“The bulls were the winners’ percentage wise.”
That was the final analysis after the recent 2014 K-State Invitational Bull Bash, sponsored by the Kansas State University Rodeo Club, at Weber Arena on the north end of Manhattan’s Kansas State University campus.
But, five cowboys did more than their share to bring the cowboys versus bulls’ average up.
According to scorekeeper Kelly Forell of Alva, Oklahoma, “There were 16 qualified bull rides in three go rounds for a22.85 percent riding average. That makes for a good show for the audience, but also shows the high caliber of livestock.”
Thirty contestants from seven states rode in the competition. Six cowboys made the eight-second whistle in the first go-round, and eight qualified in the second go-round.
Three cowboys made the whistle on both of their bulls in the first two go-rounds. But, the top ten scores from both rounds, including seven riders with just one scored ride, came back for the final go-round. There were two qualified rides in the short-go, for a total of 16 qualified rides.
“Only five cowboys rode two bulls in the entire competition, and they all placed in the average,” Forell said. Obviously, those five bull riders had 66.67 percent coverage, helping the overall cowboy success rate.
“Total payout to the five top bull riders was $6,125,” Forell tabulated.
Unable to make the whistle on bull 111, New Orleans Nightmare from Hall Rodeo LLC, in the final go-round, Matt May of Sydney, Arkansas, still took home the first place check and championship buckle for 169 points on two bulls covered in the first two rounds.
May also received a gift certificate from National Ropers Supply (NRS) for his high point ride of 84 points in the first go-round.
Lucas Dick of Cheney bucked off bull 5, Chee Wee Wee, in the final go-round, but ended up second in the average with 165 points on two bulls, including 86 points to win the second-round, and also a NRS gift certificate.
Third in the average went to Justin Morgan, Harrisonville, Arkansas, for 162 points, qualifying on both of his bulls in the first two go-rounds. But, he was unable to make the short-go whistle on bull 11, Player.
Austin Martin, Ashland, Missouri, marked 82 points on Facebook to win the short go-round and combined his 79 points from the second go-round to place fourth in the average with 161 points.
Marking 80 points on Red Squirrel, Jordan Sammons, Lake Charles, Louisiana, was second in the short go-round, and then placed fifth in the average with 157 points, when his 77 points from the first-round were added on.
“The attendance both nights of the bull riding was outstanding, and I was impressed by the professionalism and attention to small details that made this an entertaining event for the spectators,” credited Forell, a 1989 graduate K-State Rodeo Team Alumni.
“I might also add that I had never seen a pen of bulls as consistent as these, and my hats off to stock contractor Hall Rodeo LLC, Bentonville, Arkansas,” Forell commented.
“There was an injury the first night as David King of Fort Scott was stepped on while getting away from his bull and suffered a broken femur. He did have surgery Saturday morning to put a rod in his leg and expects to be back on the rodeo trail in about three months. Austin Martin replaced King in the short-go and ended fourth in the average,” Forell noted.