Bull Pen 2009 Sep/Oct by FanCorp Publishing

Contents Features 12 Las Vegas Preview 14 MMI Genomics 18 Classic Bulls 2009 44 Who’s Your Daddy? 46 Torres Bros. Bucking Bulls 48 James Ellis 50 Rockin’ F 52 Superstar Spotlight On the Cover: Top Notch Ranch’s Top Notch is making a name for himself on the Classic circuit this year. allen glanville photo

PUBLISHER Christopher Burkhardt VP OF PUBLICATIONS Susan Bedford DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Jeannie Kaiser CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Cody Lambert • Justin McKee Dr. Jonathon Beckett Dr. Gary Warner • Bridget Cook Amy Gardner • Sugar Kuhn Slade Long • Allen Glanville Cindy Gotoski MARKETING DIRECTOR Lisa Marie Swearingen GRAPHICS WRANGLER Cedric Maniquiz PHOTOGRAPHERS Allen Glanville • Andy Watson ABBI’s BULL PEN is published bi-monthly by Fan★Corp Western Lifestyle Publishing

714-434-2579

Columns 6 Bull Pennings 8 Bedford’s BULL-etin/ ABBI Schedule 54 Bull Biz w/Cody Lambert 56 Pro Bull Stats 58 Nutritional News 60 ABBI Junior Breeders 62 Key Comments 64 Ask Dr. Warner

Departments 1o ABBI Benefits 30 Event Recaps

Next Bull Pen: Nov./Dec.

LAS VEGAS RECAP Deadline is Oct. 1

americanbuckingbull.com Bull Pen, FanCorp, USBBA and ABBI are not responsible for opinions or claims made in this issue. www.bullpenmagazine.com September/October 2009

The Stretch Run Has Begun! We have started the final run for all of the year-end ABBI awards and championships that will be handed out in Las Vegas. I’m looking forward to a great Classic Finals, Futurity Championship and an outstanding Wild Card. As we enter the home stretch, people are jockeying for position to get their Classic bulls into one of those top 40 spots to make it to Vegas, and to get points for their futurity bulls to make it. At the beginning of the season it looked like it would come down to Crosswired and Black Pearl for the Classic title. It looked like they were going to dominate and that it’d be hard to knock them off, but now we are starting to see some other bulls step up and make some noise. Top Notch from Edward Martinez is moving up quickly, and Cody Hebert’s Stinger is moving up, too. One of my bulls, Death and Despair, is also in there and won his first Classic. We are seeing a lot of bulls starting to put the heat on Crosswired and Black Pearl. We are taking 40 Classic bulls to the long round on Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas. The bulls are really going to have a chance to step up and see what they are made of. Everybody is counting every penny, and in my opinion it’ll take about $3,000 to qualify your Classic bull for Las Vegas, since we only take them on money—not on points. Some people are now cracking out their 3-year-olds who had been holding them back since the Ardmore Derby, hoping to get them qualified. There are a lot of people looking to get a big paycheck to make it to Las Vegas. I know people are trying to decide what bulls to enter into the Wild Card. The Wild Card is an additional way to make it into the Classic Finals. The Wild Card will pay out $50,000 to the winner and we’ll advance four bulls to join the 40 regular Classic qualifiers in the long round on Nov. 1. It is $1,500 to enter, and I think this is a neat way for any bull that hasn’t qualified through the system to make it to the ABBI Finals. In the Futurity, I’m looking forward to all the great young stars coming out to Las Vegas this year. There has been a lot of interest in the Futurities and I’ve been amazed by how many entries we’ve had—and I’m excited about the quality of the Futurity bulls. I’m also excited about the ABBI Finals Sale! We are going to have some really neat lots added again this year. There will be things in our sale that you just can’t get anywhere else—like live

covers with bulls that are hard to get; Classic bulls ready to go onto the Built Ford Tough Series; and some 3-year old Classic prospects as well as some Futurity prospects. I’m looking forward to a really big sale this year. My second year as ABBI President is winding down and I’ve really enjoyed seeing the growth we’ve experienced during my tenure. I’m so thankful for all the people who have contributed to that, and I’m also proud of what registrations have done this year. At the shareholder’s meeting in Las Vegas, we’ll make some decisions about how to increase the integrity and effectiveness of the registry. I’d love members who have any questions or comments for the next 30 days to drop me a letter so I can share your ideas and comments with the shareholders. If there are rules or things you think we can improve on, I’d like to bring those in front of the shareholders. You hopefully have noticed that we dropped the cost of registration again. It went from $40 to $35 starting July 1. Just to reiterate what I’ve said in the past, please, please, please get on our website and surf around. There is so much useful information on there and it is designed to inform, educate and help you out. Looking forward to hearing from you and I hope to see you in Las Vegas.

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News, Notes & Nods

Big Money, Big Money, No Whammies… With the $10,000 added, the VBBI Fall Spectacular should be…well, SPECTACULAR! If you are entered, make sure you get your video in. Deadline is midnight on September 4. Judging will close on Sept. 11 at midnight.

McKee Strikes a Chord with Flying V

Flying V's Randy Voyles was inspired by last issue's article by Justin McKee. So much so that he took McKee's “call to action” to heart and is determined to help the future of our sport- our youth. “I put on and produce the “Cowboy-U” for kids here in the greater Houston area. It is going on its fourth year now,” explained Voyles. “ I was reading the article composed by Justin McKee in the last Bull VBBI for Babies and Chicks! And in case you’ve been under a rock (or not on the internet), in Pen magazine last where he talked about the value and importance more big VBBI news: There are now events for weanling heifers and of the Junior Futurities, and the impact this particular event has onbulls. The event is now open, and closes Oct. 2. Visit americanbuck- not only his daughter- but his family as well. It really hit home with me ingbull.com and vbbinow.com for more information. (Animals do not and my desire to help kids in general.” So Voyles is now headed in a new direction with “Cowboy-U.” need to be ABBI registered to compete.) The winners will be announced at the Stock Contractor’s Award Banquet in Las Vegas “From this year forward, I’m going to try and help ensure Justin during the PBR and ABBI World Finals. The top 5 videos in each class McKee’s vision gets out there in my geographic area to help the future of the bucking bull industry.” will also be shown at the banquet. At the 4th Annual “Cowboy-U” in February, 2010, Voyles will be focusing New Kid on the Block: just on junior high aged kids. “My goal www. buckingbulltrader.com and intention is this; I will take six boys Check out the new auction site buckingbulltradand six girls and their entire three-day er.com with auction fees starting at just $15 it is journey is sponsored and paid for in full,” geared to be as affordable and as user friendly as explained Voyles. “They will compete for possible. Eric Mietchen, a bucking bull breeder trophy buckles like always as well. But himself, was originally inspired to start the site “to from this point forward I intend to recogsave myself some money on auctions.” He and his nize and award an “Overall Champion” of father Carl are partners in Hanging M Bucking Cowboy-U and present that Overall Bulls. Champion with a very worthy Futurity Bull When Carl, a non-smoker, was diagnosed with of their very own, that they can name as lung cancer Eric moved back home to Durango, Randy Voyles and Roy Carter are teaming up to benefit the ABBI Junior Futurities. they like.” Colo. to be closer to his family. Leaving “bucking Voyles will then register the bull in his bull central” (Oklahoma and Texas), made it even harder for Eric to buy and sell animals. He began to develop his web- and the child’s name and for one full calendar year that child can compete at ABBI Junior Futurity events. “This ensures me more time to site further and realized that he could help other breeders too. “I don’t want or need to be the biggest. I’m just here to help peo- mentor a kid that really wants to know more about what we do. And ple sell their animals. My site is by a breeder, for breeders. I’m just like I just believe in my heart of hearts that I might just help grow and creyou- trying to sell and market my stuff and raise good quality stock.” ate that very vision Justin McKee has of ‘one kid at a time.’" When The website is a one-man operation so Eric doesn’t have much Voyles mentioned his idea to Roy Carter, Carter was so moved by the overhead or a staff to pay. This helps to keep his prices low. “If the idea that he offered to provide a bull too. Thanks to Justin for inspiring others and thanks to all those breeditem finishes between a dollar and $1,000 it is just $15. If it is between ers like Randy Voyles taking his words to heart! $1,000- $2,000 then it is $25. Above $2,000 it is $35,” he explained. “It will take me awhile to develop a following but it is coming along. I’ll From Cow Bells to Wedding Bells sell cattle, horses, Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Toby Lindley! Toby and tractors, a squeeze Kayla tied the knot on August 8. Bull Pen photog Allen chute- people can Glanville was there to catch all the action in an environpretty much put up ment that was (slightly) less wild than an ABBI arena! The anything they need happy couple was wed at the Hog Creek Ranch in Texas. to sell and I’ll do my best to get it sold Another Page for them.” Well not technically if you're talking last names, but You can learn bloodline-wise there's another Page. Congrats to Jason Eric Mietchen more about Eric's and Shawna Sewell on their latest addition—Jett bloodlines and the Michael. Born July 13, Jett joins siblings Marshall and Mietchen family bucking bull operation next Kase, and gives proud grandpa Dillon another ranch Toby and Kayla Lindley issue of the Bull Pen. hand to help out at D&H. get hitched.

September/October 2009 www.bullpenmagazine.com

Tentative

2009 ABBI Event Schedule SUBJECT TO CHANGE Please see americanbuckingbull.com for latest updates and information.

EVENT

DATE

LOCATION

TOUR

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

Feb. 14 March 7 April 4 April 4 April 4 April 24 May 2 May 15-17 May 16 May 16 May 23 May 30 May 30 May 30 June 5-6 June 20 June 20 June 26-27 July 17 July 18 July 31-Aug. 1 Aug. 13 Aug. 20-21 Aug. 21 Aug. 20-21 Aug. 21 Aug. 29 Sept. 11 Sept. 19 Oct. 29 Nov. 1 Nov. 2 Nov. 4 Nov. 5

Oklahoma City, OK Kansas City, MO Stephenville, TX Stephenville, TX Nampa, ID Omaha, NE Weatherford, TX Pueblo, CO Stephenville, TX Stephenville, TX Decatur, TX Ardmore, OK Ardmore, OK Ardmore, OK Elk City, OK Winner, SD Winner, SD Kinder, LA Tulsa, OK Tulsa, OK Weatherford, TX North Platte, NE Sulphur Springs, TX Sulphur Springs, TX Archdale, NC Archdale, NC Stephenville, TX Reno, NV Stephenville, TX Las Vegas

PBR BFTS Classic PBR BFTS Classic Spring Spectacular Futurity Discovery Tour Spring Spect. Classic Buckingstockbroker.com Futurity PBR BFTS Classic Diamond S Bucking Bull Futurity PBR BFTS Classic 4 C’s Discovery Tour Classic 4 C’s Futurity Enterprise Tour J.W. Hart Invitational Classic Junior Futurity American Heritage Futurity American Heritage Derby Justin McBride PBR Challenge Winner Futurity Winner Discovery Tour Classic Classic /Futurity PBR BFTS Classic Junior Futurity Enterprise Tour Classic North Platte Enterprise Classic Enterprise Tour Classic Jr. Futurity Challenger Tour Classic Futurity ABBI American Breeders Cup PBR BFTS Classic (Futurity TBD) 4C’s Futurity Wild Card Classic Long Round Futurity Long Round Futurity Short Round Classic Short Round

UPCOMING ABBI SANCTIONED SALES

August 29 Sept. 19 Sept. 25 & 26 Oct. 3 Nov. 4 Nov. 14 Nov. 28

American Breeder’s Cup Sale Frontier Rodeo Company Production Sale Bucks By Design Mega Genetics Bucking Stock Sale Homestead Genetics 5th Annual Fall Classic Production Sale ABBI World Finals Bull Sale Walker Bucking Stock Production Sale Best of the West Bucking Sale—Russell/Moreno/Kish

For more info visit americanbuckingbull.com www.bullpenmagazine.com September/October 2009

ABBI Member Benefits From your official sponsors: Members receive 6 colorful, educational issues of Bull Pen magazine each year. In addition, members qualify for the special Member Rate when they advertise in Bull Pen, the ABBI Breeders A USBBA Publication Guide or the ABBI Las Vegas Finals program. Bull Pen is the Authority on Breeding, Buying and Bucking Bulls. Big Tex would like to extend a great discount to all ABBI members and PBR riders, stock contractors and bull owners. All you have to do in an e-mail or phone call is mention Big Tex Trailers slogan “Tough As A Texas Longhorn” or “Big Tex 13” for your special discount. Big Tex Trailers has a large selection of new and used trailers available. Horse, stock, utility, cargo, and many other trailers are available at all times, as well as truck beds. Big Tex Trailers takes any type of trailer in on trade and offers financing and a large selection of parts. Mt. Pleasant, Texas. (903) 577-7418 or mitzil@bigtextrailers.com. www.trailersdirect.com or www.bigtextrailers.com. To be the Official Equipment Company of the PBR, Priefert has to prove its equipment is worthy every week! Designed with ultimate

2008 ABBI BOARD OF DIRECTORS General Manager Andee Lamoreaux President Russell Gant V.P. Brad Boyd Jim Bob Nall Randy Bernard Scott Pickens J.W. Hart Cody Lambert Shawn McDermott Ty Murray

ABBI Contact Info: 101 West Riverwalk Pueblo, CO 81003 Phone: 719-242-2747 Fax: 719-242-2746 andee@ americanbuckingbull.com

ABBI SHAREHOLDERS Scott Accomazzo & MoodyRice Cattle Co. David M. Allen Berger Bucking Bulls Diamond S Bucking Bulls & Scott Pickens Dillon & H.D. Page Jerome & Tiffany Davis Bob Diedrich & Jason Diedrich Brad Boyd & Toby Floyd Russell Gant Lyndal Hurst Doug & Stephanie Joseph Don & Janelle Kish Joe Merrick Julio Moreno & Cotton Rosser Jim Bob & Diana Nall Paradise Farms Monty Samford Tony Sharp & Craig Zaunbrecher Kaycee Simpson Bob & Kristen Tallman Thomas Taylor & Nikki Gusel Tom Teague Trevor Walker Cliff Wiggins

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durability and safety for both man and animal, Priefert’s Rough Stock line of bucking chutes, arenas and holding pens not only withstand being tested by the toughest bulls in the world, they must also repeatedly handle being loaded, unloaded and set up for PBR events all across the country. To quote Randy Bernard, “It (Priefert equipment) has never let us down—ever.” Priefert is proud to support the Toughest Sport on Earth and understands the importance of protecting your investment in the next 4legged star of the PBR. Visit www.priefert.com or call 800-5278616. Makers of the Original Blue Bucking Dummy and the “Ultra” Blue Dummy, now the PREFERRED Dummy of the ABBI. Check out the “Little” Blue Dummy, only 14 pounds, for weanlings and yearlings. Little Blue donated three Ultra Blue dummies to benefit the Jr. Futurity at auction. 325-643-5270 Courage is measured in seconds. Many dream about it. For the lucky souls who live it, there’s Wrangler Western Wear.

With more than 30 years of combined experience designing and manufacturing Hydraulic Squeeze Chutes and Working Facilities for Feedlots and Cattle Producers, Cattleac chutes are built with the same heavy material needed for strength and lasting durability. Standard layout, or customize a layout to fit your needs. www.cattleaccattleequip.com Cooper Tires is the official tire sponsor of both the ABBI and the PBR. A fraction of a second really counts in bull riding, and when a fraction of a second is on the line, you can count on Cooper Tires to make a difference. Visit coopertire.com.

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Las Vegas Preview: 2009 $350,000 in first-place money up for grabs!

hether you bet on black, red or brindle, Las Vegas is the place to meet up with Lady Luck this Fall. The ABBI Classic Finals will kick off on Thurs. Oct. 29 with the 2009 Wild Card event. This competition will advance four bulls to meet up with the top 40 Classic qualifiers from the regular season. Those bad bulls will face off against the toughest 40 bull riders in the world (plus the leader from the tours from PBR Australia, PBR Canada, PBR Brazil and PBR Mexico) during the third round of the PBR World Finals on Sunday, Nov. 1. Last year, D&H's Crosswired took the $250,000 prize; Ravenscroft's Black Pearl had to settle for second. Both aniCrosswired mals were just 3-year-olds last season, making their accomMike Lee rides Crossswired. plishments all that much allen glanville photo more impressive. It also set the stage for what could be the ultimate rematch, first place in the 2009 Classic standings belonged to Crosswired until early summer when Black Pearl took over. But the slate is wiped clean in Las Vegas. The animal with the highest score after the long and short round will take the $250,000 first-place money. That means it can literally be any animal's day. Just as Black Pearl came up through the Wild Card system to get a slot in Las Vegas in 2008, there just as easily could be a bull we've yet to see qualify entered in the Wednesday event—and then go on to make it big. After the long go, the top scoring Classic bulls will continue on to the short round on Thurs., Nov. 5. With two televised rounds of the PBR World Finals featuring ABBI bulls, this will be great exposure for our organization and our top buckers. Exposing the breeders and bloodlines of our animals to a television audience of hundreds of thousands of fans should help to drive even more people to our exciting sport—either as partners, investors or aspiring stock contractors. The Futurity action will take place for the first time at the PBR's FanZone at Mandalay Bay. The specially constructed Wrangler University arena will host a variety of competitions (including Mutton Bustin') and by holding the long and short Futurity rounds, a wide audience of people will be exposed to how exciting a 2-year-old with a dummy can be. The long round will be Mon., Nov. 2 followed by a short round on Wed., Nov. 4. Last year's $100,000 champion was Lightning C Cattle Co.'s Copp Hou who had a remarkable two-round performance with a 94.75 and a 91.5. Copp Hou beat the second place bull, the great

September/October 2009 www.bullpenmagazine.com

Terrell 623, by over 6 points. Odds are good the margin of victory won't be as wide this year, and with the unpredictability inherent in "teenage" bulls bucking, it'll be hard to pick out the top contenders until after the long go outside Mandalay Bay. The Wrangler University arena will also host an exhibition by ABBI's junior members. The top two ABBI Junior Futurity bulls from each of the three events (Ardmore, Okla., Tulsa, Okla., and Sulphur Springs, Texas) are invited to come to Las Vegas, giving their junior breeder owners a great opportunity to showcase all that they have accomplished with their fantastic buckers this season. allen glanville photo "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to be a part of the ABBI Finals," shared the big winner of the Junior Futurity system this season, Rex Samford. "It'll be neat to be able to take (my bull) Party All The Time to Las Vegas and to get to share with other people what the ABBI is all about. It'd be cool if what I do inspires other kids to get involved." The ABBI Las Vegas experience is all about getting involved. Whether you Copp Hou attend because you have bulls qualified to compete in the Classic or Futurity, are going to try your chances at the Wild Card, have come to the Finals to learn from and network with other breeders, or just because know how to have a good time-try to experience as many of the great ABBI and PBR events as possible. For those attendees looking to broaden their herd's bloodlines, the ABBI will once again hold their annual sale on November 5. There will also be educational seminars by a series of experts held on Halloween. More details on the ABBI Sale and seminars will be available soon at www.americanbucking bull.com

2009 ABBI Finals Awards

(Classic based upon money; Futurity based upon points) Finals Champion Classic Bull Gist Buckle+ $250,000 Finals Champion Futurity Bull

Gist Buckle + $100,000

Reserve Finals Champion Classic Bull

Gist Buckle

Reserve Finals Champion Futurity Bull

Gist Buckle

Year End Champion Classic Bull

Gist Buckle + $25,000 + trailer

Year End Champion Futurity Bull

Gist Buckle + $10,000 + trailer

Awards continued on page 67…

ABBI Las Vegas Schedule Thursday, October 29: ABBI Wild Card (Thomas & Mack Arena, Top 4 advance to Sunday Long Go) Saturday, October 31: ABBI Seminar (South Point Hotel, watch for additional details) Sunday, November 1: Classic Long Go (PBR World Finals, Round 3, Thomas & Mack Arena) Monday, November 2: Futurity Long Go (Wrangler University Arena, Mandalay Bay) ALSO Monday, November 2: Annual Bull Pen Bash on the Strip- watch for details at bullpenmagazine.com Tuesday, November 3: ABBI Bowling Tournament (South Point Hotel, watch for additional details) Wednesday, November 4: Futurity Short Go (Wrangler University Arena, Mandalay Bay) Thursday, November 5: Classic Short Go (PBR World Finals, Round 4, Thomas & Mack Arena) Thursday, November 5: ABBI Sale (time and place TBD) Special ABBI rates at the South Point are $65 (weekday) and $95 (weekends). Make sure you mention you are an ABBI member when calling.

PBR Performance Schedule: Friday, Saturday, Sunday,

October 30 October 31 November 1

6 PM 6 PM 3 PM

Thursday,

November 5

6 PM

Friday, Saturday, Sunday,

November 6 November 7 November 8

6 PM 6 PM TBA

With ABBI Classic Long Go

With ABBI Classic Short Go

Location:

Thomas & Mack Center 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154

www.bullpenmagazine.com September/October 2009

mmI Genomics:

swimming in samples by Sugar Kuhn with MMI CEO Dr. Dennis Fantin and MMI Senior Manager of Operations Eric Johnston Photos by Bronte Phillips

Blood samples are one thing MMI Genomics is not short on. The two-story, multi-departmental complex in Davis, Calif. receives hundreds and sometimes even thousands of bucking bred cattle blood samples from the ABBI Headquarters each week. In addition, they receive a broad array of samples from clients and registries involved with other species. Their DNA archives are perhaps the most astounding. The amount of cards representing ABBI’s main mission of preserving our bucker’s DNA and heritage is mind-blowing. When the multi-faceted, four-hour tour concluded in the ABBI archives, Dr. Fantin put it best. "As you can see, we are literally swimming in samples around here," said Fantin with a smile. If the amount of samples at MMI doesn’t impress, the detailed method used to log, track and process them certainly will. Dr. Fantin and Eric Johnston took us through the initial steps that all ABBI samples go through once they arrive at MMI and before they can be processed in the lab.

individually examined. "It is verified that each listed sample

from the ABBI electronic import files is represented by an actual sample at this time. If there are extra or missing samples that do not match with the electronic batch then we correspond with ABBI until were can verify everything," conveyed Johnston.

INdIvIdUAl sAMPle loggINg & trAckINg ABBI PreP Work Before MMI receives samples from the ABBI there is a lot that must go on first. Dr. Fantin is quick to point out the amount of effort that ABBI must put out long before they ever receive the actual samples. "First, I want to acknowledge that the work on the samples starts long before they arrive here at MMI. Andee and Zach and the rest of the ABBI staff have all put a lot of time and hard work into preparing them before we receive them here," said Fantin.

MMI BAtch NotIfIcAtIoN froM ABBI Once the samples have been prepared at ABBI, Zack Gunter creates weekly log-in files which are e-mailed to MMI. These electronic files provide detailed information regarding the expected samples that are due to arrive. "On a weekly basis, Zack and the association will e-mail us notifying us about the incoming batch of samples. A batch can consist of hundreds or even thousands of samples per week. ABBI provides us with all the information for each of the samples that will be arriving. Among that information will be each offspring’s registration number and ID or Tag number,the name/ID or registration number for possible dam(s) and sire(s), and MMI’s code number for each new sample that will be received," explained Johnston. This import information is then downloaded into an Import Summary Report. The ABBI then ships the samples that correspond to the electronic files via traceable carrier.

MMI receIves & UNPAcks sAMPles Once MMI receives the actual samples from the ABBI, there are checks and balances that occur as the samples are unpackaged and

September/October 2009 www.bullpenmagazine.com

At this point, each sample is logged into MMI’s Laboratory Information Management System and then each sample is given its corresponding MMI bar code. From that point forward, each sample’s bar code will be read with bar code scanners along the way as it is processed through the various phases of testing. Should a particular case arise that seems to have issues (delete whole middle part about integrity), an Administrative Review is conducted “That would be the first step of any administrative review on our end. We are going to verify that we did indeed affix the correct bar code to the correct sample in cross reference to what we received in the import files that originated from ABBI. All of this information is banked and stored both electronically and physically,” assured Johnston. “This is an absolutely critical aspect of what we do. From this point on, once we put that bar code on that sample, we can track it anywhere throughout our system. We always know where each is at any given moment which provides assurance that the correct results go back to the correct animal’s sample,” affirmed Fantin.

BAr coded sAMPles trANsferred to lAB Once the samples are bar-coded and double-checked for accuracy, they are then transferred to the laboratory where they begin their real journey. Tune in next issue when we begin to explore the various lab phases involved in parentage verification. A huge thank you to Dr. Fantin, Eric Johnson and all the staff at MMI for graciously inviting us on a very thorough tour of their facilities and in-depth discussions about the DNA parentage verification process, as well as future technology on the horizon.

Continued next page…

mmI Genomics, con’t.

types of testing PAreNt verIfIcAtIoN: With parentage testing, MMI follows the same criteria used for human parentage verification. Parentage Verification cases have one offspring and two reported parents. Because they are dealing with a single sire and single dam, these are called parent verify cases or DNA certifying. The majority of ABBI cases begin and end as parentage verification cases. When people keep good records, this type of case is usually very straight forward.

PAreNtAge resolUtIoN or dIscovery: Parent discovery or resolution cases are situations where there is a large group of offspring with hundreds or even thousands of potential parents. These cases are much more complicated particularly in species where line breeding has been implemented. Although these cases are much more challenging, MMI still has the ability in the lab to perform testing with marker sets that will resolve virtually all parentage. While there may still be a few cases in which parents can not be found, MMI stands by the results of their findings that are then provided back to their clients, in this case ABBI and its membership. “We have tested hundreds and hundreds of thousands of cases across multiple species. Because of our experience, we also have knowledge with these kind of challenges. As a lab we are very open minded because of this experience and know that errors can occur.

They can occur at any level that humans are involved. We always offer the opportunity of re-submission to re-check our work. That’s the great part about DNA—it’s black and white; it’s definitive," explained Johnston before continuing. "We have 12 years of working with these particular marker sets. The primary panel that we are using is an international standard its not just our laboratory, it’s the panel used all around the world. It has been validated that these particular markers are very stable. Understanding this places a great deal of responsibility on the breeder and the actual sampling process. While at MMI Fantin and Johnston assembled a set of blood cards. This set of cards demonstrates the range of sample quality that is often received by MMI from breeders. In closing, Dr. Fantin again detailed what the breeder can do to provide the best sample possible. "The most important thing is for people to use good sampling technique and common sense. Over-saturation of the blood card usually leads to problems with analysis. Likewise, too little or even no recognizable blood for sampling is also a frequent problem. The best sample contains a single spot of blood about the size of a nickel."

September/October 2009 www.bullpenmagazine.com

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classic Tearing up the turf in an arena near you!

September/October 2009

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Bulls Photos by Allen Glanville

A-TC 511 Baby Blue in Kinder, La. B-Red Dirt Road in Kinder, La. C-61 Judas Kiss in Decatur, Texas D-509 Twisted Aces inKansas City, Mo. E- Click-Click Boom in Kansas City, Mo. F-J21 Blanco Diablo in Kinder, La. G-405 Rouge in S'ville, Texas H- 572 Down Time in Decatur, Texas www.bullpenmagazine.com I- T65 Snot Slinger in S'ville, Texas

September/October 2009

9 0 0 2

classic Bulls Down the Home stretch!

p a c Re

It's been a rapid ride into the final chapter of arguably the most page turning season in ABBI Classic history. With each passing event, stand-outs seem more competent and a new-comer or two cracks into the top 15. There're only 44 Classic qualifier spots, including Wild Card Qualifiers, up for grabs this year since the rider number was cut to the top 40 bull riders for the World Finals. With 5 less positions available, it looks like the fight is fixin' to get downright furious. Recap by Sugar Kuhn â&#x20AC;˘ Photos by Allen Glanville

it'sOoK!

Oklahoma City, Okla. Looking back to the first event of the season, there are two bulls that have been going at it since last year. In February at Oklahoma City Black Pearl and Crosswired once again locked horns in a fierce battle for the win. On prime time TV, Crosswired squeaked into first with his 91 point out. The effort yielded an $11,000 payday for owners D&H and Cliff Wiggins. Although Crosswired jumped to the lead in the standings at the season opener, he must be tired of Ravenscroft/Boyd/Floyd's Black Pearl nipping at his heels. With a 90.75 marking the Pearl was as close as it gets to matching the winner and solidified an early push into the season. Boyd-Floyd & XS Ranch bull Heebee Geebee's 89.75 was good enough to grab third, while Red Dirt Road of Diamond S demanded fourth. Brent Bullard's shining star Range War fired off an 88.5 to match Cliff Wiggins' bucker Mr. Hyde, and More Bucks from the Jaynes Gang/Peterson/Mansour/Langhams/Nelson/Teague. Diamond S had a hitter with Mission Accomplished who shared eighth and ninth with Deja Blu from Teague Bucking Bulls. Rounding out the pay card was BHR Ranch/Gene Baker's Last Call and Wes Gross/R&G's Restless Heart. Bulls with other noteworthy outs were, Life Sentence, Class 6 Kat, Click Click Boom, West Coast Cowboy and Baby Blue.

Kansas city, Here we come!

Black Pearl 40250 Black Pearl, owned by Ravenscroft/Boyd-Floyd, earned second place at the ABBI World Finals in Las Vegas in 2008.

Kansas City, Mo.

Just when we thought we couldn't wait any longer for the next competition, Kansas City rolled around at the beginning of March. Even those anticipating Crosswired being back to his old tricks, were wowed by his 93.75 point out which captured another $11,785 for owners D&H/Cliff Wiggins. The win expanded his standings lead and moved him one step closer to being the next World Champion. Boyd-Floyd/XS Ranch's consistent contender Heebee Geebee was still in the groove and put up a 90.50 for a second place finish while CG Rodeo's Twisted Aces and Bryan Smith's Neon Ghost shared a third place finish with 89.25 point marks. Brent Bullard's Range War was back, too mirroring H&D/Huff's bucker Chick'N Fried's posting of 88.25. Chumley-Long Cattle Co. bull, Bring It, did. Right into the seventh place spot while Kooper Branum & Gene Baker's I'll Make Ya Famous and Good Time Charley from D&H/Buck/Watts tied for eighth. Black Pearl to the surprise of many, lacked his usual fire, nonetheless managed to tie Lucky from C&G Rodeo & M. Simpson for the tenth place spot.

September/October 2009

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Crosswired D&H Cattle Co./ Cliff Hicksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; HP10-5 Crosswired won the ABBI Classic Finals and $250,000 in 2008. (Rider: J.B. Mauney)

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classic Bulls stampede to s'ville! Stephenville, Texas

A month later the herd thundered into Stephenville for the Spring Spectacular and a double duel. Ace of Spades/Moody-Rice/Lonestar shook things up when their bull 911 Ground Zero posted the highest score of the event, a 90. He took home over $7,000. Hebert Bucking Bulls bovine Red Bone ended up second overall with 89.25 and took home over $4,000. Top Notch Ranch's Mr. Juicey son Top Notch had an impressive showing amid some heavy competition with a 88.75 yielding over $3,000. Circle T's bull Fat Lip fought his way into fourth with D&H's Fired Up and Lyndal Hurst & Bubba Terrell's mighty bull Unicorn, each with an 88.50. Boyd-Floyd & Mendell's Bomb Doctor and D&H/Anderson's Down Time shadowed each other's score with 87.75s and bagged a little under $1,500 ahead of Overstreet from Strickland/Tilley & Whitehead, Palms Springs from Ryan Corta & The Jaynes Gang, Slider from Flying D and Ice T&D from Rafter HB, all with 87.5 from the judges.

Ground Zero 911 Ground Zero owned by Ace of Spades/Moody-Rice/Lonestar bucks at the ABBI Classic in Decarur, Texas. (Rider: L.J. Jenkins)

on to cornhusker country! Omaha, Neb.

At the end of April, D&H and Cliff Wiggins' electric bull Crosswired produced more than a fantastic photo of Brian Canter losing the battle of man against beast. His 91.5 point out in Omaha gave him his third $11,000 payday. But guess who was back breathing down his neck? Black Pearl got over the sea legs that slowed him down in KC with a stellar 90.25 point trip, and Top Notch from the Top Notch Ranch was back in the hunt for a third place finish and 89.5 point marking. Braithwaite Ranches bull Douple Dippin' won nearly $4,000 for his 88.75 point effort and Circle T's Fat Lip put up a fight for 88.5 points and a $3,300 check. Sixth place finisher More Bucks from Peterson/Mansour/Lanhams/Nelson/Teague and The Jaynes Gang posted an 87.75, and Good Time Charley from D&H/Buck/Watts took home nearly $2400 with and 87.5. Filling in the top ten were Bomb Doctor from Boyd-Floyd/Mendell, Over the Edge from Lufkin Ranch and Red Bone from Hebert Bucking Bulls.

September/October 2009

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Top Notch

Top Notch Ranchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top Notch is making a name for himself among contenders in the 2009 ABBI Classic competition.

Photos by Allen Glanville

Anyone can nominate any bull to be eligible for these Bonus Bucks. The nomination fee is $300 and must be paid by December 31, 2009. Nominations after December 31 will pay a nomination fee of $1,000 to be eligible for THE EXCLUSIVE GENETICS BONUS BUCKS.

To enter your bull visit the Exclusive Genetics Web site and click the Triple Horn Bonus Bucks icon!

TRIPLE HORN FUTURITIES 1st week of May 2010 - Diamond S Spring Futurity - Weatherford, TX Last week of September 2010 - Bucks By Design Super Saturday Futurity - Orchard, TX 3rd Futurity to be Determined ** ABBI entry fee must be paid to enter into each futurity **

Win one (event) horn of the futurity, and you win $10,000. Win two (events) horns of the futurity, and you receive $10,000 per horn won plus a $10,000 bonus for winning two. Win all three horns of the futurity, and you win $10,000 per horn won plus a ONE MILLION DOLLAR BONUS for winning all three!

Details coming soon

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9 200

classic Bulls Gettin' wild out west! Pueblo, Colo.

More Bucks

By the middle of May, the wagon train was headed west. Black Pearl would not go quietly and seemed to reverse the roles played in Kansas City. His 91.75 point effort gave him his first $11,000 payday of the season. The Jaynes Gang/Peterson/Mansour/Lanhams/Nelson/Teague team's More Bucks showed up with bells on and grabbed more dollars to add to his season stash in exchange for his 90.25 point showing. Hebert's bucker Stinger put up a close 90-point out netting almost $5,000, just ahead of early favorite Crosswired from D&H/Wiggins. Crosswired posted a respectable 89.25 which flanked Jeff Robinson & Bryan Smith's Neon Ghost for a fourth place tie and nearly $4,000 each. I'll Make Ya Famous from Kooper Branum & Gene Baker, Legacy form Bryan Smith, Check Out from D&H/Buck, Over the Edge from Lufkin Ranch and Top Notch from the Top Notch Ranch finished in a dead heat for the final hole with 89point markings.

The Jaynes Gang/Peterson/Mansour/ Lanhams/Nelson/Teague teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s More Bucks kicks up his heels in Decatur.

Priceless s'ville in unison! Stephenville

D&H Cattle Co.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 22S Priceless bucks in Weatherford. (Rider: Mke Lee)

September/October 2009

While the others were gettin' Western in Pueblo, another group of exceptional bulls gave it their all again in Stephenville. It was a re-play for 911 Ground Zero who put up a 90.25 for owners Ace of Spades/MoodyRice/Lonestar which captured another $3,300 for the trio. D&H Cattle Co. demonstrated it is possible to be two places at once when Page 22S won second with his 89.5 marking. Lyndal Hurst's Big Mike easily took third with an even 89 point out yielding nearly $1,500 while Chick'N Fried from H&D Bucking Bulls sizzled into fourth with an 87.75. Braithwaite Ranches Double Dippin' was fifth with an 87.25 and Pro Bull Max from Bootheel Ranch & Mannsville Ag put up an 87 edging into sixth. Rafter HB Cattle's Ice T&D took seventh, Lyndal Hurst & Bubba Terrell's Unicorn took eighth, Tax Man from Diamond O took ninth, and finally Futrell 655 from D&H/Futrell tied for tenth with Comanche Moon from the 4C's & Barker.

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2009 Classic Standings as of aug. 11

1 2 3 4

.ID 250 10-5 514 56

5 6

563 911

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

52 41/5 510 510 8 572 504 5203 22S 120 17 580 503 509 507

BULL Black Pearl Crosswired Top Notch More Bucks

OWNER EARNINGS Ravenscroft/ Boyd-Floyd $47,671 D&H Cattle Co./Wiggins $45,586 Martinez Bucking Bulls $31,227 The Jaynes Gang/Nelson, Teague, Peterson, Mansour & Langhns $23,734 HeeBee GeeBee Boyd Floyd Bull Co./XS Ranch $19,813 Ground Zero Beach City/Ace of spades/MoodyRice/Lonestar/Shippy $13,832 Neon Ghost Jeff Robinson/Bryan Smith $13,020 Deja Blu 41/5 Teague Bucking Bulls, LLC $12,773 Stinger Hebert Bucking bulls $12,360 Red Bone Hebert Bucking Bulls $11,632 Bring It Chumley-Long Cattle Co. $11,185 Down Time D&H Cattle Co/Anderson $10,352 Red Dirt Road 4L & Diamond S Rodeo Co.0 $7,801 Unicorn Lyndal Hurst - Bubba Terrell $6,250 22S Priceless D&H Cattle Co. $6,237 Range War Circle T Ranch & Rodeo $6,162 Fat Lip Circle T Ranch & Rodeo $5,579 Double Dippin Braithwaite Ranches $5,011 'll Make Ya Famous Kooper Branum & Gene Baker $4,766 Twisted Aces C G Rodeo Livestock LLC $4,630 Chick'N Fried H & D Bucking Bulls / Huff $4,464

22 23 24 25 26

ID R36 522 L539 42 30S

27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44

103-5 R16 63 143 126 519 525 549 569 44 262 527 678 610 269 505 38S 626

BULL Good Time Charley Legacy Over The Edge Bomb Doctor 30S Monty The Bull

OWNER D&H Cattle Co / Buck / Watts Jeff Robinson / Bryan Smith Lufkin Ranch & Rodeo oyd Floyd Bull Co/Mendell D&H Cattle Co./Matt & Christie Teuteberg Mr. Hyde Clifton Wiggins Check Out D&H Cattle Co / Buck Mad Max Martinez Bucking Bulls Moose Knuckle Lyndal Hurst Huckelberry HX2 / Junk Bull TBB 519 Teague Bucking Bulls, LLC. Life Sentence 5G Farms / Superior Genetics Fired Up D&H Cattle Co Mission Accomplished Diamond S Bucking Bulls Red Bull Isbell, Leffew, Sweeney Gringo Honeymoon Jerry Nelson Jr. Big Mike Lyndal Hurst 678 Bubba D&H Cattle CO / Bart Futrell Ice T&D Rafter HB Cattle Company Thunder Down Under Shippy Rodeo Bulls/A.Luedke Depths of Despair 5 G Farms / Jim & Kelly Orhood Crocodile Rock Shane Davis / D&H Cattle Co Walk'N Tall Walker Bucking Stock Breeders

www.bullpenmagazine.com September/October 2009

EARNINGS $4,288 $3,830 $3,477 $3,410 $3,267 $2,900 $2,652 $2,614 $2,392 $2,341 $2,301 $2,252 $2,188 $1,821 $1,726 $1,515 $1,442 $1,310 $1,204 1,079 925 899 842

9 200

classic Bulls “more Bucks” and more “Down time”! Decatur, Texas

May came to a close with J-Dub's Decatur Classic and an outstanding showing from More Bucks from The Jaynes Gang/Peterson/Mansour/Lanhams/ Nelson/Teague team, and D&H/Anderson's bucker Down Time. These two stellar buckers shared the event title win and each walked away with nearly $7,500 for their matching set of 90.5 point markings. D&H/Wiggins' Crosswired rallied for redemption with a third place finish barely shaking that monkey Black Pearl, off his back. The Pearl landed in fourth with an 89.75. Chumley/Long's Bring It, brought it again with an 89.5 to tie Mad Max from Martinez Bucking Bulls for the fifth spot. Meanwhile Top Notch Ranch's bucker Top Notch and Red Bone from Hebert's each put up 88.25 point marks while Red Dirt Road drove into ninth for Diamond S. Lyndal Hurst and Bubba Terrell's Unicorn refused to be a fairy-tale fliting into a tenth place tie with Boyd-Floyd, Oules & Winfield's Ace in the Hole, each turning in 87-point scores.

Down Time

D&H Cattle Co/Anderson‘s 572 Down Time stretches out at the ABBI Classic in Decatur.

Follow the Red-Dirt Road! Elk City, Okla.

Guess who was back with a bang in June? You guessed it. Frequent flyer Black Pearl captured his second season win for Ravenscroft/Boyd-Floyd in Elk City at the Justin McBride Challenge. The double-header paid the black muley over $12,000 for a two-day total of 182.5 points. More Bucks was back in strong style nabbing second place and a check for $7,000 for his combined total of 181.5 points. Hot and handsome HeeBee Geebee from Boyd-Floyd & XS handed in a two-day total of 178 which was good enough for $5,200. Neon Ghost from Jeff Robinson & Bryan Smith landed in fourth for his combined total 175.75 point effort, and Huckleberry from HX2 & Junk Bull Co. found the fifth place position with a 175.25 point total. Red Bone pursued the pack with a total of 175 points raking in over $3,000, and Jerry Nelson's Gringo Honeymoon got lovey-dovey with Down Time from D&H/Anderson. Each presented 174.75 point totals and tied the knot sharing seventh. Top Notch and his owners wouldn't go quietly and slid into the ninth hole, while Bring It from Chumley-Long Cattle Co. won $1,500 for their tenth place finish after a combined two-day total of 174.25 points.

HeeBee GeeBee Boyd /Floyd Bull Co./XS Ranch’s PG563 Heebee Geebee, owned by OKC, OK ABBI Classic photo by Allen Glanville

September/October 2009

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Reproductive Performance Shouldn’t be a Coin Toss. The SQM took us from a 65% ET conception rate to more than 90%. We generate our dollars through our embryo program, and the SQM is allowing our conception rates to greatly increase. The fact that it's economically priced is just a bonus.

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Quali Tech . . . Protected. Targeted. Nutrition

www.bullpenmagazine.com July/August 2009

09 0 2

classic Bulls

(See pages 34-40 for more recaps regarding these events)

winner! winner! Bucking Bull Dinner!

Winner, South Dakota By mid-June, the bulls headed to the north country for the Winner, South Dakota event. The strongest showing unsurprisingly came from D&H Cattle Co. who had four bulls in the top five places. New on the scene was their bull Priceless who rode the winning wave (a 91.25 for $4,314) ahead of his strong and steady truckmate Crosswired (91). D&H bulls sandwiched Bryan Smith's classy 89-point third place winner Legacy from both sides, with fourth place Monty the Bull for 88.75 and fifth place winner Bubba with an 88.5. Shippy Rodeo Bulls got comfortable in their own stompin' grounds with partner Amber Luedke on their sixth place finish with Thunder Down Under. 5G/Orahood's out by Depths of Despair rolled up a seventh place finish just ahead of War Wagon, owned by Shad Smith, and Life Sentence, also from 5G and partner Superior Genetics. Grabbing the final spot was Hoefer and Huffman's My Space, a Ravenscroft-bred bull who brought the Black Hills event to a very successful close.

my Kind(er) of town

Kinder, La. By late June, it was time to head to Cajun Country. In Kinder, it was Tom Teague's Deja Blu who won the double header, earning a 90.75 each round and $6,734. Just behind the bull that bleeds Dodger Blue was Joey Nixon's Top Notch with a combined score just 1.25 points behind Deja Blu. Third place went to hard-charging 563 HeeBee GeeBee. Diamond S Bucking Bulls' 504 Red Dirt Road proved he's on the right path with 177.5 points. 52 Neon Ghost definitely won't be disappearing as a contender anytime soon. He gave owners Jeff Robinson/Bryan Smith a score of 177.25. The strong set of bulls that competed in Kinder were hotter than the weather (which definitely took some getting used to for those on two and four legs) and almost as spicy as the food!

Livin' on tulsa time!

Tulsa, Okla. In July, the boys were settin' their clocks to Tulsa time. Top Notch not only had a new owner in the Martinez Brothers, but a new event title win under his belt. Although he had been strong and steady all along, Tulsa was his best to date. He put up a 90.75 and earned almost $11,000 for his new owners. Hebert's won a bit over $6,000 with 510 Stinger who had a great 90-point showing, while Ravenscroft & Boyd-Floyd's Black Pearl had to share the third hole with Teague's Deja Blu, each putting up 89.5 point marks. 911 Ground Zero added a couple new partners to his ownership list making him a Beach City Bucking Bulls/Ace of Spades/MoodyRice/Lonestar/Shippy Rodeo Bulls entrant. The impressive spotted bucker netted over $3,000 for his 88.75 point effort. Sure and steady, Bring It from Chumley-Long Cattle Co. took sixth place with an 88.5, followed by Teague's TBB 519. D&H/Teuteberg's Monty the Bull split eighth with west coast newcomer 44 Red Bull owned by Judd Leffew, Gary Isbell & Brian Sweeney. Check Out from D&H/Buck and Red Bone from Hebert split 10th after each was marked an 87.75.

making waves in weatherford!

Weatherford, Texas At the close of July, Ravenscroft & Boyd-Floyd's Black Pearl made another voyage toward a possible World Title. When the pillaging stopped, the superstar not only won the two-round average, but also moved into the No. 1 position in overall season's earnings. Tulsa's big winner Top Notch, now under the Martinez Brother ownership, continued to catch his stride, ending up second after two great marks of 88.5 and 89.75. Lyndal Hurst & Bubba Terrell's Unicorn showed what consistency can do over multiple outs. The bull posted two 88.5 marks and solidified a third place finish. Hurst also finished fourth with his M17 son Moose Knuckle demonstrating ability to contend come Vegas time. Ranked fifth in overall seasons earnings, Winchester son HeeBee GeeBee from Boyd-Floyd & XS Ranch showed a steady pace can mean the most. His combined two-day total of 175.25 shored up the fifth position, while Life Sentence from 5G/Superior Genetics closely followed in sixth with a total of 175 even. Another constant earner, Bring It, from Chumley-Long Cattle Co. found his way into seventh just ahead of last year's World Champ Crosswired from D&H and Cliff Wiggins. Splitting ninth were Crocodile Rock from Shane Davis/D&H and I'll Make Ya Famous from Kooper Branum & Gene Baker. We've had a fast-paced and highly competitive season thus far. There are many bulls going that can have their day at any moment and shake things up. With only a handful of events left ahead of us before the World Finals, owners and handlers are shuf? fling strategies to give each contender their best shot. Who will enter where? Who will rise in the standings? Who will lose ground? It's anybody's guess—and a pretty exciting one. Stay tuned as the World's best Classic bulls are put to the final fire in North Platte, Neb.; Sulphur Springs, Texas; Archdale, North Carolina; and Reno, Nevada. BULL PENNINGS

CONTRACTOR Q&A

LAMBERT’S COLUMN

ABBI President Russell Gant

September/October 2009

Cody Lambert

BEDFORD’S BULL-ETIN

BEDFORD’S BULL-ETIN (cont.)

LAMBERT’S COLUMN (cont.)

Bull Pen Editor Susan Bedford

Cody Lambert

PRO BULL STATS

LONG’S COLUMN (cont.)

SUPERSTAR SPOTLIGHT

Slade Long

PARTNER PROFILE

PARTNER PROFILE (cont.)

SUPERSTAR SPOTLIGHT (cont.)

Bridget Cook

by Susan Bedford

www.bullpenmagazine.com ASK DR. WARNER

by Susan Bedford

ASK DR. WARNER (cont.)

TABLE of CONTENTS

Gary Warner, DVM

January/February 2009

NUTRITIONAL NEWS

NUTRITIONAL NEWS (cont.)

WHO’S YOUR DADDY?

Jonathon Beckett

Sugar Kuhn

www.bullpenmagazine.com September/October 2009

ABBI Classic, Winner, S.D. Winner is Priceless in South Dakota by Susan Bedford • Photos by Allen Glanville

It was no surprise a D&H bull won Winner, S.D. But most folks would have bet on a different D&H bucker to take first. 22S Priceless beat out 10-5 Crosswired by a quarter-point for his first win of the season. There were 39 bulls entered, and the location of this event gave north-central breeders a shorter commute than usual, so many came out to compete. But many southern breeders also made the drive up, making the competition fierce. “I was really glad about how our bulls performed and what we accomplished in Winner,” shared H.D. Page, “it was another good event for us and we've been lucky with the bulls we've got in the Classics this season.” Talent has H.D. Page far more to do with it than luck, but no one can argue that the Pages' Classic bulls have been on fire this season—with Priceless the latest to join the winner's circle. Priceless is a Best Shot son, with Houdini as a grandsire. TBB K327 is his dam, a Kish bred cow. D&H has over 25 ABBI registered calves from Best Shot, who came out of Lynn and Rosemary Rice's program, with an additional 25 Best Shot offspring registered by other ABBI breeders. With a truck deep in Classic contenders this season, D&H was able to secure four of the top five spots in the most northern event on the ABBI schedule, taking home over $9,500 for their four bulls. Bryan Smith's 522 Legacy left a lasting impression worth an 89 and $1,849, to finish

s s e l e c i r P 22S Priceless of D&H Cattle Co. turfs Mike Lee during the ABBI Classic in Weatherford.

third. Legacy is a Vortex son out of Mossy Oak Mudslinger. D&H's 30S Monty the Bull and 678 Bubba were fourth and fifth, respectively, with an 88.75 and an 88.5. Shippy Rodeo Bulls 269 Thunder Down Under kicked up a storm with an 88.25. 505 Depths of Despair was anything but for own-

ers 5 G Farms and Jim Orahood with an 88. Shad Smith's V1 War Wagon locked up eighth with 87.5. Rounding out the top 10 were 525 Life Sentence (5 G Farms/Superior Genetics) and 265 My Space (H & H Bucking Bulls) with 87.25-point scores.

ABBI Winner Classic Results RANK 1 2 3 4

ID 22S 10-5 522 30S

5 6 7 8 9 9

678 269 505 V1 525 265

September/October 2009 www.bullpenmagazine.com

BULL Priceless Crosswired Legacy Monty The Bull

OWNER SCORE D&H Cattle Co. 91.25 D&H Cattle Co./Wiggins 91 Bryan Smith 89 D&H Cattle Co./ Matt & Christie Teuteberg 88.75 Bubba D&H Cattle/Bart Futrell 88.5 Thunder Down Under Shippy/Amber Luedke 88.25 Depths of Despair 5 G Farms/Jim Orahood 88 War Wagon Shad Smith 87.5 Life Sentence 5 G Farms/Superior Gen. 87.25 My Space H & H Bucking Bulls 87.25

PAYOUT $4,314 $2,465 $1,849 $1,541 $1,310 $1,079 $925 $770 $578 $578

ABBI Futurity, Winner, S.D.

Plumb Nuts Takes South Dakota Story by Susan Bedford Photos by Allen Gklanville

For the ABBI's Winner Futurity, 29 2year-old bulls from all across the country came to compete, but two breeders ultimately dominated the event. Bryan Smith's young bulls took the first three money spots. 734 Plumb Nuts was the event champion with an 86.75, worth $3,520. 710 Dark Knight swooped down to take second with an 81 and 705 Neon Dragon had enough heat for a 79.25. “I was proud of my program that weekend,” recalled Smith. “I think I can go all the way to Finals with Plumb Nuts. He bucks really had every time and tries really hard. I think he's a legitimate contender.” Plumb Nuts is out of Vortex and a Backlash cow. Dark Knight and Neon Dragon are embryo flush brothers out of Vortex's mother and Neon Nights, making them half-brothers to Vortex. “That old cow is turning into a fairly good procedure!” said Smith. That cow is out of Smith's original set of sale barn cows from which he started his program in 1990. This Spring was the first time Smith let any heifers leave his program, selling some at the McCoy Ranches Sale. “I pick maybe three or four (of my bulls) each year for each class, after they have 10 outs or so, and I'll keep those bulls,” explained Smith. “Those are what I'll go to classics and futurities with and go down the road with. I keep the bulls I have inordinate

Plumb Nuts

Bryan Smith’s Plumb Nuts.

amount of faith in to carry me through the next two to three years of competition. I'm in this to compete and try for that ABBI World Champion buckle at the end. I got a taste of it in 2004 when Vortex was third at the ABBI Finals. That was when I decided we'll roll down this road until we get to the end. I love it—and I'm in this for the long haul.” Smith is happy with the choices he made for his 2009 Classic and Futurity classes, although he did sell Dark Knight to Toby Floyd and Brad Boyd in Tulsa. “I'm not looking forward to having him on the opposing bench, though,” confided Smith. But he is confident in Plumb Nuts and Neon Dragon

for this year and next. “Neon Dragon stumbled a little bit as he was making his second round and I think that hurt his score. But I'd expect that bull to be able to put together some really sound trips here. I think he gets better and better and stronger and stronger he'll really come on as a 3-yearold. He's a little more masculine and thicker built, which makes him a little bit slower as a Futurity calf.” Splitting third with the Dragon was S716 Crisis Management from Shippy Rodeo Bulls and 5-J Bucking Bulls. Both bulls earned $1,532. Randy and Jennie Shippy and their partners had six bulls in the top 10. Fifth place S723 Airacuda (Shippy/Don Brown and Steve Kile) earned 78.5. Hadley Cattle Co.'s HC-01 Bono was sixth with 77.5 and the only top 10 bull not from Smith or Shippy. Shippy bulls were seventh through 10th: S74 Hunters Hat Trick (with partner Laird Bucking Bulls) with a 74.5; S70 Nuclear Fussion (with partner Alpine Bucking Bulls) with a 72; S729 Twist N Shout (with partner Lesko Livestock) 69.75 and S733 Shake N Bake (with partner Crooked Horn Bucking Bulls) with a 67.25. Splitting 10th with Shake N Bake was 766 Dibbet from Dibbet Rodeo Bulls and Jeff Searles. “I'm hoping for a good end to the year, maybe it will be a Cinderella story or us,” said Smith. “I have my sights set on both classes in Vegas. But, as we know, it is a tough deal and a long way to Las Vegas.”

ABBI Futurity Winner Results

Bryan Smith

September/October 2009

RANK 1 2 3 3 5

ID 734 710 705 S716 S723

6 7 8 9 10 10

HC-01 S74 S70 S729 S733 766

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BULL OWNER SCORE Plumb Nuts Bryan Smith 86.75 Dark Knight Bryan Smith 81 Neon Dragon Bryan Smith 79.25 Crisis Management Shippy/5-J Bucking Bulls 79.25 Airacuda Shippy Rodeo Bulls/ Don Brown/Steve Kile 78.5 Bono Hadley Cattle Co. 77.5 Hunter's Hat Trick Shippy/Laird Bucking Bulls 74.5 Nuclear Fussion Shippy Rodeo Bulls/Alpine 72 Twist N Shout Shippy /Lesko Livestock 69.75 Shake N Bake Shippy/Crooked Horn 67.25 Dibbet Dibbet/Jeff Searles 67.25

PAYOUT $3,520 $2,384 $1,532 $1,532 $ 908 $795 $681

www.bullpenmagazine.com July/August 2009

ABBI Classic, Kinder, La. June 26-27 Deja Blu Has Been Here Before Story and photos by Allen Glanville

le. Teague Bucking Bulls is Each time LooksWest beginning to like Productions and Mike Greer Louisiana, because last produce the Mike White season one of his bulls Invitational/ABBI Classic at won the first round and the Coushatta Casino Arena, placed third overall. the big turnout has been Second place went to given a chance to watch the Top Notch Ranch. Joey great bulls of the ABBI show Nixon’s 514 Top Notch, off their bucking ability. with 180.25. 514 has been Forty Classic bulls competplacing at every event ed at this event, bucking entered and proving he is twice, giving the bulls a good a tough contender. (514 opportunity to show off their was recently purchased by skills. The bulls must have Martinez Bucking Bulls) done well because only a Third place went to hardhandful of riders received a charging 563 HeeBee score. GeeBee owned by BoydWhen you compete in Floyd Bull Co/XS Ranch Cajun Country (South with 179.75; fourth was Louisiana), you can always 504 Red Dirt Road of expect hot, humid conditions Diamond S Bucking Bulls along with plenty of mosquiwith 177.5; and fifth was toes, and this year was no 52 Neon Ghost of Jeff exception. The Casino knows Teague Bucking Bulls‘ 41/5 Deja Blu earned first place in the ABBI Classic at Robinson/Bryan Smith this and keeps their arena Kinder, La. Rider is Caleb Sanderson. with 177.25. cool enough to keep meat One of the top Classic from spoiling. All this must have had an effect on some of our top bulls adds to his resume. Flankman Boyce Knox bulls, 250 Black Pearl, had a tough time because Friday night, some just didn’t buck said, “41/5 is a solid bull with quickness that Friday night. His rider was ejected before he not many riders can keep up with. 41/5 is could get out of the chute, but the bull like their normal trips this season. 41/5 Deja Blu, owned by Teague Bucking one of Tom Teague’s favorite bulls and we came back strong Saturday night scoring Bulls, was not affected by the weather, post- are sure proud of him today. He was sired 90.25, ending eighth. Doug Butcher handled getting the chutes ing scores of 90.75 each event for a total of by Moody Blues and out of a Candyman loaded and along with his crew kept the 181.5, good enough for first place and a daughter.” Knox was presented with a silver trophy event moving smoothly. check for $6,734. Deja Blu was the ABBI cup by LooksWest Productions and a beauLooksWest productions and Mike Greer Champion Futurity bull for the 2007 season, winning $100,000 at the finals. Deja Blu has tiful reproduction Henry Rifle presented by had a solid event this year and already they been having much success at the BFT Patty and Michael Mace of Mossy Rock are making plans for next season. events, and winning his first Classic only Cattle Co. along with his ABBI event buck-

Deja Blu

ABBI Classic Kinder Results

Randy Schmutz presents Boyce Knox and Michael and Patty Mace their trophy, rifle and buckle for 41/5 Deja Blu winning the ABBI Classic in Kinder, La.

RANK 1 2 3 4 5 6/7 6/7 8 9 10

ID 41/5 514 563 504 52 510 510 250 -8 626

BULL Deja Blu Top Notch HeeBee GeeBee Red Dirt Road Neon Ghost Stinger Red Bone Black Pearl Bring It Walk'N Tall

OWNER SCORE PAYOUT Teague Bucking Bulls, LLC. 175.13 $6,734 Top Notch Ranch 173.19 $3,848 Boyd-Floyd Bull/XS Ranch 171.81 $2,886 Diamond S Bucking Bulls 169.13 $2,405 Jeff Robinson/Bryan Smith 167.94 $2,044 Hebert Bucking Bulls 165.75 $1,563 Hebert Bucking Bulls 165.75 $1,563 Ravenscroft / Boyd-Floyd 164.56 $1,203 Chumley-Long Cattle Co. 162.81 $962 Walker Bucking Stock Brdrs161.63 $842

For up-to-date Classic rankings visit americanbuckingbull.com

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ABBI Futurity, Kinder, La. June 26 Betta Watchit is Worth Watching

Story and photos by Allen Glanville

LooksWest Production and Mike Greer added a futurity to their big weekend held at the Coushatta Casino Arena near Kinder, La. 25 2-year-old bulls were entered in this event and provided plenty of action for those in attendance. Shane Davis/Hugh Daw’s 71 Betta Watchit had the judges watching it all right, scoring 84 points good enough for the win and the check for $3,937. This was the first win for Betta Watchit and his owners were sure excited about his victory. Shane Davis was all smiles after the win. “71 sure came through for us today. Hugh Daw raised the bull and didn’t want to enter him. When he hears he won, he will be real excited! Daw later explained, “I have entered 71 before and he was good, but not enough to win. Shane wanted to haul him to Kinder and I guess he was right about his ability. That’s the great part about these youngsters; you just never know what they will do.” 71 was sired by Much Mo Betta and out of a Cordell cow that was an A6 daughter. “Warttie Cordell bred the bull. We bought the bull from Wayne Mataska. I need to thank Hayden Shaw and Billy Jaynes for helping the bull to get where he is today.” Second place went to 78 Straw Boss owned by Mike Rawson with 80.75. Third was 734 Plum Nuts owned by Bryan Smith with 80.25; fourth went to A79 Yard Bird owned by Mike Rawson with 80; and fifth went to Walker Bucking Stock Breeders’ 701 with 78.5. The best part about watching a futurity is you never know how the bulls will perform. You will think a certain bull is a shoein to win, only to see some unknown bull rise to the occasion and walk away the winner. Mike Rawson entered three bulls and

Betta Watchit

Weanlings Weanlings and Yearlings

Randy Schmutz presents Dawn Daw and Shane Davis with the gold buckle for Betta Watchit.

placed second, fourth and 11th. The way his bulls bucked made Rawson a happy man.

ABBI Futurity Kinder Results RANK 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

ID 71 78 734 A79 701 719 238 B&S194 0 B&S180

BULL Betta Watchit Straw Boss Plumb Nuts Yard Bird 701 Shot of Bo Best of Two Blender Rough Cut Vader

Kinder winner Shane Davis/Hugh Daw’s 71 Betta Watchit pulled in $4,000 for his day’s work.

OWNER Shane Davis / Hugh Daw Mike Rawson Bryan Smith Mike Rawson Walker Bucking Stock Rafter HB Cattle Co. Circle T Ranch & Rodeo Bridges & Smith/Ken Elliot Chad Cliburn Bridges & Smith/Ken Elliot

SCORE 84 80.75 80.25 80 78.25 77.5 75.75 75 69.5 68.75

Older Bulls

PAYOUT $3,937 $2,843 $1,750 $1,312 $1,094

Cell: 325-665-8002 www.buckemalldummies.com www.bullpenmagazine.com September/October 2009

ABBI Classic, Tulsa, July 17

Top Notch Notches Another Win Story by Susan Bedford Photos by Allen Glanville

It pretty much goes without saying that if you're going to have a bull riding in Oklahoma, you're going to have a great pen of bulls. The ABBI Tulsa Classic, held in conjunction with the PBR's U.S. Border Patrol Invitational was no exception. On July 17, 38 Classic bulls were paired up with top bull riders in the world. The 3 and 4year-old buckers made it obvious they belonged, battling the best. At this event it was Tino and Edward Martinez' Top Notch who came out on top among the strong field of 3 and 4-year-old bulls. Top Notch had been sitting in fifth overall among Classic bulls going into the event; this win helped bump him up to third. Top Notch, a Mr. Juicey son with a Kish dam (XS 688 Kish's Golden Girl) came out of Joey Nixon's Top Notch Ranch. Edward and Tino Martinez purchased Top Notch just a few weeks before the Tulsa, in what looks like it could be a very wise investment for Martinez Bucking Bulls. Top Notch earned a 90.75 and $10,738 for his work in the BOK Center in Oklahoma. “We bought him two weeks before Tulsa and then finalized all the paperwork for change of ownership the Tuesday before Tulsa,” revealed Edward. But despite his impressive performances prior to Tulsa (third in S t e p h e n v i l l e , the yellow bull. The two-time PBR World Champion lasted just 3.9 third in Omaha, seconds on Top Notch. Less than a point behind Top Notch's top-notch performance was sixth in Pueblo, seventh in Hebert's 510 Stinger. Stinger unseated Denton in 3.4 seconds and Decatur, ninth in was awarded a 90 from the ABBI judges. Splitting third were two bulls who are no strangers to success: last Elk City), Top Notch wasn't year's reserve ABBI Classic champion Black Pearl and the powerful bought with Deja Blu. The Ravenscroft/Boyd-Floyd bull and the Teague bull were Classic events in each marked an 89, worth $4,219. In fifth with an 88.75 was A911 Ground Zero and a quarter-point behind him was -8 Bring It. mind. TBB 519 earned an 88.25 for seventh, while 30S Monty the Bull “My dad (Tino) saw him in and 44 Red Bull shared eighth with 88s. Rounding out the top 10 Omaha and were R16 Check Out and 510 Red Bone with scores of 88.75. Edward & Tino Martinez Of the Classic bulls competing, 26 were awarded an 85 or higher started asking about him. We from the panel of judges. As the season progresses, we are seeing then got in touch the bulls not only get more comfortable in the arena, but we are also with Joey Nixon,” explained Edward. “My dad wasn't looking at the seeing more “new names” who can really perform. The race to get Classic potential; he's always looking for Built Ford Tough Series qualified for Las Vegas is getting intense. potential. We struck a deal and it worked out real ABBI Tulsa Classic Results favorably. “We'd seen a lot of video of him in the past RANK ID BULL OWNER SCORE PAYOUT before we bought him and he'd been buck1 514 Top Notch Martinez Bucking Bulls 90.75 $10,738 ing really good,” continued Edward. “All 2 510 Stinger Hebert Bucking Bulls 90 $6,136 those bulls (Black Pearl, Crosswired, HeeBee 3 250 Black Pearl Ravenscroft / Boyd-Floyd 89.50 $ 4,219 GeeBee) have to do is stub their toe and he 3 41/5 Deja Blu Teague Bucking Bulls, LLC 89.50 $4,219 (Top Notch) can win. He proved himself in 5 A911 Ground Zero Beach City Bucking Bulls/Ace of Spades/ Tulsa.” With a strong track record, it is looking Moody-Rice/Lonestar/Shippy Rodeo Bulls more and more like a “stubbed toe” may not 88.75 $3,260 even be necessary. The weekend after Tulsa, 6 -8 Bring It Chumley-Long Cattle Co 88.50 $2,685 Top Notch proved himself once again by tak7 519 TBB Teague Bucking Bulls, LLC 88.25 $2,301 ing second in Weatherford. 8 30S Monty the Bull D&H Cattle/M&CTeuteberg 88 $1,726 Prior to Tulsa, Top Notch's highest marked 8 44 Red Bull Isbell, Leffew, Sweeney 88 $1,726 score with a rider was in May with Chad 10 R16 Check Out D&H Cattle Co/ Buck 87.75 $671 Denton in Decatur, Texas. In Oklahoma, it was Chris Shivers who got to test himself against 10 510 Red Bone Hebert Bucking Bull 87.75 $671

Top Notch

September/October 2009

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special report

ABBI Junior Futurity, Tulsa, May 30

Rex Samford Wins Again with Party All The Time Story by Susan Bedford Photo by Allen Glanville

Rex Samford is on a winning streak. The 16-year-old has pocketed $20,000 this season at the first two ABBI Junior Futurities. -22 Party All The Time earned an 89.5 in Tulsa on July 18, a point and a half better than his score at the event in Ardmore. “He's a solid bull and I was hoping he'd do the same thing he did in Ardmoreand he did!” said Samford. Samford is planning on saving the money, and made a lot more per hour in Tulsa than at his regular job working at a store that specializes in custom hats and leather. The Bok Arena played host to the event on the morning of July 18. The PBR's U.S. Border Patrol Invitational was held July 17-19, which provided an outstanding set-up for the junior members to experience. In second was Trevor Terrell. Terrell's 718 was an 88.25. Besides $1,000. Terrell received a heifer calf. The calf, out of Reindeer and JR-438-1, was generously donated by from Garrett Lemons. Hell was a heavenly 81.25 for the last money Cindy Rosser and spot, worth $776. Russ Gant, left, presents the Tulsa Junior Flying U. “I'm excitThere were 24 bulls entered, and several junior members Futurity winners following the Tulsa event. ed to get the entered two bulls. The next (and last regular season) Junior Futurity Reindeer Dippin' will be in Sulphur Springs, Texas on August 21. It is also important calf,” said Terrell. “I'd like to thank Cindy (Rosser) for donating him. to note that from now on western attire is required for junior memWe've had some good luck in the past with Reindeer bloodlines so bers competing at events. Breeders who'd like to support the I'm very excited about that.” Junior Futurity program with a cash contribution or calf donation, 718 is a son of Dr. Hou from Marvin Nixon. “We might try to get please contact the ABBI office at 719-242-2747. that bull qualified for the ABBI Tulsa Jr. Futurity Results ABBI Futurity Finals if he RANK ID BULL OWNER SCORE PAYOUT starts bucking just a little bet1 -22 Party All The Time Rex Samford 89.5 $10,000 ter, but I'm just excited that 2 718 718 Trevor Terrell 88.25 $1,000 plus calf he'll be in the exhibition 3 10 Bucking Nightmare Aaron Ryan Halpain 88 $1,420 event in Las Vegas.” 4 T21 Page T21 Bailey Buck 82.25 $976 “I'm looking forward to 5 24 Ice Cream Paint Job Rex Samford 82 $799 going to Vegas,” concurred 6 707 4LCC Hells Done Popped Garrett Lemons 81.25 $710 Samford. The top two Futurity 7 799B Dream Come True Chase Finnell 81 bulls from each of the three 8 34-7 34-7 Cash Roberts 80.25 Junior Futurities will get to 8 7542 7542 Colt Baker 80.25 perform at an exhibition at 10 997 997 Rayni Maxey 74.75 the PBR's Wrangler University 11 77 Misery Business Beka Jo Williamson 72.25 Arena in the Fan Zone at 12 1897 Turbo Rayni Maxey 70.25 Mandalay Bay. 13 1327 Pico De Gallo Matt Jack 69.5 Aaron Ryan Halpain was 14 778 Dirt Dobber Corey Terrell 68 third with 10 Bucking 15 5G 773 You Wish Hannah /Lucas Gant 65.75 Nightmare. His 88 was worth 16 TTC 708 Coconut Champaigne Reed Callison 64 $1,420. Page T21 earned an 17 013 Cat Will Do Callie Brighton 60 82.25 and $976 for Bailey 18 725 Bobbie Hou Jake Wilfong 58 Buck. Just a quarter point 19 749 Switchback Connor Fitzpatrick 53.75 behind was Samford's other 20 5 Chooch Taylor Halpain 52 entry, 24 Ice Cream Paint Job 21 7505 Smoked Onion Austin Brito 50.25 who added another $799 to 22 776 Rockstar Kaleb King 42.25 Samford's growing bank 23 732 Speckled Fire Jake Wilfong 42 account. In sixth was 707 24 774 Twighlight Kaleb King 41.25 4LCC Hells Done Popped

Party All The Time

September/October 2009

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ABBI Classic, Weatherford, July 31-Aug. 1 Black Pearl Edges Top Notch Story and photos by Allen Glanville

Chris Woodruff and his Group W Productions held their annual ABBI Classic at the Parker County Posse Ground arena located outside Weatherford, Texas. With the word Weather involved, there is always plenty of it. This year it was rain. Friday it poured and Saturday a big front blew through and turned everything upside down. Event manager Tommy Lucia had half his equipment fail, and the official ABBI photographer had similar problems to deal with. Attendance was off, but those that did show up enjoyed every minute. Friday night’s event had plenty of PBR BFTS Cup riders. 2004 PBR world champion Mike Lee gave the fans a treat, riding D&H Cattle’s Priceless for 88 points.

Black Pearl

Ravenscroft/Boyd-Floyd’s Black Pearl dumps his rider in Weatherford on the way to winning it all.

Brad Boyd, Scott Accomazzo, Brandon Woodruff and Toby Floyd.

Saturday night, Martinez Bucking Bull’s 514 Top Notch had the top score with 89.75 followed by 250 with 89.25. Third was 20 Bring It, owned by Chumley-Long Cattle Co. at 89 points, fifth place was tied three ways by 5203 Unicorn of Hurst/Terrell; 143 Moose Knuckle of Lyndal Hurst; and 563 HeeBee GeeBee owned by Boyd-Floyd/XS Ranch, each with 88.5 points. The cowboys knew after this event what rank bulls were all about as only one man made the whistle Saturday night. Group W Productions gave the fans plenty of excitement during this event. First it was rank bulls, then a big fireworks display followed with a live band. Something for everyone. Maybe one day they will add a roof to the facility and tame the weather in Weatherford.

Despite the weather, Ravenscroft/Boyd-Floyd’s 250 Black Pearl put together two great performances of 89.5 and 89.25, compiling 178.75 points and winning $6,698. Friday night 250 was bucked during the heaviest part of the rain and bucked like it was sunny and dry. Owner Brad Boyd remarked, “250 was outstanding both nights, but especially Friday and during the rain. He has been good all season, and we sure are proud of him. Winning is always good.” Partner Toby Floyd added, “250 is one consistent bull who knows his job and does it well ABBI Weatherford Classic Results and they always score him well.” RANK ID BULL OWNER SCORE PAYOUT 250 was sired by the great Houdini and out 1 250 Black Pearl Ravenscroft / Boyd-Floyd 178.75 $6,698 of a Whitewater cow of the Ravenscroft’s. 2 514 Top Notch Martinez Bucking Bulls 178.25 $3,827 Black Pearl is peaking at the right time, and 3 5203 Unicorn Lyndal Hurst-Bubba Terrell 177 $2,870 should be awesome by the time he arrives in 4 143 Moose Knuckle Lyndal Hurst 176.75 $2,392 Las Vegas for the ABBI championship. 5 563 HeeBee GeeBee Boyd-Floyd/XS Ranch 175.25 $2,033 Friday night, 250 was the bull everybody 6 525 Life Sentence 5G Farms/Superior Genetics 175 $1,674 was chasing, scoring 89.5. He was followed by D&H Cattle Co’s 22S Priceless, 514 Top Notch 7 -8 Bring It Chumley-Long Cattle Co 174 $1,435 owned by Martinez Bucking Bulls and 5203 8 5-Oct Crosswired D&H Cattle CO / Wiggins 173.75 $1,196 Unicorn, all with 89.5. Fifth was split by Lyndal 10 38S Crocodile Rock Davis/D&H Cattle Co. 173.5 $891 Hurst’s 143 Moose Knuckle and Lane 10 503 I'll Make Ya Famous Kooper Branum & Gene Baker173.5 $891 /Downard’s 5143 Da Biddness each with For up-to-date Classic rankings visit americanbuckingbull.com 88.25.

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VBBI Futurity, June 5, World Wide Web

Cross Lazy S Bucking Bulls Takes Video Futurity Story and photos by Allen Glanville

Bryan Smith of Cross Lazy Bucking Bulls was all smiles after finding out his bulls had placed first and second in the latest Video Futurity. Smith said, “I am a big fan of this deal. Many are intimidated by all this, but once you see how easy all this is, I think more will try it.” Smith’s bull 734 Plumb Nuts outscored his other entry by more than five points. “734 didn’t even have his best out, but he is solid every trip,” mentioned Smith. “When we started him he was, as the old timers would say, “Wilder than a peach orchard boar,” or as I named him, Plumb Nuts.” 734 has done quite well at the ABBI Futurities he has entered, winning the event in Winner, S.D.. Second place went to 710 Dark Knight of Cross Lazy S Bucking Bulls with 76.99. Third was TBB 7229 Teague Bucking Bulls with 75.34. Fourth was TBB 7263 of Teague Bucking Bulls with 68.57, and fifth was TBB 7225 of Teague Bucking Bulls earning 67.23 points. Smith had more insight about the video futurities. “Like I said many are intimidated by the whole thing. Others say there will be cheating, while others say they only want to attend live events. All good questions, and believe me, I have talked with many. First, once you try this you will see how easy it really is. Second, there will always be people who cheat—they do it in the live events, so just be an honest person and go from there. I like live events also, and all my bulls have and will compete at these events. When you think

September/October 2009 www.bullpenmagazine.com

about all the stress we put these youngsters through, this system of bucking your bull at the ranch with all his familiar settings, it just Bryan Smith’s Plumb Nuts. makes sense. As I looked at what I have won all season, the video event put more money in our account than any other event. I sure would like to see them put some added money in these events, and that should get some interest.” Smith described his first video and advice to naysayers, “Once you learn the rules and the ins and outs, it becomes simple. The one thing I see others doing wrong is their position of the video camera. Many are way too far away or don’t have any zoom with the camera. You can’t be a football field away from the bull and expect to get something good. Having the camera too high and not being able to see the bull buck is another mistake. Judges don’t like looking down on the bull. We are going to enter more of these events and wish many more would. If your bull messes up, or the dummy malfunctions, you get a do-over. Give your bull a few day’s rest and try again. One thing for sure, if your bull can’t place at this event, don’t plan on hauling him to live events. It’s just a learning curve, and once you find you can do this, I think you will enter one.”

San Antonio, Texas, Aug. 1-2

Remember the Alamo and Team King-Herrington Story by Susan Bedford

The PBR's Bull Team Challenge event headed to Texas with the Built Ford Tough Series stop in San Antonio playing host to the competition. Team King-Herrington had their first win, worth $10,000. Their trio of Bob (42.5), Spotlight (44) and Apollo (45.75) beat out the second place Team Creek County Connection by one point. Spotlight bucked off Zack Brown in round two, while McKennon Wimberly was able to ride Bob to the whistle for an 85.5. In the short go, Apollo shook off Brian Canter before the whistle. Team Creek County Connection's Sure Fire (43.25), Showtime (44) and Commotion (44) put together 131.25 for $5,000. The team of D&H bulls were all able to dump all of their ridersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Sure Fire vs. Reese Cates in round two, and Showtime vs. Kody Lostroh and Commotion vs. Josh Koschel in the short go. Just out of the money in third was Big Machine with What I Say, Red Bone and Cool Spot. The three heavy hitters combined for 129.75. Standoff, Full Throttle and Directory Assistance earned Murphy Energy Services 128 for fourth. Rowdy Houdlum earned the high score, with a 44.25, for Circle T Ranch. After a re-ride for Maverick, 4C's Bucking Bulls had to settle for sixth with an 89.5 with just Skat Jacket and Carrillo Cartel to post big numbers.

Team Circle Tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rowdy Houdlum was high-scoring bull in San Antonio. Here Dustin Elliott rides him in Tulsa in 2008. photo by andy watson.

San Antonio Recap Rank 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Team Team King-Herrington Team Creek County Conn. Big Machine Murphy Energy Services Circle T Ranch 4 C's Bucking Bulls

Score 132.25 131.25 129.75 128 126.75 89.5

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Earnings $10,000 $5,000

Who’s Your Daddy? Put Some Heat In That Meat! M-17's Legacy Lives On by Sugar Kuhn Photos by Allen Glanville

ost industry insiders understand why having some "Heat Disease." in that Meat" is important. When it comes to breeding The 13-year-old grey brindle’s tale winds through a pretty impresand raising superstar buckers, let’s face it, duds and sive list of accomplished programs. M-17's existence began at the hand-lickers don’t generally go on to be electric and rank. Sure, Hargis Ranch, as a product of a mating between -17 and Blue Bitch, there are exceptions like Red Rock and Little Yellow Jacket who a Huffman cow. Danny Mason brought him onto the bucking scene were gentle later in their lives, but for the most part, big-leaguers and also got a lot of grief for turning down a pretty good amount don’t start out that way. of cash for him when the bull was only 3 or 4. Take M-17 son Pudd. Most of us have heard the story. If not, Bob Wilfong was the first to put him to work as a sire, and Vernon here’s the long short of my favorite version. Ty Murray is at Bob Guidry and Mack Altizer put the bull to the road test that can make Wilfong’s. Bob bets Ty he can’t slap a certain bull calf on the nose. or break a bonafide bucker. Finally, Hurst, Lindley and Alford Bob knows this certain calf is a tight pair of jeans waiting for a good pooled their money and bought the bull. Hurst talked about their reason to rip. And, we all know Ty can’t resist a bet. The slap turns decision to buy M-17. "Gene Baker and I had bought Houdini and the bull into a hornet. Ty narrowly escapes before getting the fire I saw that he passed all the spin on to his calves. I also knew what hooked outa his backside. Everyone present, including Bob and Ty, Pudd and Microchip were all about. Both of those bulls had that laugh hard enough to wet their pants. When the laughing subsides, heat and kick. I wanted him to put on my Houdini cows. I figured the bull is given the same handle that combination would work. I’d get that Ty’s friends affectionately gave all that spin from Houdini and all the him while rodeoing: Pudd. The heat and kick from M-17. That’s what Jerry story is a good example of the we were looking for when we pooled Lindley depth of joy that a breeder can our money," recalled Hurst. & achieve when he has succeeded It appears that Hurst’s strategy has Lyndal with having "Heat in that Meat." worked well. Hurst So, when it comes to intentionally "My best coming 2-year-olds are putting "Heat in that Meat," Who’s out of either Houdini or Lightning Your Daddy? Jack females, and M-17. I think If Heat is what you’re looking for, they’re the best calves I’ve ever there are a good number of breedhad," said Hurst. ers out there that swear M-17 is Since the trio had only owned MYour Daddy. Several years ago, I 17 for approximately five years, asked 10 different breeders, whom I Wilfong thinks his real genetic respected for their knowledge and prowess is still to come. program quality, what the best "We weren’t the only guys who bang for your buck was if you wantliked his product. And the story’s not ed kick and to "heat" up your program. Out of that handful of out on him yet. It’s like that on any of them bulls. It takes a lot for breeders, four of them said M-17. Those four were Danny Mason, any bull to be promoted and show up. His daughters and grandBob Wilfong, Monty Samford and Lyndal Hurst. daughters, and sons and grandsons, that’s where M-17's legacy is I took their advice, purchased some M-17 semen and talked the going to be left. The grandsons, not just the sons of M-17, have boys into using it on good cows been real good for me," described whose past offspring had not shown Wilfong. If Heat is what you’ re looking for, Besides the obvious M-17 sons like the degree of kick and heat the industry was requiring. After two Microchip and Purple Haze, there are a good number of breeders out Pudd, years of waiting, it was pretty thrilling recently Hurst’s 143 Mooseknuckle to see such a measurable improve- there that swear M-17 is Your Daddy. began turning heads. 143 made a ment in the caliber of offspring— splash last year as a 3-year-old while especially in the kick category. keeping up with the 4-year-olds. However, I was pretty sad when I heard the recent news that MHurst talked about the rising star. "Vernon Guidry and I were 17 had died while on cows at co-owner Jerry Lindley’s. Nobody partners on him. He was out of one of Vernon’s cows. I bought seemed to know exactly what happened. The three co-owners, Vernon out of him his 3-year-old year and took him to some of the Hurst, Lindley and Cody Alford, opted not to have an autopsy 4-year-old events. He was really, really good—they’ve been 90 on done. him," shared Hurst. "He was in great shape," Hurst recalled. "As a matter of fact, he Mooseknuckle will continue promoting M-17's production ability looked as good as he ever had. What I do know is he went down- during his push toward the ABBI Finals in Vegas. Recently, the spothill pretty fast. He started looking pretty bad on Friday, was seen by ted youngster placed fourth at the ABBI Classic event in a vet Sunday and died Tuesday night," said a clearly disappointed Weatherford, posting an 88.25 marking and winning nearly $2,400. Hurst. "We’re not positive, but suspect it may have been Hardware Clearly Hurst has a strategy for qualifying the young bucker for the

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Jimmy Anderson tries 143 Mooseknuckle in Weatherford. The bull posted 88.25 points for fourth place and earned $2,400.

ABBI Classic Finals. His first ABBI out of the year jousted him into a top 30 ranking. According to Lindley's son Toby, there are several full flushmates by M-17 out of MS 41, the dam to Cowboy Crash that we can watch for. J.W. Hart purchased one of them named Cold Hard Cash, and three others are currently out on cows after being bucked. Each of these bulls were right in the gate and demonstrated some pretty electric locomotion. M-17 grandsons have also started making big appearances, many out of Wilfong’s 2000 model M-17 daughters. Boyd-Floyd’s Head Creep, a son out of one of these cows, won over $11,000 last year as an ABBI futurity contender and finished the season in sixth place overall. Gilbert and Julie Carrillo’s 2006 ABBI Wild Card Champion, Cowboy Payday, is out of another one of these daughters. When it comes to the value of M-17 daughters, Hurst couldn’t agree more with Wilfong. "I haven’t sold one of them yet. They are definitely producers," said Hurst. M-17’s semen has always been offered at a reasonable price. With so many professed qualities it’s interesting that he’s not considered as a potential Daddy more often. "Well, there definitely is a limited amount of semen from him now. I hadn't upped the price mainly because the economy has been so bad. Down the road, however, it will probably cost you more as there gets to be less of it," said Hurst. At one point, M-17 was considered one of the top five producing sires alongside Skat Kat and Houdini. He is still considered among the top 10 by many insiders. Wilfong is quick to add, "As far as I’m concerned, M-17 calves are good property. M-17 is my favorite breeding bull in the whole

world. I don’t even like the AI deal and I’m figuring on breeding to him some more. I’ve got some flushes out of him that are full brothers to Pudd and I am more than tickled to death with them." If your breeding program is lacking kick or if your "meat" could use some "heat", you might consider this recently departed Daddy. If you do try him, hold onto your hat and make sure you’re ready for the fire his genetics bring. Wilfong closed with some good advice about dealing with M17's heated-up offspring. "Those M-17 sons are a little bit on the fractious order if you’ve been around them. They have a little different mental makeup to them. You’ve got to sure school on them. If you’re patient, it’ll be ? around, though. And when they do worth it when they come come around, it’ll be like the flip of a lightswitch. Everything you need will be right there," promised Wilfong. BULL PENNINGS

CONTRACTOR Q&A

LAMBERT’S COLUMN

ABBI President Russell Gant

Cody Lambert

BEDFORD’S BULL-ETIN (cont.)

LAMBERT’S COLUMN (cont.)

Bull Pen Editor Susan Bedford

Cody Lambert

BEDFORD’S BULL-ETIN

PRO BULL STATS

LONG’S COLUMN (cont.)

Slade Long

SUPERSTAR SPOTLIGHT by Susan Bedford

PARTNER PROFILE

PARTNER PROFILE (cont.)

SUPERSTAR SPOTLIGHT (cont.)

Bridget Cook

by Susan Bedford

ASK DR. WARNER

ASK DR. WARNER (cont.)

TABLE of CONTENTS

Gary Warner, DVM

January/February 2009

NUTRITIONAL NEWS

NUTRITIONAL NEWS (cont.)

WHO’S YOUR DADDY?

Jonathon Beckett

Sugar Kuhn

ABBI JR. BREEDERS

ABBI JR. BREEDERS (cont.)

Amy Gardner

McKEE’S COLUMN

McKEE’S COLUMN (cont.)

Justin McKee

www.bullpenmagazine.com September/October 2009

enny and Gabriel Torres about 75 bucking bulls altogethare the second family from er. We have some 4-year-olds the Mexican town of San out of Night Life, Best Shot and Luis Potosi to make a name for Neon Nights that look really themselves in the bucking bull good and we’ve also got around industry in the U.S. 30 Classic bulls that we’re excitFirst, Tino Martinez came to ed about. We’re hoping next the U.S. when he was just 15 year is going to be our year.” years old. Now, Tino and his son “Originally, we were trying to Edward are enjoying success in do everything,” remembered the PBR with Martinez Bucking Sanabria. “We didn’t really have Bulls. a focus or clear direction. Right Gabriel and Benny are also on now we’re concentrating on trythe fast-track to PBR success. If ing to breed the best bulls possiyou’ve been to an ABBI event or ble to compete in the ABBI sale in the last three years, you’ve Futurities and Classics because probably run into the Torres that’s where all the money is. In Torres Bros.’ 6202 brothers, who look so similar they the future, we’re going to try to Capuccino tosses could be twins. breed some pretty good bulls for In 1980, Benny and Gabriel left Will Sargent at the the PBR short goes and we hope their home in Mexico and moved to be in the big show—but right ABBI Classic in to Mount Airy, N.C. where each now we’re looking at Futurities.” Stephenville. worked hard to build a successful Last year, Gabriel and Benny carport business. Their childhood had a respectable showing with dream of raising world class bucking bulls was never forgotten, so two of their bulls finishing in the Top 100 in the ABBI. Breakin’ they saved their money and looked for a way to get into the indus- Dreams, sired by Best Shot, placed 32 in the standings and Heat of try. Lady Luck stepped in three years ago when the Night, son of Neon Nights, fina couple of guys approached the ished the year ranked 57. This brothers and said they’d heard year, they hope to double that they were looking to buy some number and are concentrating on bucking bulls. Rafael Sanabria, four Futurity events on the road to who works for Gabriel and Benny, Vegas. The first stop was recalled, “We live in a little town in Stephenville where Smoothe North Carolina and so does Tom Ride, sired by Smooth Move and le nvil Teague, so word gets around pretGla n Alle a Gunslinger granddaughter, finby tos • Pho Story by Cindy Gotoski ty easily. Tom heard we wanted to ished 19th. The next stop was the get in the business and buy some American Heritage in Ardmore where Smoothe good bulls, so he got with Benny and Gabriel and helped them get Move, although he wasn’t in the money, placed in the top 30 and started.” at this writing was sitting in the number 12 spot of the ABBI’s Top Gabriel and Benny 100 Futurity bulls. Gabriel decided early on to build and Benny are also optiBenny Torres, Rafael their herd on the bloodmistic about a Mossy Oak lines of proven PBR stars, Mudslinger son, Hot-NSanabria and GAbriel Torres so they looked to Tom Juicey, who is sitting No. Teague for guidance. In 37 on the ABBI’s Top 100 the beginning, they list. bought quite a few Bone “We’re heading to Collector sons. “They Jerome Davis’ futurity next saw the calves were realwith Smoothe Ride, Hotly good and they knew N-Juicey and another bull Bone Collector could I’m really excited about, produce great buckers,” #759, sired by Houdini son shared Benny. In 2006, with Speckles as the the Torres brothers dam,” shared Gabriel. decided to purchase “After Jerome’s, we’ll go Bone Collector, sire of back to Stephenville for Bones, the 2008 PBR the American Breeders World Champion Cup. So the next two Bucking Bull. The brothers also acquired three-time PBR World events will decide for sure what bulls we take to the Finals. I’m pretFinals bull Kelly’s Kat, sired by Skat Kat out of a Bandana 7 dam, and ty sure we’re going to take Smoothe Ride and Hot-N-Juicey, but Mesquite Heat after watching videos of him in action. we’re hoping to take three or four altogether.” Within three short years, Gabriel and Benny have grown their The Torres Brothers continue to build on their breeding program. herd to over 250 ABBI-registered livestock, which they keep on the “We are constantly trying to figure out the best combinations and 1,000 acres they share in Mount Airy. Stated Sanabria, “We’ve got build our program on those combos,” said Benny. “We always look

Torres Bros. Bucking Bulls

September/October 2009 www.bullpenmagazine.com

for really good stock.” They’ve started breeding with Bone Collector, Houdini and a Western Wishes son they bought from Dillon Page as their main sires. They’ve also got a full brother to Best Shot, also known as the original 88 Super Duty. According to Rafael, “We’ve got a bunch of calves from a Houdini son and Tequila Rose and we think that’s going to be a really great combination.” Sanabria added that Gabriel and Benny are just as particular about the females they purchase. They look for dams that are proven producers with outstanding genetics such as Bodacious, Little Yellow Jacket, Mossy Oak Mudslinger and dams with Kish Breeding. “We’re always experimenting,” he confided. “Right now we’re breeding with some cows out of Kelly’s Kat and last year we bought eight bulls from Brad Boyd and Toby Floyd- including Hornet, Black Ghost and 121 Hill Street that we’re going to start breeding with next year.” The future looks promising for Torres Brothers Bucking Bulls. They’re working with and learning from some of the best stock contractors in the business. When they left San Luis Potosi they had a goal of one day breeding, raising and competing top-quality bucking bulls. According to Sanabria, “Benny and Gabriel are just really good, hard working people with big dreams. They’d like to be as big as Tom Teague or Dillon and H.D. Page one day. They want to be known for good bulls and solid bloodlines. They’ve always worked hard to achieve their dreams and one day they hope to raise the Bull of the Year or earn the coveted title, Stock Contractor of the Year.” Benny and Gabriel have big dreams. But when you build your ? herd on solid bloodlines like Bodacious, Mossy Oak Mudslinger, and Houdini, odds are good those dreams might one day come true.

BULL PENNINGS

CONTRACTOR Q&A

LAMBERT’S COLUMN

ABBI President Russell Gant

Cody Lambert

BEDFORD’S BULL-ETIN (cont.)

LAMBERT’S COLUMN (cont.)

Bull Pen Editor Susan Bedford

Cody Lambert

PRO BULL STATS

LONG’S COLUMN (cont.)

BEDFORD’S BULL-ETIN

Slade Long

SUPERSTAR SPOTLIGHT by Susan Bedford

PARTNER PROFILE

PARTNER PROFILE (cont.)

SUPERSTAR SPOTLIGHT (cont.)

Bridget Cook

by Susan Bedford

ASK DR. WARNER

ASK DR. WARNER (cont.)

TABLE of CONTENTS

Gary Warner, DVM

January/February 2009

NUTRITIONAL NEWS

NUTRITIONAL NEWS (cont.)

WHO’S YOUR DADDY?

Jonathon Beckett

Sugar Kuhn

ABBI JR. BREEDERS

ABBI JR. BREEDERS (cont.)

Amy Gardner

McKEE’S COLUMN

McKEE’S COLUMN (cont.)

Justin McKee

www.bullpenmagazine.com September/October 2009

“Nod For 90”

three times a week. Some of hen James Ellis the exercises for his rehab was growing up in were experimental. He had a Bastrop, Texas, he standing frame in which he was more interested in ridwould stand for 15 minutes ing bikes than riding bulls. at a time to keep his muscles Although most of his famithe story strong and sometimes he’d ly was into rodeo, James by Cindy Gotoski try walking with braces on and his friends spent their his legs. “I don’t know if I’ll time playing football and basketball. But on Christmas Day 2000, James accepted a dare ever be able to walk again, but it seems like they’re figuring out so from his cousin Phillip who challenged him to get on a bull. He much other stuff,” said a hopeful James. “With all the stem cell promptly asked his Grandpa to take him to a practice pen so he research going on, I hope to be able to walk again. I don’t know if could give it a try. Lloyd Ellis, who had ridden bulls and bareback they’ll ever perfect it, but I hope so.” James’ focus has now changed from riding bucking bulls to raisbroncs, was happy to oblige. James remembered, “I got bucked off right away. I think I only stayed on a couple of seconds, but it was a ing them, with Nod for 90 as the name of his ranch. His bucking bull business is starting out slowly with James saving for every purchase. lot of fun and I loved the adrenaline rush.” “If I could choose any bloodlines, I’d start with From that first ride, James was hooked. He White Water Skoal or Houdini, but truthfully, hung up his cleats, bought some spurs and there’s so many good ones it would be really concentrated his efforts in the arena. Bull ridhard to pick.” When James was riding bulls he ing became a family deal with Grandpa Ellis preferred the bigger buckers but now that he’s taking him to open events and junior rodeos. breeding, raising and bucking them he states, “I “My mom, Jo Ann, always supported me just want to make certain they buck good. As too,” states James, “she’s always said I could long as they buck it don’t matter to me what size do whatever makes me happy, and after that they are.” first go I decided I wanted to ride bulls.” James is looking to start taking his 2-year-olds Anytime there was a bull riding event near to some futurities and has a couple of young James’ hometown he would be there, with bulls he’s really excited about. “I’ve got a 2-yearhis grandpa, ready to enter. As he got older old out of Full Metal Jacket,” stated James, he started competing in Youth Rodeo “and another 2-year-old out of Jim Dandy. I’ve Association events and local junior bull ridbucked them a few times and they look really ings. James attended Bastrop High and good.” James, and his grandpa train the bulls competing in high school rodeos was the together on their ranch in Bastrop, working next logical step. According to James, “I just them in the chutes and training them in the wanted to ride and whatever event I could gates. get entered in, I wanted to ride in it!” James James has become extremely self-sufficient became known for his motto “Nod for 90” since the accident. “There are a couple of things and tattooed this commitment on the inside James Ellis I can’t do,” admitted James, “but I can drive. of his left wrist. Whenever he got on the back I’ve got a car, I can do just about everything by of a bull he was looking to score 90 or better. Like most young riders, James wanted to be a professional bull myself.” On a typical day, James will check his pastures, make cerIn March, 2006, when he turned 18, his grandpa paid for his PRCA tain all the fences are standing and determine what needs to be permit. On June 24, 2006 he packed his gear and headed off to fixed. After feeding his livestock, James shared, “It’s pretty hot and Luling, Texas for the Annual Watermelon Thump Bull Riding. James I’m usually tired, so I come in and rest a bit.” Overcoming adversity is something James has accomplished remembers, “I got my draw. I think I was either the third or fourth one out. I got on my bull, got everything ready and gave the gate- with a maturity beyond his 21 years. “I always said I wanted to ride man a nod. My bull jumped out, took two jumps and then he turned bulls, but if I got hurt to where I couldn’t ride any longer, I knew I back to the right and I came off my hand. I landed on my feet but I wanted to raise bulls. I love sitting around the bull ridings and meetwas hunched over and the gate had been left open. I went head ing new people. I’m starting off slow but at least I’m starting. I’m not first into the post and my C6 and C7 vertebrae overlapped each giving up. I’ve just changed what my dream looks like.” James also serves as a reminder to other bull riders to be grateother. I guess when I hit the gate with my head, my head just came loose.” James was taken by Star Flight helicopter where he was ful for every day. In a recent PBR interview with PBR rider Douglas immediately flown to Breckenridge Hospital in Austin. Although Duncan, Keith Ryan Cartwright wrote: He (Duncan) grew up around Clayton Baethge and Clayton James has no memory of the helicopter ride he remembers briefly waking up in the ambulance and thinking “this might be kind of Foltyn and another rider, James Ellis, whom Duncan claims was betbad.” The 18-year-old James had no idea that from that moment ter than all three of them. Unfortunately, Ellis was only 18 when he on his life would be drastically changed. Always the jokester, when was paralyzed. “It definitely got me to not take things for granted,” James woke up in the hospital and saw his entire family standing said Duncan of Ellis’ situation and his own two-year absence. “Every around his hospital bed he started joking with them. “I saw every- time I feel like I’m having a bad day, I just think of James and, ah, it one looking so sad and serious so I started telling them – I can’t feel could be a whole lot worse.” So, the next time you’re at an event or a sale and you see a handmy legs, I can’t feel my legs,” recalled James. “I was laughing, playing a joke on them but I had no idea how badly I was hurt. I didn’t some, young, dark-haired cowboy sitting in a wheelchair, take the ? and chat with James about your opportunity to introduce yourself know I was paralyzed.” James spent the next three months in the hospital and then herd, your bloodlines, bull riding and ask about Nod for 90. You’ll endured a year of physical therapy and rehab, traveling to Austin walk away with a new friend and a positive outlook.

James Ellis

BULL PENNINGS

CONTRACTOR Q&A

LAMBERT’S COLUMN

ABBI President Russell Gant

September/October 2009 www.bullpenmagazine.com

Cody Lambert

BEDFORD’S BULL-ETIN (cont.)

LAMBERT’S COLUMN (cont.)

Bull Pen Editor Susan Bedford

Cody Lambert

BEDFORD’S BULL-ETIN

PRO BULL STATS

LONG’S COLUMN (cont.)

Slade Long

PARTNER PROFILE

PARTNER PROFILE (cont.)

SUPERSTAR SPOTLIGHT (cont.)

Bridget Cook

by Susan Bedford

SUPERSTAR SPOTLIGHT by Susan Bedford

ASK DR. WARNER

ASK DR. WARNER (cont.)

TABLE of CONTENTS

Gary Warner, DVM

January/February 2009

NUTRITIONAL NEWS

NUTRITIONAL NEWS (cont.)

WHO’S YOUR DADDY?

Jonathon Beckett

Sugar Kuhn

James Ellis rides!

At the Bailey Kay Hutson Bull Riding Benefit in Taylor, Texas, Ellis scored 83.5 points and placed third.

www.bullpenmagazine.comSeptember/October September/October2009 2009 www.bullpenmagazine.com

49 49

he is exceptional. That is what you want for a herd sire.” eff and Wendie Flitton enjoy the Western lifestyle on their For feed, Flitton is picky. “Alpha hay and grain for the first full 500-acre ranch in Chester, Utah where they raise rodeo liveyear, and then turn them out on pasture. With the performance stock. The Flittons have been married 30 years and have two bulls it’s different; you need to keep the feed while bucking. We children, Kelly and Cody. have our local mill mix our product and it’s like most other good “My wife has been in the rodeo business all her life,” said Jeff, programs.” “seeing her family owns and runs the Bar T Rodeo Company. Her Over their long career, many changes have been observed. “I grandfather started the business over 65 years ago. I got my start think we used to get more life out of the bulls. Maybe we have riding bulls during my high school days; it’s where Wendie and I better riders now, but we met.” ask a lot more from the The Flittons also run a bulls today. I also believe machine shop in Salt you can break anything to Lake City that Jeff ride. The old question is, describes as a specialty are the bulls better than shop. Jeff explained, before? I look at it this “We have some great way: a bull can only buck employees who run the so hard and we are not business while we are on seeing anything different the road. With the rodeo today—we just have more company, it’s a family good bucking bulls. Back thing—my wife’s family in the 70s and 80s was a owns and runs it while neat time to be in this our whole family works in sport with all the flamboyit. I handle the liveant guys riding and how stock—getting them much success they gained loaded and sometimes with little or no media flanking, while my wife is coverage. It sure was a the secretary, my daughcolorful time.” (Just ter handles the timers remembering the outfits and my son does rider the riders wore was colorpickup. We all have a job, ful; can you say Mo and the best part is we Betta?) truly love what we do.” Much success has “Coming from a been achieved in the rodeo family, my wife’s ABBI and PBR. “We have folks have many tales of by by Allen Allen Glanville Glanville competed in some clashow it was back in the sics in our area with some day. Her grandfather, success. We have either D.A. Swanny Kirby was bucked or sold bulls that have done quite well in the PBR. A bull the start of everything, and his stories were the best ones. He we sold, 305 Rewind, helped Guilherme Marchi win his bull riding would travel by horseback from Utah to New Mexico, buy championship in Vegas. I am not much on the rider choosing his Brahman bulls and trail them back, all on the back of a horse. It bull because Marchi has ridden 305 a few times and knew it was a was the way things were done back then. Later he would buy bull he could ride and score good on.” bronc horses in Canada and trade them for bucking bulls in Texas. If they were starting over, the Flittons would make a few Kirby also owned one of the top bulls of his time named Dry changes in their program. “If I was to do any one thing different, it Valley who bucked for 13 years and was only ridden a few times.” would be starting my bulls at a later age. We have started bulls Jeff described how he got into the bucking bull business: “We too young because we didn’t have much backup in our program were raising horses for quite a while when we bought our first like we do today. We now have the luxury to hold our bulls back cows around the end of 1999. I had watched Oscar buck as a child and really liked him so when we needed a bull I went to Don some and think the maturity will sure help them. I sure would like to summer my cattle here and winter them in Texas—we have Kish and bought that bloodline. We then bought some bred cows some real tough winters out here.” from the Berger’s program. We have had success not because we For the industry, Jeff offers this advice: “Spend your money on are smart but by the ‘want to’ in us. Today, we raise between 20 to a good producing cow because a producing cow is what makes it 30 bull calves and we are getting good results.” all work. Learn from history because we don’t need to re-invent From Flitton’s first four calf crops, they have had 10 appearthe industry. Things learned in the past still work today. We need ances at the NFR. “Our percentages are good with our bulls that to take these ideas and look at them from different angles and try buck, and that is one important thing many overlook. Many in this something different, that’s how to improve something. You can go business will tell you how many head of cattle they run, but I want from hobby to business to out of business in just a few quick years to know how many are producers. If you are trying to make a livif not careful. Quality cattle is what you are searching for.“ ing, and not just a hobby, you must have high percentages of Flitton has “40 head of quality cows, and I believe every one buckers or producers. I have such good genetics you can almost expect good cattle, but you need to keep tabs on everything. Our of them will produce something that will buck. We have one cow that has produced seven bulls that all buck, and had three brothfoundation bull was R8; he had the Oscar bloodline and was a ers bucking in the same pen; this is what you are looking for. four-time NFR bull. When a bull bucks at the top level four times,

Rockin’ F Ranch

HOME HOME OF OF THE THE GREAT GREAT

September/October 2009

www.bullpenmagazine.com

When getting into this business, have a plan for what you are going to do with your bulls. Many have no plans and no place to show them. We all get calls from someone wanting you to haul their great bull, and they expect us to help them. Just because you think your bull is great, because he bucked off some guys at a practice pen, does not make him great.” The future of this sport is changing, assesses Jeff. “The sport is changing really fast lately. What would work three years ago will not work today. The female side has been the biggest change. A few years ago, a good bred heifer was worth something; today you must really do some selling to move one. We have sold some of our best producing cows just to make this business work. We do have her genetics in her younger cattle, but this is

If you are trying to make a living, and not just a hobby, you must have high percentages of buckers or producers.

Jeff Flitton and a 2-year-old bull

BULL PENNINGS ABBI President Russell Gant

what’s required today. Boyd and Floyd used a good concept with their successful sale this year, calling it a replacement heifer sale. I looked at what they were offering and it all made sense. Customers now want to buy your bulls; they feel it’s cheaper that way. I feel you should breed some good producers and hope for that superstar. Many great bulls have come from small programs. The great bulls are selling for money only a select few can buy and soon all this will become a sport for only the rich.” Flitton believes the sport is headed in the right direction. “As long as the PBR stays strong I thing we will be all right with supply and demand, but I also think we have exceeded it. I hope things will level ?out soon. We have exceeded our expectations and are looking forward to what lies over the horizon.”

BEDFORD’S BULL-ETIN Bull Pen Editor Susan Bedford

PRO BULL STATS Slade Long

CONTRACTOR Q&A

LAMBERT’S COLUMN Cody Lambert

BEDFORD’S BULL-ETIN (cont.)

LAMBERT’S COLUMN (cont.)

Bull Pen Editor Susan Bedford

Cody Lambert

LONG’S COLUMN (cont.) Slade Long

SUPERSTAR SPOTLIGHT by Susan Bedford

PARTNER PROFILE

PARTNER PROFILE (cont.)

SUPERSTAR SPOTLIGHT (cont.)

Bridget Cook

by Susan Bedford

ASK DR. WARNER

ASK DR. WARNER (cont.)

TABLE of CONTENTS

Gary Warner, DVM

January/February 2009

NUTRITIONAL NEWS

NUTRITIONAL NEWS (cont.)

WHO’S YOUR DADDY?

Jonathon Beckett

Sugar Kuhn

ABBI JR. BREEDERS

ABBI JR. BREEDERS (cont.)

Amy Gardner

McKEE’S COLUMN

McKEE’S COLUMN (cont.)

Justin McKee

BULL WALKER Build Strength, Stamina and Endurance “I’ve been in the rodeo rodeo bull business for over 35 years. The Priefert Bovine/Equine Walker Walker is a MUST... if you expect your MUST... animals to be in peak performance shape.” ~Bob Tallman Tallman

www.bullpenmagazine.com September/October 2009

Superstar Spotlight Cornerstone of the Mandan Mafia Code Blue Owns a Perfect PBR Record by Susan Bedford Photo by Allen Glanville

“I think I’ve lasted longer than anybody else on him so far,” There is one bull on the Built Ford Tough Series that has a lot said Dirteater,” and I’m planning on getting him rode next trip!” riders seeing red. 644 Code Blue is a bull the top cowboys want Dirteater and Code Blue have to ride, but they just can’t. The a history together that started talented young bull has manlong before they met up in aged to frustrate some of the front of the television cameras. best bull riders in the world“I was the first guy to ever who are still trying to figure get on him. He was down in out how to make it to the Oklahoma, by where I live, at a whistle on him. practice pen,” described The Walton & Dirteater. Code Blue was just 2 Wagoner/Berger & Struve bull at the time and belonged to has a perfect record on the Paula and Dr. Robert Platner. “I PBR's Built Ford Tough Series, knew even back then that he having bucked off cowboy Mike lee attempts Code Blue at the ABBI event in Ardmore. had potential. He bucked just after cowboy on the elite tour. as hard back then as he does It takes the 5-year-old bull an now. He was just smaller and average time of just 3.49 secneeded time to finish maturing. onds to turf his opponents and I didn’t ride him back then he averages just under 46 either, but we were both points for his efforts. young.” Dirteater was born Code Blue is a Sky King April 14, 1989 while Code son (who is out of Wolfman Blue’s birthday is April 4, 2004. and Kish cow 54). His dam is “I guess we’re both coming up JG 918 (bred by Neal and Jim about the same time!” Gay of Rafter G) who is now Dirteater explained what owned by Alvin Jones. JG 918 makes Code Blue such a diffiis out of Final Countdown and cult adversary. “He’s real strong Ratjen breeding. With bloodand has a lot of action. He lines this far-reaching, it is does different stuff every trip. probably no surprise that Code He usually is out there to the Blue has been one of the corleft but he can go right. He has nerstones of the Mandan Mafia a lot of forward movement and PBR Bull Team, which has domfeel s real funny. You’ve got to inated event after event this stay up over him. He will try to season. whip you to the outside.” Code Blue’s 2009 winning After Florida, Code Blue streak started in Winston-Salem moved on to another great where he dumped Cody young bull rider, Ryan Campbell and then Jared McConnel. At the Albuquerque Farley. From there he went BFTS, McConnel lasted 3.7 south where he took on seconds and Code Blue earned Valdiron de Oliveira and Ryan a 46.25. He next faced the Dirteater in the sunshine state. experienced Sean Willingham. Code Blue beat Oliveira in Willingham lasted just over Tampa and Dirteater in three seconds in the short go Tallahassee, where the bucker in Nampa, Idaho. had his highest score to that Code Blue bucked in May point in the season with a 46.5. in Worcester, Mass. against In Birmingham, Ala. Dirteater Renato Nunes. Code Blue had a second shot at Code again posted a 46.5, Nunes Blue. This time, Dirteater lasted earned a zero for coming up 5.2 seconds—nearly three secshort—just 3.9 seconds. But onds longer than his first try at Nunes was determined that he the great bull.

Code Blue has a lot of riders seeing red!

September/October 2009

www.bullpenmagazine.com

could ride him. The Brazilian selected Code Blue in the short round draft in Tulsa, Okla. Nunes apparently had learned from past mistakes, but he hadn’t learned enough—he bucked off 0.8 seconds shy of the buzzer. Code Blue was marked 46.75setting a new personal high for the season. “I will ride him next time I get on him,” declared a frustrated Nunes after his second buck-off. Despite Code Blue’s unblemished record, Dirteater is also positive he can make it to eight seconds on him. “You have to stay down on him and he’ll eventually get rode. I’ll be 90-plus when I ride him the third time!” predicted Dirteater, a strong contender for PBR Rookie of the Year. ?what does the Cherokee Kid think of Code Blue’s And chances in Las Vegas? “He has potential to be the World Champion. He’s a great bull.”

BULL PENNINGS

CONTRACTOR Q&A

LAMBERT’S COLUMN

ABBI President Russell Gant

Cody Lambert

BEDFORD’S BULL-ETIN (cont.)

LAMBERT’S COLUMN (cont.)

Bull Pen Editor Susan Bedford

Cody Lambert

PRO BULL STATS

LONG’S COLUMN (cont.)

Slade Long

BEDFORD’S BULL-ETIN

SUPERSTAR SPOTLIGHT by Susan Bedford

PARTNER PROFILE

PARTNER PROFILE (cont.)

SUPERSTAR SPOTLIGHT (cont.)

Bridget Cook

by Susan Bedford

ASK DR. WARNER

ASK DR. WARNER (cont.)

TABLE of CONTENTS

Gary Warner, DVM

January/February 2009

Gary Warner, DVM

Code Blue PBR Stats:

NUTRITIONAL NEWS

NUTRITIONAL NEWS (cont.)

WHO’S YOUR DADDY?

Jonathon Beckett

Sugar Kuhn

ABBI JR. BREEDERS

ABBI JR. BREEDERS (cont.)

Amy Gardner

McKEE’S COLUMN Justin McKee

Buckoff %: 100 Average Mark: 44.81 BFTS Average: 46.03 VS Left-handers: 8 trips-100% VS Right-handers: 5 trips-100% VS Top Riders: 9 outs-100% PBR Stats Courtesy of probullstats.com McKEE’S COLUMN (cont.) Justin McKee

www.bullpenmagazine.com September/October 2009

Bovine Legends at the End of Their Careers Will Retire in Las Vegas There are some bulls retiring this year that have been around for the last 5 or 6 years who are true legends. Some will make the Finals and some have just lost a step and won’t be there. And that decision will be made in the middle of October, right at the end, because none of these bulls are completely at the top of their game. But even as old men, they are still in the top 10% of bulls out there. So if they are having a good month in September, they’ll be at the PBR Finals at the end of October. Bulls like Zorro, Shane, Holy Moly, Lucky Strike, Splat Kat—just to name a few—have been legends and are now at the end of their careers. Many of these bulls also had success in the ABBI and started their careers competing at ABBI events. Lucky Strike has been going to the World Finals since 2004 and he still strikes fear into any man who has to get on him. He can jerk

them over his head and he’s got more outs than any of the bulls retiring. He’s only been ridden three times and he’s been bucking since 2003. He has about 120 outs on probullstats(.com) and probably another 100 outs at places where they don’t have stats for him. He’s only been ridden successfully three times out of all that—and that’s quite a record. Zorro is probably the best sire out of the bulls that are retiring. He’s already had sons at the PBR World Finals and the ABBI World Finals. He’s won lot of money and he’s one of the first groups that came through the ABBI competition and he won money doing that. If he makes this Finals, it will be his fifth time. They were contemplating retiring him last year, but they decided he didn’t look like he was slowing down so they’d take it a little easy on him and he’s having a good year again this year. Shane has done the same thing since day

September/October 2009 www.bullpenmagazine.com

one, and he’s been around 5 or 6 years now. He’s been to four PBR World Finals; this will be his fifth if he can make it. He reminds you of Western Wishes a few years back. He does the same thing every time, yet very few guys have ever been able to ride him. He just goes one jump out and spins to the left. If you’re too far to the inside, he’ll throw you off the inside. If you’re too far to the outside, he’ll swing you out that way. If you slid back off your rope, he’ll move forward and you’ll go off the back. He gets the job done every time. If Holy Moly makes the Finals, this will be his last time as well. He has calves that are really bucking and have done well in the Classics. He’s still pretty tough, but I haven’t seen a lot of him this year. Whether these bulls make it to Las Vegas or not, they were all great bulls when they were in their prime, and even though it is time for them to retire, they will be missed.

ENTRY FEES ONLY $300

EASY STEPS: 1. Enter and Pay online at www.americanbuckingbull.com or via fax at 719-242-2746. 2. Entries will be posted on ABBI website by 5PM August 21st. 3. Log into www.VBBInow.com to obtain code for video beginning on August 22nd. 4. Record video and upload to www.VBBInow.com by Midnight September 4th. 5. Judging will begin on www.VBBInow.com on September 5th and will conclude at Midnight, September 11th. 6. Results will be posted on www.VBBInow.com and www.americanbuckingbull.com 7. Payout checks will be processed on Tuesday, September 15th.

Entries Open: 12:01 AM (Monday) August 10th

Open for two weeks

Entries Close: 5PM (Friday) August 21st Video Open: 12:01 AM (Saturday) August 22nd

Open for two weeks

Video Close: Midnight (Friday) September 4th

Videos taken at ABBI Archdale event and the American Breederâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup will also be accepted

Judging Open: 12:01 AM (Saturday) September 5th Judging Close: Midnight (Friday) September 11th VBBI entry fees may vary from event to event. All times, Mountain Daylight Time (MDT).

It’s Bull-of-the-Year Time! It’s that time of year again—time to start thinking about what bulls might be in the running for Bull of the Year in the PBR and the PRCA. People love to speculate on this all year long, but what really counts is what happens from now to the end of the year. Bulls that were fantastic in February are forgotten now, and the bulls that finish the year strong have the best chance at a title. Is that fair? Technically, it is supposed to be the whole year, and in a way it is. It’s just difficult for a bull to be dominant all year long, so often, a bull that skips the first quarter and comes on strong down the stretch is right there in the running. Regardless of what kind of speculation takes place, it’s always hard to get a clear picture of what the field might look like until August. In the PBR, the riders vote on the best bull, and it’s hard to predict what might get into the top 5. I would expect this year’s race to be extremely close, because there are quite a few bulls that statistically are virtually identical. First-time contenders, including Big Tex, Code Blue and Apollo are hanging right there with veterans All In, Troubadour, Bones and Chicken On A Chain. In all, there are 15 bulls that have averaged over 45 points over the past 6 months, but what they do in the next two months will make or break their bid for PBR Bull of the Year. Once the field is set, the bull that has won the most go rounds has the inside track, because he needs to be beating the field at the World Finals. In the PRCA, the race is just getting started. It’s a long time till December, and a lot can happen, but the clear frontrunners from the summer so far are Beutler’s 419 Little Lightning and Rosser’s

Big Tex would like to extend a great discount to all ABBI members and PBR riders, stock contractors and bull owners. All you have to do in an e-mail or phone call is mention “Tough As A Texas Longhorn” for your special discount.

September/October 2009 www.bullpenmagazine.com

103I Hawaiian Ivory. Both these bulls have been outstanding recently at major rodeos. Right behind them are a host of bulls that can make a difference, but don’t have a lot of outs. In the PRCA, bulls need to be seen by the top bull riders, and bulls with limited outs are going to find it tough to get consideration. August and September are when Bucking Bull of the Year hopefuls have to make their bid for the title, so keep an eye out for bulls that charge to the front over the next two months. Slade Long is the head honcho at probullstats.com, and just one of the honchos at the VBBI. He lives in Covington, La. (until the next hurricane). Top 15 PBR bulls w/5 Minimum Outs from Past 6 Months Hist. Rank PBR rank

PBS ID No. Bull

Contr.

Avg Mark

Avg Sc. Outs

10296

05 Bones

TBB

23.116 (46.232)

93.5

9370

T11 Troubadour

23.113 (46.225)

16266

M7 Convict

OBRC

22.9 (45.8)

7043

CC Chicken on a Chain

JRB

22.757 (45.513)

92.5

7693

A147 All In

22.731 (45.461)

91.13

10016

103I Hawaiian Ivory

22.697 (45.393)

273

9114

325 Hot Stuff

DHT

22.659 (45.318)

89.5

10713

D13 Ricky Bobby

DHT

22.618 (45.236)

90.42

7738

309 Spitfire

22.618 (45.235)

88.38

11332

009 Showtime

DHT

22.615 (45.229)

12838

661 Apollo

22.597 (45.194)

13635

433 Big Tex

BGR

22.568 (45.136)

14423

644 Code Blue

WWBB

22.563 (45.125)

13550

404 I'm a Gangster

TBB

22.524 (45.047)

6506

C21 White Magic

DMDG

22.514 (45.028)

91.13

40 + Years in the Bucking Bull Business!

Jack Danielâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Happy Hour Son of Grasshopper + Cordell Breeding

C & C Rodeo Co., Inc Mrs. Fred Cordell 940-937-3706 812-FM 2530 Childress, TX 79201

www.bullpenmagazine.com September/October 2009

Body Condition Score Body condition score refers to how much finish, or fat, the cows are carrying.

ciated, has virtually no energy reserves. The lack of finish in these cows is often secondary to other problems, such as parasites or illness. On the other end of the spectrum is the body condition score 9 1'$23"/245%6*20/7"8% cow. These cows are excessively obese. >VV! The functional range of body condition RV! score is 4-7. Areas on the cow to evaluate <V! BCS include: over the ribs, brisket, along the back, through the hooks and pins, and GV! tailhead. Pictures of cows at different BCS ?V! are easily available on the internet. V! 1 Emaciated—No visible fat; Little muscle left. P! G! :! <! H! 2 Very Thin—Bones visible; No fat consider&'(#%)'*(+,'*%-.'/0% able; Muscle loss. ! 3 Thin—Foreribs visible; Some muscle loss. 4 Borderline—Forerib not visible; 12th and 13th "#$%&#'(!)*+'!,*-+./.*-!0,*&$!%/!,%#1.-2!.0!,&./.,%#!3*&!&$4&*+5,/.1$!05,,$00(!%-+!4&*+5,$&0!06*5#+!/%&2$/! Clearly, body condition score at calving ribs visible. 6%1.-2!/6$.&!,*70!%/!%!8"9!*3!:;<!)'!,%#1.-2!/.=$!.-!*&+$&!/*!=%.-/%.-!%!>?;=*-/6!,%#1.-2!.-/$&1%#@! is critical for reproductive success, and pro- 5 Moderate—All bones covered; Neither thin A&*+5,$&0!06*5#+!4$&.*+.,%##'!$1%#5%/$!)*+'!,*-+./.*-!0,*&$!*3!/6$!,*70!.-!%!0'0/$=%/.,!=%//$&@!!8*+'! ducers should target having their cows at a nor fat. ,*-+./.*-!.-!)$$3!,*70!.0!/'4.,%##'!$1%#5%/$+!*-!%!0,%#$!*3!>;B(!.-!76.,6!%!)*+'!,*-+./.*-!>!,*7!.0! BCS of 5-6 by calving time in order to 6 Good—Smooth appearance; Some fat on $=%,.%/$+(!6%0!1.&/5%##'!-*!$-$&2'!&$0$&1$0@!!C6$!#%,D!*3!3.-.06!.-!/6$0$!,*70!.0!*3/$-!0$,*-+%&'!/*!*/6$&! back and tail. maintain a 12-month calving interval. 7 Very Good—Smooth appearance with fat over 4&*)#$=0(!05,6!%0!4%&%0./$0!*&!.##-$00@!!E-!/6$!*/6$&!$-+!*3!/6$!04$,/&5=!.0!/6$!)*+'!,*-+./.*-!0,*&$!B! Producers should periodically evaluate back and tail head. ,*7@!!C6$0$!,*70!%&$!$F,$00.1$#'!*)$0$@!!C6$!35-,/.*-%#!&%-2$!*3!)*+'!,*-+./.*-!0,*&$!.0!G;H@!!I&$%0!*-! body condition score of the cows in a sys- 8 Fat—Blocky appearance; Bone over back not /6$!,*7!/*!$1%#5%/$!8"9!.-,#5+$J!*1$&!/6$!&.)0(!)&.0D$/(!%#*-2!/6$!)%,D(!/6&*526!/6$!6**D0!%-+!4.-0(!%-+! tematic matter. Body condition in beef visible /%.#6$%+@!!A.,/5&$0!*3!,*70!%/!+.33$&$-/!8"9!%&$!$%0.#'!%1%.#%)#$!*-!/6$!.-/$&-$/@! cows is typically evaluated on a scale of 1- 9 Very Fat—Tail buried and in fat. As a general rule each body condition 9, in >!!"#$%#&'(KL*!1.0.)#$!3%/M!N.//#$!=50,#$!#$3/@ which a body condition 1 cow is ema-! score in moderate frame size cows is ?!)'*+,-.%/K8*-$0!1.0.)#$M!L*!3%/!,*-0.+$&%)#$M!O50,#$!#*00@! equivalent to about 75 pounds. Therefore, for cows that are body condition score 4, P!-.%/KQ*&$&.)0!1.0.)#$M!9*=$!=50,#$!#*00@! they must gain about 75 pounds to move G!01*('*2%/'KQ*&$&.)!-*/!1.0.)#$M!>?/6!%-+!>P/6!&.)0!1.0.)#$@!! to a body condition score 5. This assumes that the cows are mature, and not growing. :!31('*#&'KI##!)*-$0!,*1$&$+M!L$./6$&!/6.-!-*&!3%/@! It is also important to “see through” a <!411(K9=**/6!%44$%&%-,$M!9*=$!3%/!*-!)%,D!%-+!/%.#@!! heavy hair coat. Winter hair coats can appear to add at least one BCS to cows. Nursing cows need grain when grazing. val. The following table summarizes work from Purdue University.

!"#$%

It is the time of year that cows are starting to lose their condition. Producing milk for their calves puts tremendous drain on the cows, and forages are becoming more mature and have less available energy and protein than during late spring/early summer. Cows typically can’t consume enough poor-quality forage to meet their energetic demands, and the cows lose body condition trying to keep up. While no one wants to see fat cows with small calves, having real thin cows going into winter is not a desirable situation, either. It is important to try to minimize their weight loss because feeding cows to put weight on during the fall and winter is an extremely expensive proposition. It is natural for cow to fluctuate in body condition score throughout the year as energy resources vary with the seasons, and energy requirements change with pregnancy and milk production. It is the responsibility of the producer to assess and adjust energy provided to the cows to prevent condition of the cows to swing too far in one direction. So how are your cows holding up? The best indicator of cow energy status is an evaluation of body condition score. Body condition score just refers to how much finish, or fat, the cows are carrying. While there are several technical methods to evaluate finish, i.e. ultrasound, a very effective method is to visually evaluate how much reserve energy the cows have. In fact, research years ago at Oklahoma State University demonstrated that BCS is much more effective at evaluating energy status than using body weight. This is because body weight fluctuates dramatically with gut fill, pregnancy, etc. Body condition score has a major influence on several key reproductive parameters, such as postpartum interval (cows in higher body condition scores return to estrus after calving much earlier than cows in poor body condition score) and conception rates. The relationship between body condition score and these reproductive parameters is extremely high. In fact, body condition at calving has one of the most important impacts on postpartum interval. When cows calve at subpar body condition score, i.e. less than 5, postpartum interval is extended and cows don’t get bred in time to maintain a 12-month calving inter-

H!)'*+,411(K9=**/6!%44$%&%-,$!7./6!3%/!*1$&!)%,D!%-+!/%.#!6$%+@!

BCS 3 R!5#&K8#*,D'!%44$%&%-,$M!8*-$!*1$&!)%,D!-*/!1.0.)#$!Key times to evaluate BCS: B!)'*+,5#&KC%.#!)5&.$+!%-+!.-!3%/@!

60 days prior to weaning This time is especially important during

drought years. If body condition is dropI0!%!2$-$&%#!&5#$!$%,6!)*+'!,*-+./.*-!0,*&$!.-!=*+$&%/$!3&%=$!0.S$!,*70!.0!$T5.1%#$-/!/*!%)*5/!H:! ping to a greater degree than expected, it 4*5-+0@!!C6$&$3*&$(!3*&!,*70!/6%/!%&$!)*+'!,*-+./.*-!0,*&$!G(!/6$'!=50/!2%.-!%)*5/!H:!4*5-+0!/*!=*1$! /*!%!)*+'!,*-+./.*-!0,*&$!:@!!C6.0!%005=$0!/6%/!/6$!,*70!%&$!=%/5&$(!%-+!-*/!2&*7.-2@!!U/!.0!%#0*! may be necessary to wean calves early.

BCS 5

This will help body condition of the cows and preserve pasture or rangeland for the rest of the grazing season. Additionally, you can use this opportunity to prepare calves for sale (vaccinations, training calves to eat from the bunk, etc.).

Weaning

BCS 7

September/October 2009 www.bullpenmagazine.com

Fat cows usually need only mediumquality hay and small amounts of supplement plus mineral and vitamin supplementation. Thin cows usually need high-quality hay and may also need supplements that are high in energy (+70 percent TDN), medium in protein (12 to 15 percent CP),

plus mineral and vitamin supplementation. This is an ideal time to pay particular attention to young cows. Typically, the 2- and 3year-old cows will be at least 1 body condition score lower than the mature cows. It may be necessary to separate these cows and provide extra nutrition to them.

the nutritional demands of lactation. Increase the plane of nutrition by supplementing with adequate high-energy feeds and re-assess the adequacy of the mineral program. It is not often that management practices can be implemented with virtually no

cost. However, BCS evaluation is an extremely effective practice, and can be used by all operations with very little cost. Energy status of the cowherd is an integral part of an entire operation, and should be evaluated with dedication.

45 days post weaning This is a good time to evaluate how quickly the cows are bouncing back after weaning. It may be necessary to adjust supplemental feed accordingly.

90 days prior to calving This is the last time to make adjustments to ensure that cows will calve at a body condition score of about 6. If cows are below desired body condition, use the 75 lbs per BCS and feed to achieve the daily gain necessary to attain that level. For example, if the cows are an average BCS of 5, and it is 90 days prior to calving, the cows must gain 0.8 pounds per day (75 pounds/90 days), plus the added weight of the developing fetus, to achieve the desired BCS.

Calving time At this point, it is difficult to make substantial impacts on BCS due to

www.bullpenmagazine.com September/October 2009

4 Junior Breeders Buck Bulls in 2 Countries Across 1 International Border with 1 Goal in Mind As one of only a few girls raising bucking stock in “Cowboy Capital” Stephenville, Texas, bucking the naysayers is sometimes tougher than bucking the bulls. Recently turning Sweet 16, Megan Walker doesn’t stop to mix sweet ‘n’ sour. She’s too focused and busy rising to new heights, galloping to the beat of her own horse’s hooves while helping oversee the family’s massive bull herd in two countries. “Just the fact that I raise bulls and I do everything that the guys do—they say, ‘you do that?” Megan smiled. “I’m my dad’s right hand, and whatever he does—gather them, do all the sorting—we do that in just a couple of hours, and I’ve been doing this since I was 6 years old.” The teen, followed close behind by her 8year old-brother Zane, and the 7-year-old twins Quentin and Amber, are all active junior breeders assisting their dad, Trevor Walke,r maintain two full-time bucking bull ranches in Texas and Canada. The children and their mom are based at their ranch in Stephenville (80 miles southwest of Fort Worth) but also travel across the international border to their other ranch in Saskatchewan, Canada. Because their dad is Canadian, they’ve kept dual citizenship and dual ranches. All total, the Walkers own 300 cows and 225 bulls. Their Texas property spans 600 acres, and they lease an additional 600 acres. The Canadian ranch is a massive 40,000 acres.

Amber, Megan, Zane and Quentin Walker are proud of their family’s success.

the family business. “Megan can do just about all of it—hauling, doctoring, gathering, sorting, feeding—she has been helping Trevor hay this summer, too. Megan was one of the first girls to get a Junior Breeder membership at age 10.” Megan got her first calf when she was just 2. Trevor was also quick to praise his eldest child. “I can count on her. She knows where I am, and I always know where she is.” He good-naturedly added, “I wish she’d be more into the bulls than the boys.” Not only is Megan quickly grasping the family business, but Zane, Quentin and Amber are becoming her assistants. “They love it. They follow me out there to watch and learn,” Megan declared with sisterly pride. Zane’s enthusiasm is quickly catching up. “All Zane ever thinks about is bulls, even on the trampoline. ‘Let’s play bucking bulls,’ he’ll say.” Zane is a third-grader at Hook Elementary and the twins are in second grade at Chamberlin Elementary in Stephenville. Bulls are almost in the Walkers’ blood. Trevor, whose father ranched and rode bareback and bulls for 15 years, also took up bull riding and roping at age 14. Trevor made the PBR World Finals in 1994. “I got tired Rebecca and Megan Walker. of getting on sale barn bulls, so we that year and started raising bulls in 1988, and based ‘em off a prize bull in the Calgary Stampede; the again in 2007. That passion bull Charles Manson.” Trevor noted he is now heredi- accrued the best bulls from differerent stock tary. From their contractors to put together a set of cows for Texas ranch, the Canada ranch, and then built the Texas mom Rebecca ranch. While Megan has five bulls, Quentin is Walker said Megan, a junior proud to have his own bull. Zane, meanat Stephenville while, just sold his first bull, a 3-year old, High School, 685 Hot Coffee, and his cow had a bull calf has really this spring. Amber tenderly helps care for grown into her cow.

Call it a very long distance commute. Trevor Walker said they’ve been breeding bulls since 1991, then expanded to the U.S. in 2000. “I drove an average of 100,000 miles a year....we were pretty busy hauling bulls to the PBR. Back and forth from Canada to Texas is 1,700 miles and 37 hours—I know that number well!” So does Megan. “It takes us about a dayand-a-half one way to get there. Now that I’ve started driving, we can get there faster...but it’s still long and miserable. We switch out every couple hours and we drive all night.” The Walkers’ success is reason enough for the trot across two countries. “We put 40 bulls through the PRCA or PBR World Finals,” Trevor noted. They’ve also had other proud moments in the bucking bull business. In 2004, they earned ABBI Breeder of the Year, and were proud that Walker Bucking Stock Breeders was the first re c i p i ent of t h i s award. T h e Walkers w o n t h e yeare n d standi n g s

September/October 2009 www.bullpenmagazine.com

FFA Rodeo in Dallas. Zane, Megan excitedly Quentin and Amber are placed 6th in the involved in youth rodeos. Junior Futurity in The boys also play football, Ardmore, Okla. this while Amber enjoys gymnasyear, but she especially tics. likes being out on the Both parents agree—it’s all range. “Sorting is my about the kids. “If you don’t favorite part, ‘cuz I get give them something to do, to work with my you have more trouble than if favorite horse, Diablo, you don’t,” Trevor said. and teach him techRebecca proudly relayed, niques.” “The boys have all the PBR The Walkers are trading cards and know all preparing five bulls for the riders and bulls.” They futurities, events Trevor even set up their own “ranchcalls a determining faces” with toy panels, bulls and tor for the future of a semi-trucks, playing ranch, bull. “Once they’re not feed, haul, brand, and put on doing well at futurities, their own bull ridings. we don’t keep them, “Amber’s love is her horses especially at $2 a day and working cattle,” Rebecca feeding these 800Megan Walker flanks her bull. added. pound animals,” he Megan’s goals are: “I want explained. “We rate everything, knowing that 30% will turn back with a dummy, and to go to college on a rodeo and ag scholarship, and then be an equine chiropractor or equine dentist.” about 10% are at the top of the game to win.” Meanwhile, Trevor plans to pull their last 100 cows out of Canada Meanwhile, the kids have winning enthusiasm. “I love meeting new people at FFA and rodeos,” Megan animatedly shared. She this fall, but will keep 200 horses there. “As long as the PBR is where competes in breakaway and goat tying in high school rodeo, as well it’s at, there’s where we’re successful,” he declared. Megan smiled in agreement, and galloped off on Diablo across as open rodeos and barrel racings. Megan is also the chaplain in the Stephenville FFA chapter, and recently competed in the Texas State the vast Canadian ranchland, anxious to check on her herd.

www.bullpenmagazine.com September/October 2009

Las Vegas— Opportunity Rocks! Reach new prospects and make money at the same time Las Vegas is just around the corner and I’m really looking forward to both the PBR and ABBI Finals this year. I truly believe the PBR fans are some of the best in the world and a lot of those fans are starting to discover the ABBI and what it is all about. Las Vegas is a great opportunity to expose more people to the excitement of competitive bucking bull competitions and I think we’ll be able to reach a lot of new fans with the way things are structured this year. The long round of the Classic will take place during Round 3 of the PBR World Finals. The short round will be held during Round 4. Not only will all those fans in the seats at Thomas & Mack get to see the talent the ABBI has in our Classic bulls, we’ll also be reaching about a million people around the globe with the television broadcasts. Those of you with a bull qualified for the Classic Finals know the value of the exposure of having your bull bucking on prime time television. And for those of you thinking about entering the Wild Card on that Thursday before the

Finals, I’d encourage you to take that opportunity if you have a bull that you think belongs among the big boys. The top four Wild Card bulls will get to go on to buck on Sunday alongside the 40 qualified Classic bulls. The bull that comes out on top after the short round wins $250,000— nothing to sneeze at unless you’re used to blowing your nose with million-dollar bills. We’re also doing something new with the Futurity Finals this year. Both the long and short round will be held at Wrangler University. Wrangler U is a specially constructed arena in the heart of the PBR’s FanZone at Mandalay Bay. Not only will the fans get to watch what our 2-year-olds can do, we’ll also get a lot of foot traffic from Las Vegas visitors and residents curious to see what the FanZone is all about. I think this will be an opportunity for us to educate a lot of people about the ABBI and grow our fanbase. I’m especially thrilled that our Junior members will have a chance to showcase their bulls at Wrangler U as well. Wrangler U

September/October 2009 www.bullpenmagazine.com

will host an exhibition buck of the top Junior Futurity Bulls from our three regular season events. This will be a fun event for the entire family and should inspire more kids to get involved with the bucking bull business. Instead of just dreaming of riding bulls, hopefully we can inspire some cowboys and cowgirls to start raising them. Wrangler U will also be the site of the annual Mutton Bustin’ competitions, which is always great family entertainment. I hope that whether or not you have bulls competing you’ll come out to support the sport and your fellow breeders. There are so many great opportunities to network and meet other breeders—like the ABBI’s Bowling Tournament, the Bull Pen Bash and the numerous social events on the PBR’s schedule. The ABBI’s free educational seminars are also an invaluable tool, as are the judging seminars (they’re open to all, not just judges). And, if you are looking to start, increase or improve your herd, it sounds like this year’s ABBI Sale will be phenomenal. Hope to see you in Las Vegas!

bull pen bash

www.bullpenmagazine.com September/October 2009

Hoof Abscesses Common hoof problems are reviewed and correct care is recommended

We have all heard the saying “No hoof, no horse.” The statement applies equally to the bucking bull. In this issue of Bull Pen we will review a few common hoof problems. As the futurity side of the bucking bull industry continues to expand, the pressure is on the bull breeders to present big, wellmuscled, mature-looking 2 and 3-year-old animals for sale. To achieve these goals, many young bulls are being fed hot rations of abundant grain products. Bulls, being ruminants, were not designed to ingest 20 or 30 pounds of grain. Grain consists of large amount of readily fermentable carbohydrate. When the young bulls eat this amount of carbohydrate, the pH in the rumen falls, certain bacteria thrive while other protective bacteria are killed off, and the rumen wall itself becomes Fig. inflamed, leaky, and can actually slough off in places. We call this situation rumen acidosis. The young bulls being fed large amounts of grain can suffer a “subclinical” acidosis. This means they eat and look well on the outside but the rumen pH, particularly when they are “slug fed” or fed once daily these large amounts of grain, drops to dangerous levels. What does this have to do with hooves? The type of bacteria that expand in the low rumen pH can leak out of the unhealthy rumen wall and travel in the bloodstream creating havoc, including in the blood that serves the hoof. These same bacteria have toxins as part of their structure that actually triggers the bull’s own destructive enzyme pathways (metalloproteinases) to digest the hoof tubules or lamellae. The outcome in bulls (as with horses) is laminitis. The hoof wall integrity is permanently damaged and sets the stage for chronic poor hoof quality. About the time the animal is ready to compete as a mature bull he is more likely to have hoof abscess, cracks, flat soles, white line disease, and need more frequent hoof

care. All of these diseases take time away from the bucking chute and require several trips to the table for a bull. This presents added expense and loss of opportunity for an owner that has waited the3- 5 years or

Fig. 1

more for a return on his investment. If we take a page from horse veterinary medicine we can appreciate how the wild BLM horses, scavenging for native browse and running barefoot, have far better hoof quality and structure than the overfed stalled horse suffering repeated bouts of Fig. 4 laminitis and hoof abscesses due, in part, to improper diet. Exercise and proper diet go a long way towards minimizing the occurrence of developmental bone dise a s e (OCD) as well as maximizing hoof and leg q u a l i t y.

Figure 1: The tip of the left toe has been opened to allow infected dead bone removal. Figure 2: Bone removed from toe in picture 1. Figure 3: X-ray of fractured P3 in a Brahma bull. Bull currently in a cast and doing well at Elgin Veterinary Hospital. Figure 4: Jac U Up 416, owned by Kenny Jack, on the table getting a bandage change.

WELCOME: Elgin welcomes Dr. Jennifer Cornish. She is a graduate of the University of California School of Veterinary Medicine. She also completed a Masters degree in Food Animal Medicine and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. Dr. Cornish remained on the staff at the veterinary school until her employment by Elgin Veterinary Hospital. She is extremely interested in all aspects of medicine and surgery and enjoys working with bucking stock very much. I feel very fortunate to have her as an associate in this practice and I am sure she will advance our knowledge and improve on the care we can provide to all livestock.

Fig. 3

Racehorse owners have known this for years and the wise breeders allow their young animals to grow up in large pastures grazing until they start training. As bull breeders and owners we would be better off, for the long term career of the animal, to push these youngsters less and challenge them more in the form of exercising in big fields and eating roughage based diets, thus allowing their skeletal and hoof structure to develop as nature intended. Yes, they look rough, but structurally they are far better off for the long road ahead they must travel. A lame bull is a medical emergency. A “wait and see” policy can allow a sole bruise or abscess to develop into a bone infection. Typically, hoof abscesses are very painful for animals and a toe touching lameness can develop. Fractures of the bones within the hoof also make bulls extremely lame and only toe touch at the walk. Only careful examination on a table, using hoof testers, knives, nippers and sometimes Xrays of the foot will allow for a correct diagnosis. Hoof abscesses require careful paring out, drainage, bandaging and often will Continued…

September/October 2009 www.bullpenmagazine.com

granulation tissue is the goal. Once the gap is filled, a patch or glue on shoe can be applied to keep the area protected while new hoof grows down from the coronary band. If significant bone was lost, then the animal will likely need more frequent hoof trimming to maximize a “normal” looking foot during this time period. Fractures of P3 can occur due to kicking a chute, running on rocks or as a complication of bone infection. (Fig. 3) The blood supply to P3 can also be compromised from previous bouts of laminitis (remember the young bulls) with bone rotation further decreasing nutrient delivery to the bone and resulting in poor bone health and subsequent fractures. Given time, stabilization with casting and hoof blocks, and prevention of infection, many of these animals can heal a fracture, thus saving the toe. Wire cuts or trailer accidents often may look innocent and therefore are ignored for a weekend or several days. Be aware that the coffin joint or junction of the bones of the hoof (P2 and P3) lies just under the coronary band around the hoof. Any cut in this region demands inspection, cleansing, bandaging, and antimicrobial or antibacterial therapy. In general, if the infection has not reached the joint the animal will be more willing to walk on the leg than if the joint has been opened and infected. The only time this generality is not true is if the joint is open and draining in a wound that is several hours to days old. Many of these animals will walk on the leg, giving false hope to the owner, until the hole in the joint seals over and the pressure of infection causes severe lameness. With fast and appropriate care, many of these animals can recover from a septic or infected joint if treated aggressively. Routine hoof trimming is vital to a bull’s career. Flexor tendons running the back of the animal’s leg run down and attach to the P3 bone within the rigid hoof. When toes get long, the stretch on this tendon, especially when bucking, is extreme and can tear the tendon leading to long-term lameness, layup, bone loss, and even infection if a blood clot develops within the tendon itself. Getting a bull on the table also allows visual inspection of the bottom or solar surface for soft tissue infection (footrot or hairy foot warts), sole ulcers, or white line disease that can be treated before getting out of hand. One word of caution: do not trim animals immediately before competitions, and only allow experienced and trained personnel to trim feet. Mistakes can cause lameness that persists until the foot has grown back! Finally, bucking bulls, averaging 1700-1800 pounds, are poised on 8 relatively delicate and small structures, the hooves. Loss of only 1/8 of these structures, in the form of a surgical claw amputation, can end not only the animals bucking or breeding career but his life as well. Over time, the animal will “break down” due to overtaxing the remaining toe and become lame in the affected leg. Published reports of cows with claw amputations cite survival times as short as 68 days versus 585 days for animals that underwent surgical for optimal claw condition cleaning and joint fusion. (Bicalho RC et al) Every attempt should be made to save a diseased claw before an amputation is performed. Many bulls such as Jack U Up 416 (Figure 4), owned by Kenny Jack, have come to Elgin Veterinary Hospital when the decision to amputate has been made. This bull had a severe infection and fracture of the P3 bone in his right front outer toe. He is the same animal that is pictured in figures 1 and 2. After surgical removal and several weeks of aggressive treatment, he is back out in the pasture, toe intact, and breeding cows. Patience and diligence is required of the bull owner, the veterinarian, and the bull himself, www.allabouthooves.com Contact:1-800-617-8908 or (403)388-4309 but a successful outcome may be possible.

benefit from local antibiotic therapy (Regional or Distal Limb perfusion) and possible systemic antibiotic therapy. Draining tracts at the coronary band often means an infection that started at the ground surface or joint infection. Thorough examination of the hoof is required. A toe ulcer or pus draining from under the toe can signal infection in the bone within the hoof often called P3 or the coffin bone. X-rays are often indicated in this situation. The most challenging of cases are fractures and infection of P3. High quality, multi-view, digital radiographs are necessary to make a correct diagnosis and begin a treatment plan. Treatment of bone infection begins with surgical removal. (Fig. 1 & 2) Many times, the bone has been dead for some time and can be easily curetted out; other times careful exploration with repeated digital radiograph will point the veterinarian to the problem and ensure total removal. Next, daily or every other day, distal limb perfusion delivers upwards of 25X the concentration of antibiotic to the site of infection in P3 when compared to the standard intramuscular antibiotic shot and is a critical component of successful therapy. Frequent bandage changes and continued removal of dead or necrotic tissue with visual inspection by a veterinarian keeps the healing going in the correct direction. Wood blocks allow the animal comfort while healing and keep the draining toe off the ground. When infection is stopped and healthy tissue begins to fill the gap, medications are switched and encouragement of

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