Costa Mesa, Calif. (June 1, 2008) - When the 2008 American Heritage Futurity in Ardmore, Okla. was over on May 31, 129 bulls had been bucked and over $372,000 had been paid out.
The one-day ABBI (American Bucking Bull Inc.) event showcased the ultimate in animal athleticism and concluded with a new 2-year-old champion being crowned. The bull, 691 Super Freak, earned $93,925 for owners Jerome and Tiffany Davis.
Jerome Davis is a founding member of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders, Inc.) and a former World Champion Bull Rider. After sustaining a bull riding injury that left him paralyzed, Davis turned his attention to breeding and raising top-notch bucking bulls.
“Super Freak is a really athletic bull, the most athletic I have ever handled,” enthused Davis after the competition. “I knew he had it in him, if he just stayed on his feet. He has the potential to be a superstar, but so much can go wrong. Not many people know it, but (PBR Bull Rider) Brian Canter is our partner on that bull. I am just proud to own part of him!” Davis Rodeo Ranch also entered 601 Off The Hook, who finished 13th.
The American Heritage Futurity is set up so that owners can reserve a spot for their bull calf for just $50. They continue to make payments on a set schedule for the 2 years leading up to the event. The total of all fees is $1,500, an investment that can pay off many times over for a talented animal.
The prize purse each year is based on the number of animals who are participating in the program. The 2008 event paid out prize money through 20th place.
"The large number of paid-up nominations and the high-dollar payout this year shows more people in 2008 took pride in, and had confidence in, their breeding program," said ABBI President Russ Gant. "It was amazing to see the breeding programs come through.”
Gant continued, "We want to remind everyone to get their calves paid up for the 2009 American Heritage Futurity, as there will be some great competition next year, too."
ABBI Futurity events are for 2-year-old bulls. The animals have a 25-pound “dummy” on their back and are judged for a six-second performance. After six seconds, the dummy is released via remote control.
In an industry where a champion bull can earn over $300,000 in a single season, people from all walks of life are investing in bucking cattle. Most of the top stock contractors in the industry today have programs in place where people can partner, or buy interest, in their animals. This allows people to own a champion bucking bull without having to actually handle the day-to-day logistics of hauling, feeding and caring for an animal athlete.
For more information on the ABBI, you may visit www.americanbuckingbull.com. For complete coverage of the American Heritage Futurity, read the July/August issue of Bull Pen Magazine. For a complimentary issue, visit www.bullpenmagazine.com. For more information on the PBR, visit www.pbrnow.com
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