If you have never attended a bull draft in person, where the riders get to select their bull, the next time the PBR comes to your home town, you should do so. Not only is it entertainment at its best with Cody Lambert’s dry sense of humor, but it’s a real insight into the minds of the riders as they endeavor to match their own strengths with that of the bull.
The riders at the top of the standings list get the first pick of the bulls and then the selection choice goes down in score/standings until the last rider. As the draft continues the tension for the riders who have not yet chosen their bull grows. Will someone else choose the bull they have chosen and they’ll have to settle for another one? Everyone has a list of bulls and each rider is listening closely to who the last bull drawn was and crossing it off his list.
The camaraderie of the riders is very evident. Each helps the other should they not know the bulls. Here at the Finals, Adriano Moraes has been there to help. For those who have been off due to injury or have been off tour for some reason, Adriano has been the first to step up and help them to pick out two or three bulls that will best suit their abilities. Many of the riders will pick out two bulls and then, if both are still available when it is their turn, leave the decision to Cody Lambert, who knows these bulls better than anyone and knows the riders equally as well.
There are those who claim that the draft gives an unfair advantage to those at the top of the draw. Does it? Or is it a business plan that defines those who are gutsy enough to pick a bull that hasn’t been ridden and go for that high score rather than constantly chose one that he knows he can ride? Each of these men is in business for themselves. Every one of them has to strategize what the best plan is for him. There is not a cowboy in this draw that doesn’t want to do his best and get the best score that he possibly can. They will carefully analyze the direction the bull will buck, the strength of the bull, nuances in the way he bucks; everything about not only the bull, but the bull rider’s own standing in the event or overall tour as well (and let us not forget the overall health of the bull rider, many of these men are more than battered and bruised). All of these factors come into play before picking the bull that he feels will best get him to the top. Indeed, the men at the top of the standings do have a better selection, and whether they choose to play it safe or lay it out there on a wild bull is all part of their personal business strategy.
As the bulls get better and better each year, the draft is a good thing for riders and fans alike. It provides a whole new level to the competition and makes the playing field more interesting. Someday, maybe the bulls (or their owners) will pick the cowboys and add even more to the competition!
Until next time….
Linda Peterson
