RESULTS:
1 Curt Check 176 $3296.70
2/3 Steven Lile 175 $2147.85
2/3 Reese Cates 175 $2147.85
4/5 Josh Ehlers 171 $949.05
4/5 Matt Birkenholtz 171 $949.05
6 Luke Carrol 169 $499.50
Winners Bullfight:
1 Toby Inman 88 680.00
2/3 Nevada Miller 83 425.00
2/3 Dave Jantzi 83 425.00
4 Brandon Lindsay 80 170
Extreme Bullriding off to big start!
Snow Bull at Burlington, Iowa, has become one of the must attend events for both fans and contestants since it began in 2000. This years Snow Bull will go down in the books as one of the most outstanding events in recent history. Curt Check was the ultimate champion with a score of 176 on two and Toby Inman was the champion in the bullfighting competition with score of 88. The real success of this event is not just in the champions or the outstanding competition but in the money it has raised over the years for the community. Before the doors opened on this year’s event the committee had already donated over $200,000 to community projects. This is the true success of Snow Bull. I want to start this report by congratulating this committee on not only putting on an event that provides great entertainment, but has become a major asset to their community. I tip my cowboy hat to you!
Snow Bull is traditionally, the kick off for the Extreme Bullriding Tour, Thursday night’s opening performance could only be described as the ultimate start to the ultimate tour! Curt Check rocked the house with a 91-point ride on Blue Duck owned by Double S Bull Company setting the standard for the rest of the event. He went on to win the event with a score of 176 on 2. Well known former BOA and Extreme Bullriding Tour Year End Champion, Steven Lile, also scored a 90-point ride. What a way to start the season off with two new members to the 90 Point Club!
Eighteen year old, Reece Cates, 2006 NABA National Champion & Rookie of the Year, took second place along with Seven Lile with 175 on 2. Josh Ehlers, one of the newest members to the Rodeo Attitude Program, and fast becoming one of the sports superstars, finished the round with a score of 171. His ease in riding received rave reviews from not only the announcer but the crowd. Our Bullriding Director, Seth Reynolds, also rode last night but missed the short go by just one point!
The Midwest Bullfighters Association also kicked off their 2007 season with a round of Freestyle Bullfighting each night. The event champion was Toby Inman who not only won the event but did it with a superb performance. Toby gave every ticket holder their money’s worth when he did a back flip over his bull. I have seen jumps over bulls during freestyle bullfights but never before a back flip done on purpose! He won the event with a score of 88!
The announcer was Chris Pyle, who has earned a reputation for his ability to keep the fans well informed and entertained with his great color commentary. He was joined by barrelman, Shawn “Boom Boom” Thompson. After years of working together these two men have developed a great sense of timing working together that just gets better and better. It was a big weekend for one of the bullfighters as well. Brandon Brazier was joined in the arena for cowboy protection by Rob Canby of Mt. Pleasant. Both men did an excellent job, but this will be the last time fans will see Rob in the arena as he retired from bullfighting at the close of the event on Saturday. We all wish Rob the best and hope he stays active in the sport in other ways.
Special guest and members of the new Ultimate Extreme Team sponsored by the Extreme Bullriding Tour, Miss Rodeo Iowa, Amanda Eason, and Miss Rodeo Illinois, Kelsey Walker, were both present and played an active role in the event. Both ladies were part of a special event held for school children on Friday afternoon along with the bullfighters and a few of the riders. (The teacher with the group mentioned to the bullfighters that one of the student’s home had burnt the night before and the family had lost everything. The Midwest Bullfighters Association quickly donated $100 to the family.) Kelsey also handled the announcing duties during the Mutton Bustin’ on Saturday afternoon. She also assisted in announcing throughout the weekend.
One of the biggest new attractions at this year's Snow Bull was a 10 foot X 15 foot instant replay screen. What a great feature for the committee to provide for the fans!
One of the charter members of the Snow Bull committee was Chad Carlson. Chad, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2000, was instrumental in changing the event to a BOA/NFPB event and working with the Extreme Bullriding Tour. Each year in his honor the Extreme Bullriding Tour presents the annual Chad Carlson Memorial Award. This year’s recipient was Jason Stucker. Jason has been an active member of the committee for several years and perpetuates the love Chad had for the sport and in particular the Snow Bull annual bull ride.
The Extreme Bullriding Tour also took this opportunity to present their 2006 Year End Champion, Jimmy Twedt, with his award saddle presented by Ironhorse Construction, Scotia, Nebraska. Jimmy also received a beautiful trophy buckle presented by Frontier Trophy Buckles. Among is other awards he received as champion were: custom made chaps presented by Outlaw Outfitters; a log bed presented by Busted R Rustics and Rodeo Gear; and a gear bag presented by US Rodeo Supply. Reserve Champion, Richard Smith, was also presented with a saddle, presented by AlamoPoker.com and a trophy buckle presented by Frontier Trophy Buckles. The Extreme Bullriding Tour is well known for its generous awards program as well as producing events with nice added money incentives for the cowboys. Also honored in the arena was Presenting Sponsor, RodeoAttitude.com. The beautiful Frontier Trophy Buckle was received by LoriDee Meyers, who expressed the company’s enthusiasm over being with the Extreme Bullriding Tour since its inception.
I am not sure how they this committee will match the excellence of Snow Bull 2007 but if their history is a guide to the future I can’t wait until Snow Bull 2008!
HOWARD SEARS PHOTO GALLERY BURLINTON SNOW BULL
PERSONNEL:
Stock Contractor:
Double S Bulls - Sidney, IA
Production:
Todd Crase, White Buffalo Productions - Winterset, IA
Announcer:
Chris Pyle - Sedalia, MO
Funnyman:
Shawn "Boom Boom" Thompson - Sidney, IA
Bull Fighters:
Brandon Brazier - Bowling Green, MO
Rob Canby - Mt. Pleasant, IA
Judges:
Jerry Downs -
Steve Snow - Marysville, MO
Secretary:
Hallie Dessell - Cherokee, Iowa
Timer:
Hallie Dessell - Cherokee, Iowa
TOP SCORES BY ROUND:
Thursday, March 8th
Long Go
1. Josh Ehlers 88 pts
2. Luke Carol 86 pts
Rick Cates 86 pts
4 Matt Pojanowski 85 pts
Steven Lile 85 pts
6. Curt Check 84 pts
Short Go
Curt Check 91 pts
Steven Lile 90 pts
Reese Cates 89 Pts
Luke Carol 83 pts
Josh Ehlers 83 pts
Matt Pojanowski 0 pts
Bull fighting Results
Adam Miller 83 pts
Brandon Lindsay 80 pts
Cory Crible 79 pts
Kyle brown 76 pts
Friday, March 9th
Long Go
1. Colby Dudney 84 pts
2. Korey Borwalt 83 pts
TJ Dodd 83 pts
4. Dusty Green 82 pts
Jeremy Miller 82 pts
6. Chris Brientle 81pts
Short Go
Dusty Green 86 pts
Jeremy Miller 84pts
TJ Dodd 83pts
Chris Brintle 0
Cory Borwalt 0
Bullfight results:
Dave Janpstzi 83 pts
Dusty Bebout 79 pts
Marty McConnell 78
Aaron Castreal 77 pts
Saturday, March 10th
Long Go
Matt Birkenholtz 86 pts
Tyler Freeman 85 pts
Chas Skillett 85 pts
Noah Schmidt 84 pts
Garrett Arnett 82 pts
Nate Owens 82 pts
Short Go
Matt Birkenholtz 87 pts
Tyler Freeman 0 pts
Chas Skillett 0 pts
Noah Schmidt 0 pts
Garrett Arnett 0 pts
Nate Owens 0 pts
Bull Fighting
Toby Inman 88 pts
Todd Strange - Scratch
Steve Wrangler 79 points
Pat Riha 78 points
