100 years
Congratulations to all the winners of the 100th Tucson Rodeo. Jordan Spears earned the the win with a total score of 172.5 on two rides, including 88 points on
Diamond G Rodeo’s Comanchero. Photo by Ken Soule.
Humps N Horns
March 2025
On the Cover - Keyshawn Whitehorse wins the Championship Round of the PBR Unleash the Beast Tour in Little Rock, Arkansas with 91.50 points on Nobody (Snyder Family / Gene Owen.)
Photo courtesy of Josh Homer / BullStock Media.
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
Spring has sprung! At least in some parts of the country.
For us in Texas, this works out to be a couple of months of the year where the weather is really nice. It’s not smoldering hot and not freezing cold, either.
The spring also brings with it an action-packed schedule of bull riding and rodeo events. It’s the perfect time of the year to get out and support those who work really hard to produce the events that we, as fans, are able to enjoy.
No matter what part you may play, we thank you for all that you do to keep the sport thriving!
We hope you enjoy the March issue of Humps N Horns!
Until next time,
Terry
Kaiden Loud - PBR Unleash the Beast Tour in Little Rock, AR
Photo courtesy of Josh Homer / BullStock Media.
By Alex Riley
Jax Mills gets dreaM Matchup in san antonio xtreMe Bulls win
It’s a moment Jax Mills has been waiting on for quite some time.
During a visit to watch the action at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge, the Magnolia, Texas, native got to see Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Bruised Kitty. The animal looked like a bull rider’s ideal matchup, leaving Mills hoping the two would cross paths.
That day finally arrived Sunday at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Xtreme Bulls event. Although, it wasn’t apparent at first.
Because Mills had tied Hector Cardona in the first round to place fourth, it was unclear who would be riding what in the finals. It wasn’t until one of the event organizers clarified what was going on that Mills got really excited.
“Fred (Boettcher) walked up to me and said you’ve got Bruised Kitty. In my mind, I told myself, ‘If you ride him, you’re going to win the whole deal,’” Mills said.
That prediction proved to be spot on as he had an 89-point ride to hold off Luke Mackey’s 87-point trip and secure the championship. Mills and Mackey were the only two bull riders to hold on for all eight seconds in the final round.
The win was the biggest result in Mills’ comeback journey to start 2025. Last year, he suffered a tear in his MCL that forced him to the sidelines just after RodeoHouston in March.
After two months of rest, Mills tried to return to competition but opted to step away for the final two months of the regular season because he wasn’t recovered enough to compete comfortably.
Mills restarted in November, finally earning some money at the San Antonio Rodeo Qualifier in Uvalde, Texas, just before Thanksgiving. He then picked up round checks in Fort Worth and San Antonio before securing $13,875 in earnings at the Xtreme Bulls at Frost Bank Center.
The 20-year-old currently has a little over $17,000 in earnings in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings.
It’s the turnaround Mills was hoping he’d be able to mount after taking some time off to let his body heal. Now, his only focus is to keep building momentum.
“Battling an injury that kept happening all year long and having struggles with it, I finally took what time I needed off to heal up, so my body is feeling good and it’s just giving me the confidence now that I’m fully healthy,” Mills said.
Article provided courtesy of PRCA.
Thompson
A Servant vs A Son
So let me preface by saying this is my heart speaking. I won’t be referencing any scripture to validate what I’m saying so if you think I must have a scripture to validate what’s on my heart please stop reading now.
Growing up in the Mormon church I knew plenty of rules. I believe The Father spoke to my heart then, as I believe He does now. My view point from the “more qualified” in religious knowledge had me identifying as a servant of God. A point came (because of church dogma from the leadership) when my immediate family left the church and anything to do with religious ideology.
Now don’t get me wrong I still feel like The Father was speaking to my heart. Because of what religious people did and their man made rules I wasn’t including myself as even a servant at that point. The only connection to God that I could relate to was the church/religious group I had experienced. Not too good.
In spring of 1984, I met three guys from Colorado who had a different understanding and way of relating to God. They helped me understand that we aren’t to have our identity in relation to God as a servant, but as a child. So when I professed my faith in Jesus Christ I felt authentic freedom in my relationship with The Father. I knew that was the truth and I loved the feeling of being His child.
As I spent time learning about The Father and this new found way to relate to Him I also started listening to a lot of “teachers/ preachers”. The short time period where I spent most of my personal (Father to son) time with God got redirected by probably men with great intentions, but they had a servant identity. Guess how I started seeing myself? You guessed it back to identifying as a servant rather than a son. No different than where I’d escaped from as a kid.
Religion always sacrifices the person for whatever it might be,
the doctrine, the vision, the organization, the creed, the rules and even the patriarchy. You must see it and experience it the way they tell you or it is not valid. I hate religion for that reason. I’ve seen it wreck many people who had an authentic experience with The Father at some point in their lives.
Hey it’s easy to fake it for the sake of saving face and not wanting anyone to see what you’re really struggling with because I’ve been there. Put on that joyful face and say all the right things to all the right people. Identifying as a servant of God makes it easy to fake it because servants are expendable. Sons and Daughters are not expendable but are valued as an heir to whatever the Father has.
I met a man (Andy Taylor) 20 + years ago that has a way of making you come to your own conclusions about questions, problems, life decisions by always posing a question back to me. The question is, “what is The Father saying to you about it”. For the longest time that bothered me because I thought, you’re the preacher here man, come on answer my question, solve my problem. So many spiritual leaders have too many answers and never direct us to the only source we need, Our Father.
In my relationship with my Dad, Jim Custer, I didn’t take his advice as much as I wish I would have. As a Dad to my three children, I know they don’t listen to all my advice and I’ve gotten better at directing them to The Father for their decisions in life. Oh I have opinions but if I force my opinions on my kids or others they will resent me. (By the way I know this from experience on both sides of the matter).
Truth is in going to the Father for yourself! If the Spirit lives in you, He’ll get you where you need to be. Follow the Spirit in you.
Jesus Loves you.
Cody Custer
RIDER RUNDOWN with... Gavin Firnekas
By Katlin Truelsen CAC Media Group
One of the things that writing Rider Rundown has taught me over the last three years is how connected the bull riding community is. It doesn’t matter that riders are scattered all over the country; they form friendships wherever they go, and if you bring up another rider in conversation, chances are they have a fun story to share about the two of them together. That was certainly the case when I chatted with Wyoming bull rider, Gavin Firnekas. Not only did he personally know all the other riders I mentioned, but he also had great stories about each of them. Along with these stories, he talked about his passion for teaching the next generation of riders and for the bulls he and his brother raise. Let’s dive in!
KT: Thanks for sitting down with me today, Gavin. Can you start by telling our readers a little about yourself?
GF: Thanks for reaching out. I am 17, live in Gillette, Wyoming, and am currently in my junior year of high school.
Gavin Firnekas, 17, Gillette, Wyoming
KT: And how did you get started riding bulls?
GF: My dad was a bull rider. He started his sophomore year in high school and continued to ride until he was in his early 30s. Then, he shattered his ankle pretty badly before I was born, so he decided to retire. After that, my older brother started riding, and listening to stories about my dad riding bulls made me want to ride, too.
KT: How old were you when that happened?
GF: I was five when I started. My first bull had big horns and I was afraid of him, so I didn’t ride that day, but at the next peewee event, I talked myself into getting on and ended up winning it. That was the hook for me. Bull riding was fun after that.
KT: So you have definitely grown up in the sport. What have been some of your highlights over the years?
GF: When I was younger, first old enough to qualify, I won the Junior World Finals. I have also won the Chris Shivers Invitational; and I got to be the first-ever mini bull rider at Cheyenne Frontier Days, which was a great experience.
KT: That is impressive! And you are also involved in the stock contracting side of rodeo as well, right?
GF: Yes, my family owns 5F Bucking Bulls and we do a lot on the junior rodeo side. We have 28 head that we use pretty consistently. Most of them are bigger bulls for the older kids, but we also have mini bulls that we can start younger riders on. My mom is the Regional Director for the Rocky Mountain Region for the Junior World Finals and she runs Underground Bull Riders Productions, which is a youth bull riding non-profit program. We supply some of the stock for Junior World Finals and offer the regional qualifiers to help riders get there.
KT: Interesting, how did that start?
GF: We started it back in 2020. My mom really likes the production
side of the business and we already had the bulls, so it was logical to put them together. We have our own crew to help with lights and sound as well as working the chutes and our family takes care of organizing the events and running everything. Sometimes we contract with other guys who own mini bulls, but we run everything else ourselves. It has helped bring more opportunities in youth bull riding to Wyoming and we have members from a bunch of other states as well.
KT: And these members have a chance to be a part of the qualifiers you guys are putting on?
GF: Yes, we try to make sure our events reach riders from different areas. We want everyone to have a chance to qualify if they want to.
KT: And on the contractor side, how many head of bulls are you hauling into the Junior World Finals?
GF: This past December we took down 14 head, all big bulls. In 2023, we had two trailers that we brought, but our mini bulls are getting older and they aren’t as fast as they used to be, so we didn’t bring them out this past year.
KT: So you took bulls out and you personally had a chance to ride out there?
GF: Yes, Ma’am.
KT: Was your crew the ones with the matching yellow shirts?
GF: Yeah, that was us.
KT: What is the story behind that?
GF: A buddy of mine’s mom makes cowboy shirts and he had one on the one day and I really liked it, so we decided to ask her if she could make everyone matching shirts to wear out there. We didn’t give her anything specific to go off of, but she decided to use the yellow and they turned out great!
KT: They did make it easy to tell who the guys were from Wyoming. So you not only ride in Vegas and had a chance to work as a contractor, it sounds like you have a good gig going on. Do you only work on the junior side?
GF: No, Ma’am. The junior part is a non-profit organization that we do for the kids. We have about ten junior rodeos each year. We also run regular rodeo events as well, which are for-profit events. Last year we did about 50 of those all over the northern part of the U.S. We spent most of the month of July in Montana, so we travel outside of Wyoming quite a bit.
KT: I featured a rider from Montana last month. Do you
know Korbin Baldwin by chance?
GF: Yeah, I know Korbin. We actually put on an event with him at his place last summer. He has a good gig going with his Bucket List Bull Riding.
KT: It is an interesting idea and it’s cool that you partnered with him for it. Is that your main role then? Are you taking stock on the road?
GF: I’m on the road quite a bit in the summer and I take care of the stock at the ranch. I also help put on bull riding schools with my older brother. We offer programs to youth from beginners on up and help them get started safely. One of the biggest things we stress in our schools is safety. It is a top priority for us. We make sure that riders have the right equipment and that they are aware of the dangers of the sport. I like to tell guys that your body is like your rodeo rig, you can’t go to a rodeo if your rig is broken down and you can’t rodeo if you’re hurt, so it is important to take care of yourself. There are too many guys who get hurt and it could have been prevented if they had more knowledge.
KT: It is important to stress. How many of your riders would you say come to your school with prior bull riding experience?
GF: I would say about 40% of the riders coming in have experience or have grown up around bull riding. There are a lot of riders who
come that want to learn enough to enter rodeos around Wyoming, but aren’t interested in pursuing a lot of travel with it. They just want to ride in front of their hometown crowds.
KT: Do you see the number of guys who just want to do it as a weekend hobby once in a while increasing?
GF: Yes, absolutely. The traveling is hard for a lot of guys. If you want to make it in bull riding, or really any rodeo event, you have to be willing to travel. I tell riders that all the time. You are going to put miles on if you want to turn this sport into a career. You can sure start your bull riding career here in Wyoming, but if you want to make it, you have to get used to being away from home.
KT: How often are you on the road yourself?
GF: I travel with our bulls and my brother and I sometimes get invited to teach bull riding clinics in other states. As far as traveling and riding, I try to get out with my buddies on the road every chance I can.
KT: Who are some of the guys you travel with?
GF: There are quite a few but Braxdon Patterson and Hayden Welsh are two at the top of the list.
Continued on Page 24
By Darci Miller
Alvidrez continues hot stretch with career-high 94 points on Man Hater
FORT WORTH, Texas – They say to be the man, you have to beat the man.
In the PBR world, the man in question would be Man Hater, reigning YETI World Champion bull and current world No. 1 with a World Champion bull score of 47.88 – nearly two full points ahead of his nearest competitor.
But last weekend at the PBR Milwaukee, Andrew Alvidrez was the man.
The two faced off in the championship round, and Alvidrez walked away with a 94-point ride – the highest-scoring ride of his career.
It’s also the highest-scoring ride on the Unleash The Beast so far this season, leaving Alvidrez in the lead for the 2025 Mason Lowe Award, given to the rider with the highest-scoring ride in the regular season.
This was the fifth time Alvidrez and Man Hater had been matched up and Alvidrez’s first qualified ride on the powerful bovine.
“Man, this is what you live for, you know?” an exuberant Alvidrez told sideline reporter Matt West after the ride. “I just thank God for this opportunity, the Missouri Thunder, PBR, my buddies back here pulling me down. This is what you live for. Praise God.”
Of the five qualified rides Man Hater has surrendered in his PBR career, just one has been below 93.25 points.
“This could be a game-changer for Andrew Alvidrez right here,” 2016 World Champion Cooper Davis said on the PBR’s YouTube channel broadcast. “Just rode the World Champion bucking bull. You know he feels like the man right now, and that’s big-time stuff from Andrew Alvidrez.
“Awesome, awesome bull ride right there by Andrew. Really gritted that one out. You want to talk about a guy that should be on top of the world right now? That’s Andrew Alvidrez.”
In Davis’s estimation, the ride was as good as they come.
“You can’t expect any more out of a bull,” Davis said. “Kicking, changing direction up here at the end, and Andrew Alvidrez has an answer for every single move this bull had. Sometimes it just takes trying one out several times to figure him out, but Andrew did just that.”
Alvidrez might not be quite on top of the world, but he’s getting close. He fell just 0.25 points short of the victory in Milwaukee, securing second place. Just two weeks earlier, he notched the event win at the Ariat PBR Indianapolis, presented by Cooper Tires, for his first UTB event win since December of 2022.
Thanks to this red-hot stretch in which he’s 6 for his last 8, Alvidrez is ranked No. 6 in the Unleash The Beast standings, 279.75 points behind No. 1 Brady Fielder.
Aside from December 2022, when he earned back-to-back event wins, this is the best stretch of Alvidrez’s career.
“Man, this sport – it’s crazy, y’all,” Alvidrez told Kate Harrison after his win in Indianapolis. “It’s just like life. One moment, you’re on top of the world. The next moment, you’re back in the trenches and just grinding away.”
Article provided courtesy of PBR Photos provided courtesy of Andy Watson / BullStock Media
Inspiration Point
Embracing the Wait
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalm 27:14 (ESV)
In our fast-paced world, waiting can feel like a burden rather than a blessing. Yet, Scripture remind us that waiting is an essential part of our spiritual journey. It’s during these times of anticipation that we can deepen our faith, discover joy and experience personal growth. This devotional invites you to explore the transformative power of patience through reflection, community and worship. By focusing on God’s presence in our waiting, we can shift our perspective from frustration to fulfillment, discovering the beauty that lies in trusting his perfect timing.
Waiting can be one of the most challenging aspects of our spiritual journey. Psalm 27:14 encourages us to be strong and take heart while we wait for the Lord. Take a moment to reflect on a current waiting period in your life. What lessons might God be teaching you in this season? Consider journaling your thoughts and emotions, acknowledging that waiting is not a waste of time but an opportunity for growth and deeper trust in his timing.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 (ESV)
James 1:2-4 reminds us that trials and waiting can lead to growth. What joy can you find in your current situation? Make a list of the positives that have emerged from waiting. Reflect on past experiences where anticipation brought excitement and shaped your character. Embracing the journey, even the uncomfortable parts, can reveal deeper insights and cultivate resilience. Look for small victories in the waiting that remind you of God’s presence and faithfulness.
Our waiting periods can also connect us to others. Galatians 6:2 encourages us to bear one another’s burdens. Think about how sharing your waiting experiences can encourage those around you. Reach out to friends or family who may also be in a waiting season. Your story might inspire someone else to find joy and hope in their circumstances, reminding us that we’re not alone in our struggles.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. I Thess. 5:16-18 (ESV)
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 calls us to rejoice and be thankful in all circumstances. Spend time in worship today, expressing your heart through music, art or prayer. Allow gratitude to transform your perspective on waiting. Focus on the blessings in your life, even in this season of uncertainty. Embrace the peace that comes from knowing God is at work, reminding yourself that worship can renew your spirit and fill you with joy, even in the wait.
Ground Beef Casserole
INGREDIENTS
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
12 oz. pasta
1 lb. ground beef
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 cups beef broth
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 Tbsp. country dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 (4-ounce) block cream cheese, cubed
1/2 cup milk
8 oz. shredded pepper jack cheese (about 2 cups)
4 green onions, sliced
3/4 cup crispy onions
Send us your favorite recipe to bullnews@humps-horns.com
DIRECTIONS
1 Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with the oil.
2 Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta for 1 minute less than the package directions. Drain and set aside.
3 In a large pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef, bell pepper, and onion and cook, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon, until the beef browns and the vegetables start to turn golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the garlic, paprika, pepper, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the beef broth, tomato sauce, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sauce is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes.
4 Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the cream cheese and milk. Fold in 1 cup of the pepper jack cheese, and then the green onions and pasta.
5 Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup pepper jack cheese and the fried onions, and bake until golden and bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes. Sprinkle with more green onions and serve.
Submitted by Leslie G. - Dallas, GA
By Kelly B. Robbins
9 nobody becoming a somebody
“Well, Gene Owen just in fact may be very, very right as Nobody turns out to be somebody!” declared PBR Commentator Craig Hummer on the PBR television broadcast as he just watched Gene’s newest bucking bull 9 Nobody, unseat veteran bull rider Dalton Kasel in 1.94 seconds, for a bull score of 46.25! This was Nobody’s PBR Unleash the Beast debut in St. Louis in December of 2024.
“Wow!” added fellow PBR Commentator Cord McCoy. “It looks like Man Hater just got him another traveling partner at 46.25!”
PBR Commentator Kate Harrison said, “Cord, Gene has actually said ‘this is my next Man Hater’!”
Nobody is a five-year-old bucking bull owned by Gene Owen and the Snyder family. A Canadian bull raised by Eno Bucking
Bulls in Coronation AB, Canada, Nobody had six outs and six buck-offs there before Gene Owen and the Snyder family bought him.
Since that December debut weekend in the PBR Unleash the Beast Series in St. Louis, Nobody then took on seven-time world champion Sage Kimzey in Wichita. Kimzey outlasted him for a score of 91.75, and Nobody was ridden for the first time. PBR Commentator Kate Harrison said that she had talked to Sage right before that ride, and he told her that Nobody was his number one pick in the pen. He said, “Of all the bulls, I love that bull. I love everything he’s about! I can’t wait for my chance!”
Scroll forward a few weeks to Indianapolis in February of 2025. Nobody was picked by Andrew Alvidrez in the championship round. Rider and bull dueled it out, and Alvidrez walked away
Andrew Alvidrez rides Nobody for 92.50 points in the Championship Round to win the PBR Unleash the Beast tour in Indianapolis, IN. Photo courtesy of BullStock Media.
with a score of 92.50 and the event win! Nobody’s bull score of 45.00 points landed him in a tie with King Tut for 8th place in the PBR World Bull Standings with a world average score of 44.90.
Nobody travels with a famous bull named Man Hater, who is currently the number one bucking bull in the PBR World Bull Standings, with a world average score of 47.88! That’s nearly two full points ahead of the number two bull, Fast Flow, whose world average score is 45.94. Man Hater seems to be totally dominating the bull race this year. Man Hater owns the two highest bull scores in PBR history and the second highest ride score in PBR history, carrying Cassio Dias to a 98.25 ride in Ft. Worth in September of 2024. Man Hater’s bull score was 49.25 points!
I talked to Gene Owen about Nobody and he told me that right before Nobody’s debut ride, Dalton Kasel came up to him and asked him about the bull. “I told him that Nobody may be the best bull we have! He seemed startled by that, because we own Man Hater. I wasn’t boasting, I just didn’t want to understate him.”
“Darin Eno from Canada called me in September and sent me some videos of Nobody in action. He had a big price on him, so I held off a bit. I became acquainted with Pam Snyder and the Snyder family, and they were looking for a bull to purchase. Darin brought Nobody down here, and we entered him in an event so I could watch him buck. He was as good live bucking as he was on the videos. Darin said it was the best bull they had ever raised.”
“We bought him and I tried to get all his tests done, but I couldn’t get him ready for New York. So he made his official debut in St. Louis, where he bucked off Dalton Kasel. Then Sage Kimzey rode him for the first time in his career in Wichita, for a score of 91.75. He’s had twelve outs and has been ridden twice.”
“The second time Nobody was ridden was in Indianapolis in February,” Gene continued. “Andrew Alvidrez picked him for the championship round, and he rode Nobody to the buzzer for a 92.50 score and the event win. Before that ride, Kate Harrison asked me if I was satisfied with how Nobody’s career was going. I’ll tell you in a minute, I told her! Then Alvidrez rode him for a big score and the win.”
“You know, as a stock contractor, we have a really good seat when we flank the bull,” Gene observed. “I have watched a lot of bull riding, and that ride was more like a 94-point ride!”
Home for this five-year-old bovine athlete is the 240-acre Owen Ranch in Big Cabin, Oklahoma. There Gene and his partner Lari Crane take care of 40 cows and 20 bucking bulls. “I’ve got bulls that I’ve raised, but the majority I’ve bought,” Gene shared. “Nobody lives in a pen with another bull, Casper. “But I keep him apart when he’s traveling, because he would take it out on the other bulls. He’s big and he’s mean.”
I asked Gene to describe Nobody in one word. “Wow!” he answered. “He is just wow! I’ve seen him make moves that not even Man Hater makes.” Gene then shared that Nobody’s next stop would be the PBR Unleash the Beast event in Little Rock, Arkansas on March 8 and 9.
I couldn’t resist asking Gene if he thought his number one ranked bull, Man Hater, would take the PBR Bull Championship. “I don’t want to sound boastful,” he answered, “but I think he’s got it this year. The way I see it, the only way we don’t win is if we don’t show up at the PBR Finals!”
Sage Kimzey outpaced all others in the Championship Round of the PBR Unleash the Beast Tour in Salt Lake City. Kimzey and Playmate (D&H Cattle Co. / Buck Cattle Co.) teamed up for 91 points. Photo courtesy of BullStock Media.
By Jenna Stevens CAC Media Group
An Education in the Fundamentals
To be great at any sport, you must first be great at the individual fundamentals of the sport, and then be able to execute those fundamentals together in a specific sequence to a greater degree than your opponent. It sounds relatively simple but the execution of this plan can be difficult, especially if you don’t fully understand the fundamentals.
A deeper understanding of the fundamentals often comes from coaches and mentors who have experienced these struggles themselves and want to help the next generation find their success. This is certainly true for bull riding clinic owner Cody Custer. Custer runs the Cody Custer Elite Bull Riding Clinics brand and has a passion for teaching the next generation of bull riders. Custer’s clinics can be found all across the United States, giving riders from different locations the chance to participate and improve their fundamentals.
“I like to do three-day schools,” Custer said. “The first day is all groundwork. I break things down into my philosophy on bull riding and then show the kids how the physics of their bodies play into how they ride. Bull riding comes down to explosive controlled moves and learning to get your body back into the same position.”
Cody Custer 2017 ProRodeo Hall of Fame Induction
Custer explained that there isn’t a lot of variation in what you are trying to do. He wants riders to make sure they are always aware of where the bull’s shoulders are and where their own shoulders are in turn. This, along with having a solid grip on their rope, are the fundamentals of the sport.
“Guys, even those that have been riding for a long time, try to complicate things too much. They are worried about their free arm and trying to move too much, but when it comes right down to it, keeping yourself square with the bull’s shoulders and going where they go is what’s important.”
Along with good technique, the other key factor is confidence. Custer says this confidence comes from hard work, doing drills, and practicing, with the goal of creating good habits. One of those habits is training your body to always come back to the right place. Once this becomes second nature, riders gain more confidence because they learn to count on their bodies to know what to do at the moment.
Having good chute procedures and leaving the chute in the best position is also something Custer stresses to young athletes. He wants them to understand how bulls move out of the chutes on a right and left-hand delivery and how that impacts where their legs and shoulders should be.
“Most buck-offs start early in the ride and some of them can be prevented if the rider learns to leave the chute in a strong, controlled position where they are handling both shoulders and can catch the second jump and dominate it.”
He says one of the biggest mistakes he sees riders make is trying to ride the shoulder around instead of focusing on the shoulder that is on the outside of the bull coming out of the chute.
“Riders need to understand how the athletic integrity of riding works. No matter what sport you are in, you always want to keep your elbow out in front of your shoulder to give yourself control. This is true for bull riding as well. Riders should focus on keeping their shoulders in front of their hips with their elbow out in front with their riding arm. The focus should be on putting all their weight down into their legs through the control they have over their upper bodies.”
He reminds riders that riding a bull is like building a building. They need a strong foundation: their hips, legs, and even the bull. After that, they start putting floors on top. If they think of their belt line as the first floor and their shoulders as floor 12, they start to understand that if their shoulders get too far out over their hips, the foundation of the structure becomes weak. To make it strong again they need to get back into alignment so all the floors of the building are on top of one another.
Once guys grasp this, he has them go to the chute and then teaches them how to apply that concept to the bull. When they understand what it feels like to focus on these parts with the bull under them, he takes them back to the barrel, so they can work on positioning and movement throughout the ride.
Custer also looks at the stock young riders get on and talks to them about how to select the right stock and not get in over their
Sandro Batista ends Cool Whip’s record 48 consecutive buck-offs streak with 89.75-point championship round ride at the PBR Unleash the Beast event in Sacamento, CA. Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media
heads.
“I have seen a lot of guys with potential start to have problems earlier in life than they should because they got on too hard of stock when they were younger,” he said. “I think there needs to be a strategy to how, why, and when in order for riders to not only keep their confidence levels high but to make sure they stay healthy and that their bodies and minds are both developed enough to handle the pressure being put on them.”
Setting goals and following a plan to achieve those goals is another way he helps riders find success.
“I always tell guys a story about my junior year in high school,” he said. “I kept a journal that I would write in about my rides and in it I had a page of goals. My five-year goal was to make it to the NFR and my ten-year goal was to win the World Championship. I was able to accomplish both of those things within those five and ten-year limits. This wasn’t just by chance, it happened because I looked at those goals every day, I kept them in front of me and I worked at making progress towards them every day.”
He says he wants riders to leave his schools with the tools they need to make a career out of bull riding and that includes getting through tough times.
“Guys have to learn the skills they need to become riders who can withstand the hard times in bull riding. There are going to be challenges in their careers and they need to know the steps to take to build their careers long-term and the steps include overcoming those issues.”
At the end of the day, Custer says he hopes he can help the next generation become good people and not just good bull riders.
“A career in bull riding is short. You might get 20 years if you are lucky and after that, you have to find something else. It is hard for these young men in their teens to think about their careers being over, but it is something I talk seriously with all my guys about. They need to recognize that becoming a good person with a great work ethic is the most important thing they can do to set themselves up for success in the future.”
An education in the fundamentals of not only being a great bull rider but also a great person should be the goal of every rider, no matter what age, and having people like Custer in your corner makes it possible to accomplish both.
If you would like more information about upcoming bull riding schools, you can find them on Facebook and Instagram at Cody Custer Elite Bull Riding Clinics.
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.
Eduardo Aparecido won the PBR Unleash the Beast Tour in Salt Lake City, Utah with a 90.25 point ride on Ricky Vaughn (WinRock / D&H Cattle / Buck Cattle). Photo courtesy of BullStock Media.
Continued from Page 11
KT: I’ve talked to Hayden before, he is fun to interview. Tell me some good Gavin and Hayden traveling stories.
GF: Oh shoot, Hayden and I have a lot of fun when we travel together. We put on a lot of miles and have been on some pretty crazy adventures. He came with us to Las Vegas this year when he got home from college and he and I also hit up the Badlands Bull Riding, which he won again this year. He definitely makes everything more fun.
KT: I could see that being the case. What are you looking forward to coming up in 2025?
GF: 2025 is going to be a good year. My brother and I are teaching a bull riding school in Wright, Wyoming in March, then in June we will be in Ignacio, Colorado to teach a school, and then back in February of 2024, we taught a school in Wright as well. We also have 20 Junior World Finals qualifier events and regular events on the schedule as of right now. I plan to do a little high school rodeoing this spring. I only made it to one in the fall, but I want to get to more this year.
KT: It sounds like you have a pretty full schedule for the year. To wrap up, I always ask riders some fun questions, so our readers get to know a little more about them. First up, what is the most unique thing I would find if I looked in your gear bag?
GF: I would have to say the most unique thing you would find would be a hacky sack.
KT: That’s unique, you are the first one to say that, what’s the story behind it?
GF: My dad had an old hacky sack. I remember it as a kid. I found one at the store one day and decided to buy it. Now I keep it in my gear bag, and we use it to limber up before bull riding. It is a good way to stretch your hips and get loose. We’ve had some intense hacky sack games over the years.
KT: I bet! What music am I going to find you listening to before you ride?
GF: Lately it has been a lot of Volbeat and Pop Evil. It is funny because the bull I got on for the first round out at the Badland Finals was named Pop Evil, so I made sure to listen to them before I got on. When I am driving to the rodeos though, I listen to a lot of old country like Chris LeDoux.
KT: If you are traveling with Hayden Welsh does he make you listen to Taylor Swift on the way? He told us he always listens to it before he rides. Has that worn off on you?
GF: Yeah, we do about an hour of that in the car too. Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and Gwen Stefani, all the good ones, you know.
KT: So what’s your favorite Taylor Swift song?
GF: There are a lot of good Taylor Swift songs for sure, but I think 22 is my favorite.
KT: Interesting choice. Any Netflix series you are binge-watching?
GF: I don’t have time to watch much of anything, but I did make it through the whole Trailer Park Boys series. It was pretty funny.
KT: I haven’t heard of that, but I’ll check it out. What drink can I expect to find riding around in the cupholder of your truck?
GF: Monster Import. Always. I always have one in the morning and you can usually find an empty can too. It is so much better than regular Monster. It is sweeter and doesn’t have a sour taste.
KT: I think regular Monster is plenty sweet, I don’t know if I would want it much sweeter. I am more of a coffee kind of girl.
GF: I like a good cup of coffee too as long as it has sugar.
KT: So do you drink girl coffee, like from a coffee shop?
GF: Yeah, I drink some girl coffee every now and then.
KT: What is your coffee shop go-to flavor?
GF: A white chocolate mocha with caramel.
KT: Oh, man, you go all out on the girl coffee!
GF: I don’t go to those places a whole lot, so when I do I am going to get the good stuff.
KT: I probably go more than I should! Alright, Gavin, thank you so much for chatting with me and I hope you have a great spring rodeo season!
GF: Yes, Ma’am, thank you.
KT: For more information about junior bull riding, you can check out the National High School Finals Rodeo page or the Yeti Junior NFR on Facebook. You can also find out more about the Underground Bull Riders Productions at undergroundbullriders. com. Be sure to look for a new rider featured in our Rider Rundown piece next month.
Katlin Truelsen is a member of the CAC Media Group and specializes in digital and print media. She is currently a high school senior and lives with her family on a diversified grain and livestock farm.
WHERE’S THE BEEF?
*-Added Money Amount Is For Each Night Information Subject to Change Without Notice
BULL RIDING EVENTS
MARCH
Mar 1 Lufkin, TX
$25,000 PRCA Xtreme Bulls
Mar 1-2 Milwaukee WI PBR Unleash the Beast
Mar 6 Fort Worth, TX PBR Touring Pro Division
Mar 7-8 Poplar Bluff, MO $52,500 Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo
Mar 7-8 Lexington, KY PBR Velocity Tour
Mar 7-9 Bangor, ME PBR Velocity Tour
Mar 8-9 North Little Rock, AR PBR Unleash the Beast
Mar 11-12 Mercedes, TX
$15,000 PRCA Xtreme Bulls
Mar 13 Fort Worth, TX PBR Touring Pro Division
Mar 14-15 Vernal, UT
$18,000 PRCA Xtreme Bulls
Mar 14-15 Louisville, KY PBR Unleash the Beast
Mar 14-15 Tallahassee, FL PBR Velocity Tour
Mar 15 Knoxville, TN PBR Velocity Tour
Mar 20 Fort Worth, TX PBR Touring Pro Division
Mar 21-22 Wheeling, WV PBR Velocity Tour
Mar 21-22 Fairborn, OH PBR Velocity Tour
Mar 21-23 Palm Desert, CA PBR Unleash the Beast
Mar 22 Albion, NE
$4,000 3/10 6-8pm 712-374-6053 Bullriders of America
Mar 27 Fort Worth, TX PBR Touring Pro Division
Mar 28-29 Fresno, CA PBR Velocity Tour
Mar 28-29 Ivins, UT
Mar 28-29 Du Quoin, IL
$38,000 PRCA Xtreme Bulls
$7,500 3/17 405-320-2077 NFPB
Mar 28-30 Albuquerque, NM PBR Unleash the Beast
Mar 29 Lincoln, NE PBR Velocity Tour
Mar 30-31 Ardmore, OK
APRIL
$40,000 PRCA D&H Cattle Xtreme Bulls & Sale
Apr 3 Fort Worth, TX PBR Touring Pro Division
Apr 4-5 Eugne, OR PBR Velocity Tour
Apr 4-5 Lawton, OK
Apr 4-5 Bakersfiled, CA
Apr 4-5 Rochester, MN
$30,000 PRCA Xtreme Bulls
$52,500 Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo
$3,000* 712-374-6053 Bullriders of America
Apr 4-6 Sioux Falls, SD PBR Unleash the Beast
Apr 5 Alva, OK
$3,000 3/15 6pm 580-748-2876 Bull Riders, Inc.
Apr 10 Fort Worth, TX PBR Touring Pro Division
Apr 11-12 Idaho Falls, ID PBR
Apr 11-12 Aberdeen, SD
$8,000 801-870-0684 Bullriders of America
Apr 11-12 Prescott Valley, AZ PBR
Apr 11-12 Billings, MT PBR Unleash the Beast
Date Location
WHERE’S THE BEEF?
*-Added Money Amount Is For Each Night Information Subject to Change Without Notice
Apr 11-12 Grand Forks, ND PBR Velocity Tour
Apr 12-13 Laughlin, NV
Apr 13 San Angelo, TX
$52,500 Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo
$35,000 PRCA Xtreme Bulls
Apr 17 Fort Worth, TX PBR Touring Pro Division
Apr 18-19 Nampa, ID PBR Unleash the Beast
Apr 19 Oakland, CA PBR Velocity Tour
Apr 23 Clovis, CA
$40,000 PRCA Xtreme Bulls
Apr 24 Kansas City, MO PBR Knockout / TKO Takeover
Apr 24 Fort Worth, TX PBR Touring Pro Division
Apr 25-26 Perry, GA PBR
Apr 25-26 Queen Creek, AZ PBR
Apr 25-26 Del Rio, TX
Apr 25-26 Fort Worth, TX
$37,000 PRCA Xtreme Bulls - George Paul Memorial
$90,224 PRCA Resistol Rookie Round-Up
Apr 26-27 Tacoma, WA PBR Unleash the Beast
YOUTH BULL RIDING EVENTS
MARCH
Mar 1 Gays Mills, WI Mon prior 608-412-1544 PYRA / WCMB / C. Check Bucking Bulls
Mar 8 Gays Mills, WI Mon prior 608-412-1544 PYRA / WCMB / C. Check Bucking Bulls
Mar 14 Fort Worth, TX 2/10-3/3 409-381-1416 / 903-330-6261 IMBA / Spring Fling ‘25
Mar 15 Natural Dam, AR 479-883-7319 PYRA / Silva Bucking Bulls
Mar 16 Council Hill, OK 918-519-5729 / 918-519-5169 PYRA / Lazy B-T Mini Bulls
Mar 15 Gays Mills, WI Mon prior 608-412-1544 PYRA / WCMB / C. Check Bucking Bulls
Mar 22 TBD 832-233-4625 TOYBR Southeast
Mar 22 Checotah, OK 479-652-0543 PYRA / D&G Mini Bull Series
Mar 29 Galena, MO
Mar 29 Lexington, KY Sun prior
417-839-3296 PYRA / Mini 3C Buckers
270-735-2777 PYRA / WCMB / Double T Cattle Co
WHERE’S THE BEEF?
*-Added Money Amount Is For Each Night Information Subject to Change Without Notice
Date Location Added $ Open Time Call-In # Assn/Event
APRIL
Apr 5 Alva, OK
Apr 5 Gays Mills, WI Mon prior
918-519-5729 / 918-519-5169 PYRA / Lazy B-T Mini Bulls
608-412-1544 PYRA / WCMB / C. Check Bucking Bulls
Apr 12 Natural Dam, AR 479-883-7319 PYRA / Silva Bucking Bulls
Apr 12 Gays Mills, WI Mon prior 608-412-1544 PYRA / WCMB / C. Check Bucking Bulls
Apr 13 Broekn Arrow, OK
918-519-5729 / 918-519-5169 PYRA / Lazy B-T Mini Bulls
Apr 19 Checotah, OK 479-652-0543 PYRA / D&G Mini Bull Series
Apr 26 Galena, MO 417-839-3296 PYRA / Mini 3C Buckers
BUCKING BULL EVENTS
MARCH
Mar 1 Ada, OK 2/17-24 ABBI / Bar O
Mar 8 Chatham, VA ABBI / NFG
Mar 8 Little Rock, AR ABBI / PBR UTB Classic
Mar 8 Abilene, TX ABBI
Mar 15 Springtown, TX ABBI / ClaimABull
Mar 22 Bowie, TX www.bullteamsonly.com Bull Teams Only
Mar 22-23 Fort Scott, KS ABBI / Jenkins Maiden Derby Event #3
Mar 25 Fredonia, PA
Mar 29 Los Lunas, NM
Mar 29 Archdale, NC
Mar 29 Lincoln, NE
APRIL
Apr 4 Sioux Falls, SD
Apr 5 Alva, OK
ABBI / NFG
ABBI / Jenkins Maiden Derby Event #4
ABBI / Jerome Davis
ABBI / PBR Velocity Classic
ABBI / PBR UTB Classic
$5,000 3/15 6pm 580-748-2876 Bull Riders, Inc. - Bull Teams
Apr 5 Taylor, TX ABBI Futurity
Apr 5 Taylor, TX ABBI / LJ Maiden Wildcard
Apr 11 Duncan, OK ABBI / Evolution Challenge
Apr 16 Stephenville, TX ABBI / Mauney BYOR Classic
Apr 19 West Sunbury, PA 724-421-5601 ABBI / NFG: Buckhorn Arena
Apr 19 Broken Bow, OK ABBI / ClaimABull
Apr 19 Pendleton, SC
ABBI / Tiger Town Throwdown
Apr 19 Buchanan, TN T 513-256-1225 ABBI / Beast of the East
Apr 23 Springer, OK 817-600-1254 ABBI / High Roller Futurity
Apr 25 Porum, OK ABBI / Jenkins Maiden Derby
Apr 26 Porum, OK ABBI / Jenkins Ranch all classes
Apr 26 Archdale, NC
ABBI / Jerome Davis
Apr 26 Idaho Falls, ID ABBI / HDBBA
Apr 26 Longview, TX
www.bullteamsonly.com Bull Teams Only
Read our current and past issues online at
Do You Have a Livestock Layover or Practice Pen?
List it for FREE in the Classifieds. Call our office at 325-500-BULL (2855)
For More Information on listing your facilities
CLASSIFIEDS
Practice Pens
PISGAH, AL - TIM COX, TCB, ANYTIME, CALL FIRST, 256-996-9426
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
WOODBINE, IA - Tom & Kristina Kelley, every Sun. (weather permitting). Beginner - rank bulls. Call 712-5922493
KENDALLVILLE, IN - B Bar A Bucking Bulls, Heidi Speicher, 7pm Every Thur, Call First, 260-564-5864/Troy
JACKSONVILLE, IL - Lazy C Rodeo, 10am-3pm Sun., Rain or shine, Call First, 217-245-8280
Practice Pens
JACKSONVILLE, NC - Aleck Barnard, Elite Cowboy Rodeo Assoc., Onslow Rodeo Arena, 6pm Every Other Sunday, Call First, 910-381-8597
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
NOCONA, TX - Locke Bucking Bulls, Call First, 940-872-0733
WILLS POINT, TX - Austin Arena Bulls, Barrels, & Poles. $10 per ride/run or $25 for all you can ride. Bulls for all ages. 214-7265799
Livestock Layovers
BATESVILLE, AR - James Bechdoldt, White River Rodeo, 870-307-9923
RAYMOND, IL - Randy Littrell, Shop Creek Cattle, 217-556-0551
Livestock Layovers
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
CLASSIFIEDS
Livestock Layovers
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 w/ 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
Your Ad Could Be Here! Call 325-500-2855 for more details
Livestock Layovers
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
CHEYENNE, WY - Floyd & Ann Thomas, TTnT Ranch, 307-778-8806
Miscellaneous
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 !!
RENOWNED HIGH QUALITY BULL ROPE DickCarrBullRopes.com, PO Box 18, Elk City, OK. 73648, 1-580-225-3208, Be Blessed.
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
a cowboy’s canteen Western Wanderings
A cowboy’s canteen is a versatile tool
It helps to keep him alive
Mine is tin and covered with leather
About two and a half quarts in size
When I stop at a stream to fill that thing up
I make sure the leather gets wet
That keeps water cool in that old canteen
For several hours I’d bet
When you’re out on the trail and the water is scarce
That canteen is the best thing you’ve got
You can drink when you’re thirsty, and water your horse
And stay somewhat cool when it’s hot
The leather is well worn and broke in good
I’ve replaced the old cork with a cob
My canteen hangs on my saddle horn
A strong leather strap does the job
I’ve had my canteen for a dozen years
It was bought at the general store
In Fort Worth on my very first cattle drive
I reckon I’ll keep it some more
By Kelly B. Robbins
Illustrated by Mike Aemmer
Maverick Potter from Waxahachie, Texas, was the only bull rider at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo’s ProRodeo Tournament to have four successful rides. His biggest came at the Championship Finals on Saturday night in Dickies Arena when he scored 89.5 points on Sutton Rodeo’s Mr. Demon for the title. He earned a total of $30,333 during this year’s competition. FWSSR photo by James Phifer