Bulls on Broadway: A Fan's Appreciation

Susan Hanrahan is a PBR fan and sent me this report on her experience of going to Madison Square Garden for the first event of the season.   In the midst of all the controversy over chute time and complaints about the new broadcast, sometimes we forget to appreciate just how good the PBR is. They bring us great bulls and great riders, week after week, all season long, in all parts of the country. It's the best show in town. Thanks to Susan for reminding us all of why we love the PBR.

K55 Smackdown:  Photo by Susan Hanrahan

Going into New York City is always exciting.  But going into New York City to see bull riding takes my excitement to a new level.  I love seeing the big rigs and bull trailers parked next to Madison Square Garden.  I love to see the expressions of people on the street (who have no idea what's going on), cowboy hats everywhere, and the posters outside the Garden announcing the Profession Bull Riders' return.  I love to go into the arena and hear that first horn on steel and bellow from a bull, letting me know that the real excitement lies in the pens, waiting to be unleashed.

Before the event I had the privilege of taking a "Behind the Scenes" tour.  It was very interesting learning a bit more about the PBR and the production that crosses this country each year.  I believe that our guide told us that they travel 40,000 miles all told.  As we walked through the back hallways, we first visited some of the holding pens, and briefly got a glimpse of Major Payne (aka Super Duty).  He is so big that he was able to pop his head above the rails and plastic tarps to see who was coming in.  We continued on to the top of the chutes to see Craig Hummer and Ty Murray getting in the last preparations before live TV time.  I immediately headed to the back rail and looked down on Big Tex, Big Guns, and Clam Digger.  I watched and listened as they rustled in the pens, moving in sync, seeming so peaceful and sweet.  The real thrill was walking down on the lower level of the chutes and being within arm's length of Moe, Smackdown, Yellow Jacket, Jr, and Cheerio.  So amazing to see them up close.  That for me, was the best part of the day.

Once the event got started, with its new pyrotechnics display, bull heads with red eyes spewing smoke, and a new opening (of which I was not a fan), there were great rides and great buckoffs, Flint at his best, awesome music, and a great job by in-house arena announcers Brandon Bates and Clint Adkins.  The bull draft for the championship round was exciting, as NYC was packed with great short go bulls:  Voodoo Child, Smackdown, Chicken on a Chain, Yellow Jacket Jr, and I'm a Gangster, to name a few.  We all cheered when Ben Jones selected Voodoo Child and just about lost our minds when he rode him.  That was the ride of the night, in my opinion.  None better.

Sunday in New York was everything I was hoping for, and more.  The big bovines did not disappoint, and the cowboys showed what great athletes they are.  I can't wait for the next time the bull snot flies and I am there to see it in person.