My strategy when I show up at a bull riding event is to just ride each and every bull, and just try to make the best of it that I can.
I didn't feel like I did such a good job this past Sunday, but I feel like I did a pretty good the first two rounds. In the second round, unfortunately, I just lost my rope and it cost me a lot of money.
I don't feel like I put out the effort I should have on Sunday. The bull sort of shot down the chute and had me off my rope. He turned back to the left and had me out of shape, and then I don't think I tried as hard as I should have tried.
I just have to look forward to doing better this weekend.
It's going to be kind of a short week. Most of us didn't get home until Monday afternoon, and we have to head back out Thursday morning. You just try to hurry up and get things done around the house before you head off again. It's just a little different.
With these three-day events, you can cover so much more ground, point wise. You can probably move 10 to 15 places on that one weekend, as far as point totals go. You can take a guy who's 23rd and jump all the way up to 13th, and that can really boost his confidence, because he thought he had just been having an average year. All of sudden he's 13th, and he's like, "Wow, now I'm in the Top 15 and I can really get it on."
It's just a confidence booster when we have these three-day events.
The only thing I can predict for this weekend is for Guilherme Marchi to ride three bulls again. That guy is on a mission and it doesn't seem to matter what you put him on.
He's having a phenomenal year, and he's riding each and every bull one bull at a time. And those guys in the TV booth can say what they want about re-rides, but Guilherme is over 2,000 points ahead of everybody.
L.J. was three or four points ahead of Guilherme going into the short round, which means Guilherme would have to be 94 or 95 points on that bull in his re-ride to still win first, and that's not possible on that bull. The most you can be is 90, maybe 92 points tops, on that bull, so why take the chance?
You're only taking a chance of hurting yourself when you're still not going to win first. I mean, there's no sense in it when he's still not going to win first.
He's guaranteed to win second, and he could have gotten on his re-ride and got thrown off and ended up in fifth or six and not gotten as many points. He was guaranteed second place no matter what, and he's going to get points for it, a lot of points because he did good in the previous rounds.
In my opinion he made the smartest move he could have made. He's riding so good that he is not going to have to worry about a couple more points he might have earned with the re-ride.
It's ridiculous that every time somebody gets an option to re-ride that those guys think you ought to take it. When you're in that position and you already have second won and you cannot win first--why take the re-ride?
I think the same way as Guilherme, and I think he made an awesome decision for the position he was in.
Thanks for the post. Great to hear from a rider. It's a real pleassure watching you and your peers put out the effort you do. It really helps getting some info from "inside" the sport.
I have often been amazed at the travel schedule all you guys must have. And somewhere in there you try to have a normal life too.
Marchi made the smart choice - not popular with everyone but he must be on a real Mission this year the finally win. And in any sprt at the highest level to see an elite athlete perform at an extraordinary level is a privelege. All of you guys are gifted athletes and all of you must be especially impressed with his consistently riding essentially every bull week in and week out.
My wife and I only found the PBR mid-way through the 2007 season and became instant major fans (We got to attend our first 2 live events this year in Sacrameto and Kansas City). It is now both of our number one prefessional sport (We live in the San Francison area with plenty of baseball, football, basketball and soccer.)
Early this year when I asked my wife what she wanted for her birthday present (March 9) she said to attend another PBR event. So off to Kansas City we went. We can't get enough and wish we could attend every event. It is a great show with great human and animal athletes. Thanks to you, all the riders, the bull contractors and PBR staff.
Don Beavers
Walnut Creek, CA
PS Keep up the posting
It's great to hear the viewpoint from a rider, especially about something like Marchi's re-ride. I know the guys in the booth have their opinions, but sometimes it seems like they contradict themselves also. Like in Kansas City, when they kept on about the fact that maybe Reese Cates and Colby Yates shouldn't compete after their concussions, but thought Robson Palermo should be competing. Maybe there was more to the story regarding their respective concussions, but it didn't come across on TV. So it's nice to hear what you guys that are the ones competing think also.
I'm looking forward to your second ever blog.
Thanks,
Heather
We sat in the corner where your Saturday night ride took place, Mike, and the "grit and determination" (as the boys in the booth say) you show during rides was unmistakable. Even though that ride didn't work out, seeing a person give pure all out effort is one of the most inspiring parts of being a spectator to this sport.
We were in the corner where your Saturday night ride took place, Mike--your ride personified "grit and determination" as the boys in the booth say, no matter the outcome. It's inspiring to see all out effort like that and what makes you my favorite rider to watch. To witness that focus and inner strength is what makes being a spectator to this sport so inspring.
what was the name of the bull he refused? seems like the guys in the booth just want to see crashes.
PBR really seems to listen to fans. If enough peeps complain about it, maybe something will happen. It's surely not the COWBOYS who want those intrusive cams following them back to a private area.
Thank you for your perspective about Guilherme. When my granddaughter and I returned home from the event in New Mexico, my husband told me what was said by the guys in the booth. I totally agree with you and your perspective. I appreciate that you said it. I respect your thoughts and glad to hear from you.
You're one of my favorite riders. Your talent, determination and character are second to none. I'm so glad you're having the season that you are and am looking forward to your continued success. The "live" season starts for me next week. I'll be attending the event in Omaha and then a few weeks later in Des Moines, Tulsa in July and the finals in Vegas. Can't wait! I watch every week on Versus, but attending in person is so much BETTER!
Good luck this weekend, keep your chin down and your hand shut!
Looking forward to your next blog.
Jayne Flint
Onalaska, WI
You are my favorite rider and I am rooting for ya every time you ride.It's good to see you are staying healthy this year. Keep it up! I haven't been to a live event yet but I am going to see you in Ohio in Columbus. I am so excited can't wait to see you ride. Lots of luck this weekend and stay safe. P.S. say hi to Chris for me.
Sharon Rockwell
Springfield, Ohio
The blog was great. I read this morning you got another concusion in Nampa, hope things are well. Tandy's report said you landed on your butt. I really don't know who would be best at explaining this, Tandy or Hanna!!!! Take care and good luck.
Your ustrc ropin friend and PBR fan
Kerry Gilbow
I read about your concusion this morning and saw it on the replays tonight. It looked like you jared all your inards right out your ears. Hope your resting well and have a quick recovery. On your next blog let us know how your doin.
Take Care
Kerry Gilbow
My Nampa PBR Fantasy total is probably hosed now because you weren't able to compete, BUT, your health is more important.. I'll always pick you for my fantasy team when ever you compete no matter what..:) Come back soon!
So sorry about your concussion. Please rest well and come back strong. You are one of the reasons I watch and attend PBR events. We've met twice in Greensboro and once in W-S and I have some great pictures of you and Chris and you and Dustin and even one of you, Chris and me! Your blog is great. I love hearing what the riders think more than the commentators. I thought I was the only one who thought Guilherme made the right decision!
You'll never know how much joy you bring to your fans. There are so many who care about you and respect you. Thank you for always being so accepting of the fans!
I was bummed out to hear about your concussion. I hope you are able to get back to normal soon. Hey, I was wondering...If they give you an option for a re-ride, do you immediately have to choose whether you want to take it? Do they give you a time limit? I bet that at times it is difficult to make a quick decision. Thank you for participating in the blogs. It is nice to hear your view on things. I hope you get well soon.
I think the commentators talk too much and this year the fans have missed some of the bull riders rides because of this. I love the PBR and I have met so many bull riders and they are so nice and so humble in such a tough sport. Once you put a face to the name then you follow each and every rider. Being from Greensboro, N.C., I know they have not shown a couple of Brian Canter's rides. They even left out one of Adriano Moraes's rides and I am sure other riders also because of the commentators talking too much amongst themselves. I also agree they do not need to follow the bull rider down a long hall when he did not make his 8 seconds. It is upsetting enough without a camera on them.
You are such a great rider and I only hope to see many more great rides by you.
Thanks for taking the time to write a blog. I was sorry to hear that you got hurt this past weekend. I hope you heal quickly and are back on tour soon. I'm new to PBR (2007 was my first season), but you were one of the guys who hit my radar within that first season. I actually saw you, alone, in the hotel lobby in Anaheim this year and shied away from approaching you and I could kick myself for it. Anyway, the gist of what I'd have said was that I hope you do well this season and for however long you decide to continue riding as a career.
Take care!
And it's good to see you, Chris Shivers,Justin McBride back in action In Dallas,Tx. June 21,22'08,.....It's great for young guns to perform as they ride,.. but always good to see a veteran atop the leader board once in awhile,...too. so Good Luck /God Bless to you all