Grabbing the bull by the horns: Airman go head-to-head against rodeo’s toughest athletes

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kirsten Wicker
  • 62nd Aiflift Wing Public Affairs
ROY, Wash. --  Dust billows up from the arena, and metal gates loudly clang together as a 1,500-pound muscled bovine storms down the lane and into the chute. The wranglers swing the ropes around his girth and a cowboy gingerly steps down into the chute and onto his back. In minutes the animal will break free and buck as hard as he can, daring his rider to stay on for 8 seconds. 

A beautiful day in Roy gave two of McChord's own the opportunity to trade their battle dress uniform for that adrenaline-filled experience Sunday. 

Jeff Winters, an Oklahoma native from the 62nd Aerial Port Squadron, and Shawn Brown, a native of New York, also from the 62nd Aerial Port Squadron, came to the Roy Pioneer Rodeo with one goal in mind: to compete for just 8 seconds in what is arguably one of the most dangerous and exciting sports on the planet. 

"Right before I get on I'm thinking about what I need to do once the gate opens," said Shawn. "Stay off your rear, keep your chin tucked and don't second guess the bull." 

"You're not going to overpower the bull," Jeff said. "You have to use his power and stay with him jump for jump." 

According to bull-riding officials, the total score possible for a bull ride is 100 points. This is a sport where the bull is considered an athlete as well as the rider, so half of that total is based on the performance of the bull and how difficult he is to ride. The rider is scored on his ability to move with the bull's motion, and of course, stay aboard. Control and good body position are essential for the short ride. 

"You don't get a score if you don't ride for 8 seconds," Shawn said. "So it's up to you to stay on as long as possible." 

Both Jeff and Shawn weren't able to stay on for 8 seconds on Sunday, but learning bull riding takes time, individual drive, effort and love for the challenge of riding the massive beast, if only for seconds. 

Prior to the rodeo, the Airmen worked hard to hone their skills. Jeff, a bull rider since the age of sixteen, enlisted the help of the Professional Armed Forces Rodeo Association to introduce them to Running W Ranch in Ridgefield, Wash. 

For $15 a head you can get a few practice rides in at the facility, Jeff said. 

"We'd go down there and get a ride or two in," said Shawn, a first-year bull rider. "In between rides we'd watch the other guys." 

While practice certainly pays off, bull riding is a dangerous sport and each cowboy puts himself at risk each time he climbs into the chute. A hand could get caught in the rope, it's easy to get stepped on and it's even easier to look up from the dirt and see nothing but horns and hooves approaching. 

"I try not to think about the danger, you just go out there, stay focused and do it," Shawn said. "You can't panic." 

"I rode bucking horses once, but they buck faster and tend to be unpredictable," added Jeff. "Bulls are honest -- you know they are just going to buck and not run off with you too." 

The danger is always there, but you can't look at it that way, he said. Everyone is at risk for injury and cowboys do get hurt from time to time. 

So what is it that drives them to risk it all in the quest for a shiny belt buckle and bragging rights? 

"At first I just wanted to get on to see what it was like," said Shawn. "But the thrilling adrenaline rush is what I keep riding for -- there's nothing else like it." 

"It's definitely a challenge and something you have to work at to be good," Jeff said. "But I love it."