Packin’ for Florida

It's been a busy week here at the Rasmussen Ranch now that temperatures are in the 50's and we can ride those barrel horses outside. As I sit here at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday – dressed for a workout and not quite packed for this weekend's Florida trip – I thought I should squeeze in time for a blog.

So here I go.

For some reason, I just popped a quick look at the website before I did this and I noticed that some of the PBR big-wigs are going to address some fan concerns. That took some pressure off me because I definitely have some opinions on things.

But look at what they have to say and try to understand things from their perspective. There's a lot that goes on in the inner-workings of the organization that people never see, so try to have an open mind.

Maybe I look at things different also. I think in the PBR we have to tow that fine line between professional sporting event and being an entertainment show.

You die-hard fans out there follow us every week and know the standings, statistics and eating habits of your favorite riders. But we have to cater to you as well as the people that are coming out to see an extreme exhibition and an entertaining show.

I have accepted the fact that in Madison Square Garden, to many of the fans, we are the circus. Hey, as long as they pay to get in! It's a hard balance that no other sport has to tackle and I think we do it pretty well.

TV coverage is something that I am just starting to understand, but it is a creature in itself. One thought only on that: Putting some of our events on NBC is the only way that many of the people in this country out there in TV land will ever be exposed to our sport.

That is a fact.

Anyway, I like to keep my blogs light, but I just think it is too bad many of the people with negative things to say right now can't sit down with some of us face to face to understand the decisions made.

Turn on the news, people. Things just ain't the same this year as they have been in the past few. Take a breath and get through it with us.

I would like to share a story.

Flying home from North Carolina last weekend – what a great event! – I started a conversation with our flight attendant. She was from a small town outside of Salt Lake City called Tooele.

Keep in mind, I did not tell her what I did for a living or who I worked for. I did, however, tell her that I had been to the rodeo in Tooele.

She told me that she never really had much interest in rodeo, but on the previous night she stumbled upon this thing called the PBR on TV. She explained to me how they had this thing called the draft, where the riders go up on stage and pick their own bulls they are going to ride.

"The crowd even cheered for some of the bulls louder than the riders," she told me.

She just thought it was so cool to see young, hot cowboys getting to talk and explain their picks on TV. Young and hot were her words, not mine. She wants to watch it more because it sparked her interest in something that's been around for years, but had a new twist to draw her in.

A new fan drawn in because it's just got a little different twist--and she got to see cowboys strut up on stage. You diehards may think she's shallow, but, dang it, she's gonna watch.

I don't usually like to address specific comments posted on the website because sometimes I just don't read them. But there was one under one of Ty's blogs that I have to address.

An individual had some pretty critical comments about the bullfighters. Ya know, sometimes people just veer into subjects that they shouldn't touch.

To that person I say this: the World Finals is the only event that we use four bullfighters and they rotate in and out two at a time unless there is a wreck that needs them all.

Also, I have never seen Joe, Shorty or Frank cover somebody up as a means of protection. There are moves they make that take the bull away from the situation. They are, however, instructed not to move riders if there is any chance of a neck or back injury, so maybe in that situation they might have to cover them.

I think fan comments are a wonderful thing. And, oh, don't think we don't appreciate the passion that our fans have for our sport. That is why I choose to keep my blood pressure in check and let the fans "duke it out" online--most of the time it is quite entertaining.

But I couldn't sit idly by on this one. Joe, Shorty and Frank make up the greatest trio of bullfighters I have ever seen in my career in rodeo or PBR. So unless you have some personal bone to pick...you might not want to touch that one again.

Whew. I got that off my chest. Those guys are like my brothers so I have to defend them, since they would just let their incredible work do the talking.

Well, it's off to Florida in the morning.

We haven't been to Tampa in a couple years, but we've been talking about how we missed the great fans there last year. I'm anxious to be in Tallahassee for the first time too.

By the way, on those nights with 40 riders instead of 45, look for me to have a little more creative freedom and make the show just a tad more fun. When you look at the big picture: it isn't brain surgery or the war on terror, folks. It's a great show with cowboys as the stars and some clown as the side show.

The Super Bowl gets Springsteen and you get me. It's just supposed to be a fun night, so keep havin' fun and keep being great fans.

Laugh Always, Flint