PRB Tulsa - Event Review Part I

Dedication - The definition of driving 12 hours in one day, just so you can get to see the PBR draft. The Tulsa event was a three day event, Friday-Sunday. However, we were going to miss the first night. I had a seminar to conduct in San Antonio on Friday. I was in Austin Friday morning, drove to San Antonio did the seminar, headed back home to Tyler, change suitcases, then drove to Tulsa, arriving at 2:15 am on Saturday. A total of 12 hours driving in one day. Why would I do this? So Tammie and I could get up Saturday morning and get to the PBR draft and signings afterward. I know, I know, we are PBR nuts and proud of it.

We did get up on Saturday and headed to the draft. We also meet up with some of the usual PBR fans that we have become friends with and met some new ones. This is one of the great things about the PBR, their fans. I said it before and I will say it again, the PBR has some of the best and nicest fans of any sport. Among the fans (I will use their PBR sign on names) sannpow and spouse, Twiggy and other half, cdtucker1 and friend, daunab and spouse, txbsa35 and friend and petstylist and her dog (and walkamungus, which I met later) . They are all great fans and great people. Tammie of course was running around getting her pictures signed and then the draft started. Three of the riders had problems getting there and were moved down in the draft. The day was just like last year, HOT and not a cloud in the sky and the draft was outside, no cover for the fans. After 5 minutes I looked down at my arm and I looked like the vampires in the Twilight series, my skin was glistening. In other words, I was sweating like a pig.

After the draft, we moved quickly inside to the Pro Bass Shop. Tammie was in line for autographs, I was just interested in the a/c. I did get to the line when Tammie and cdtucker1 were approaching the riders. Tammie and cdtucker1 handed Cody Campbell some cookies and brownies that they made for his birthday, and the other riders beside him started to devour the snacks. I got the chance to talk to some of the riders and at the end was Cody Nance. I am just really impressed with Cody's maturity.

It was time for lunch, at least that was what my stomach was telling me. All of the PBR friends went to eat at Lonestar, a restaurant within eyesight of Pro Bass Shop. We were joined by most of the Brazilian riders and Ben Jones and a friend of his, Jason. I think there was 25-30 people there and it was loud and fun. The food was good as well. We stayed at the restaurant for about two hours and then all went our separate ways. We made our way to one other signing and then back to the hotel. I was planning on a short nap, but it was already late in the day and we had only an hour before heading to the arena. So, just spent time on the computer and watching a little TV. Time to get changed and head to the arena.

Tulsa has a beautiful arena called the BOK Center. We were there last year and approaching the arena from the highway, it looks like a spaceship. In the arena we made our way to the TeamPBR meet and greet. Talked to some of the riders and Tammie and the crew of PBR fans got some pictures. Also, Tammie got the chance to talk to Ryan Dirteater and Skeeter on the concourse. Both of these guys are about as nice as they come. I was able to contact and meet up with walkamungus. She comments on the PBR comment section and flew in from Connecticut, then going to Cheyenne. We talked for awhile, then it was getting close to the start of the event.

After all the pyrotechnics, loud music (sorry, I like it) and announcing the riders, it was time for some BULL RIDING! Several riders were all ready out hurt, but it was announced on Friday that Marchi and Ryan McConnel would not participate. On Saturday it was announced that Travis Briscoe would not be able to finish the weekend, due to a neck injury. On Friday, shockingly, there were only nine rides, so the night started out looking good when the first two riders Kasey Hayes (81.75) and Silvano Alves (86.50) got scores. However, the next five bucked off. The last was Stormy Wing on Ricky Bobby. It looked like he had him, but he came down just before the buzzer and after review, it was determined that he slapped the bull at 7.3 seconds.

In Flight 2, Cody Nance got a score of 86.75 and Wiley Peterson also an 86.75. Then the next five bucked off. In Flight 3 the first two, for the third flight in a row, got scores. Zack Brown had the best ride of the night on RMEF Bugle and got a score of 89.75. Chris Shivers also got a ride for 86.50. The next four in the flight bucked off. So far, cowboys 6 and bulls 14. The rest of the night would prove the bulls are the clear winners. In Flight 4 out of six riders, no scores and many were coming off quick. In Flight 5, the first rider, L.J. Jenkins got a score of 81.75, but then there were six straight buck offs. The scariest buck off was Shane Proctor. He got hung up and was being drug around and stomped on at least once. He ended up being ok and did get on a bull on Sunday. In Flight 6, the last and final round, there were four riders and two of them got scores, Valdiron de Oliveira 88.50 (second best ride of the night) and Renato Nunes 86.75.

Final scoring for round 2: Zack Brown 89.75, Valdiron de Oliveira 88.50, Cody Nance 86.75, Renato Nunes 86.75, Wiley Peterson 86.75, Silvano Alves 86.50, Chris Shivers 86.50, L.J. Jenkins 81.75, Kasey Hayes 81.75.

Couple of notes: Flint was great as usual. Even though there were only nine rides, there was some great rides, and some great bull power. Glad to see Zack looking like himself from last year and Cody Nance getting a ride.

Well, after staying and getting riders autographs, we made our way to the host hotel to a birthday party. This was a party for Marchi, even if he wasn't there. Also it was Twiggy's birthday. There were a number of riders and most of the PBR fans mentioned before, were there. It was a great time to talk to some of the riders, in a more relaxed atmosphere. There was no alcohol served (I am mentioning this because of my previous post on after parties). This was not the "PBR after party" but a separate gathering for any rider that wanted some snacks and sandwiches. We had a great time and spent hours talking to the riders and other PBR fans. We finally left the host hotel and headed back to our hotel at 2:30 am. It was shaping up to be another great PBR event and another weekend of getting little sleep. However, being the dedicated PBR fans we are, sleep can come at another time.

Zack Brown celebrating after his round winning ride.