O-O-O-O-O-Omahaaaa!

The heart of America comes through again by giving us one of the greatest crowds of the year for the Omaha Invitational.

Some ten thousand strong enjoyed championship Saturday night, with early energy created by Billy Ray the Plumber, my pre-show pick. So many fans and riders alike question me about my choice of people for my introduction before the show.

First of all, the decision of who to pick is made in a few short seconds. It is NEVER chosen ahead of time or a "plant". Also, many of our young riders give me grief about the fact that the majority of the time I pick a male member of the audience.

So here is a quick explanation. I have discovered through the years that the audience response is just better when it is a man doing the dancing to fire up the crowd.

I have some philosophies on this. If a very attractive female is picked, other women won't respond, and the boyfriends or husbands better not. I have also received emails about the fact that I am trying to pick up hot chicks out of the crowd. If a "big-boned" woman is my choice, then people automatically think I'm making fun of her.

The solution: There's nothing people like better than a big ole' redneck working up a sweat trying to dance and get the crowd rolling for the night.

I love the event in Omaha every year.

Even though Omaha is quite a large city to a small-town Montana guy, the people give it a warm, down-home feel. It's the whole Midwest thing.

It's nice to sit at a Cabela's for an hour and a half and the line of autograph-seekers never fades. The fans in the Midwest are a great combination of informed but energetic.

This year's schedule put three of my favorite events all together: Nampa, Omaha, and Billings. Take it easy, everyone else! I love all of our stops, but after going to six or seven east coast events, these three just feel a little more like home. (Hmm, I do love both coasts, though!)

Man did little Pinto Bean ride like a champ! Canter comes through to provide a little Team Enterprise pride. We'll pick you up, ya know!

Enterprise is such a great sponsor for those of us fortunate enough to be on the team that we all take pride in the other riders doing well. There is truly a "team" feel unlike any other group.

How can you not cheer for Brian Canter? He just has that little flare in both his personality and riding style. Plus, I feel like we all sort of take turns babysitting the little rascal.

I know these blogs have a lot about the bulls and riders, so I want to keep mine light and from a little different perspective.

But I will give you my take so far. Guiell..., Ghieler..., Gillerme?...How the heck do you spell Marchi's name? Anyway, Gizmo is a stud. It'll be tough to stop him if he's healthy.

Kody Lostroh, or Rostroh as I call him, is just plain cool and a good guy. Love to see him win. Watch out for LJ and Shivers, and nice to see Cool-Hand Luke and Roscoe back in form.

Well, off to Billings this week. This is the first week of '08 that I won't be in an airport. Yay me!

I'll give some tidbits every week and hopefully some insight on how my job works, and the thought processes that take place in the arena. There's a lot more going on out there than anyone can imagine.

How 'bout some get well thoughts for Shorty(should be back soon) and Joe B.(torn MCL). They ARE the hardest working men in the PBR.

Laugh Always! Flint