 to improve himself.

“It is amazing how he rides, so strong, focused, confident, everything,” Marchi said on Sunday morning. “It is amazing. He deserves it. It is beautiful. At the house, he has been working hard the last two years. He finished second and was very close. Now he make his dream come true. I am very proud of him because we know how hard he has been pushing himself. Practicing every day. Getting on all kinds of bulls. Rank bulls. Easy bulls.

“He told me, ‘I want to learn how to ride any caliber of bulls. Hard bulls. Easy bulls. Bulls away from (my) hand.’

“What we see this year and all year long. All the events he win. The three events straight. All the 90-points. That is what he has been doing. He is proving to himself how good he is, and he proved to everybody he is the best in the world. I am happy because I know where he come from. Since he first started riding bulls as a kid, he wished to be a bull rider. Since he start, he has been pushing himself.

He wanted to be the best. He wanted to prove to himself how good he is.”

Leme finished 656.09 points ahead of world No. 2 Joao Ricardo Vieira, who was unable to compete at the World Finals after testing positive for COVID-19.

2018 World Champion Kaique Pacheco shook Leme’s hand in the locker room late on Saturday night once Leme’s round win aboard Woopaa officially eliminated him from world title contention.

Pacheco was the last man mathematically alive in the world title race on Saturday night, and he ultimately finished sixth in the world standings

Humps-Horns.com · 24 · November 2020

two years after he held off Leme for the World Championship.

“He’s amazing,” Pacheco said. “He’s just had a great year. He’s the guy who won the most events, most rounds, almost broke a lot of records. And I’m his fan. He rides great. He’s been awesome. Fun to watch.”

There was another fellow World Champion on Saturday night who made sure to seek out Leme inside the locker room.

Lockwood, the man who indirectly caused Leme so much heartbreak one year ago, had a massive grin on his face.

“You deserve this, champ,” Lockwood said before shaking Leme’s hand.

Lockwood said he knew Leme would come back motivated to not let himself feel that kind of disappointment again in 2020.

“When you’re neck-and-neck like that, and you lose, of course it’s going to piss you off and you’re going to want to do better next year, which is what he did,” Lockwood said. “He’s done incredible, and he’s a World Champ. He’s so damn good. I’m looking forward to next year so much, just to ride with him and compete with how good he’s riding at this point.”

‘THIS IS THE GREATEST MOMENT OF MY CAREER – SO FAR’ There was a subtle, but extremely telling moment Saturday night on the center stage inside AT&T Stadium in the aftermath of Leme’s 95.75-point, gold buckleclinching, Round 3 victory.

Leme was amidst an interview with Kate Harrison on CBS Sports Network when he reflected on his historic season and said, “This is the greatest moment of my career, so far.”

So far? Leme had just reached the pinnacle of the sport, and he still believes there is more to accomplish and do? Instead of reveling in his success, the newly minted World Champion already was thinking about what is next and how can he be that much better even though he had just put forth one of the greatest seasons in PBR history.

“I say that because I’m not done yet,” Leme explained later. “I’m still riding, and every year, I try to be better than I was. I want to try to break all my own records, and I want to win one, two, three, four, as many as I can, because to me, I think I can be better every day. And if I did good this year, next year I’ll be working harder to do better than I did this year. And that automatically gives me a chance to break my own records, be 97 (points), win another, another, another gold buckle. That’s what I want.”

Leme’s athletic prowess was immediately evident when he showed up three years ago as an unknown, 5-foot-5 bull rider with thick quads, a chiseled body and a knack for landing on his feet after riding bull after bull at his first PBR World Finals.

But what no one knew then was just how committed Leme was to greatness.

Leme’s dedication, focus and drive is making waves throughout the sport, and impressing legends and World Champions of previous decades.

2009 World Champion Kody Lostroh expressed his amazement and belief that Leme will go down as the all-time greatest bull rider if he continues on his current trajectory.

Lostroh believes a champion like Leme can elevate the sport to even greater heights.

“We’ve seen lots of very talented guys in the PBR, but I don’t think we’ve ever seen one as talented and devoted as Jose,” Lostroh said. “What he’s done in the past couple years is special. Not only does he have talent, but he’s got high work ethic that is rare among talented riders.

“The thing about greatness, like he’s shown, is that it’s attainable for everyone if they’re willing to work at it hard enough. And I love seeing a guy pour his heart into a goal like that. Not everyone is blessed with natural ability, but everyone has

the same opportunity to put in hard work. The future will belong to those who put in the work like Jose. His story is a building block to keep the level of competition rising. Because right now, Jose has set the bar as high as I’ve ever seen. He will break all the records before his career is done.”

A BEER WITH THE CHAMP The man who Leme aspires to be in the arena, and the one he talked about in the wee hours of Saturday night on the way to his truck, was the one wanting to spend time with him on Sunday long after the World Finals wrapped up.

The locker room was empty except for three riders – Leme, Mauney and Pacheco.

Paulo Crimber and his son, John, also remained.

Mauney had waited for all of the pomp and circumstances inside the arena to end.

He watched Leme hoist the PBR World Championship like he did in 2013 and 2015. He grinned as Leme took a celebratory drink of Coors Banquet out of the prestigious trophy.

The legendary bull rider, and future first ballot Ring of Honor inductee, told Leme earlier in the day he wanted to have a beer with him before he left.

Around 8:45 p.m. the powerful moment finally happened.

Two juggernauts of the sport who respect each other greatly drank a beer together in private and chatted for about 20 minutes.

Some may say it was a passing of the torch, but Mauney, of course, made sure to tell Leme he was ready to come after his gold buckle in 2021.

But this week, and this year, was all about Leme.

“He is a badass,” Mauney said. “You are the company you keep. Nah, I cracked a beer and I said, ‘This is one thing we are going to do. You are at least going to take a swig and toast on it.’”

Mauney then looked Leme in the eye. “You are a bull riding bastard,” Mauney said.

THE GOLD BUCKLE ON THE WALL When Leme got back home to his ranch on Sunday night, he could finally look at the wall in one of his rooms with beaming pride.

Leme had kept a daily reminder of his pursuit of a World Championship at his ranch in Decatur, Texas, for the last two years.

There is a room where he has hung a slew of his prestigious event buckles that he has won in his brief three-plus year career. Whether it is the 2017 PBR World Finals event buckle that came only 10 days after he first stepped foot in the United States, or one of his 13 event wins on the Unleash The Beast, Leme cherishes all of his victories.

However, Leme had kept an empty spot on the wall for a gold buckle.

Every day he wanted to make sure he remembered why he needed to walk outside to his personal practice pen, or spend an hour on the treadmill in his workout room.

Leme will now finally be able to place a gold buckle in that slot once his name is officially engraved on the Montana Silversmiths 2020 PBR World Championship buckle “It’s going to be amazing,” Leme said. “The spot in the house, I’m going to look at it for a long time. Just to be able to open a door in your house and walk in and look over there and see that the most prestigious title and buckle you can have is right there. I got it. It’s going to be amazing.

“It’s going to be something that’s going to be special forever.”

Article provided courtesy of PBR.

Humps-Horns.com · 25 · November 2020

WHERE’S THE BEEF? 2020

*-Added Money Amount Is For Each Night (E)EST · (M)MST · (P)PST Information Subject to Change Without Notice Date

Location

DECEMBER Dec 3-12 Arlington, TX Dec 5 Granbury, TX Dec 11-12 Sedalia, MO Dec 12 New Caney, TX Dec 12 Buchanan, TN Dec 18 Bulverde, TX Dec 19 Marshfield, MO JANUARY Jan 1 Jan 8-9 Jan 9 Jan 15-16 Jan 15-16 Jan 16 Jan 22-23 Jan 22-24 Jan 30-31

New Waverly, TX Duluth, GA Buchanan, TN Rainsville, AL Cedar Park, TX Marshfield, MO Greenville, SC Billings, MT Jacksonville, FL

Added $

Open

Time

$3,000

Call-In #

940-445-0379

$1,000 $300 $2,000 $1,200

12/5 Mon prior EC 12/18

$5,000

Call/Text 281-684-2477 / 281-796-9530

$300

$1,200

10a-6p 4-10pm 7:30pm

936-258-2150 731-642-8346 417-830-3264

Mon prior

4-10pm

731-642-8346

417-830-3264

Humps-Horns.com · 26 · December 2020

Assn/Event

National Finals Rodeo Elite Bull Team Invitational NFPB National Finals 6th Annual Cody Bassett Mem B.R. Milam’s Indoor Arena Series 2nd Annual Jingle Bulls Buck Wild Series

17th Annual Pitchin in the Pines PBR Unleash the Beast Tour Milam’s Indoor Arena Series PBR Touring Pro Division PBR Velocity Tour Buck Wild Series PBR Velocity Tour PBR Unleash the Beast Tour PBR Unleash the Beast Tour

WHERE’S THE BEEF? 2020

*-Added Money Amount Is For Each Night (E)EST · (M)MST · (P)PST Information Subject to Change Without Notice Date

Location

Added $

Open

Time

Call-In #

Assn/Event

YOUTH BULL RIDING EVENTS DECEMBER Dec 7-12 Mesquite, TX Dec 12

New Caney, TX

Dec 19

IMBA World Finals 6th Annual Cody Bassett Mem B.R. Junior Bulls / Mutton Bustin

Decatur, TX

12/5 Mon-Wed prior

10a-6p 936-258-2150 940-453-2364 817-926-4766

Cowboy Youth Bull Riders Assn

New Waverly, TX

Call/Text 281-684-2477 / 281-796-9530

17th Annual Pitchin in the Pines Junior Bulls / Mutton Bustin

JANUARY Jan 1

BUCKING BULL EVENTS DECEMBER Dec 5 Granbury, TX Dec 12 Vinita, OK

TBA

940-445-0379 Text / call 417-529-8453

Elite Bull Team Invitational ABBI / Evolution Bull Competitions

JANUARY Jan 1

New Waverly, TX

Call/Text 281-684-2477 / 281-796-9530

Humps-Horns.com · 27 · December 2020

17th Annual Pitchin in the Pines Bull Teams

CLASSIFIEDS Practice Pens

Practice Pens

PISGAH, AL - TIM COX, TCB, ANYTIME, CALL FIRST, 256-996-9426

JACKSONVILLE, NC - Aleck Barnard, Elite Cowboy Rodeo Assoc., Onslow Rodeo Arena, 6pm Every Other Sunday, Call First, 910-381-8597

NEW MARKET, AL - EC Hunt, 5:30pm Sun., 256-683-8169 BATESVILLE, AR - James Bechdoldt, Anytime, Call First, 870-307-9923 CONWAY, AR - Mark Lindsey, Ride & Shine Cattle Company, Anytime, Call First, 501-730-4557 ELFRIDA, AZ - D Davis Bucking Bulls, 4pm Sat., Call First, 520-642-3737 LINCOLN, CA - B Bar Ranch, B Bar Indoor Arena, Rain or Shine, All Rough Stock, 916-206-4059 MARYSVILLE, CA - PacWest, 5pm Wed., Steers & Bulls, Call First, 530-751-6643 FRESNO, CA - Toro Bravo Arena, Thur. by appt., Call First, 559-577-2445 ELIZABETH, CO - Tuff Garcia, Tuff E Nuff, 6pm Mon., Rain or Shine, 970-846-0788 STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO - Tuff E Nuff, 6pm Wed., Apr-Nov., 970-846-6828/3354 ALDEN, IA - Circle C Rodeo, 6pm Wed., Rain or Shine, Call for alternate dates 641-373-3625

Do You Have a Livestock Layover or Practice Pen? List it for FREE in the Classifieds.

WOODBINE, IA - Tom & Kristina Kelley, every Sun. (weather permitting).

Beginner - rank bulls. Call 712-5922493

Call our office at 325-500-BULL (2855)

KENDALLVILLE, IN - B Bar A Bucking Bulls, Heidi Speicher, 7pm Every Thur, Call First, 260-564-5864/Troy

For More Information on listing your facilities

JACKSONVILLE, IL - Lazy C Rodeo, 10am-3pm Sun., Rain or shine, Call First, 217-245-8280

Humps-Horns.com · 28 · December 2020

CHANDLER, OK - JAM Bulls, 2pm Sun., 7pm Wed., Call First, 405-570-9010 SOPER/HUGO, OK - RBL Rodeo Bulls, Anytime with 4-6 hour notice, Rain or Shine, 307-461-1741 EAGLEVILLE, TN - BF Cattle Company, 2pm Sun., Jackpot, Call First, 615-336-4313 EMORY, TX - Oakes & Greene’s, 7pm Wed., 903-348-8630 LORENA, TX - Rocking S Ranch, Tue., Jackpot, Call First, 254-716-0779 MANSFIELD, TX - JC Knapp Ranch, 4pm Sun/6pm Wed., $5 at the gate to ride as many as you want, 817-223-3692 SIMMS, TX - Wilburn Bucking Bulls, 7pm Every Other Thur., 903-543-3025 PETROLIA, TX - Norris Dalton, 7pm Wed., 940-733-3020 DECATUR, TX - Cullen Calame, Denton Creek Farms, Call First, 940-393-3730 NOCONA, TX - 4x Arena, Call First, 501-944-1907 STEPHENVILLE, TX - Young Arena, every Sunday 2:30pm (rain or shine). $5 at gate to ride as many as you want or to watch.

Variety of bulls - beginners to rank. Young Arena Facebook page or call Mike Young 254-967-2313 NOCONA, TX - Locke Bucking Bulls, Call First, 940-872-0733

Livestock Layovers BATESVILLE, AR - James Bechdoldt, White River Rodeo, 870-307-9923

CLASSIFIEDS Livestock Layovers RAYMOND, IL - Randy Littrell, Shop Creek Cattle, 217-556-0551 MARYSVILLE, KS - Gary Hershey, 4H Bucking Bulls and Marysville Sale Barn, Call First, 785-292-4952 LAKE CHARLES, LA - Keith Strickland, Deep South Rodeo Genetics, 337-304-1493 SALEM, MO - Hwy 32 & 72, Salem Livestock Auction, 573-729-8880 HELENA, MT - Jim Horne, Bull Horne Ranch, 406-459-5706 FERNLEY, NV - Nathan Pudsey, Circle P Bucking Bulls, 775-750-2168 CLAYTON, NM - Justin Keeth, Lazy J 3 Bucking Bulls, 575-447-0877 BETHESDA, OH - 15 Miles off I-70, TCB Ranch, 304-281-4530 SOPER/HUGO, OK - RBL Rodeo Bulls, Anytime with 4-6 hours notice, 307-461-1741 BOX ELDER, SD - Gus “Duane” Aus, Lazy Heart O Ranch, 605-923-3426 BUCHANAN, TN - Parsons & Milam 731-642-8346 CLARKSVILLE, TX - Brian Agnew, BA Livestock, 903-669-9189 DUBLIN, TX - Mike Godfrey, Godfrey 4X Cattle, 817-235-2852 MANSFIELD, TX - JC Knapp Ranch, JC Knapp Rodeo, 817-223-3692 MIDLAND, TX - Ted Norton, Norton Bucking Bulls, 432-413-8433 DECATUR, TX - Cullen Calame, Denton Creek Farms, 940-393-3730 SIMMS, TX - Near I-30 Texarkana, Wilburn Bucking Bulls, 863-381-2799

Livestock Layovers

Miscellaneous

CHEYENNE, WY - Floyd & Ann Thomas, TTnT Ranch, 307-778-8806

WINNERS RODEO SUPPLY - Gary Leffews Dare to Be Great DVD $45.00 or I am Hot DVD $35.00-free shipping.

Also some remaining Hotman and Lostroh bullropes plus all other bullriding gear.

Gold Buckle Rodeo Supply rodeo@wk.net 320-328-4000 Dealers wanted !!

School GARY LEFFEW BULL RIDING SCHOOL

Free bull riding tips on Facebook at Gary Leffew Bullriders Only.

14 World Champions and counting!

Learn the guru’s winning techniques: Bull riding drills and mental tricks for a smokin’ hot career!

FMI and to register for school, visit

RENOWNED HIGH QUALITY BULL ROPE DickCarrBullRopes.com, PO Box 18, Elk City, OK. 73648, 1-580-225-3208, Be Blessed.

Custom Bull Ropes www.jwebullropes.com John Eddleman 575-388-3346

www.garyleffewsbullridingworld.com

2020 Schedule ​Uvalde, TX - Dec 30 - Jan 1 2021 Schedule Buffalo Chip/ Cave Creek, AZ Mar 12-14​ Grantsville, PA - Apr 16-18

Humps-Horns.com · 29 · December 2020

PROFESSIONAL QUALITY BULLROPES Raymond Branch, Custom Braider Maker of World, NFR, & PBR Champion Bullropes Strictly custom-braided to your specifications.

(928) 289-9611 www.mypqb.com

Western Wanderings the next ride His heart pounds wildly in his chest As he settles in the chute A thousand reasons scream “no” to him With logic he can’t refute.

The bull jumps out and spins left in surprise Then suddenly jumps to the right This cowboy is game, but he loses his rope And he knows that he’s done for this night

This seasoned cowboy’s been here before He knows just what to do To still the voices and calm his nerves And see this next ride through

His world then shifts to slow motion As he somersaults high in the air He hits the ground hard with an awful thud Giving the crowd a brief scare

He straddles the bull and wraps the rope tight Around his hand once again Adrenalin pushes from this point on He’s focused on the win

He stands to his feet, and brushes off dust Getting hurt’s just a matter of when “Why do I do this night after night?”

The question now lingers again

He doesn’t feel the bruise on his thigh That he got from his first ride tonight He no longer hears the roar of the crowd The hat on his head pushed down tight

As he picks up his hat, and waves to the crowd He remembers his answer with pride “I do this because I love it so much, And I live for the very next ride.”

This bull is known to spin to the right He’s big and he’s strong and he’s mean Payday is just eight seconds away If he can just make this ride clean

By Kelly B. Robbins