Two years ago at the PBR World Finals I was blessed to meet a wonderful lady whose husband had recently passed away from cancer. Last year in the midst of thousands of peole we once again crossed pathes, believe it or not in the "Ladies Room"! She is such a fan that when she sent me this letter she had wrote in response to an article she had read I had to get permission to pass it on. "You tell them, Kay!" (If you want to know more on this check out my favorite blog http://www.friedtwinkies.com/blog/ .
"Dear Mr. Avella,
I read the article concerning your attempt to ban bullriding in New York. I grew up in the country but I have lived in the city now since I was 12 years old. Do you think I would take my grandchildren to see a practice that cruel and inhumane? My grandchildren who love deer and puppies and eagles and cats and all forms of animal life? My husband and I have taken them every where from our National Recreation area to Glacier national park. They have seen nature in all her glory, both wild and free. They are devestated at the death of the Crocodile man from Australia, Steve Irwin. They learned to love these creatures because my husband and I have taught them about loving them, hunting them only for food, and making sure any traps you set are checked regularly if you choose to trap. We have raised baby rabbits we rescued from the neighborhood cat, without killing the cat by the way. It has a right to live too. God has created a beautiful world and everything in it. I would never harm anything that wasn't trying to eat me first. The PeTA people simply dont know what they are talking about. Flank strap laws are inane and unnecessary. They do not harm the animal in any way. Most of these huge beasties live better than many of our children that you lawmakers fail to protect every day from their abusing families and roaming pedophiles and killers. They eat well; have the best medical care and yes are even loved as pets at their home pasture and pens.
Please come to an event, make an appointment with someone like Cody Custer, a founding member and a former champion and now a judging supervisor. Have him take you behind the chutes and to a practice pen. See for yourself how well they are treated and how well fed and pampered they are. Some of them even have their own water hauled with them as they travel so that they dont get sick from water they arent used to. Come to church with us and see these humble Christian riders interact with their fellow riders and the fans like me who so graciously are permitted to attend. They wouldnt be willing to hurt the very thing that gives them the opportunity to make a living doing what they love. They, like me, are in love with bulls, bullriding and competition. More to the point they know they are accountable to God for the way they treat his creations, human or otherwise. Their families are monetariy dependent on quality animals that perform willingly and well. A bull that is not healthy will not perform well enough for a high score.
Please educated yourself and then go back to your job as a legislator with a fair unbiased opinion and influence others who are in a position to prevent city folk from seeing the fastest growing sport in the world. I guarantee you that you wont see any of these guys refusing an autograph or charging for it. I saw Johnny Unitis do that once to a little boy I didnt know and I saw that boy walk away sobbing. That wont happen with my heroes. I have seen J.W.Hart stand in a pouring cold rain at the event in Hickory Creek ranch in Tidioute, Pennsylvania and sign autographs for my five grandchildren. I have seen Ty Murray come out of a bathroom and let someone take his picture with them. I have had Jim Sharp stop in a hallway and sign an autograph for me. I have seen Tony Mendes sick with the flu, still go to a fan fest where he knew he had two hours he was expected to smile and be nice to fans. I have seen Mike Lee in so much pain from his injuries but he still took the time to say hi and God bless you. I have seen Tuff Hedeman stay after an event for over an hour signing autographs for the waiting fans. I think one of my favorite memories was watching Adriano Moraes at a fanfest kill a bug that scared a little girl and then pretend it got him. She came right out of her frightened little shell and climbed on his lap for a picture, when before all she would do was cower away from him.
Cody Custer, Corey Navarre and Todd Pierce came to my home in Barberton, Ohio in 2004 to minister to my dying husband and his family. They didnt have to , they were not paid to do so, they didnt even let me feed them. Needless to say I am now proud to call Cody and Todd and Corey friends; but they only knew that Ron and I were fans who came to events and church services before that. They also knew that Cody was my husband's favorite rider. This kind of treatment sure beats the rape and greed and corruption I see in other professional sports. I pray it doesnt happen to my precious PBR as they are growing so rapidly in popularity and salaries.
Sincerely,
A loyal Christian bullriding fan,
Kay Behm"
