‘I’m interested in reading any responses you guys might have gotten from your emails and letters’

Ty, I sent emails and recieved an automated acknowledgement that they had recieved it. That's all I've heard so far. I didnt see the piece you mentioned but i'm glad i didnt because it just would have infuriated me. Good luck with the projects, cant wait til the PBR is back on in July ( T.v is so boring on sat. and Sun. night), and let us know what else the fans can do. Thanks Ty!

Why not approach fox news and tell them of the response on other networks...maybe the competition is what you should go for...seems it works in politics

Ty, while I agree with what Kathy said about concerns of losing the true identity of the sport when it becomes more mainstream, I can also understand your desire to educate people about it.

I'm going to be honest with you: When I first heard about televised bull riding, my first thought was also "Why would any idiot do this?" But, my parents, who are long time PBR fans, and a friend of mine, also a PBR fan, asked me to watch a few events. The more I watched, the more I learned that this was more than a bunch of adrenaline junkies holding on for dear life. The intricacies of it amaze me--in no way is staying on done through sheer luck and brute strength. The way they have to shift with the bull and counter every move he makes. The fact that keeping your chin down really does make a difference when trying to stay on. Riding at the front of the bull instead of leaning back too far.....and many more techniques that I'm sure I don't know the first thing about. When you add that to the mental game of knowing that this ride could be your last because of severe injury, or God forbid, death, but getting on anyway, how can anyone not consider these men elite athletes and think bull riding is not a sport is beyond me. These men are healthy, have great physical strength and a high threshold for pain, determination and the ability to push aside any fear or doubts when coming back after an injury (or witnessing one). That to me makes an great athlete.

As for why our sport is a great one? It's many different things. The fact that these young men can be out there competing for a WC and still help each other and cheer each other on during a ride is something that you rarely see in other sports. We rarely hear an excuse for a bad season and you can always see them congratulating each other on a good ride or a win. Their good sportsmanship is something that they should be proud of. Add to that the way the majority of the riders are so accepting of their fans in moments other than at the arranged meet and greets and you have a winning combination.

Finally, the fact that they are facing another living creature that they can not truly communicate with or control, makes it even more fascinating. With sports that involve apparatuses, there is some sort of control over what the machine/apparatus does. With a bull, there is no control over what he does--the riders just have to be on their game all the time.

It took me no more than a few events to realize that I'd finally found the sport that interests me. Good luck in your efforts!

Hi Ty, I sent my emails but so far have only gotten back acknowlegement that they were received by Vshow, the Herd and Mike & Mike. Thank you for bringing up the HBO special. I can not express enough how disappointed I was with the coverage. I'm a long, long time fan and my reaction was the same as yours. In my opinion, the entire package had a negative tone. When some of us voiced that opinion on the fan forum , we were told that some of us had "missed the point" of the show. The show was all about the danger involved! You'd be surprised to know where that came from. To be certain, I watched it 4 times and still came away with the same opinion. Suffice it to say, I love the PBR, and will support your efforts any way I can. I'll be sure to let you know if I get any reply to my emails.

As for the letters you're asking for now, where do we send them? Til next time!

Ty,
Unfortunately all you get are canned automated responses.Bryant Gumbel has treated some Baseball Players the same way in the past.Bottom line is these big city broadcasters still think of rodeo and bull riding as a minor child compared to an adult.I grew up in a major sports town and the biggest news was Baseball,Hockey,Basketball or pro football.Then came colleges and high schools.You never saw reports on the rodeos we'd go to;even the big events at Boston Garden.Then again country music was the step child of the music world.Pop 40 and rock were considered serious.
Its hard to convince narrow minded people.I am glad I live in a state now that loves rodeo and bull riding.even our small associations get press.We even have a mature age sportscaster competing in the steer riding competition at Municipal Auditorium with other celebrities this Wednesday.
You have fans from all classes and ethnic groups be they ditch diggers or doctors. Guys like BG have grown up in yuppie sports and the Major Leagues,etc.They need to be re-eduacted ;and articles as the one months back in WSJ do not help your cause as they stated there that the PBR would never be a Major League Sport or something to that extent.They just aren't cowboy friendly!!!!!

Hey Ty,
I sent emails to all the addresses you provided for us , but I have not received any replies so far. I was very interested in hearing your opinion of the Real Sports HBO segment since I posted a review of the segment on the TeamPBR message forum and also sent HBO an email expressing my dissapointment in the way PBR and the riders were depicted in the piece. I felt that even with the limited time that they had alloted to PBR they could have shown so much more than they did. I also felt that there was a very negative slant to it in the way the questions were phrased and how they tried to make it look like the PBR exploits the riders injuries for ratings. I realize that the focus was danger and Helmets needed to be discussed, but I also felt that they never got to answering the question of why a cowboy braves the danger and attempts to ride a bull. I will let you know what replies if any I receive to my emails. Keep up the fight for recognition of our sport. We are all behind you 100%
Linda

Hey ty I'm working on e-mailing a couple more people but back to the other thing I have made it one of my main projects in life to tell the truth about how great the sport is i go around and talk to people regularly and here is a quick story of what i come in contact with i went to a bull ride and rodeo over this past weekend and this little girl and her mom sat behind my family nice people well i heard her telling her little girl all the wrong info about the sport so we struck up a talk and i started talking more and more about the pbr and she was like wow i had no idea and i was telling her about how no creidt is given to the sport but the one thing that did make me happy was that when i stoped talking for a min and looked down there was a big croud standing around to listen to my talk it was about 15 to 20 people that did not know anything about the sport and they were there to watch it but by the time they left they had good info to spread around to other to help the sport

TY,
What makes bullriding a great sport is that is one of the most ancient.Before the greeks were having their Olympiads the Minoans of the island of Crete (where the myth of the Minotaur started) and in the island of Akaitery used to ride bulls and jump over them (this type of the sport is still practice in Portugal).We know because wall paintings in the ruins of Knossos,the capital of the Minoan Empire depicts such sports.It is believed that the society in Akaitery was the model for Homer's Atlantis.So,bullriding,although revived in the western USA it has ancient roots in western civilization.I find it fascinating and exhilarating.I was born in Cuba and discovered bullriding while living in So. California in 1982.I recognize the ancient roots of this sport and I was hooked.I have been able to attend some rodeos then on those years and a couple of PBR events in the last few years but I will never miss a tv PBR event and record so to see them again.Even as reruns they are exciting.Also it is a thrill to see you and Jerome and other greats riding at the ESPN Classic channel.
Keep the good work and hurrah to the PBR.
Although I still think as in the past one should get the 8 Seconds magazine when one renews ones membership.Boo...
Oscar Gomez-Montes

Like Annie, all I got were form letters saying they received my e-mails. And to respond to Kathy, I think all we're trying to do is acknowledge the pbr as a sport, not necessarily to go "mainstream." At least that's how I see it. I talk about it when I can and even dragged my roommate and her mom to an event in Fairfax, VA a few months ago. So I'm trying to get word out there! The more people who witness bull riding and experience it for themselves I think the more the sports world will have to acknowledge bull riding as a sport.
What do I like about bull riding? I get asked that a lot by friends who know I'm a fan. I never know how to answer it. It's intense, fast moving, man vs beast which attracts humans on a primal level. But part of what I like is that I get to root for everyone. Sure, we all have our favorites, but there's no rivalries, no teams to despise. And I think anyone who saw Ty with his shirt off can see for themselves how athletic a bull rider has to be;) A bull rider has to be constantly thinking and analyzing and adjusting mentally as well as physically.
I hope that was the kind of response you were looking for, Ty. Can't wait for the PBR to be back in July!

My mom's boyfriend lost an eye and almost his life bullriding. That is extreme!

Ty,
I watched the Real Sports show with eagerness that the PBR and bullriding would get real sports coverage and came away as angered and frustrated as you must have been. It was obvious the commentators went in with preconceived ideas and focused solely on the negative. One comment was made that the TV coverage of events stresses the injuries with constant replays. But the Real Sports show did the same thing, with none of the compassion offered for the fallen rider that the Versus commentators express.

I'm a grandmother who has been a fan of bullriding most of my life... and I'm not a cowboy and I live in the East. I watch bullriding on many networks, especially during the PBR hiatus when I go through withdrawal. I've introduced quite a few other people to the PBR and will continue to do so.

I agree with Kathy, though, that it's possible to dilute the sport with too many gimmicks. Keep it simple and keep it pure. That's what has drawn the fans to the sport to begin with.

I'm interested in the challenge to write on the topic of the sport of bullriding and a cowboy's athleticism. I think that the issues with the mainstream media world as we know it can not get past the "cowboy image" and the "yee-haw" stereotype that's placed on anyone associated with the sport of rodeo or the cowboy lifestyle. Therefore they label the sport as a step-child event but they can't deny the fact that the numbers do not lie and with numbers come dollars. Thanks!

World Class Athletes come in all shapes and sizes. It isn't so much How Big is their Sport, so much as what each individual brings to the event.
There are Vocalists across the range from centuries old Operas to ditties written by them and sung in tuneless rasping voices who are world class. The ones who are World Class do it for Joy.
There are Sailors who challenge the water in tiny leaking vessels on lazy afternoons and those who leave home and hearth to race around the globe in multi-million dollar state of the art craft for prize money and fame. The ones who are World Class Exemplify Determination.
There are Runners. Men and Women of all ages pound the earth for the freedom of Wind Rushing past them that they have created, forever leaving one place to arrive at another. The ones who are World Class bring Heart.
There are Elite practitioners in all forms encompassing Air, Water, and Earth.
Those who Sport with Fire Ride Bulls.
Nothing can match the Heat of the blink of an eye of a massive Athlete competing with a Mortal who has harnessed all the Joy, Determination and Heart that each brings to that dirt floor. There is Beauty in the Human Voice, Power in the Men and the Wind who challenge the Seas, Strength in rapidly closing distances, but none can match the combined Beauty, Power, Strength and Grace of a mortal who becomes one with a creature of the elements.
Runners who are acclaimed for speed in short distances train for a lifetime and have only a few years at the top of their game. Sailors rely on equipment and experience. Singers give over a lifetime to lessons and practice. The ones at the top have their rituals.
The BullRider has a life. An Elite BullRider has a day job. It may take the prize money to keep the family business running, there is equipment and rituals and experience.
Anybody can try to run, to sing, to sail. We can just do it. We don't have to be good, we don't even have to enjoy it.
The BullRider has to love what he does. To Ride a Bull is to Breathe. It is to Love. It is to Soar to the Heavens and Sometimes it is to fall into the yawning pits of hell.
The BullRider Stands Alone, with his Brothers the Bull. And we are blessed to wonder at the majesty of this Art.

ps- I'd really like that buckle.

Ty - Hope this is the winner.

Bull riders are elite athletes in that they earn the money they make. There are no multi-million dollar contracts, they ride or they don't get a pay check. They cannot get a contract and make millions for sitting on the bench as a 2nd string backup. They do not make millions for sitting out with a broken finger, hangnail, torn ligaments on the injured reserve. They know the inherent risk of the sport they love and are full and ready to ride/play through the pain in order to make a pay check. While I am sure the money is nice, they do it for the love of the sport and the fire that burns inside of them.

Pro bull riders are humble people (at least they appear that way). They are not too busy to meet with fans, sign autographs, take pictures with their fans. They are down to earth and truly care about the people that cheer them on and not just how much money they are making.
You never hear about a bull rider doing crazy things on the news that is getting them sued. All cowboys have a code of ethics and they live as a person should. They know that it takes talent to make it to the BFTS, and they are not affraid to acknowledge that God is a big part in granting the strength, courage and skill that has made them elite in the sport.

Lastly, what other sport can you have competitors competing against each other to win top prize, however, they all support, cheer and congratulate each other regardless of if they are winning 1st or bucking off all their bulls. While competition is fierce, all the riders look as though they are a big family pulling for everyone else to do good.

it is time these athletes get their due and the world becomes aware that their are superstars in this sport. PBR riders are as tough as they come.

Now, what makes the PBR so great. Well you have a little bit of everything. Cowboys, bulls, and fireworks. You have Flint entertaining the crowd during the event in between riders, as well as during commercial breaks during the broadcast. You have "wildmen" that appear to live carefree and are characterized as being the "badboys" - JB; you have the quiet "good guys" that seem as though they stepped off the ranch, came to ride, and then went back to the ranch - Lostroh, and every other personality in between. You have the great rides on the best bulls and the inevitable wrecks.

The PBR is something that the entire family can go to an event and have a great time without risking bad language and excessive drunkeness by the fans, as the fans live by the code of good ethics as well.

Ty,
I have to say the program on HBO, Real Sports, really disappointed me. I was so mad that they concentrated on the danger more than anything. They did not show the hard work, dedication, skill and abillity to become one of the top 40 bull riders that are in the PBR. It is a sport of all of these things combined to make a good bull rider. You not only have to have these abilities but you have to start out in the small rodeo's and be able to win enough money to ride across country to compete in as many events as you can to build up enough wins and money to even get a chance to reach the heights of the PBR. It is a sport for the young, like all sports, but from the beginning you have to have a desire to be a champion and to be a champion the highest honor is to be able to compete in the PBR. I think it takes second to have a family willing to stick by their bull rider and a natural ability and a desire to compete, by being in other sports, when they are in high school and then the determination to excel to the best of their ability. They have to have the grit to keep trying over and over again to perfect their riding and to endure the pain that comes with the sport. While watching the sport for 5 years now, I have seen that each bull rider has his own techniques that helps give him his ability to ride a bull but by listening to you Ty, I have learned there are basic rules to follow to not only ride at their best but to keep out of danger as much as they can. Not only is this a sport that works on you physically but a mental game also and you have to have a great desire to be the best.

Once a bull rider makes the PBR they are faced with the greatest bulls and the competition reaches the highest level.
In the PBR the bulls are the best. Just like the riders to reach this level the bulls have to compete and show what they can do to reach this level and then one bad out can eliminate or drop them back down to another level.

Once you have reached the PBR the riders are able, if they ride well enough and their mental game is good, to win a lot of money. They are ranked by how many rides they make and if they win any events, which is a gruelling season of 35 events, not only do they have to ride their bull but the bull has to perform also. The bull gets half of the score and the rider the other half. So much depends on the bull and the rider together. Then the health of the bull rider and that is when the mental game comes into to it to put it out of their mind for 8 seconds. If they are in a slump to figure out what to do when this happens and mentally not let it get them down. After the regular season then the World Championships in Las Vegas. There is where the bull rider has a chance to win a lot of money and if he is the World Champion he can win an extra One Million Dollars.

What fascinated me about the sport was the ability of a bull rider to hold on to a bull rope with one hand and the other arm using it like an antenna in the air and be able to stay on a bucking wild animal for 8 seconds and successfullly get away without injury. The one on one competition and the adrenaline rush from an exciting successful ride. What can be more exciting?

Now what makes the PBR such a great sport? I have never been to another sporting event where the fans are so much a part of the event. Before the event there are meet and greets where you can meet the bull riders and get autographs, pose for pictures with them and ask questions and then after the bull riding you can go down to the rail on the arena floor and all of the bull riders will come out again and sign autographs, pose for pictures and answer any questions. I have never met a more humble, polite group of athletes. I think the reason for that is they have all come from such humble beginnings, hard working standards and are appreciative of all they have accomplished and hope to accomplish in a sport where everytime they get on a bull they know that they can get hurt. It is not if they will get hurt but when they will get hurt.

There have only been two Two Time World Champions and only one Three Time World Champion since the first year it was formed in 1994. Just showing how hard it is to be a champion more than once, we have not had a World Champion to win two years in a row. It is one of the hardest accomplishments to achieve and that is a World Championship.

Not enough can be said for a sport that involves so many great athletes from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the USA.

I never thought I would be a fan of the PBR and no one else thought it either. I have certainly promoted it as much as I could and every year I can see it is really growing. Thanks to Ty Murray, Randy Bernard and the founding fathers.

I love this sport and all that it stands for. It was born at a time in our history when it was a necessary part of ranch life, then turned into a playful competition, and then a sport. Competitors don't get paid unless they show up and compete, unlike many "pro" sports contracts out there. In these times where everyone is looking for someone else for a "bailout" it's not the PBR's way. Man up and earn it!! I am proud to expose my young son to an example of truly hard working men trying to earn an honest living free from steriods and other shortcuts. It's part of American history that deserves it's place and true conditioned athletes that deserve their respect and recognition among all other athletes.

I think the mainstream sports industry is really missing the boat when it comes to bullriding. Not only do they under estimate the size of the PBR fan base but also the loyalty of the fans. Many of us are willing to travel great distances and plan our family vacations around the events. It's not just to cheer on one "team" either, eventhough we may have our favorites, we root for all the riders. It is truly a family sport that we can still afford to take the whole family to. Parents don't have to worry about exposing our children to any inappropriate behaviour by fans or riders, at a PBR event. All the riders I have met are great guys! They are not your typical "entitled" athlete with a huge ego.They will happily give you an autographed picture, or shake your son's hand in the middle of a busy airport, after a long flight sitting next to you in coach. I fell in love with rodeo as a young girl watching the Pendleton Round-Up, bulls were always my favorite. I now happily share that same passion with my grand-daughter. For me, those 8 seconds are full of a lot more excitement & drama than any 4 quarters, 9 innings, or 18 holes could ever hope to achieve.

Ty and Committee:

I became a fan of the PBR rather reluctantly. My parents had been fans of bull riding, as well as the other rodeo events, since back in the 1940's and '50's in Kansas. Upon my introduction to the PBR, my first response was one of rooting more for the bulls than the cowboys. Admittedly, I had burned out on rodeos as a kid after having witnessed far too many goat ties where the helpless goat endured being thrown to the ground time after time until, in absolute defeat, it simply refused to get back up! My attitude with bull riding was this: if the rider gets bucked off, God willing, he will have a chance to compete another day. If a bull loses too many times, he's probably headed to the slaughterhouse! In that light, what really hooked me on the PBR was the televised special about the bull, Bodacious, and the heartfelt reflections the many bull riders and bull owners expressed about that particular bull. Since then, I have been a PBR fan.

In response to your concerns about seeing PBR bull riding elevated to equal stature as other professional sports I am reminded of where pro ice hockey (NHL) was in America not that many years ago. While the Canadians and the Europeans have understood for decades the sophistication, skill, intelligence, and exceptional athleticism necessary to be a great hockey player, the general sports base in America was slow to accept hockey beyond anything as a brawl on ice--it was the fights that drew many to the sport in the first place. Over the years, it has taken a great amount of effort to educate the average hockey fan to the nuances of hockey, and today there are many who understand the complexities of the sport and the brilliance of its athletes. The same, or similar, applies to bull riding. Education of the fan base can only happen through a team of gifted commentators (and camera operators) who can bring the viewer into the shoot and help them walk through their own fear in order to learn about, then appreciate, the skill and attention to detail necessary to even get onto the back of a well-trained bull. Equally, it takes gifted bull riders who are willing to share the behind the scenes of their lives (their training, their philosophy, their dedication, their mortal fears and worries) and keep us, the audience, mindful that they take their sport very seriously, not only for its incredibly high risk but for the demands and obstacles they must overcome in order to achieve at an elite level.

A concern I have, however, is rider safety and the dark side to concussions. Concussions in other sports are finally being treated with tremendous concern and caution; study upon study continue to reveal how horrific repeated concussions are to the long-term health of the brain. In any collision sport--such as American football, ice hockey, boxing, ultimate fighting, etc.--we are seeing greater safeguards being put in place. What's my point? In bull riding, there is still an attitude of "toughing it out" and "getting back on the bull" even after a rider has suffered a serious concussion. Of course, the riders, especially the up-and-coming riders, are desperate for securing lucrative sponsorship in order to draw a steady income, and a bull rider can't win prize money without getting back on the bull. Thus, the rider is under tremendous pressure to perform even when other sports would forbid them from competing until cleared of any lingering post-concussion effects. While it is admirable to see a rider competing while hobbled by leg or groin injuries, shoulder injuries, and the like, the concussion stands in another category of injury altogether simply because brain trauma presents life-altering risks. Every week I am impressed and amazed at the skill, determination, dedication, and focus of so many riders. Yet, as a fan, I also want to believe that these athletes aren't suffering permanent brain damage due to frequent concussions and/or inadequate time off between concussions. Like it or not, I sense that the PBR might need to implement certain mandatory safeguards that demand a rider take off prescribed amounts of time between events upon determination by medical staff that they have suffered a head trauma in or out of the shoot. I confess that I have cringed at times when I see a rider enter the shoot wearing a helmet. My image of the classic cowboy becomes tarnished somehow, as if a helmet makes their icon less romantic, less cowboy-ish, and maybe a little weak. Of course, such attitudes are foolish! Hockey also scoffed at helmets and those who voluntarily wore a helmet were often targeted with harder hits. Today, helmets are mandatory in the NHL and a great number of players also wear the optional visor. Ultimately, I believe the PBR may need to 1) sponsor development of a very specialized helmet [a modified hockey helmet doesn't cut it] to lessen the impact of head trauma, 2) implement regulations making endorsed helmet use mandatory, and 3) ensure rider safety to the highest degree through education of helmet use. Obviously, bull riding poses risks above and beyond what the best equipment can provide and that's a given. But, in my viewpoint, if the PBR wants its competitors to be treated as high level, world-class athletes throughout the sporting world, its governing body must equally address them as such--their safety and well-being must surpass what some might label as a "good ole boy mentality of toughing it out at all cost."

Am I suggesting the PBR sell out in order to gain greater acceptance among the mainstream media or high profile sports commentators? Yes and no. The PBR is growing by leaps and bounds and there seems no shortage of riders, and I'm not sure you even need to address wider acceptance--you've already got it. On the other hand, the riders are the bread and butter of the sport. Those below the top ten are likely guaranteed nothing, they go home broke when they don't place, they may lose sponsorship or skim by on inadequate sponsorship, injuries become a constant, and yet they still love what they do. And, no one is forcing them to be a bull rider. Yet, as a fan, I also respect that many of them go home to a wife and kids who need them to have a healthy mind in twenty years.

The PBR is doing an outstanding job. The breeders are doing a great job of increasing the skill of the bulls. Without riders there is no sport. The fans need to remember that bull riding is a sport, not war. The bull riders are not soldiers who must sacrifice their lives for cause and country; they are cowboys. At the end of the day, when they get home and pull off their boots, I'd imagine the typical bull rider feels like they've put in an honest day's work. And when their son or daughter crawls up on their lap, I'd bet those same cowboys hope to cherish those memories for a lifetime.

Helmets and post-concussion education are the future. Bull riders are tough no matter, and the helmet will never change that fact! And I'd almost bet the sponsors will line up to get their names on the helmets. American sports fans like helmets--we think it make our athletes even tougher, even those who climb onto the back of a 2000 bull.

Thank you.

Cowboys have always been my heroes. I grew up in the era of the land of Yesteryear. So when I discovered the PBR on the old Nashville station, I was in heaven. The first three rides I saw were by current or past world champions. To me it was like watching a dance as they each rode the great bulls they had drawn, matching each move with one of their own. To do what they do, the bulls must be bred to buck, fed and watered well, exercised and given nutritional supplements. They are taken to the vet and treated if they are hurt or sick.It is obvious to anyone who watches regularly that they love what they do for a living just as much as the riders. They have their own traveling partners and even in some cases their own personal travel trailer with all the amenities.

The riders may or may not be "real" cowboys but they dress the part and they soon learn the cowboy way. They quickly find it is not a game but a serious sport which can be fatal. Many of them work out religiously to maintain their strength and agility and flexibility to help prevent those injuries. And when they are injured they often ride with broken bones and torn ACL and MCL and torn groin muscles, etc., and you don't ever hear them whine or curse others for their own failures.

When they aren't riding they are behind the chutes helping their competitors, not trash talking them or trying to sabotage their performance. When outclassed by a great rider on a great bull, they are usually the first to congratulate him, even though it means thousands of dollars loss to them personally. When a rider is hurt they are quick to pray for him, help out financially and keep track of their recovery. When a rider is hung up and can't get away I have seen World champion bullriders and even the minister, Todd Pierce, jump in to save him. And of course the bull fighters are right in there risking life and limb to protect him too. They are also well conditioned, well trained athletes who must be quick on their feet and quick thinking to meet their obligations to the riders.
The riders are quick to recognize the value of their fans and go out of their way to meet them, sign autographs and sometimes make huge differences in their personal lives. With few exceptions, they are polite, and calm and soft-spoken. Their management reaches out to needs like the Make a Wish Foundation, and their ministries support programs like Believe in Tomorrow. Hand in hand they take on things like cancer and birth defects, child abuse and neglect, and hunger. Those children hunger not just for food but for spiritual insights and recognition from their heroes. They hunger for fun and excitement and a chance to forget their daily grind in life. The PBR, the PBR Outreach and Riding High Ministries provide those priceless gifts. To me these cowboys not only are the modern day sports version of the old frontier cowboy who gave us this heritage of a most extreme sport. They are also the modern version of those old gutsy, brave men who looked on bull riding as something fun to do to break daily battle against weather, Indians, sand, dirt, hunger and thirst. It was their entertainment and now it is the fastest growing sport in the world. And many if not most of them are quick to give the glory to God and his son, Jesus for their ability to do the thing they love most, bullriding.

If these things are not a description of an exciting, viable, possibly very profitable sport and of good sportsmanship and athleticism, I do not know what is. It is certainly a refreshing change from the druggies, dopers, rapists and thugs prevalent in most "mainstream sports" today. If that is what it takes to be considered a "real sport" in todays eyes then to paraphrase Rush Limbaugh: "I hope we fail".

How do you send a personal message? I see this is a comment, I'm not sure if there is a difference. I'd appreciate the help.

thanks,

I agree with Kathy 6-8-09 4:43pm...my husband and I went every year to Vegas and a couple other stops during the year from 1993 until 2005 (12 years in a row)....and we watched every week....we simply quit.......The PBR got too commercial. We felt the "bills" that were getting paid by the broadcasters and the signs all over the arena's were distracting. In the beginning, fans yelled, stood up, cheered and prayed for EACH AND EVERY cowboy....toward the end of our travels, we felt completely out of place as the cheering was really only done on "cue" from the tv folks.....and mostly at the finale'. We feel each cowboy that steps up should be applauded and cheered....that's the way it used to be. We still truely love the rodeo, we just had to step back...now attending the local rodeo's, no semi pro's no pro's just cowboys. Some things can never go back to the way they were, and losing 2 fans but gaining hundreds will prove that the PBR is still going strong....just not the direction I'd like.

Ty, I don't watch footbal,basketball,baseball etc, because it's SO tiresome listening to all the whining by the players!! You don't hear bad mouthing from the bull riders. I have respect for them and the sport and I like how they support each other.

Ty,
I LOVE to watch bull riding. My kids have been raised on it. When they were old enough to ride the mechanical horses at the store, they always raised one hand, held on with the other then nodded. Only then could I turn on the horse and they "spurred" the whole time. We love other sports as well, but PBR is our favorite.

What makes it a sport? I would like to see any other athlete who feels they are physically fit and in a "mainstream" sport hold their entire body weight onto a spinning, bucking bull while enduring all the different G forces that bull riders do. Then once they are off th bull, let them know exactly where they are in relation to the bull and where is the safest place to go to get out of his way.

How many other athletes will continue their sport with injuries that we have seen in the past that the cowboys ride with? Injuries such as Adriano's torn bicep, Kody's broken elbow, broken legs, broken arms, wired jaws just to name a few. Look at the football players who won't play because of "turf toe". Give me a break. It's a job and just because you're sore, doesn't mean you can't go to work. The cowboys are always there, sometimes even after they are advised not to be there.

Also, have the critics ever watched the bull fighters? Do they see them chasing the bulls and saving the cowboys? Do they think just anyone could do that job?

I think what makes the PBR a great sport is the showcase of all the great athletes every round. We love the bulls as much as the riders around here. My kids even begged me when I attended the Finals last year to "please get Chicken's (Chicken on a Chain) autograph. All you have to do is get him to step on a piece of paper!" To watch the cowboys overcome all the previously mentioned things and be triumphant is wonderful.

What other sport do you see competitors cheering each other on and supporting one another like in the PBR? These guys help pull ropes, ride to events together, cheer one another on during a ride and genuinely care about each other.

When Kasey Hayes apologized for his actions earlier this year, I had my kids watch it and then we talked about how apologies that are sincere help to regain peoples trust and respect. There have been many other athletes who have done much worse things than Kasey, but NO other apology seemed as sincere as Kasey's. I recently got the chance to thank him for the wonderful role model he is for my girls.

I cannot think of one PBR rider who I would not be happy to have be a role model for my children. There are other athletes that are good role models for children, but they are rare.

It was amazing to watch your show on CMT and see just what kind of training goes into being a bull rider. I am proud to be a PBR fan and share my feeling about to anyone who will listen.

Thanks for the great sport. I will be watching.

The independent spirit of a bull rider is not what our country is about today, and that attitude is what you see on espn - "its to dangerous, its to rough, its not under government control". It is coming - The only way rodeo will survive being made "safe" by the government is for everyone to respond as strongly about bull riding as we do about gun ownership. We need an NRA type of organization, bull riding bumper stickers, and an active lobby in congress, (maybe get some congressmen to ride bulls), and a grass roots national organization, and sorry, the PBR membership isn't what I'm talking about. To me a bull rider is the next best thing to a United States Marine or an Army Soldier. Lets support them like we support our troops.
Best regards - Ralph Davis

I have been to 4 PBR events in 3 different states. The show is always awesome. The Cowboys have the best sportsmanship then any other professional sport. The unique thing about Bull Riders is, they want to see others win almost as much as they want to win themselves. In no other sport do you ever hear an appoint give his competator tips on being successful.

Hey, I'm a 60 year old woman from Michigan and I LOVE the PBR! I was so disappointed when you didn't make it to the Palace; I saw you the last time you were there and what a great show!
I can't believe with all the other sports they put on that PBR has to fight for this right. Bull riding is the most extreme sport there is, hands down; not only do you have to ride a 2,000 pound mountain (usually with no helmet) but you have to try to dismount and walk out of the arena unhurt. The sports world needs to wake up; bull riding was around before a lot of these fads were started and it will be around long after a lot of them are gone. I wish you and all those great guys that climb down into the chutes week after week all the best.

Dear Ty, thank you for the opportunity to speak about pro bull riders and what makes them elite athletes. I am a 47 divorced mother of three and my youngest daughter hated bull riding but I would not let her deter me from watching it when she lived with me. My daughters are grown and attending college now and I have worked very hard me entire life and was raised in the west on horseback. I know the professional bull riders that we see each week are the absolute toughest athletes on the face of the earth. Ty, you are the greatest athlete that ever competed and I am a fan of everything you have accomplished.
A true athlete has respect for his opponents and these cowboys respect the strength, power and competitiveness of the great bulls that graces the PBR. If I had to explain what it takes to be a bull rider I would say he must be a true cowboy, ( a man true to himself and his values) and in the best possible shape he can be in both mentally and physically. This man must travel throughout the entire country for weeks and months on end and try to ride the rankest, meanest animal man can round up 2 to 4 times a night every weekend. There will be broken bones and blood and prayers that no one dies and thrills and chills and excitement like you've never seen before. I cannot imagine my life without the complete and total excitement those 8 second rides provide! I know you gentle brave men are poets at heart because it does require a certain rhythm with life to be able to ride the wave of wonder that is God's greatest creatures. I know that anyone who sees this sport in person with someone who knows and loves the PBR could not deny the sheer and utter strength that it requires to climb down in that chute. I would be more than happy to help by taking Bryant Gumble or whomever to a PBR event and let them contend with my excitement as well the excitement of the event itself! Thank you so much Ty for your dedication to the PBR, I am grateful your hard work and for the example that you have set. Going through life there are times when all of us need to remember that challenges won't last forever and we should never weaken. Thank you< Leisa

Hi Ty,
I have been watching Bull riding for years. I always talk about it and yes, some people think I am crazy for watching. I feel the riders don''t get the respect they should get. Bull riders ride with broken ribs, pulled groins and they alomst always walk out of the arena. Bull riders are tough and I think if you haven't seen it in person, you have no idea how exciting it is and how brave the riders are. I think you should ask Bryant Gumble to try it one day. Then see if he still thinks it is not a "real" sport! I am looking forward to seeing everyone in Portland ,OR in October.
Thanks.
A true fan, Linnie Owen Portland, OR

Ty,
I'll admit i'm a sports fanatic, i watch football, basketball and hockey faithfully, but i also never miss the PBR on Versus. The cowboys who ride are one of the toughest athletes around. I don't think enough people consider bullriding a sport or give the same credit to the men who are riding at these events who are hurt, but able to perform at the level they do anyway.
Nor do they comprehend the talent and skill it takes to jump on the back of a bull they have never ridden and sometimes never seen before. In the before mentioned sports, they come across their opponents and play against each other many times with hardly the same risk involved to themselves.
I'm from a small Minnesota town where nobody knows what i'm talking about when i mention the PBR and i would love to see these guys get the credit they deserve for being some of the greatest athletes out there and without a guaranteed salary of x amount of money per season.

Ty, if you could get someone like Terry Bradshaw, who is well recognized and is comical, but also is respected, invited to be in the booth or in some capacity, he would be a real winner for the PBR.

I'm sure he knows absolutly nothing about bull riding, but get him interested to come and comment and teach him a few things, he would be a sure winner.

The problem I see is, from being on different boards, if you don't know every little thing about bull riding you are put down. Give us a break, we are trying to learn east of the Mississippi, we do have Mauney and Canter from over here.

Tell the folks don't be so narrow minded and take us in even if we don't know exactly what finger is tied into the knot or the Brazilian rope compared to the American style

I think with Justin being on the Grand Old Oprey and you on Dancing with the Stars, it's a good promotion.

Gal from the east.

Bull riding is definitely a sport! You have two athletes. One weighs 150 lbs., the other weighs close to 2,000 lbs. When you put these two athletes together, you get one amazing event. Cowboys have to be strong, mentally and physically, to go up against an animal athlete that could make or break them. Not only do the cowboys need to be strong, but the bulls need to be strong as well. The stock contractors make sure that their bulls are in the best physical shape to take part in an event. Just like other sports, if the athlete is injured or ill, he doesn't participate until he gets medical clearance. Bulls will not participate if they are not 100%. A stock contractor will not risk the life of his bull or the rider. Bull riding IS a sport! Cowboys are athletes, bulls are athletes, and both deserve the honor of being recognized as such. The bull fighters should also be recognized for their participation in this sport. They have to be quick and ready to jump in when a cowboy is in distress. Bull fighters are pyshically and mentally ready for any and all situations that take place in the arena.

Nowadays "Super Heroes" in the sporting arena comes with padding, helmets, fire suits, Nike endorsed logos and larger than life egos. A team vs team, car against car, player vs player mentality is what the media believes is true grit. This is all fluff in comparison to a Bull Rider who straps himself to a beast that would find pure satisfaction to mangle and destroy his opponent. The bull is not looking for a multi-million dollar contract and could care less if a sponsor has air time. The only thing on his mind is revenge! The Bull Rider only needs 8 seconds to get the job done, how much commercial time can that sell? Those 8 seconds could mean life and death for the rider, if not serious injury and yet week in and week out, injured or not a Bull Rider is open for another ride, without hesitation and not a single word from his lips on the pain he experiences. Maybe one of the sport legends could "Man up" and try their agility on a thousand pound bull and then respect would be awarded to the PBR!

I think bull riding is amazing! The cowboys are athletes just like football, baseball, basketball players. I can't understand anyone ever thinking it isn't a sport. It takes guts, strength. intelligence and the love of the sport to be a bullrider. I make it a point to watch every event on versus. I won't miss one show! I love bull riding! They are amazing Cowboys and bulls. The bull are even athletes. The PBR is the best. Don't ever stop doing it!

Having been a PBR fan for many years now one of the things that has always stood out to me about the bull-riders is their lack of whining about such things as pay and contracts. They know that whether they succeed or not is totatlly in their hands. It is not up to some agent to negotiate some sweetheart deal for them. I have yet to see a national news story about ANY bull-rider being convicted of illicit drug use, abuse of animals, or abuse of their families, says something about character. I wish more athletes had such a "clean" image without needing an agent and PR team. GO COWBOY NATION !!!!

Ty: Had to further my point, since i became a fan i don't stop talking about the PBR, I have been to las vegas the last two years. Every year i bring back PBR shirts for everyone in the office. There is not a week that doesn't go by that I don't talk about the PBR. I have the PBR site on my computer and show people at work different aspects of the site. I have converted alot of people to watching it on tv. I have relatives and friends calling me from different states during the televised events and we are talking about the rides over the phone as we are watching tv. I enjoyed your Celebrity Bull Riding Show. I truly opened my eyes as to what it takes to do this great sport. I can't believe the world can't see the following the PBR HAs by the response you received on Dancing with the STars. WHile the program was running there was a news article on the internet talking about the competition and they wrote something negative how you danced. I want nuts, and wrote that newspaper and let them have it with both barrles. You the PBR stands for what everyone should hope to be, which is courtesy, helpful, professional, friendly. You and the PBR should be the poster for all americans. You help everyone out and care for each other. Your love for the fellow man and GOd is so amazing. Keep it up.

i love bull riders they are very interesting guys and the sport is very addictive when you watch it live your hooked.it's pure excitement,i can't believe some people don't know what the PBR is.i've been a team pbr member for four years and i try to make it to as many events as possible.

Anyone who doesn't think bullriding is a sport, has not been around bullriding. These boys/men have to be very athletic to participate in this competition. And, they are competing not only with each other but, the bull they draw...talk about sport! I am as excited to attend a Spurs game as I am a Bullridng event...I just wish we had more in San Antonio. I purchased my tickets for the August event as soon as I was informed of the date. Bullriding takes expertise and athleticism as much as many other sports and should be available for us to access just as any other sport. I've met many of these cowboys due to sponsoring a meal for them at the San Antonio Stockshow and Rodeo and, understand the level of difficulty in this chosen career. I pray this mission will be accomplished. Thank you for hearing me, Debi Welch

hi ty, the typical sports that attracts fans in this country have been around for about 100 years, i.e., baseball. people are drawn weekly to baseball, football, basketball, etc, but when it comes to bull riding the fan base is limited. i am not sure our fan base is low because bull riding is not considered a sport; more, i think that bull riding is not considered a mainstream sport simply because it is not telecast on channels that people generally turn to to watch a sporting event.
those of us who know and love bull riding, along with other rodeo sporting events, seek out those segments because we were either raised with them, or because at some point, we were simply astounded at the athleticism and concentration it takes for our riders to stay on a bull, or even have the courage to get in the chutes. look how many major sport images have gotten involved in owning bulls --- chad pennington, for instance, or larry the cable guy; i don't think that chad pennington would have ever gotten involved in the sport if at some point someone didn't point it out to him, and he WATCHED IT; someone brought it to his attention, and he was astounded at the physical, mental and emotional strength that bull riders and cowboys have always had to rely on. we are of a different breed, not just in it for the money, but for the love of the sport. i really think that if we can get bull riding associated with other broadcasting channels besides Versus and NBC people will come to realize just how special our bull riders are -- what they are made of, and why they do what they do. thanks ty for the opportunity to voice my opinion.

My husband and I have been fans for approximately four years. We try not to miss a broadcast, and work to attend Built Ford Tough events in our geographic area. This year we will attend out second Finals weekend in Vegas.

We so appreciate the elite competitors, both rider and bull. What other sport's competitor literally places their life on the line each time they enter the chute?
What other athlete so graciously spends time after events to meet the crowd, sign autographs, just say hello to the crowd? What other sport's athletes so consistently avoid complaints, cheap shot comments,
personal demands.....their is no ego visible in this sport.
Despite the fact it is primarily an individual sport competition, it appears the riders help and support each other as needed, without question, in the cowboy way.

A point to emphasize is the fact that, despite the rigor and danger inherent in the sport, they don't get paid unless they ride and win.

I hope you are successful in your push to publicize and enlarge this sport. You all have done such a marvelous job to date. Kudos!

Bull riders are elite and extraordinary athletes in my mind because bullriding is one of those rare sports that not anyone (actually very few) can do. In no way I mean to offend any other sport, but we all can shoot baskets, ice skate, ride a bike or run on track (although most of us look ridiculous doing it) but there is not a chance someone can be a leisurely bullrider (except J.W when he is 90).

Quote: “what makes bull riders elite athletes, as well as what makes the PBR such a great sport.” Unquote.

I always tell people that these bull riders ride the best stock in the world. Plus, these guys are "true" athletes and they ride whether they are hurt or not. No one ever hears about athletes in other sports playing with a collasped lung, broken legs, etc. But, in this sport they do it all of the time. People may call them crazy, but they are doing what they love to do. I wish this sport received better coverage than they do. It rates right up there with all of the other American sports.

Thank You for all you do for this sport and have done in the past. It is men like you that is breaking the trend and getting this sport noticed.

We & many of our PBR loving friends are very frustrated because we have not been able to see PBR on Canadian TV since Dec/08. My relations in England get to watch it but we can't. We have sent many e-mails to OLN & TSN & get no response at all. We have also contacted our satellite server, Bell Express-Vu & our cable server, Rogers, Canada & never get an answer from either one.
We believe that Bull Riding is the only truly honest sport left. Drugs aren't a performance factor because no one can predict how the bulls will perform. The sport is man against a well cared for animal that is in no way hurt, in fact all animals should be treated as well as these ones are. We root for the bulls as often as the riders. A live PBR event is a magnificent show, far better staged than many of the concerts we have attended. We hope you are able to get on main line TV on a regular basis so that if you are not able to resolve the Canadian TV problem then we will at least get so see it on US TV. Good luck & yes we all watched Ty on Dancing With the Stars even though we never liked that show.
Best wishes for success in your quest for your due respect.

Ty, I don't know if the first blog I sent reached you. Watching the PBR is truly the ultimate for the fans. The riders are athletes for sure. If they weren't they couldn't tolerate one ride, let alone the schedule they keep to be at all of the events. I discovered the PBR four years ago by accident surfing channels. Once I found the PBR, I won't miss any telecast. I've been to two events as well as to the world finals in 2007, and I've had my ticket for next October's Mohegan Sun Event for months. What makes the PBR stand apart and above other sports is the great bunch of guys who put it together and who run it now. And equally as important are the riders. When they are interviewed their true selves are shown. They are honest, genuine and respectful. When I'm at an event or watching at home what the PBR does for me is to make me feel like I am a part of everything and that I belong to the PBR. I talk about the PBR with everyone and they initially thought it was so out of character for me. But, I share what a wonderful experience the PBR is and how great the guys are and how they are not like other athletes who keep their distance. I tell them how at the last Mohegan Sun event when I asked Renato and then Guilllherme for a photo, they insisted that I get in the photo as well. These are true "cowboy" gentleman. Ty, thank you for the PBR and thanks for everything you do with the fans in mind, Ray C

Ty,

Being a former bull rider, it is disheartening that bull riding and rodeo do not get the respect they deserve as professional sports, along with the athletes that spend a large portion of their lives pursuing it as a career. The 1847 diaries of traveling Irish military captain Mayne Reid provide perhaps the earliest rodeo documentation of vaqueros roping and throwing steers in the streets of Santa Fe, New Mexico Territory. The first recorded “baseball” game in the United States was in 1846 and football wasn’t invented until 1876, making rodeo as old as any other sport played in the US. Rodeo and bull riding define this country, and are a link to our past. What kid hasn’t grown up wanting to be a cowboy?

Bull riding and rodeo have come a long way from their very humble beginnings, to where they are today. There are Bull riders and other rodeo athletes making hundreds of thousands of dollars a year rodeoing for a living. What makes these individuals elite athletes is their ability to focus on their task, even though their life is in serious danger. They don’t have weeks or days to prepare to face their opponent, they literally have only minutes, or even seconds, to prepare for their 2,000 pound adversary. These athletes also have to “pay to play”; paying entry fees to participate, along with travel expenses to get there. The only way they can get any money is if they can do well against the animal they have “drawn”. You see, it isn’t man against man, it is man versus beast. Also, these rodeo athletes compete with injuries that would have any other athlete sitting on the sidelines. For example, Tom Brady missed all of last season with an ACL tear. In 2004, Justin McBride competed at the PBR World Finals with 2 rods and 9 pins in his fractured ankle. For bull riders, if they do not compete, they have no chance of making any money, while most other professional athletes get paid to sit on the sidelines.

Also, I feel that the athletes of the PBR are some of the best athlete role models there are. They prove that hard work, dedication, and faith can help you reach your goals. These athletes also do not look or act like many of the athletes that seem to make the headlines for doing all sorts of bad things. Plaxico Burress for felony gun charges, Michael Vick for dog fighting, Manny Ramirez for steroid use, and to many more to mention. In all my years of watching the PBR, the worst I have heard of was a rider being banned for bumping a judge and an individual being fined for throwing his mask at a bull (Kasey Hayes). These bull riders are humble and realize that it is the fan that buys the ticket that makes their dreams come true.

Obviously the public sees bull riding as a sport and its athletes as elite. While attendance is down across the board for other professional sports, the PBR is enjoying growth, even in this slow economy. These journalists don't like to cover the PBR because there is no "dirt" to report. There is no trash talking, no fighting at the weigh in, bean balls, face mask pulling, or ear biting. To them, there is no news to report. These are the individuals that watch bull riding for the wrecks, not the Chris Shivers ride on Dillinger for 96.5 points, not for Michael Gaffney needing to cover all five bulls at the Finals to win a World Championship (and doing it), or Justin McBride riding Scene of the Crash for $200,000.

Keep up the battle. As bull riding continues to grow, more and more people will understand. All that we (bullriders and fans) can do is educate as many people as we can.

A.J.

bull riding is the ultimate sport. riders have to pay their own way to competitions. dont get paid unless they win. they also act their age for the most part. this cannot be said of baseball, football, hockey, or basketball.

What makes bull riders elite athletes? Bull riders must be physically tough. They ride with all sorts of injuries; be it a torn bicep, a broken foot, a messed-up shoulder, broken ribs or anything else they’ll do whatever it takes. Also the riders must be mentally tough. They watch a fellow rider get knocked out and then moments later have to go ride a bull themselves. Another thing that makes bull riders elite is that they cheer each other on and congratulate one another. Unfortunately you don’t see this in other sports.
What makes the PBR such a great sport? Well there are many, many different things that make the PBR such a great sport. Among these are the fact that the PBR is very fan friendly, it’s exciting and enjoyable to watch, and is family friendly.
The PBR is very fan friendly. Fans can meet their favorite riders at the meet-n-greets across the country throughout the year and ask them questions. And if they stick around after the events fans can get autographs from some of the riders. With other professional sports like baseball or football the players don’t interact with the fans like the bull riders of the PBR do.
What else makes the PBR such a great sport? It’s exciting and enjoyable to watch! The element of danger is entirely different than in most sports. In the PBR you can have a rider who’s cracking jokes one minute and laying in the arena unconscious the next. There are absolutely zero riders who do it for the money. All the bull riders do it because they love it. And it’s very enjoyable to watch people who are doing what they love.
The PBR is exceptional in that it is family friendly. Flint puts on a great show with clean jokes appropriate for all ages. Also the PBR brings families together. Lots of times mom goes and does this, dad does that, while the kids do something entirely different. But the PBR is something everybody can have fun doing together as a family.

Ty, hope this is what you were looking for.

Ty, I was in a court in Vermont awhile ago and there was a tv crew from a local station. I asked them why they didn't cover the PBR. The reporter asked me what that was. I was so ANGRY! I said to her. It is the toughest sport on dirt and you don't know what it is!! So I too get where you are coming from.I have been following bullriding since the Tuff Hedeman days.

My wife and I love the PBR. She is a little sad because she can't see Adraino as much - she'll get over it! HA. Keep up the great work. CB4EVR....

Ty, What makes bull riders elite athletes is the fact that they can ride bulls day after day after day. Your body has to be in top shape to take the abuse these men take. No sport out there requires the body to take the beatings like PBR. Not even football. Or this extreme fighting even. Two men in a cage beating each other up is not a sport to me, it's a brawl! The men of the PBR take stomps in the chest, and horns to the face from these massive bulls and get up and walk out of the arena. Show me any other athlete in any sport that can do this on a regular basis. I been watching bullriding since I was a little girl. It was something my dad and I did. I lost my dad to a stroke, but when I am watching the PBR I feel close to him. I recenty went to see the PBR in Roanoke Va. It was the first time they been in my area. I'm not rich, but I did pay $100.00 for a front row seat. Drove 120 miles to the arena, and did this alone, which is very unlike me. That's how much I like the SPORT. And met several of the riders, including adreano's little brother. these guys stayed around, signed autographs till everyone had been seen. They really love their fans. And the fans feel this, and this is the reason that the PBR is such a great sport. Also the bulls, Don't forget that they are athletes in themselves. And to watch the 8 second dance between these two athletes is exciting and breathless to the fan. I will always watch the PBR and go to any event that comes close to me. Thanks for being such a great and exciting sport.

What makes bull riding a GREAT sport? well, for two reason's the riders and the bulls
the riders have to be in great shape mentally and physically to get on a 2 thousand pound plus bull. You have to know where your head is at at all times, you have to figure out what the bull is going to do or go for those 8 seconds. The strength the rider possess is like no other sport because they are being challenged by a great force they are sitting on.

For me I view it as clean fun, I know riders get hurt in the process but the sport as a whole is great, you see families, friends come together to root on their favorite rider or in my husbands case his favorite bull. I think that it's also a big part of the American history of the wild west.

So like in any other sport like football, baseball, people come together as well to hope their favorite team wins or in NASCAR their driver wins, this is no different, and I don't understand how the "sports" world can't see that.

They might think it's crazy and not a sport because they can't handle or even try to grasp how to achieve this themselves, maybe is jealousy and their ignorance.
Most of the announcers have played a ball sport so that is what they know, they might be afraid of something they don't know and that is the level of not understanding.

Well that's my two cents on the matter and I hope that the rest of the sports world opens it's eyes to this awesome sport of Bull riding!

Ty, I am an avid fan of Bull riding I am 67 years of age and a female but I promote bull riding every where I go. I have called all the TV stations and have litterly scolded them for the fact that the finals for the pbr are never mention that they are never covered. It makes me angry I would love to attend the finals but unfortunately I do not have the means to do so. That would be a dream come true. I applaude you for doing the dancing of the stars. You and the PBR got a lot of recognition. I do not miss a event. I I know all the bullriders by name and of course I have my favorites. But I love them all. I know most of the bulls by name also. they are also th athletes. Thanks to all the Bull riders and sponsers for the events on tv and Versus. Thanks again Betty

Hi Ty
I sent out a buch of e-mails to my family and friends, they are all P.B.R. fans. I just hope that we can keep cowboys from becoming a dying breed. I come from the north and there isnt many real cowboys left. i will forward this all over the U.S.--Thanks Ty
Sincerely Becky

Hi Ty,
Well, I sent my e-mails to all the websites you listed and only got back a "form" response. I've lived in Colorado for 30 years and have seen rodeos at the county, state and national level-(just love them)-so exciting. I agree with you that this American sport and cowboy and cowgirl athletes have been so overlooked and hope you have good luck with your presentation. I was thinking that maybe if some of your friends in the sports world sent in e-mails, ESPN might sit up and take notice--name recognition and all that. I know you had a football player and a motorcross guy in your Celebrity Bull Riding show-maybe a letter from them might help. Well, take care and keep up the good work.

Ty,

I believe that to truly appreciate and feel connected to any sport, one has to have a reasonable understanding of the sport. To promote a sport (create interest and gain exposure), one has to be able to quickly educate and inform others of the intricacies, nuances and complexities of the sport.

I would put together a video presentation that briefly includes some of the training techniques used by the riders. You may want to begin with childhood activities like mutton busting, riding barrels and steers. Then include practice bulls, strength training and any other popular methods used by top riders.

The video could also include the importance of the riders balance, agility and physical and mental strength. To convey the importance of these qualities, you may want to discuss common injuries (injury avoidance), streaks, slumps, longevity, success and the ability to adapt and adjust to the varying characteristics of bucking bulls.

I would inform my audience of the characteristics of bucking bulls. To accomplish this I would show and describe those qualities which make a bull difficult to ride. These qualities may include bucking patterns, strength, spin, belly rolls, drop, and movement (vertical, lateral and horizontal).

It does not take an elite athlete to just attempt to ride a bull. However, it does take an elite athlete to ride the bulls of the PBR’s Built Ford Tough Series. This was recently displayed as J.W. Hart attempted to ride Cat Man Do. I admire the Ironman and all of his accomplishments, but after being away from the Built Ford Tough Series for only ten months, he was no match for Cat Man Do.

The simple answer to the question “What makes a bull rider an elite athlete?” is the ability to ride the elite bulls of the PBR’s Built Ford Tough Series.

As to the question “What makes the PBR a great sport?” That depends on the interests of the individual asked. It may be the rank bulls, the bullfighters, the chance for disaster, the loyal fans, the entertainment (the openings, Flint Rasmussen and the commentators), the value, or the pace. I would suggest that it is the excitement of all of these attributes combined with the character of the riders.

Finally, I believe it is important for the riders to be constantly aware of their conduct. Their conduct can endear them to the fans and loyal fans can be an invaluable asset in the promotion of the sport.

Ty,

I believe that to truly appreciate and feel connected to any sport, one has to have a reasonable understanding of the sport. To promote a sport (create interest and gain exposure), one has to be able to quickly educate and inform others of the intricacies, nuances and complexities of the sport.

I would put together a video presentation that briefly includes some of the training techniques used by the riders. You may want to begin with childhood activities like mutton busting, riding barrels and steers. Then include practice bulls, strength training and any other popular methods used by top riders.

The video could also include the importance of the riders balance, agility and physical and mental strength. To convey the importance of these qualities, you may want to discuss common injuries (injury avoidance), streaks, slumps, longevity, success and the ability to adapt and adjust to the varying characteristics of bucking bulls.

I would inform my audience of the characteristics of bucking bulls. To accomplish this I would show and describe those qualities which make a bull difficult to ride. These qualities may include bucking patterns, strength, spin, belly rolls, drop, and movement (vertical, lateral and horizontal).

It does not take an elite athlete to just attempt to ride a bull. However, it does take an elite athlete to ride the bulls of the PBR’s Built Ford Tough Series. This was recently displayed as J.W. Hart attempted to ride Cat Man Do. I admire the Ironman and all of his accomplishments, but after being away from the Built Ford Tough Series for only ten months, he was no match for Cat Man Do.

The simple answer to the question “What makes a bull rider an elite athlete?” is the ability to ride the elite bulls of the PBR’s Built Ford Tough Series.

As to the question “What makes the PBR a great sport?” That depends on the interests of the individual asked. It may be the rank bulls, the bullfighters, the chance for disaster, the loyal fans, the entertainment (the openings, Flint Rasmussen and the commentators), the value, or the pace. I would suggest that it is the excitement of all of these attributes combined with the character of the riders.

Finally, I believe it is important for the riders to be constantly aware of their conduct. Their conduct can endear them to the fans and loyal fans can be an invaluable asset in the promotion of the sport.

Hey Ty. I have been watching rodeo ever since I was a baby and my dad got me started watching it every time it would come on he would tell me and with I was in a differant room I would crawl into the living room and sit infront of the t.v. and watch it I watch rodeo still even after my dad's death I watch it and I remember him watching it with me signed Becca

Ty,

The reason bull riders are such elite athletes is very simple. Unlike most mainstream sports, where a half-hearted attempt at their skill results in little or no consequences, bull riders make a sincere effort or they do not get paid, they might be injured, or they might be killed. Just as with any other sports, bull riders have a strong desire to compete, a stronger desire to win, and through training and practice, they can become champions. To dismiss bull riding as anything other than a "real sport" is just ridiculous to us fans, but maybe it is ignorance among others. I can't help but believe if more people were exposed to the inner workings of our sport, then they would consider bull riders elite athletes, competing in a legitimate sport. Ty, this is where you are making such a difference for the Western World and it is appreciated. Bull riding is more than just daring guys jumping on bulls. It is about acquiring a skill through practice, training your body to be in the best shape possible, while maintaining a tremendous amount of mental focus and determination. As with any sport, some riders are more naturally talented than others. But, as evidenced by your career, Ty, hard work cannot be discounted in the sport of bull riding. This makes bull riding not only an all-American sport, but a sport that transcends the world and different cultures.

The PBR is such a great organization because it promotes everything I just mentioned, while providing an entertaining atmosphere, for a reasonable price. The TV broadcasts are great, but nothing beats a live show. The excitement is unparalleled by any other sporting event I have attended. I come from a basketball oriented area so I have seen a lot of exciting sporting events. But, nothing has compared in terms of excitement and adrienaline, to when I saw Mike White ride Troubadour at Tulsa, Chris Shivers on Cat Daddy at Tulsa the year before, and Renato Nunez on Chicken on a Chain. Unlike other sports, the PBR keeps old fashioned values alive and if they see a rider getting out of hand, then they actually do something about it. Therefore, it provides great role models for the children of today. The PBR is a wonderful organization, promoting a timeless Western tradition, elite athletes, and an opportunity to make a professional living for anyone who has ever dreamed of getting on the back of a bull.

First of all, I want to thank you, Ty, and all the ATHELETES who compete in the PBR. I am a fairly newcomer to the fan world of PBR. I first got interested in rodeo. Here in New Jersey we have the longest continuos running rodeo in the US, Cowtown rodeo(yes, New Jersey. We,re not all Sopranos). Out of all 7 events, the bull riding caught my eye the most. So when I discovered the PBR, I was in my Glory!
In my opinion, the coiwboys who compete are by all means great athetes. Regular folk who do not appreciate this sport do not understand the strength and stamina needed to survive the full 8. It is not merely holding onto a rope and hoping for the best, but a physical endurance which requires these atheletes to work out and stasy in top physical condition. Put a footballer or basseballer or athelete from any other sport on the back of a bull and they will quickly realize what it means to be a cowboy and a pro athelete!
There is, in mjy belief, a mutual respect between the cowboy and the bull. The cowboy knows what his job is, to keep his hand in the rope until the 8. On the opposite end, the bull also knows his job, to rid himself of that cowboy as quickly as possible! And if you don't believe that the bull knows his job, just look into the bulls eyes while he is being mounted in the chute! That look tells you thet the bull is not here to play games, but to compete in this sport! And what a sport it is!

Wow! Are you kidding? Cowboys that ride bulls are the strongest, quickest and part of a group of people that are dedicated to the sport that they love so much. I would rather watch the PBR any day than watch football basketball or baseball. The bull rider along with the sport is great! As the bull and the riderare in the gate each ride is different and that adds to the excitement. You watch as that rider trys to stay on for just 8 seconds. for a rider that is forever, no other sport can do that. The cowboy is part of our history and the things that these young kids do is outstanding the amount of training and practice that they go trhough is far more then any sport viewed on ESPN.

Ty, here is my entry. It is titled

IF NOT NOW, THEN WHEN?

The big day is finally here. I’ve had my tickets for months. I just paid for parking, I’ve got my peanuts and soda and I’m excited to find my seats are in a good spot. My husband, son and I talked about this sporting event and our favorite competitors for most of the morning. Today I will get to watch my favorite sport up close and personal.

I am thrilled to be in the stadium. In just a few minutes highly skilled athletes, physically and mentally prepared to face the rigors of being pitted against worthy opponents-- adversaries, competing not only against each other but the unforgiving time clock as well. Each knowing that a win today would bring them ever closer to the ultimate prize—to own the title of “Champion”. To take home the trophy, prize money, fame and glory. To achieve such a hard-fought victory after such a grueling season.

The stadium is filled to capacity with fans of all ages, backgrounds and occupations. Thousands of people who, for the next two hours, will share one common experience; one common passion. I look out into the sea of people; some studying their programs, some clutching their treasured autographed photos they just happily received from their favorite athlete. I see kids with their popcorn and action figures and athlete cards anxiously awaiting their hero’s arrival. The room is abuzz with snippets of conversations speculating final scores, competitor’s advantages, strategies, and injuries.

Sounds as if a great baseball game is about to begin, doesn’t it? No, it’s not a baseball game. Maybe you thought I was attending a football game? No, wrong again. Perhaps after reading about my sporting event you thought I was at a basketball game. No, not even close. Well then how about hockey? No, sorry wrong again.

My sport is Professional Bull Riding.

The dirt in my sport is not ground cover for running bases or pitching a ball. The dirt in my sport is what a 2,000 pound bull’s opponent is “wearing” when the beast throws him to the ground and wins the round. And, there is never a steroid scandal.

Unlike football, when my athletes compete they are not wearing heavy padding when they make body contact with their opponents. The bull athletes are wearing only their size and brute strength and the riders who face them don’t just tackle their opposition and run---they hold on, strapped to the back of their opponent with just a bull rope and a great deal of courage. In football opposing players are all about the same size. In my sport bull riders face opponents nearly 10-15 times their own weight. And, there are no “Athlete Arrest of the Week” segments in my sport.




There are no fights in my sport. There is no high-sticking an opponent in the face, tripping him to the ice, smacking his knees, slashing his body or banging his head into the boards. In my sport there is a healthy respect for each opponent. Both rider and bull are considered athletes and are scored accordingly. Riders help one another and each brave effort motivates the next. Bull rider athletes not only give back to the sport, they consider mentoring the young riders as part of their responsibility.

I do watch other sports. My husband of 37 years grew up a fan of the Lakers, Rams, Kings and Yankees. He has over the years educated me to the nuances of the various sports and I enjoy going with him to a baseball game once in a while. I have been to my brother’s football games, and have attended several hockey games with my family. After being exposed to so many sports for so many years-40 to be exact-I just don’t understand why professional bull riders are not considered for ESPY Awards? Because I am a prosecutor it was in my blood to do some research to find out why. The sport of bull riding has been around for 140 years and the Professional Bull Riders Organization has been successfully promoting the sport since it’s inception in 1992. So, what is the hold up?

I thought that the problem might be the fact that mainstream sports writers, television channels, sponsors, investors, and people outside the cowboy culture just did not have the proper exposure to the sport.
What I found was very interesting. The growth of the PBR since its inception has not only been a steady one but an amazing one

I found several articles about the PBR written over the years showing it’s ability to transcend the boundaries of a stereo-typed Cowboy Rodeo, which people have, in the past, translated as more of a “Cowboy Circus” and not a sporting event. I believe the image that sticks in some people’s minds who have not followed the PBR’s progress is one of rodeo clowns and men of the Old West who drink beer and for fun get on the back of bulls. Any person who knows anything about the sport in 2009 knows that antiquated image is an untruth.

As far as sponsors go the PBR has an impressive profile. The PBR sponsors include Spire Capital Partners, ford, Wrangler, Jack Daniel’s Copenhagen Bull Riding, Dickies, Enterprise Rent-A-Car to name a few. All-in-all the PBR has 30 official sponsors.

Regarding sponsors I noted the following interest from the press over the past few years:

TIME written by Sean Gregory Sept. 18, 2006:

“Sponsorship revenue has nearly tripled since 2000, to $22.5 million.”


Denver.yourhub Denver Stories—Bull riding Breaks Out of the rodeo Chute.
Written by Kelly Holman 3/23/07

“All of the sponsors we talked with called it the next NSCAR, says Richard Patterson, a Spire Capital partner. ‘It’s got similar demographics and a very passionate fan base’ he added.

THE NEW YORK TIMES Written by Claire Atkinson Dec. 11, 2007

“The popularity of the sport has many media and marketing executives salivating.” “Professional Bull riders has a great story; it has live attendance growth. The number of events and TV viewers have both been growing every year,’ said David Abrutyn, a senior vice-president at IMG Consulting, who puts advertisers together with established and emerging sports franchises.’ “Mr. Abrutyn said that bull riding did not make the consideration list for most marketers two years ago, but now is viewed as hot property, in part because advertisers are looking for live sports events that people will watch.”

“Spire Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in New York, also sees big potential: it bought a majority stake in Professional Bull riders in April…..’When we did our due diligence on this company, everyone kept telling us this is going to be the new NASCAR,’ said Richard H. Patterson, a partner at Spire Capital…attendance a at live bull riding events has been up 10 percent a year for the last two years, to 1.6 million in 2007.


An article on MSNBC.com SportsBiz-Bull riding goes mainstream. Will Professional Bull riding League become the next big thing?
Written by David Sweet July 2, 2008

“In 1995, sponsorship revenue for PBR totaled $365,000. That has exploded-thanks to Wrangler, U.S. Air force and others—to close to $26 million in 2008…..Allen Montgomery, a vice president of Wrangler said that local stores saw a lift in sales when the national tour reached their location.”



REUTERS—Bull riding taps Red Sox marketers for sponsors. Written by Ben Klayman Jan. 9, 2009.

The professional bull-riding circuit has signed a multiyear deal with the group that owns the Boston Red Sox baseball team to boost Corporate sponsorships, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) said on Friday.”



It seems the corporate world recognizes the PBR as a profitable, mainstream sport with a rabid and increasingly growing fan base.


Speaking of that growing fan base and television coverage; that fact has not gone unnoticed by the press either:

Referring to the New York times article by Claire Atkinson in 2007…”Sean Gleason, chief marketing officer of the PBR said the average income of bull ridings’ television viewer is $67, 000, while those categorized as ‘most avid’ fans at live events had an annual household income of $92,000. More than 20 million people either watched an event or attended one this year compared with 10 million in 2002 he said.”…Professional Bull riders worked with YouTube in July to create an official channel, and in November, when the league’s finals took place in Las Vegas, the channel was YouTube’s fifth most popular.”

Quoting David Sweet and the MSNBC article he wrote in 2008….”During the year of its launch, a little more than 300,000 fans attended PBR events across the nation. Today, that number has more than quintupled. The typical fan who pays $38.40 per ticket on average, is appealing to advertisers.”…Big cities have hopped on. This January, for the second year in a row, PBR held an event in the nation’s media capital at Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York. Tickets sold for up to $195 for each event.”

“Television is another arena where the difference between the early days and today……In 2001, the association struck a deal to make its national debut on NBC…the Sunday after Thanksgiving.” “NBC told Randy Bernard PBR Chief Executive Officer if the event earned a 1.0 rating, PBR would be back on the network….PBR had grabbed a 2.3 rating.”……”.Internationally, PBR earns more than 4,600,000 in rights fees and broadcasts into 85 countries-six years ago, those numbers were, zero and zero.”


REUTERS article written in 2009 also stated that the PBR attracted 1.7 million fans to events last year and more than 100 jillion viewers watched the action on Comcast Corp.’s, Versus, Fox, NBC and ESPN.

Fan base, television viewership and popularity of the PBR was also discussed in a TIME article written by Sean Gregory Sept. 18, 2006

“Bull riding…..has something else going for it: a burgeoning TV audience. On cable channel OLN, bull riding is among the highest-rated shows, handily beating broadcast of NHL hockey games. An NBC broadcast of the PBR finals last year drew more viewers than the average audience for the Stanley Cup finals. And now FOX is on board. After Sunday football games this fall, the network plans to show two PBR events, including a broadcast from the finals in Las Vegas.”

“From 2003 to ’05, the tour’s adult fan base soared 48%, to 18 million, far outpacing the growth NASCAR or any other major sport according to a Scarborough Research.” … The average household income is a healthy $66,000 and 40%women.”



NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC NEWS Facing the Bull: The Most Dangerous Eight Seconds in Sports. Written by Zoltan Istvan Feb. 25, 2004

“Professional bull riding has skyrocketed in popularity in the last ten years. In the early 1900’s, bull riding was still a small, obscure, extreme sport. But the 15-fold increase in yearly professional prize money—from U.S. $650,000 to almost 10 million dollars on the Professional Bull riders tour—and regular national television coverage have raised the profile of bull riding and brought the sport to the masses.”

“NBC Sports covered the Anaheim Open professional bull-riding event, and over a hundred million people are expected to watch televised bull-riding events worldwide in 2004.”

“Bull riding has evolved into an important spectator sport, with fan clubs, Web sites…”

And finally;


FOX NEWS No Bull: Bull Riding Fastest Growing Sport Written by Michael Y. Park Feb. 07, 2006

“In 1998 PBR events has 33,912,988 television viewers. In 2004, that number grew to a whopping 104,277,264. Its growth from 2002 to 2004 alone was 51.83% qualifying bull riding as the fastest-growing sport in America.”

“The latest stats about the in-person audience are just as impressive. In 2004, the PBR had 16,355,000 fans who attended events. In 2005 that number was 18,569,000—a single-year growth of 14 percent. From 2002, that figures risen a jaw-dropping 72 percent…”

“Sean Gallagher, senior vice president of production and development for TLC,….said it’s obvious to anyone who attends an event that the audience for bull riding is burgeoning in all directions……its amazing how many people there are from all walks of life….”


It seems the press is on board with the PBR’s progress in the sponsorship world and are amazed with the figures reflecting strong fan viewership both for live events and television broadcasts.

It has also, not escaped the press world that the PBR has attracted such celebrity investors as Wayne Gretzky, Tommy Lasorda and John Elway.

There has been a movie made about the sport titled “8 Seconds’--there are video games, DVDs of prior events and riders and bull stories-- books written and last but not least the Finals in Las Vegas bring in to that city an additional $32 million in revenue each year That is remarkable.

So, why no recognition for ESPY Awards?

I looked at the list of categories nominated for the award. When I found that a competitive bass fisherman was one of the nominees for Best Outdoor Athlete of 2008 and one of the categories was Best 10 Pin Bowler of the Year I had to ask myself, “If not now, then when? What more could the PBR and sport of bull riding do?

It is an organized sport governed by a set of rules and regulations.
It has over 30 sponsors in the business and corporate world, and celebrity investors who recognize the sport’s potential.
It has a fan base of millions of people from around the world who watch the televised events.
It had 1.5 million people attend the live events last year. People who came from every walk of life to watch the athletic skill and danger that defines the sport of bull riding--to be mesmerized by two opponents countering each other’s strength, talent, heart and drive to win.
And most importantly, tireless executives who strive to continue improving the sport each and every year.

So, I ask you ESPN, If not now, when?

My exposure to bullriding began in 1970 at Cowtown, New Jersey. I worked with a guy associated with the rodeo and therefore was given the chance to ride the bullriders bucking barrel and know some of the riders. Shortly thereafter I moved back to NC and lost touch with the sport except for the occasional TV coverage.
In 2006 I visited my friend in Montana who watched the PBR. When I returned home I ordered second level Direct TV in order to follow the sport. I sometimes watch at 12:00 and 2:00am as I don't have a DVR as yet.
I promote the sport, the riders, and the bulls as often as I have a chance. I did happen to meet a girl in a bank who recognized my PBR t- shirt . We were thrilled to happen upon each other. She was familiar with Jerome Davis events and mentioned that Chris Shivers is her favorite PBR rider.
North Carolinians are begining to appreciate the sport since some of the PBR super stars reside in our state. After following the sport for three years I feel as though I know the riders, the announcers, the officials, the bull fighters, and even the bulls on a personal basis. I believe more would feel this way if bullriding had more exposure and air time.
I am proud to be a fan and hope that more will have the chance to feel the same.

TY, I LOVE THE BULL RIDING. ITS NOT ONLY THE COWBOYS BUT THE BULL ARE ATHLETES TOO. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE MORE ON TV ABOUT IT, BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE DONT CONSIDER IT A SPORT. WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU CALL IT! THE MEDIA NEEDS TO PUT MORE OUT ON IT AND PUT AN END TO ALL THE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS ABOUT BULLRIDING.

TY,
I don't understand the reaction of others either, when I tell someone I am going to a PBR event they don't know what I am talking about, if I tell them I am going to a bull riding event, they think I am going to ride a bull which is extremely laughable if you knew me.

The things I like best about bull riders/PBR is that you are all GENTLEMEN. You treat the fans with respect and you spend time after the events signing autographs and getting out there with the fan base. You treat each other with respect and encourage each other. You treat the bulls with respect, and acknowledge them as atheletes too. It takes a very special person to be a bull rider, not just physical strength. It takes dedication to learn the skills necessary to be the best of the best in this SPORT. You have to be mentally prepared each time you get on the back of a bull, you have to anticipate what the bull might do and be ready.

There is so much more to this SPORT than most people realize. Please keep up the effort to educate "the masses" on bull riding and the PBR.

Thanks,
Rebecca

I have been PBR fan since its early beginnings at "Dos Amigos", in Odessa. When I moved to the Metromess of Texas and got to meet Mr. Hoffman with the Ft Worth Star-Telegram I always talked to him about the lack of coverage by the local media of Rodeo and PBR event. Even the Star-Telegram lacks coverage eventhough FTW prides inself as being the place where the West begins. As you know this area plenty of Rodeo and western event yet the electronic media and newspapers never give any really good coverage if any to these events. Mr. Knocke with the Dallas paper has pretty good column. The area media would rather fill the paper with coverage of BS about the so called elite NFL, NBA or Hockey players in the area. By the way the new Cowboy Stadium in Arlington needs the good smell of a PBR Event. That would be the only time I would pay to go in the place, other then watch Odessa Permian (MOJO) play in it. (I got to work the opening event last Saturday with King George) When I was a kid I recall playing sandlot football pretending to be Walt Garrison or Bob Lily the elite of that time. If I was a kid nowadays I could not think of any role model in the NFL,NBA,NBL. My role model would have to be a PBR Cowboy. Cowboys are just sincere, family orirented and dedicated to their fans. The other folks are more interested in what Jerry Jones thinks of them or how much money I can get next year.

This sport has captured my heart in a way that I never expected, and it was purely by accident. I love this sport and have been watching it for about 15 years. The first time I saw bull riding I was visiting my sister and started flipping the channels on her television and came across bull riding in Mesquite Texas with Donny Gay. I was glued to the television and my sister was stunned and then started laughing because here I am sitting in front of the television yelling “stay on, stay on”!! I was also lucky enough to get to the finals in Vegas the year Chris Shivers won.

These guys are all good friends and ready to help each other at any time. What amazes me is the faith in God these young guys have and aren't afraid to display it openly. I just think they are a really good group of people and a great influence on the younger generation. They never make excuses about a poor performance; they never complain about the judges or say they got a raw deal. They never forget to praise God, at the end of their ride, something which you never see in any other sport. These guys don’t hesitate to show their belief and thanks to the good Lord. They not only try to win for themselves, but if it doesn’t work out they will do what they can to help their competition and to me that is sportsmanship. In what other sport can you have competitors competing against each other to win a top prize, supporting, cheering and congratulating each other regardless of who is winning or who may have bucked off their bulls. While competition is fierce, all the riders look as though they are a big family pulling for everyone else. You never see them sitting out because they broke a finger or pulled a groin muscle, they are there each and every week giving their best. Just recently one of the riders was riding with a cast on his arm, now it that’s not a dedicated sportsman, I don’t know what is.

They are never too busy to meet with fans, sign autographs, or take pictures with their fans. They are down to earth and truly care about the people that cheer them on and not just how much money they are making. All cowboys have a code of ethics and they live as a person should. They know that it takes talent to make it to the BFTS, and they are not afraid to acknowledge that God is a big part in granting the strength, courage and skill that has made them elite in the sport.

The PBR is something that the entire family can go to an event and have a great time without risking bad language and excessive drunkenness by the fans, as the fans live by the code of good ethics as well.

Maybe if the media realized that they are missing a real opportunity by not giving bull riding a chance at being considered a major sport and showing the rest of the world what PBR is all about.

Gumbel, et al perceive the bull-riding event as a mindless daredevil stunt. They recognize the danger of events without recognizing the skills, savvy, and spirit necessary to win. Worse, they miss the drama that culminates whenever the chute is yanked open.

Media production should treat events like a classical Greek three-act drama. Each go-round should begin with information about the characters: the riders and the bulls. Coverage of the Olympics is a good example of introducing the athletes to the audience, including the personal characteristics which brought them to this event. Not only riders, but the bulls should be studied to the same degree. To dismiss them as “if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all” is a huge oversight. Research on both riders and bulls require a substantial library that should be updated regularly.

The struggle to be a champion begins with toddlers riding air-bulls and kids on horseback. Early sports competitions transfer to bull-riding competition, leading to the resumption of a professional career. Where career epiphanies surface, they should be credited.

The climax, of course, today’s draws, affect rankings, prizes, and earnings. Not to be ignored, however, are those less successful, who leave the arenas bruised but enobled in their efforts, spitting out the dirt from the unanticipated landings on the floor of the arena. A long soak in a hotel Jacuzzi will chase the pain before loading the truck for the trip to next week’s site at a coliseum near you.

As for itinerant jocks everywhere, the season will eventually end. Performances will be appraised and documented. Athletes—bulls and riders—will take respite, only to return fresh and undaunted for the next season.

I'd like to add my comments about bull riders being elite athletes. I've been a personal trainer for over 30 years and have worked with every type of athlete, including many professional skiiers, ball players, and rodeo athletes (even horses). Fitness is part of the picture, but balance is the other part. Most people don't realize how fit a person needs to be to maintain balance on the top of a bull. If most people would kneel on top of an exercise ball while maintaining balance, they would soon find out that if every muscle in their back and abs isn't really strong, they'll quickly be bucked off of a perfectly stable ball. The better the balance, the longer the ride.

The reason that some sports shows don't recognize bull riding as a "real sport" is because people like Brian Canter make it look too easy. Just suggest to a skiier that the mountain turn into an avalanche while they ski down, or a tennis player that an earthquake take place on the court during their match. Bull riders not only have a 1,200 + pound, well trained and fit opponent, but he's an avalanche and an earthquake besides!

Bull riding is a real sport Ty. Don't you worry about that.

I love the PBR, it is a sport that I can watch and love every minute of it. This is real it isn't fake, each ride is as exciting as the last. I love it and I wish it was on every day of the year.
Ty keeep up the good work and each rider is his own person and they give their all, when one gets injured I pray for a quick recovery and to get back as soon as possible.

Hey Ty

I think most of the problem is too much ignorance of a sport that has been around forever, and the cowboy in general being a vital part of history-"city folk" for the most part have no idea where there food, drink etc comes from, I mean they may know, but don't really think about how-they see roping a calf and draggin to a fire as horrific acts, when we all know in reality, they need vaccination, cutting, and branding/ear tagging for identification later on in the pasture to table process, so until mentality changes, I'm not sure the powers that be will even consider any rodeo events as a sport-and with shows like what Bryant Gumbel did, it will take alot of PR to reverse the image-maybe someone in PBR can create there own documentary that would air on HBO that shows the whole story of the bull from birth to competition, that way people would get that warm and fuzzy feeling and reverse the image-

Have a great vacation!!

Warren & Wendi 8 20 Ranch, Lampasas TX

Previously an avid basketball, football and baseball fan, I am now strictly a PBR fan, because no other sport compares to it. While surfing cable channels one Saturday night a couple of years ago, I found nothing worth watching. I had passed by the Versus station, where I had taken notice of an interesting looking bull in a chute, so I went back to see what it was all about. I tried not to be interested, but to no avail—I was hooked. I found myself looking forward to the event’s conclusion the following night. I am a 52 year old, college educated, white woman who adores the PBR. My favorites are the bull athletes. They are magnificent, rich in diversity whether in ability, personality or breed. They are extremely intelligent. They are not dumb beasts. Their names are nothing less than intriguing. Most know exactly what to do to, in the least amount of time—8 seconds or less—to get the most talented riders in the world off of their backs.

In what other sport does a trim, fit and strong athlete—the bull rider—work up a massive sweat in 8 seconds or less, usually less? No sport that I can think of. Bull riding pits man against beast—two athletes battling for supremacy in a span of the longest, 8-short seconds one could ever imagine. These riders sit bareback on bulls weighing nearly a ton with nothing more than a bull rope in one hand and spurs on their boots. They ride, they “cover” bulls going nearly vertical, bucking and spinning and then, of course, there is the end of their ride. Seldom do riders leave bulls’ backs by landing on their feet. Rather, 40 of the world’s best forcefully land face first in dirt, while doing their level best to avoid a life-threatening stomping.

In this sport, the rider relies on the limited success of his nemesis to win an event, because the better the bull athlete does, the higher the rider’s score at the end of those exhilarating, 8 seconds. Is bull riding a sport? Indeed it is, if for no other reason than by definition alone. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, a sport involves physical exercise, has a set form and body of rules, all of which bull riding contains. The PBR, however, goes above and beyond definition. Regardless of uninformed opinions or a multitude of definitions, one is hard pressed to dispute that the PBR is not only the “Toughest Sport on Dirt,” it is also “The Toughest Sport on Earth.” God bless the PBR, the bulls, the riders, the stock contractors, the announcers, the sponsors, Dr. Tandy Freeman’s Sports Medicine and last, but not least, PBR fans worldwide.

Previously an avid basketball, football and baseball fan, I am now strictly a PBR fan, because no other sport compares to it. While surfing cable channels one Saturday night a couple of years ago, I found nothing worth watching. I had passed by the Versus station, where I had taken notice of an interesting looking bull in a chute, so I went back to see what it was all about. I tried not to be interested, but to no avail—I was hooked. I found myself looking forward to the event’s conclusion the following night. I am a 52 year old, college educated, white woman who adores the PBR. My favorites are the bull athletes. They are magnificent, rich in diversity whether in ability, personality or breed. They are extremely intelligent. They are not dumb beasts. Their names are nothing less than intriguing. Most know exactly what to do to, in the least amount of time—8 seconds or less—to get the most talented riders in the world off of their backs.

In what other sport does a trim, fit and strong athlete—the bull rider—work up a massive sweat in 8 seconds or less, usually less? No sport that I can think of. Bull riding pits man against beast—two athletes battling for supremacy in a span of the longest, 8-short seconds one could ever imagine. These riders sit bareback on bulls weighing nearly a ton with nothing more than a bull rope in one hand and spurs on their boots. They ride, they “cover” bulls going nearly vertical, bucking and spinning and then, of course, there is the end of their ride. Seldom do riders leave bulls’ backs by landing on their feet. Rather, 40 of the world’s best forcefully land face first in dirt, while doing their level best to avoid a life threatening stomping.

In this sport, the rider relies on the limited success of his nemesis to win an event, because the better the bull athlete does, the higher the rider’s score at the end of those exhilarating 8 seconds. Is bull riding a sport? Indeed it is, if for no other reason than by definition alone. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, a sport involves physical exercise, has a set form and body of rules, all of which bull riding contains. The PBR, however, goes above and beyond definition. Regardless of uninformed opinions or a multitude of definitions, one is hard pressed to dispute that the PBR is not only the “Toughest Sport on Dirt,” it is also “The Toughest Sport on Earth.” God bless the PBR, the bulls, the riders, the stock contractors, the announcers, the sponsors, Dr. Tandy Freeman’s Sports Medicine and last, but not least, PBR fans worldwide.

I took my son to a rodeo at age 2 and he loved the bull riding. So much that age 9 he went to his first bull riding school. He loves the sport and now at age 14 has qualified for his third time for the Wrangler Jr. High School Rodeo Finals. He particpates in 4H Rodeo and has recently joined the Young Guns for the Northern Bull Riding Tour. He loves the sport and when he's not riding, he's watching the bull riding on TV. He also active in other sports in school, but when there's a choice, it's bull riding hands down. My hat's off to all of you that make bull riding the wonderful sport it is. Keep up the good work!!

I am a bull rider, have not been on the caliber that the PBR riders get on, but even the bulls that don't buck as hard or kick as high it still takes the strength and athleticism to stay on. we need balance, strength, endurance. it is the longest 8 seconds of your life. we sweat and use more energy in those 8 seconds out of the chute then a basketball player or football player in a 2 hour game. it is a 1500 lb animal that is wild and does whatever he wants, you have no idea what he is gonna do next. you have to have split second reaction to counter every single move the bull makes. you can see where a ball is thrown, or where a player is coming from. i dont even see how they don't see it as a sport, it is the most dangerous and most physically demanding sport in the world. we attract new viewers all the time, the most viewers all the time. then to get up and run away after getting slammed and pounded into the ground. or to get on a bull the next night after a concussion. football and basketball players take weeks offf after getting knocked out. i just don't see how people look at us like we're crazy when it's what we love to do.

This may seem like a silly question, to some, but what is the adddress we should forward the replys to our letters to?

Just a soldier in the Army looking for directions.

I love the sport of bull riding. My dad was a bull rider on the circuit with Jim Shoulders and Larry Mahan. I've been watching bull riding on TV since it was Bull Riders Only. But, what I DON"T want to see is the sport become just another money-chasing annoyance that is more commercials and products than it is cowboys and bulls. And, it's starting to happen right before our very eyes. I love the fact that the riders are accessible. I love that the sport feels like a family because you get to know who everyone is. I love the fact that these guys are such good examples of what a decent, fun-loving, God-loving man should be. I don't want to see that ruined because someone thinks they can sell something and make more money. It would break my heart.
And, I saw the entire Real Sports segment. I was SO angry afterwards. But, I didn't send an e-mail to ESPN. What would be the point? ESPN and HBO are going to do what they do and they don't have a dog in this fight. I sent an e-mail to the PBR because I felt that Mr. Bernard did not present our case at all well. I received a canned response in return. I'm afraid Real Sports made Mr. Bernard look like a deer in headlights. If you want to play with the"big boys" you'd better be ready to stand your ground and defend who you are IF you believe in what you are doing. If Mr. Bernard does not truly believe in the sport, then let the cowboys do all the talking. This is the ultimate pay-for-performance sport. Hello, MLB, NFL, NHL and NBA.
Last, but not least, helmets should be the cowboys' choice. Cowboys are not stupid, in spite of how Real Sports tried to make Mike White look. Let the cowboys decide.
And, I've said all along the the TV cameras DO NOT need to follow the boys everywhere they go after a ride. Stop trying to "catch" them doing "something" like, for instance, being human.
Git R Done.
dj

Ty,
I was very disappointed with the piece on HBO Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. They did not show the true athleticism of the bull riders and the heart these men have. As you said all they did was focus on the helmet issue and tried to cause controversy between Dr. Tandy and Randy Bernard. They could have done so much to show the sport.

Dear Ty,

I am what you would probably consider a city dweller. I have never farmed (other than tomatoes in our back yard) or ranched. I can ride a horse, but I ride English. I know my way around big city traffic, but I’d be hard pressed to find my way on the range if it didn’t have street signs. However, I go to every PBR event that comes to our city, and I watch it on TV whenever I can, including re-runs at 1:00 a.m.! I believe the sport of bull riding is the most exciting sport going today and here’s why:

•   The action is non-stop, breath-taking, and suspenseful.
•   The athletes are superbly conditioned both physically and mentally.
•   The riders are accessible and down-to-earth. I don’t know of any other sport where you can meet and greet the athletes at any event, take pictures with them, and get autographs with a smile. They are just the best group of guys! Morally, these men are upstanding, honorable, and faith-filled.
•   The medical team that cares for the riders is amazing and cutting edge in sports medicine.
•   The bullfighters are also awesome athletes and always put their own safety behind that of the rider. They are astute in the knowledge of each bull’s personality as well as the rider’s capabilities.
•   The announcers take great pains to address both the novice bull riding spectators as well as those of us who have followed the sport for years. I learn something new every time I watch an event.
•   The camera men follow the action better than a hound dog on a hot trail. You can see detailed action of every aspect of each ride.

You have already done so much to promote this sport, Ty, and I believe that it’s just a matter of time before the PBR will be a mainstream sport with the big TV stations clamoring to have the honor of airing PBR events. And as for me, I will continue to tell my city friends about all the things I love about the PBR.

Ty,

Just to keep you encouraged - I am a member of a Nielsen run survey panel. We are asked to answer surveys on a wide number of topics. One of them we get regularly is what sport events we watch on TV and attend in person, The first one I had to put the PBR in the "Other" column. The second time "Rodeo" was the closest match. Last night I answered this year's survey and I finally had a choice labeled "PBR" So hang in there you are making progress.

My husband and I (who live in Canada) got hooked on the PBR. For years we have watched it on our OLN and have loved it. Now our OLN does not carry it any more and we are having major withdrawl. We take in atleast one event in the USA a year but being retired cannot afford much more.
Even when we could watch the PBR on TV we had a few minor complaints that relate to bullriding being a sport. Many times there would be an ad exactly when our favorite rider was riding or when the best ride of the event occured. This would not happen in any other sport and we were not happy it was happening in the sport that we love best. NBC cut off the final riders in the final event in Vegas one year and we were really miffed about that.
The bullriders are absolutely great atheletes and should be recognized as such.
I think the organization should concentrate on getting the events to the world (we really want it and cannot get it) and not worry about having cruises or other events that don't pertain to bullriding with bullriders. How can people get interested in bullriding if they cannot watch it and who would want to go on a cruise with bullriders if they didn't know what the sport was about and who the riders are.
I know that this doesn't pertain so much to showing that bullriding is a sport but yet it does because if people can't watch the sport they can't get to love it as we did. Now that we can't watch it we are losing interest in the sport as well and so are many other Canadian fans.
Bring the sport of bullriding back to Canada please.

Ty,

I am involved with the horse industry. I ride jumpers and manage a barn for a private school. If I had a penny for every time someone said that horses were not a sport, I'd have may own barn debt free. It amazing me when I hear about a football player that has a hangnail that cannot play for the season but gets paid millions of dollars per season, still gets paid. I do not get versus on my tv , but I do get the CBR. They have a segment on the goings on behind the shuts. They talk about the training the bulls, riders and the bullfighters go thru to do the jobs they do. If more people knew the training aspects of bull riding, and not that bullriders ride with the injuries that they ride with maybe people would take the sport more seriously. Keep up the good fight and congratulations on your success on Dancing with the stars. You went more than the 8 seconds and deserve the gold buckle for that.

Ty - This has been on my mind ever since you appeared on the Regis show. I was gonna stop you in the road or flag you down if we saw you flying over our house, but haven't been home much lately. The reason I was going to say it in person was to not look like I was putting other people down in a public forum, but since I haven't had a chance, here goes:

You are too polite. I'm sure you have been taught from birth not to butt in when other people are talking because that's just the way we are raised. I noticed that you couldn't get a word in edgewise with Regis, and I think it's probably because you will not interrupt when someone is speaking and Regis likes to hear himself talk. People (not all but very many) who grow up in other environments have no problem with interrupting (just watch any news program and see how often they do it). My husband tells me that if I am ever to get to talk in a group, I'm going to have to forget my manners; and I'm not sure, but I think you may need to practice your interrupting skills before you meet with any network bigwigs. Otherwise, they'll pull a "Regis" on you and you'll be too polite to get any input inputted.

i wish people like beth pellandini would keep her opinions about liberal minded people to herself,or blog on fox where closed mindedness is encouraged.

Having grown up with an uncle who was an old time cowboy I grew up with the sport of rodeo and of course bull riding was the most exciting. I covered rodeo and bull riding for radio and newspaper for over 30 years. While getting stories on the local radio wasn't hard since I was the boss, but the only way I got the stories in the newspaper, and I was an editor, was to do them on my own time at home. All the phone calls and trips to watch events were at my expense. I have watched Reece Cates since he began riding bulls since he is from my area.
Until there is someone in the mainstream media that knows bull riding and is a fan, it is going to be hard to get the recognition the sport and the athletes, both cowboys and bulls, deserve.
All of you fans out there who have sent emails to the addresses Ty gave us do not stop with one. Keep after them everyday and hopefully they will eventually get the message.
Also, the sports writers and broadcasters I have known over the years are not going to make an effort to track down cowboys from their areas. The PBR will have to get names and email addresses of the riders home towns and then write the stories, preferably in AP style so they will not have to do anything but copy it from the email. Fans in the hometowns of the riders are going to have to contact their local media outlets and let them know they want to know about the guys from their home towns. Fans will have to do this more than once, basically it is a matter of keeping after the media until they riders get the coverage to "get the fans to stop the calls and letters." I know this from experience. When Denny Flynn was inducted into the Ring of Honor, my story on him was the only one in the state, and the newpaper I worked for at that time is owned by the only state wide paper in Arkansas and they could have picked the story up.
Although steer wrestling is a rodeo event, Benton, Ark. is the home of FF Zans A Baron Jack, or Zan, who was selected as the PRCA/AQHA Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year three years in a row, it was the same. Finally one Little Rock TV station finally did a story on the horse and his owners Jim and Rodney Burks. If another Little Rock station had not had a sportscaster from Texas and new what bull riding and rodeo is all about, there would not have been a story on Bobby Hurley's induction into the PRCA Hall of Fame.
Getting the word out about the accomplishments of the PBR riders and about the bulls doesn't have to come from the PBR headquarters. The PBR has a news release on the website after each event which is very helpful, and with the technology we have today, that could eaisly be accomplished, and the local stories can use information from the news release with that information credited to the PBR in addition to talking to the riders by phone or even by email. I did that for seven years. I stayed at the newspaper a year longer than I should have and took a lot of "Bull" from a new manager who hated anything to do with bull riding, rodeo or ranching. My only regret is I felt like I was letting not only cowboys from Arkansas and the area we covered down, but the riders from around the U.S. and other countries as well.
Fans please keep sending those emails, keep calling local media outlets, even write letters to the editors of your local newspapers but the major papers as well. Send emails to the sports departments of TV stations. Do not give up until they listen. Fans may also get a phone number or email address for the AP bureau in each state and let them know bull riding as well as PRCA rodeo, AQHA events such as cutting and reining are major sports. The PBR riders are not only great athletes, but the kind of sports hero parents want their children to have. Ty, I'm not trying to make you feel old, but you were my son's hero when he was growing up and he will be 25 on June 20. When he was about 8 he had to have his hair cut like Ty Murray and had a large collection of Ty Murray t-shirts that he wore everywhere.
Susan Graham

I agree that rodeo and bull riders are athletes to the extremem level. I have covered rodeo for over 15 years as a journalist and have interviewed and written stories about Ty Murray and Tuff Hedeman and others. I have promoted the sport on radio and in print publications for years.
I have also covered what are considerd to be the Major Sports among sports writers and sports casters and there is one big difference - tobacco sponsors.
The sport will not move into the mainstream of American Sports until they drop Smokeless Tobacco. USSTC is not helping rodeo is hurting them form taking the next step to becoming a legitimate sport in America. TV can't show tobacco ads - so that limits any TV exposure. Kids are looking for role models and how can you invite kids to be fans of rodeo and bull riding when you still advertise products that lead to Cancer and death?

Ty, I think it was Kathy in another comment who mentioned Fox News. I think a quirky fun and perceptive comment to Bill OReilly might get attention too even though it is a news program. He detests folks that are not fair and balanced and his program is rated number one in cable news, drawing more audience than all the main cable news channels combined. Someone like the winner of the buckle or even another fan should be able to come up with something short and sweet and sure to tempt his humor and support.

hey ty hello?...well sorry to ask but i was wonderin if you can give me sum bullriding tips i mean i ride good but how do i get like way better ...how do u train well bye..