Thursday Cardinal Couple -- Common Myths About Bull Riding

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-No bull about bullriding here...


-Cardinal Caravan in Louisville today!


-A busy fifteen minutes


(CARDINAL COUPLE writer Mark "The Commish" Schneider continues his look at the PBR today. We feature an article that dispels several myths about Bull riding and the participants. We've got him scheduled next to investigate Area 54, Elvis's death and why the Cubs are the worst team in baseball. The "Commish" is on top of it!)

Most people love animals.  Dogs, Cats, Horses, and even BULLS.  However, sometimes animal rights groups seem to go too far.  Nothing wrong with wanting to protect animals from cruelty.  I'm all for that.  But to distribute false information without getting all the facts in order to advance their cause is another story.  At first glance when watching a Bull Riding event some may think, "How cruel" or  "The animals are being hurt."  (Watch more closely and more often than not the riders are the ones getting hurt).  Maybe there should be an organization called AETH. ("Animals for the Ethical Treatment of Humans").  All kidding aside:

PETA has been touting two myths about Bull Riding/Rodeos in general.

Myth #1

"Electric prods, spurs, and bucking straps are used to irritate and enrage animals used in rodeos. Before entering the ring, cows and horses are often prodded with an electrical "hotshot" so that the pain will rile them."

This is simply not true.  Especially in the PBR. That is not to say it has never happened in a small town rodeo, but as far as the PBR?  I do not think so.

During countless events broadcasted on TV the cameras are directly in the chutes.  Every move anyone makes is shown up close.  The bulls are not coerced into bucking.  It is simply what they like to do.  A bull bucks because it is in their blood. Just as race horses are "born to run", bucking bulls are "born to buck".

As far as the spurs hurting the animal, the fact is the spurs are "dulled" and are not sharp.  Also, a bulls skin is 7 times thicker than a humans and when a bull is "spurred",  it does not harm the animal.  No marks are left and no blood is drawn. Does one think the owner of a bull worth $35,000 or more (A bull named Little Yellow Jacket was worth $150,000) would allow a cowboy to "spur" it if he thought for one moment it would harm it? Owning and raising bucking bulls is an expensive proposition. Just like our pets, a stock contractor treats every bull like one of his family.  For example, when World Champion bull MOSSYOAK MUDSLINGER recently died, his owner H.D.Page had this to say: "He's irreplaceable, there's no doubt about it.  I missed him a bunch when I had to retire him from the arena, and now I'm going to miss him even more as a sire. He was part of our family. He's done more for our family than any person."

Myth #2

"The flank (or "bucking") strap is tightly cinched around the animals' abdomens, causing them to buck vigorously in an attempt to escape the pain. The flank strap can cause open wounds and burns when the hair is rubbed off and the skin is chafed raw. Former animal control officers have found burrs and other irritants placed under the flank strap."

Again--not in the PBR. The flank strap is tied loosely around the flank, usually by the stock contractor/owner. Again, if this hurt the bull, would he be doing this? As a matter of fact there are times it will fall off during the ride.  The flank strap is a rope made out of cotton which is tied around the bull's flank. Contrary to popular belief, the flank strap is not tied around the bull's testicles. Without being too graphic--this is a family friendly website--this point must be made:  If a rope is tied around the bulls testicles, I do not think it would encourage him to buck. As one stock contractor said," What would a human do if it was tied around theirs?"  I don't think it would encourage "bucking".  I believe one would see a human lying on the ground crying in a fetal position.  And when a bull is bucking, one can actually see that the strap is nowhere near or tied around it's "privates".  This rope is to encourage the bull to use its hind legs more in a bucking motion.  If tied too tight, the bull would not buck very well.  It has to be loose to cause the bull to want to buck it off.  Sometimes the strap falls off during a ride. When that happens, the bull will usually quit bucking. 

Former CEO of the PBR Randy Benard (now CEO of The INDY Racing League) had this to say about Animal Welfare and the PBR:

"In the 1970s and '80s, PETA did a pretty good job of informing people that bull riding hurt bulls in all kinds of different ways. All those are completely false. We encourage and welcome any animal rights groups to come in and look at how we treat our animals. It's very important to the sport and to the industry that our animals are taken good care of. The other thing is, people are so surprised when they come to an event and see the type of fan base that's there. It's so much more than a western sport."

Here are the PBR's Animal Welfare Facts:

Bulls receive 25-30 lbs of a special blend of mixed grain per day. Blend varies depending on the bull’s needs and the stock contractor.

Bulls receive 20 lbs of Alfalfa or Alfalfa-grass blend per day.

Bulls receive a B-12 complex vitamin shot every two weeks.

Bulls receive a health inspection any time they have to cross state lines.

Bulls are only allowed to travel a maximum of 8 hours per day. After 10 hours, the bulls are rested for 12-14 hours.

Bulls are standing in 6-10 inches of sawdust shavings during transport.

Each stock contractor has a local veterinarian on call for their bulls.

To be fair, as with any sport there are injuries.  This includes the bulls.

According to the PBR these are the facts about bull injuries:

There are approximately 60 bulls at a one-day event, 90 bulls at a two-day event and 110 bulls at a three-day event. A bull bucks only one time per day and no more than two times at a typical event. Approximately 30-40 of the bulls at a typical two-day event will buck only once at that event.

One bull will suffer a minor injury (muscle pull, scratch) every 8 events or 786 outs.

Bulls that are determined to have an injury are not allowed to compete again until fully recovered, which is generally one to four weeks.

One bull will suffer a career-ending injury every 100 events or 9,833 outs.

Bulls that suffer a career-ending injury are retired to stud and live the balance of their lives as healthy, fully capable breeding bulls. Their injuries do not impede the quality of life or ability to function, but do prevent them from competing at the PBR level as a bucking athlete.

Four bulls have been euthanized as a result of injuries sustained over the 960 PBR events held since 1992, which translates to 1 out of every 23,735 outs.

The bulls that have sustained life-threatening injuries at PBR events have been taken to large animal hospitals for treatment and care. Three of the animal athletes that have sustained life- threatening injuries received hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical treatment and lived for extended periods of time (up to two years) before the injuries required euthanization.

A bucking bull has a .004% chance of sustaining a life-threatening injury at a PBR event.

Raising and owning bucking bulls is a full time job.  It is very expensive and time consuming.  Because of this, I seriously doubt a stock contractor would want any harm to come to his bulls.   The following video Breeding and raising bulls for the PBR will drive these points home. Watch as PBR stock contractor, Greg Simano, explains the various aspects of being a stock contractor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7HwzWA6fRE

Commish Mark 


( From the look of things, these bulls are leading a better life than the CARDINAL COUPLE Co-Owners. Good job, today!)


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Thursday brings the CARDINAL CARAVAN to Louisville with an appearance at Captain's Quarters on River Road. Meet the owners and writers of CARDINAL COUPLE at the event...which begins at 5:30. 


You'll get a chance to meet with coaches, players and Cardinal Fans at the annual event...the final stop of a three-day whirlwind tour that takes the participants to Owensboro, Bowling Green and other stops in the state. 


I know, it's supposed to be another scorcher outside on Thursday, but the event is a great chance to hear about the upcoming teams and events for UofL sports and have a little fun in the process. 

Softball coach Sandy Pearsall, women's basketball coach Jeff Walz, the LadyBirds, UofL Cheerleaders, Louie the Cardinal Bird and the pep band under the direction of "Iowa" Al Greener will also be in attendance. We're trying to arrange a three-point contest between our staff chimp Co-Co and Shoni, but UofL isn't responding favorably to the premise...so far. 


Fish, cold beverages and Cardinal Nation! Sounds like a pretty good Thursday! See you there.  No rain, no rain, no rain, no rain...(we hope).

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The stat line for Angel McCoughtry against Great Britain made us do a double take. Talk about a busy fifteen minutes!


--  Two for three on shots
--  Three for four from the foul line
--  Seven points
--  Six rebounds
--  Three assists
--  Five steals
--  Three fouls
--  One turnover


Obviously, she wasn't standing over in the corner signing autographs during her time on the court. #35 representing! 
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Saturday Cardinal Couple - A discussion

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SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-We gather around the discussion table


-Who's on the web?


( Welcome to the Saturday Cardinal Couple. We asked our writers and special guest Mort Thomas to participate in a open discussion on a couple of UofL topics of recent interest. Feel free to join the fun in the comments section or by e-mailing us at: cardinalcouple@insightbb.com.)


Paul: Thanks to everyone who has joined me today for this discussion. I sent you the two topics of discussion a couple of days ago. Hopefully, you've got opinions by now...so let's get started. Our first topic was about billboards being in the news lately. UofL and UK billboards. What's your take on these? 


Mark: I'll start by saying I don't think a UofL fan seeing a UK billboard in Louisville or a UK fan seeing a Louisville billboard near Lexington will convert them to the other side. I'm not sure they even attract new fans. Both schools are spending money for this type of advertising, though, so they must feel they're getting some sort of return on investment.


 Mort: The bulletin boards are legal and both sides are playing by the same rules and NCAA Guidelines, right? Schools have to promote their programs. 

Jenny: The short answer is, as long as these aren't NCAA violations, I think it's brilliant marketing. Especially the Oregon one that UofL put up. If they do a second one, what I'd love to hear is that it's going up in New York, where Bria's from and we're looking at Chong who is going to high school in New York.. It would maximize the "coast to coast" concept and there may be more New York players besides her interested in Louisville. It's also in BIG EAST country. 

David: I agree with Jenny. It's great marketing. I'm not offended by a Kentucky billboard in Louisville. I love the "Miles Ahead" UofL billboard on I-64 West after you leave Lexington. 


Sonja: I don't like UK billboards in UofL territory. I don't like billboards as a whole, though. There's too many crazy drivers out there already. Why create another distraction for them? 

Sandy: Billboards are just the new thing that will become no big deal if left alone. For awhile, player's homes interstate exits might look like a tourist attraction exit but as long as the boards are generic, why not?


Paul: Good points from all of you. I guess it's safe to say that billboards aren't going to convert fans, might influence potential players and definitely can be creative. I'll chime in by saying I'm a fan of different and multiple advertising venues. Location and the message content are keys. UofL has done well in both areas. 


Our second topic concerns the University of Louisville women's basketball team. Which player is a "can't do without, have to have her in there" for the upcoming season? 

David: I'll offer Monique Reid as a player that needs to get 20-25 minutes a game, if she's back to 2010-11 form. She's a proven scorer. Points are good. You score more than the opponent, you win. Mo knows points. 


Jenny: This is a hard question, because UofL has so many outstanding players. I could make a case for any number of them. I'll make a case for Shawnta Dyer, though. The second half of last year Dyer came into her own and became an anchor in the paint. Absolutely, by far, UofL needs a dominant, strong paint presence. While they have a true center in Sherrone Vails, she wasn't dominating. Dyer is your player, even though she is not a true center. If she's up to last year's form, Dyer is dominating and UofL can't do without her. 

Mark: Shoni. Leadership skills. The way she can take over a game. The team seems to play better when she is in playing under control. Sometimes she may try to do too much but more times than not she helps the team win games. She is the nucleus of the team. 


Mort: Teams win games, not individuals. 

Sonja: I'll agree with Mort. Even though it was Angel McCoughtry who carried the team on her back to the NCAA Championship game, she had four other players out there with her. If forced to choose a player that Louisville has to have night in and night out, I'll go with Shoni. She creates, great skills sets and can do so many things. I'm a big Asia Taylor fan, most of you know that...and if she rehabs well from her hip surgery and can give UofL 15-20 strong minutes on the boards and scoring...I'll choose her, too. I know, that's two players...but that's my answer. 


Sandy: I'm with Jenny. I go with Dyer also. The center spot has been Louisville's weakest spot for awhile. Strong forwards have been assigned the task. Offenses have been designed with no true center in mind in order to dodge the weakness. Dyer came on strong at the end of the season from this spot after the Warren experiment failed and it made a huge difference. 


Paul: Looking back, Hines and Rucker were functional centers, not spectualar. Tise Wright could score, wasn't much of a rebounder, a liability in the transition game. You have to go back to Jazz Covington to find a center that drew a lot of national attention and she was probably better designed to be a power forward at 6'1".


Sonja: I'm going to add Tia Gibbs to my list also. Before her injury, she was the best defender on the team, could score from anywhere on the court and hustled. If she's able to come back and to those things again, she's a "gotta have" for 30 minutes.  


Paul: I'll finish by saying that the "game changers" we've seen in women's college basketball over the past couple of years have been in the paint. Brit Griner = National Championship. Danielle Adams = National Championship. Tina Charles = National Championship. In Louisville's case, it looks like the paint could be "by committee"..with several players sharing time in there. If Walz can develop an effective rotation of his paint players...Dyer, Vails, Walton, Taylor, Hammond and Reid, then this is the "can't do without, have to have" scenario. My phiosophy is this: You have to have the ball to score. If you can rebound effectively on the ends of the court, you control the ball.


On a good night, a team will make four out of every ten shots it takes. If you can control where the ball ends up the other six times, it gives you a decided advantage. Maybe it's because I played center and forward...but I believe rebounding leads to the essential things that lead to wins...like ball control, second-chance opportunities and domination of the paint. Your transition game begins with getting the rebound and getting down the court in most cases. If you miss the shot, having someone that can get the rebound for you and either take another shot or get it to a shooter is a definite plus in your favor. If you have two strong players at the "4" and "5"...you can go with a good shooting guard at the "3". 


Great discussion today, gang!   


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With all the transfers, changes and moving of a couple of Louisville sports websites lately and the Courier-Journal, I decided to go back to the classic comedy routine "Who's on First?" by Bud Abbott and Lou Costello and see if I could get a rational explanation. Here's a guess on how the boys would discuss the chaos. Below is a link to the original routine:


Who's On First


Lou: Hey, Abbott! I hear you're starting a website!
Bud: That information isn't supposed to be out yet..but I am considering it. 
Lou: What's the website going to be about?
Bud: Sports! You know how big a sports fan I am!
Lou: Do you have a name for the website yet? 
Bud: Certainly! What kind of website would it be if it didn't have a name?
Lou: What's the name, Abbott?
Bud: You Asked
Lou: Yes, I did. I'll ask again. What's the name of the website?
Bud: You Asked
Lou: I most certainly did! All I want to know is the name of the website. 
Bud: I told you. You Asked.
Lou: What did you tell me? I asked the name of the website.
Bud: Yes, you asked and I gave you the website's name. You Asked. What's so difficult about that? 
Lou: Yes. I asked you the name of the website, right? 
Bud: No. You Asked. I asked is incorrect.
Lou: You didn't ask. I asked. I asked the name of the website. 
Bud: You Asked.
Lou: So I asked you the name of the website. You say you asked. But you didn't ask. I asked you the name of the website but you keep saying You Asked. 
Bud: Exactly. 
Lou: (throwing his hat to the ground) I want to know the name of the website. I asked you, you say You Asked. I asked. If I wanted to go to the website, what would I type in my browser? 
Bud: You Asked.
Lou: I know I asked! OK? You say you asked but I asked the name of the website and you say...
Bud and Lou (in unison): You Asked. 
Lou: Arrrghhh! OK, let me ask this. Will you be the only writer on the website? 
Bud: No. I've asked May Bee about writing.
Lou: Who did you ask maybe about writing? Why would you ask maybe about writing when it's your website? Why have a website site if you're not going to write? 
Bud: May Bee might write. I'm not sure yet.
Lou: Maybe will write, you don't know?  If you don't write, will there be another writer is what I'm asking!
Bud: I just told you. May Bee!
Lou: I go to the website. I asked the name of the website. I asked who else would write. Maybe will be another writer. 
Bud: No. You Asked . The name of the site is...and May Bee maybe writing. 
Lou:  ( throws hit hat again). My mother calls me from Philly. I tell her you're starting a website. She asks the name of it. What do I tell her?
Bud: You Asked.
Lou: NO! She asked!
Bud: I know. She asked and You Asked will be what she's looking for!
Lou: That's right! Now we're getting somewhere! 
Bud: I certainly hope so! You're wearing me out with all these questions. 
Lou: I talk to my mother. She asked what she's looking for. I asked you what she's looking for. You Asked is what you said. I tell my mother I asked and you asked is what you told me she should be looking for if she asks...
Bud: Exactly! 
Lou: I need an aspirin...
Bud: Well, that doesn't surprise me...with all these silly questions you asked about You Asked.
Lou: My mother goes to her computer. She looks for your site. I asked what she should type in the browser and you say You Asked. I'm confused.
Bud: Why are you confused? You asked about You Asked. I told you to tell your mother You Asked. 
Lou: I asked, she asked, you asked...who's got the answers? Who? Do you know who? 
Bud: May Bee. Ask May Bee if you don't believe me. 
Lou: I ask, maybe, about the site. I ask you who I ask and you say maybe. I asked about the site and you say You Asked. My dear sainted mother, just recently on the internet, wants to read your site and she asks, I ask, you say You Asked and maybe might be a writer...
Bud: Exactly! 
Lou: I hate the Internet...
Bud: That's my next project.



( The domain name youasked.com is available if anyone is interested in it. Have a great weekend!) 

Thursday Cardinal Couple -- YOU GOTTA KNOW THE RULES

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-The Commish explains the rules


( Mark continues his series on the PBR today with a review of the rules. We wonder how they are explained to the bulls...Enjoy!) 




As with any sport there are rules.  In Bull Riding the rules are simple. Stay on the Bull for 8 seconds and you will receive a score provided certain conditions are met.  Here now the rules as stated by the PBR:

  

A qualified ride is 8 seconds. The clock starts when the bull's shoulder or flank breaks the plane of the gate and stops when the rider's hand comes out of the rope, the rider touches the ground or the rider's free arm touches the bull.

Four judges rate each rider and each bull on a scale from 1-25. Those points are added together and divided in half to reach a rider score and a bull score of between 0-50. Those numbers are then combined to reach a final ride score between 0-100.  For example, let us say Paulie Sykes--(Cardinal Couple Co-Owner & senile Senior Columnist)--- is on the back of a beast and he executes a qualified ride while holding an open can of BUD SELECT in his free hand and does not spill a drop.  That would not gain him extra style points but he would receive a SCORE: Let us say he and the bull get the following scores:

        Rider scores   Bull scores
Judge 1   22.50          21.00

Judge 2   21.00          22.00

Judge 3   22.00          22.75

Judge 4   21.50          21.75

Rider Scores added together (22.50 + 21.00 + 22.00 + 21.50) divided by 2 gives the rider 43.50 points.

Bull Scores added together (21.00 + 22.00 + 22.75 + 21.75) divided by 2 gives the Bull 43.75 points.

The total score for the ride would then be: 87.25 (43.50 + 43.75).

87.25 points is a pretty good score.  Paulie did well.

The bull always receives a score, even if the rider is bucked off. His score is based on his degree of difficulty. Judges look for drop in the front end, kick in the back, spin, and direction changes.

In the above example, the Bull's SCORE is 43.75.  Even if Paulie was bucked off, the BULL still would receive his score of 43.75 points. Paulie receives nothing but a few broken bones and is left with a crushed can of Bud Select that the Bull stomped on as it fell out of Paul's hand to the arena floor.  (Paulie was warned before the ride that his actions were dangerous and that he could spill his beer.)

( Editor's note. Anyone who saw me river-board down a boulder-filled, raging stream a couple of summers ago in California will realize that bull-riding is like riding a tricycle to me.) 

A Bull score of 43.75 is considered an average score for a Bull in the PBR.  (Bulls are rated by their average BULL SCORES.)  A rider can estimate the type of score he could potentially get if the bull performs up to expectations and he does as well. Look at it this way: If a bull’s RATING is 43 (his average points each out), and the rider does his job, simply double the bull’s RATING  and you have a ballpark figure of the total score a Rider could receive.  In this example he "should" score at least 86 points. Of course, Bulls do not always perform to expectations and neither do the riders.  The key to scoring a high point total is to ride a Bull that scores high. If the rider stays centered on the bull and demonstrates control during his ride, the judges will usually mark him equal to or even a point or two higher than the Bull.  As a rule, the BULL score determines the kind of mark a rider will get.  The higher the bull scores, the higher the rider can score.

A bull that averages 44-50 points is Excellent

A bull that averages 42-43.75 points would be an Average PBR Bull.

A Bull that averages 40-41.75 points would be Fairly Good but not great

A Bull that averages 39.75 -below on a consistent basis would not be on the PBR tour very long.

Want to see an Excellent Bull in action?  Here is video of one of the Top Bulls in the PBR named ASTEROID. This OUT he scored 47.25 points.  If the rider stayed on he could have scored almost 95 points or more.  All of the elements needed for a high bull score were present: drop in the front end, kick in the back, spin, and direction changes.  This is evident and easy to see when it is replayed in Super Slow Motion.  Check out the POWER this bull has especially when viewing what happened to the rider at the very end. (And Paulie wants to be a Bull Rider.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3svI1VF5trQ

A rider only receives a score if he lasts the required 8 seconds. Judges look for control - the ability of the rider to successfully counter the moves of the bull. Spurring is not required, but tends to demonstrate control, and can add points.

Cardinal Couple staff chimp Coco is a
veteran bull rider.

Every sport has an action an athlete performs that shows excellence. In baseball it is a home run, football a touchdown, and boxing a knockout.  In Bull Riding it is a 90 point ride.  Since 90 points is the Gold Standard in Bull Riding, a Rider would like to ride a bull that averages at least 45 points.

What does a 90 point ride look like?  Here is an example of a rider that had “A LOT OF BULL” and took advantage of it.  He countered every move the Bull made and was never out of position.  He scored 95 points. (96.5 points is the PBR record).  Because the Bull bucked so hard the rider’s helmet flew off during the ride.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-7UabJdf38

Who determines which bull a rider is going to have at each Event?  It is decided by the draw.  The Draw is an event's list of bull riders and the bulls with which they are randomly paired. The draw for a Built Ford Tough Series event is typically created via computer the Wednesday prior to an event. If a bull rider says he has a 'good draw' it means he is happy with the bull that he was randomly selected to ride.

Also, there is something called "the draft".  After the first round of each event, there is a second round consisting of the top 10 riders in the round. They get to select the bull they wish to ride.  Some try to choose the one that "fits" them. Some choose the one that may give them the most points or one they feel is the most easiest to ride.


( We just hope David Stern isn't at this particular draft. )

There is a Fifth Judge at the events and he is positioned on the announcer stand.  He reviews replays in the event of an infraction or when a contestant challenges a ruling. The decision of the replay judge is final. Yes, in the PBR there is a replay judge. A rider can actually challenge a ruling.  Here is how it works:

Bobby Petrino after bull riding? 

Say a rider completes his 8 second ride but the Judge says he slapped the bull with his free hand and got disqualified, thus removing his score from the board. The rider can push the challenge button located by the chute and the ride will be reviewed.  IF IN THE RIDER'S FAVOR, he will then receive a score.  If however the decision STANDS and there is nothing to turn the decision over, the rider is out $500 from his own pocket.  What is interesting is this:  ANY rider can push the challenge button. Here is a real example that led to some controversy:

A rider came out of the chutes and within the first few jumps, his free hand came across his body in front of him and went down and he touched the bull.  He continued riding and got a score. At this time ANOTHER RIDER went to a judge and asked him if he saw him touch the bull. The judge said no. So he went over to the challenge button and pushed it.   A challenge of another rider's ride had never been done in the PBR until then.  It was reviewed and it showed he did indeed touch the Bull and his score was taken down.  Needless to say the rider was MAD. He said that was just not the "cowboy way". The rider that challenged it said he did so because he felt the judges had been inconsistent with two calls earlier in the night.

Was this rider wrong for pushing the challenge button?  I don’t think he was because it was within the rules.  The purpose of the replay is to get the call right.  No one faults the rider who challenged his fellow bull rider's ride.  Let’s just say it was unprecedented and to date has not happened again. 


 Here is the video of the ride in question.  The slap the Judges missed is obvious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaMM3ZfB0qM

If the bull's performance is sub-par (negatively affecting the ride score) or if a foul occurs during the ride (the rider is rubbed against the chute, the bull stumbles, the flank strap detaches, etc.) judges can offer the rider a chance to take a re-ride.  If a rider's bull performed poorly and received a low score, he is offered the re-ride ONLY IF HE STAYED ON THE FULL 8 SECONDS.  If he was bucked off before the 8 seconds, and the Bull score was low he could not get a re-ride. If he fell off because the bull stumbled and its momentum was stopped, a re-ride could be offered.

If a rider's total score was low (e.g. 68) because HE performed poorly, he would not get a re-ride.  For example, his score would be low if he was hanging off the side of the bull during the qualified ride. In this case his score would definitely be lower than the Bull and because it was his fault he received a low score, no re-ride would be offered.

Furthermore, the re-ride IS AN OPTION.  He does not have to take it.  If a rider scores 68 points and is happy with that he can let it stand.  If he chooses the re-ride option the points are taken OFF THE BOARD and he is offered a chance on another bull. It is usually best to TAKE THE RE-RIDE because 68 points may not be enough to win an event. It is usually best to take a chance on a new bull and try for a higher score.  Usually the re-ride bull offered is easier than the one he just rode.  By easier I mean he is usually more rider friendly or predictable.

Why would a rider DECLINE a re-ride?  Here are a few reasons:

-If he was the final ride and scored just enough to be declared the winner of the event there would be no need to try for more points.  Quit while your ahead.  Remember, the points would be taken down and if he failed on the re-ride he would lose the event he already WON.

-If a rider was injured he may choose to decline the re-ride. 


-Sometimes the DOCTOR will step in and decline it for him if the injury is too serious. (The rider may want to accept the re-ride in his condition but the Doctor has the FINAL SAY.) 

Some riders may take the low score and decline the re-ride as a "business decision".  Even though it may not be high enough to win the EVENT, the rider is looking at the LONG RUN. Since points are added to the overall standings for the entire year he may decline because his thought would be if he rode MORE BULLS during the year than the others, there would be a good chance he would have more TOTAL POINTS AT THE END OF THE SEASON and become the WORLD CHAMPION. I call this the "BULL IN HAND THEORY".

I have seen times where a rider declined a re-ride, kept his low score, and it caused him to lose the event by a couple points. Just think if he took a re-ride and was successful.  He would have won.  And if he was unsuccessful? As one can see the points he kept were not enough anyway.

Most Rider's will always take their re-rides. They want to score as many points as possible. They want to WIN events and place in the money.
 

Angel to Geno;
"That's a bunch of bull..."

Sometimes a spur will get caught in the rope. If a rider is caught placing his spur in the rope as he mounts the bull inside the chute he is disqualified.  No score if ridden.  However, if during the ride a spur gets caught in the rope, that’s ok. Generally speaking, a rider is not allowed to catch his spur in the knot of the rigging because it provides an unfair advantage for hanging on.

If a contestant is taking too much time in the bucking chute or sulking his bull he can be disqualified. I saw this happen once.  The rider was taking too long. He had several chances to nod his head and leave the chute.  The judge had no part of it. One could hear him say, “That’s it—Get off!—You're disqualified!!” The reason for this is to protect the bull and keep it from being injured.  Also, it tires him out and the rider may get an unfair advantage. The Judge can usually tell when a rider is sulking his bull. 

The object is to get out as quick as possible.  There is no 30 second clock so it is a judgment call.  Judges are experienced and can tell if it is because a bull won’t cooperate.  Sometimes if the rider can’t get “out” on the bull because of that---he may be given a different bull for his ride. He usually has 3 tries to get out.

What triggers the opening of the chute and the beginning of the ride?  Pretty simple really.  The Cowboy will usually nod his head.  I have heard some Cowboys shout "GO!!", "BUCK HIM", or "OPEN THE GATE".  Sometimes this is known as "Calling For The Gate".  Sometimes if a rider is bucked off because the gate was opened and he did not call for it he may get a re-ride.

There you have it. The rules of Bull Riding in the PBR. By knowing these it will be easier for new fans to follow the sport and understand it.  For a crash course in Bull Riding 101, view this short video.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmxtHv6WpR0

Commish Mark 


 ( Thanks for sharing the "ins and outs" of bull riding, Mark. The staff at CARDINAL COUPLE is still ready to ride a bull...we just want to be coated in bubble wrap and foam rubber.) 

Thursday Cardinal Couple -- The most dangerous sport?

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-From the Commish...


-Go Angel Go!


( Today, the "Commish" is behind the Cardinal Couple golf cart wheel. Mark shares with us a sport he's grown to watch and like. WE approve but won't be looking to become active participants. Enjoy!)

More Bull From The Office Of The Commish

Cardinal Couple Readers:  Paulie has given the staff writers free reign for a few weeks to write on any sports related topic of our choosing.  I have decided to write about a sport I have been following since 2006.  Before I tell you what that sport is, I have a Cardinal Couple of questions for you:  What is the most dangerous sport? What sport has the toughest athletes? 

There are many good answers to those questions.  Some dangerous sports could include Auto/Motorcycle Racing, Cave Diving, Base Jumping, High Altitude Climbing, and even Cheerleading.  Of course Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Football, and Hockey come to mind as well. 

The Toughest athletes?  Most would probably include Boxers/MMA fighters, Football players, Hockey players, Soccer players, or even Rugby players.

So, what does the Commish think? I feel the most dangerous sport with the toughest athletes……Cue the Announcer---"Ladies and Gentlemen---This is not a Rodeo—--This is the P....B....R!!"

PBR?  Are we talking about Pabts Blue Ribbon?  Beer?  An article about Beer????   Beer drinking could be a dangerous sport.  Lots of elbow injuries from bending it too much. And there are beer drinking contests.   No...we are not talking about Beer.  We are talking about “THE TOUGHEST SPORT ON EARTH”---Professional Bull Riding. As bull riding in the Professional Bull Riders ( PBR).

It all started in January of 2006.  I was at a friend’s house and there was nothing on TV.  Was flipping channels and Bull Riding was on.  Knew nothing about the sport but because of the way the bulls bucked and threw riders off, I thought that maybe my friend’s Autistic son would like it.  (He likes things that spin or have movement.  Or things that are "chaotic”.  For example, sometimes he laughs when his cousin is disciplined and sometimes starts crying when that happens.  He has been known to say, "Call Nanny 911!”)

So, because of him, we started watching the sport.  He would actually sit and watch it.  That was not normal for him to sit in front of a TV for an extended period of time.  But when Bull Riding came on, we would call him and he would bolt into the room.  The more we watched, the more we liked and understood it.  Mainly because the announcers presented and explained the sport in an entertaining way.  As weeks went by, we got to know the riders and the bulls.  We each had our favorites.  In fact we enjoyed the sport so much, in 2007 we attended a PBR Event in Nashville, TN.  Met all the riders, got their autographs, and had a fantastic time. 

So, what is this PBR the Commish is talking about? 

The Commish's brain trust.

In 1992 a group of 20 Cowboys got together and pooled $1000 each of their own money to form a "league”.  The goal---Take the most popular event of rodeo---Bull Riding----and make it an event all to itself.   Pit the best Cowboys vs. the best Bulls.  Since that day, the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) has grown significantly.  As a matter of fact, it is the fastest growing sport in the country.  In 1995, 310,000 fans attended PBR events across the nation. Today the PBR attracts over 1.5 million live event attendees each year with its multi-tiered event structure consisting of two divisions: 

There is the Built Ford Tough Series (comparable to the Major Leagues in baseball) and The Touring Pro Division (comparable to the Minor Leagues in baseball). 

Riders not competing in the BFTS will ride in the Touring Pro Division.  The Touring Pro Division offers up-and-coming bull riders and riders not competing on the elite Built Ford Tough Series the opportunity to compete in PBR-sanctioned events while earning money to qualify them for the BFTS and the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals.

So, when and how does a rider “move up” to the bigs?  The PBR site explains it this way:

After every five events, the PBR cuts the bottom 10 riders from the tour and brings in the Top 5 riders from the Touring Pro Division, and five other riders who are returning from injuries or have some other exemption. In previous years, there have been 40 riders on the BFTS tour and a rider had to stay above No. 30. This year, however, the PBR is dropping the number of riders on tour to 35, which means riders need to stay above 25th to remain on tour. It's important for the riders to perform well from the start of the season, but now it's especially important for the bottom 15 to step it up and get some points on the board.

In the PBR a BFTS Season usually consists of about 30 EVENTS including the World Finals in Las Vegas which is a 5 day Event.  Most EVENTS are 2 day but there are 1 and 3 day EVENTS. 

The rider with the highest point total wins an Event.  That is, the total scores of all the bulls he rode at an event.  Depending on where a rider places in an event he may receive BONUS POINTS which are counted in the OVERALL SEASON STANDINGS.  These do not determine Event Winners. 

Here is how EVENT SCORING is determined as stated in the PBR rules:

Riders earn points at each Built Ford Tough Series event based on three things: their ride scores, their finish in each round, and for their overall finish in the event.

The first-place finisher in a round receives 100 bonus points. Riders placing second through 10th receive points on a graduated scale down to 10.

For a two-day event, the Top 10 riders following Round 1 will advance to compete with one more bull the first night. Following the long round on the second day, the riders with the 10 highest scores will advance to the Built Ford Tough Championship Round, where they will compete with one more bull.

For a three-day event, the Top 10 riders following the long round on Day 2 will advance to compete with one more bull. Following the long round on Day 3, the riders with the Top 10 highest scores will advance to the Built Ford Tough Championship Round, where they will compete with one more bull.

The overall event winner is the rider with the highest combined score on all of his bulls.

This PBR isn't associated
with the PBR Mark likes...

The first-place finisher in a two-day event receives 300 bonus points; riders placing second through 10th receive points on a graduated scale down to 30. The first-place finisher in a three-day event receives 400 points; riders placing second through 10th receive points on a graduated scale down to 40.

 The rider with the MOST  POINTS (including their bonus points) at the end of the season becomes the WORLD CHAMPION.  It is NOT always the rider that wins the WORLD FINALS  EVENT.  He would be World Champion only if  he had the most points at the end of the season as well.  For example, if Paulie Sykes rode in the WORLD FINALS  and WON because he scored the most points in the EVENT that would NOT make him the World Champion UNLESS his total points for the SEASON were the highest as well. So, after the World Finals are completed, there is an EVENT winner AND a WORLD CHAMPION crowned.  The World Champion for the season receives a Gold Belt Buckle and 1 MILLION DOLLARS.

So, what is attending a PBR Event like? Just as there are player intros at a basketball game they have them at the PBR BFTS events as well.  The lights go dark.  There are fireworks, pyrotechnics, and smoke.  All of the Cowboys are introduced as well as the bull fighters, entertainers, and a few of the top bulls.  Also, there is music.  A different song is played for each rider while riding a bull.  One might think they were at a bull riding event and a KISS Concert broke out.  There are two arena announcers that call the action and explain what is happening as well.  It is just as the name implies: An EVENT. 

After the event riders will sign autographs for the fans and pose for pictures.  The Cowboys are down to earth.  To see what the opening of a PBR EVENT looks like, click here to view a short clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPOA-i23NNU&feature=related

The season started in January and since then the PBR has had 19 events. They are currently taking a break from competition and will return August 10-11 in Tulsa, OK.   After that event they will have 8 more events including THE WORLD FINALS in Las Vegas.

During this break from May 19 thru August 9, some of the riders will be riding in the TOURING PRO DIVISION Events to try and win enough money to make it back into Built Ford Tough Series Events.  Some of the Top riders will participate in order to make more money and solidify their position to qualify for the World Finals. Some riders will just rest their broken bones and try to heal-up before the next BFTS Event. Total Money Won determines who qualifies for the World Finals. 

 In an attempt to inform, educate, and maybe convert a few new fans to the sport, future articles will discuss various aspects of Bull Riding such as rules, equipment, and scoring methods.   Maybe even a human interest story or two.  Who knows, you may even get “hooked” on the sport. (pun intended): For those who do not know, “hooked” is when a bull rider dismounts from or is bucked off a bull, the bull sometimes goes after the rider or the bullfighter and attempts to hook the human target with his horns. This is known as being "hooked."

The next scheduled telecast of the PBR will be August 10 at 10pm on the CBS Sports Network and August 11 on the NBC Sports Network (Formally Versus) at 8pm. 

More on the PBR next week…….

Commish Mark


[...Thanks for the overview of the PBR Mark! Paulie wonders if we could get up a celebrity bull-riding event? We'd go with John Calipari (and hope he gets 'hooked'), Charlie Strong and state senator David Williams (hoping he'd get gored)...Maybe before a Lady Cards WBB game?...]


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We also extend our congratulations to Angel McCoughtry for her induction to the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame. The ceremony takes place this evening at the Crown Pointe on Phillips Lane. Some of us remember when it was Executive West. 

Some of us also remember #35 as a freshman for the Lady Cards, playing for Tom Collen in Freedom Hall. Collen never would start her in her freshman season...but she'd come in off the bench and make an immediate impact on the game. 


We knew we had something special in the works with the skinny, never-say-quit freshman from Baltimore back in the fall of 2005. 

Almost seven years later...she's an WNBA superstar, member of the Olympic womens' basketball team and ambassador for Cardinal women's sports wherever she goes. She even dropped in to visit Jeff Walz's skills camp yesterday at Cardinal Arena to greet the campers and give an impromptu talk. 


That's our Angel...


Here's a link to the induction:


Angel McCoughtry to be inducted to Hall of Fame
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LOUISVILLE SOFTBALL TEAM:SEASON WINDING DOWN

Truth be told...Paul would rather have
Moonlight barbecue instead of hot dogs

Today the Louisville Softball Team plays a doubleheader in South Orange, N.J. against Seton Hall . Game times are Noon and 2pm.   Tomorrow the two teams meet at 11am.   Then, on Wednesday 4/25 the team travels to Bloomington to play Indiana at 2pm before returning home  for their final 3 home games next weekend.

The team is Nationally ranked (9th) and is currently in first place in the Big East. Their record is 40-2 (11-2 Big East).

So hurry!  Time is running out and the regular season is winding down.  Last chance to catch the Louisville Cardinal Softball  team at home during the regular season. Only 3 home games left-- A doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday 4/28 against Georgetown at 2pm and 4pm.  On Sunday 4/29 the teams square off at 1pm.

Why go?  Well, the price is right.  A ticket will cost $0.  Actually--you don't need a ticket.  Just walk in Ulmer Stadium and sit where you like--- except for the press box. That spot is reserved for Co-Owner & senile Senior Columnist of Cardinal Couple Paul Sykes.  Yes, if you  are lucky you just might see Paul aimlessly wandering around the stadium asking patrons if they could buy him a cup of coffee and a couple hot dogs.  Don't be surprised as  you walk to the concession stand to fulfill his request you hear him enthusiastically exclaim:  "Don't worry about the condiments!!".... (As he pulls out 50 mustard packets he's collected from various fast food restaurants and a 64oz bottle of Heinz ketchup from his back pocket). And if by chance he forgets how to get back to the press box he would appreciate any of our faithful readers to point him in the right direction. 
And if you are lucky, you just might see a couple players from the Women's Basketball team supporting the team.  Becky, Jude, and Shoni have been known to attend many of the games. (Don't buy them any hot dogs---that would be an NCAA violation).  So take in a softball game next weekend.  The games are fast moving, exciting, and best of all free.


Commish Mark