I'm a bull fan, but for all the raw bull power in the house last weekend, it turned out to be the human side of bull riding that affected me the most. McKennon Wimberly and Mesa Pate slowly making their way up the stairs during the introductions. Austin Meier getting on a total of six bulls, five of them after having been thrashed every which way by Big Tex in his first attempt. J.B Mauney stepping up out of a slump and making the whistle on Paycheck and Chicken on a Chain. Valdiron de Oliveira and Guilherme Marchi laughing together after Valdiron edged Guilherme by .02 seconds in Round Three. Valdiron congratulating Colby Yates after he won Round Four over Valdiron by way of pushing the review button. Marchi congratulating him, too. Austin Meier again, sitting on the ground at the end of the night, pale and drained, unwrapping the tape from his wrist. And Yates, probably the guy everyone least expected to win the thing, winning the thing.
So here's to Iron Cowboys and mortal men. Last night was impressive that way, didn't you think?
