Wednesday was the short go of the ABBI (American Bucking Bull Inc.) Futurity Finals. This event is for two-year-old bulls that are hopefully making their way to the big time. They buck with what is called a “dummy” strapped on them for four seconds, after which time the “dummy” is released. Next year, as three-year-olds, they will get a taste of what it is to buck with a person on them.
We saw some really good young bulls this afternoon. The top 20 out of the 103 bulls that competed for the top honors were brought back to try to buck their way stardom, not to mention the $100,000 that goes to the stock contractor that owns the talented youngster.
The eventual winner was Pure Smoke, a bull owned jointly by World Champion Tie-Down roper Cody Ohl and Ken and Ted Beshears. Ohl had three bulls make it into the top 20, but this son of Up In Smoke was ahead after the first round and never looked back.
The ABBI is growing quickly, and expects to have an estimated 30,000 bulls and cows registered by the end of 2009.
There were other awards given out before the second weekend of competition. For the third consecutive year, stock contractor Chad Berger was voted the Stock Contractor of the Year. The top 40 bull riders in the world vote to see who will receive this great honor. Several years ago Berger had said “I want to be the only one to know what it feels like to win Stock Contractor of the Year seven times. I want to set the record…I’ve set my goal”
Now Berger has to wait until the end of the weekend to see if one of his “babies”, Big Tex, will be named Bucking Bull of the Year.
Finally, a two-year-old bull owned by K and K Cattle Company was the sale topper in the ABBI sale at $14,000. Chad Berger bought this good young bull from Kevin and Kathy Loudamy.
Congratulations to all of the winners! Round four tonight – stay tuned!!
Pure Smoke. Linda Peterson photo
Be safe and God Bless,
Viva La Raza,
Barb.
