The Farm House

Shannon wrote:

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I'm not sure if we should start a new topic for each rider we wanted to comment on or just "riders" in general, just like we have a "bull" thread. Feel free to fix it if you'd like.

As I just wrote on the "Turn Him Out" Zonk Board, I've nicknamed Renato Nunes "Slinky". He looked so flexible last night on that bull, bouncing and shifting this way and that (and still trying to spur!), I thought it fit him.

I love watching him ride.

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You just feel free to make any kind of topic you wish. I just started a bunch of them when I was figuring out how to work this message board. I wasn't sure how the whole topic/sub-topic thing worked, plus, it was late at night and I didn't have anything else to dink around with while I was waiting for my son to get home from work hehehe.

I love Renato too and it's a darned shame I embarassed myself in front of Guilherme so badly that I felt compelled to leave the after party immediately (If I could have snapped my fingers and vanished instantly, it wouldn't have been fast enough). I wish I'd gone back and met Renato, Mike White and Cord. Had I been a sane woman I might have even made Cord twirl me, wheelchair and all, on that dinky little dance floor.

"Slinky" is a great name for Renato!! Although I'm afraid it does remind me of my signature line and it's a name I often use for people I'd like to push down a flight of stairs.

I agree with what Jaye said on the Zonkboard, the name especially fits that bucking thing he used to do before he perfected that awesome backflip.

Shannon wrote:

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I'm really happy with the results so far. I hope tomorrow goes just as well.

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Ayup! I wish Kody had bucked off, but I can live with him only gaining 3 pts on Marchi LOL. I'm going to start a Mohegan Sun thread.

Farm Goddess wrote:

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William noticed that Rocky McDonald had a McCain/Palin campaign sticker on his vest. Is he planning to vote?

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Is he an American citizen now? Anyway, it doesn't surprise me. I was saying to my friend tonight, do you want to guess what the ratio of Republicans to Democrats there are in that business?

Thanks for the info.

You know, I think we'd all get along quite well.

Two-Time World Champion Justin McBride Announces Retirement



Two-Time World Champion Justin McBride Announces Retirement
Dont miss the defending PBR World Champ as he rides in Las Vegas one final time! MEDIA CONTACT:
Professional Bull Riders, Inc.Public Relations Department
719.242.2800




PUEBLO, Colo. (October 21, 2008) - Two-time and reigning PBR World Champion Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) announced today that he will retire from the sport of bull riding at a press conference held at Silverton Casino Lodge in Las Vegas, Nev. One of the most decorated bull riders in PBR history, the defending World Champ recently crossed the $5 million mark in career earnings in September 2008, making him the richest cowboy in history. In his ten year career, McBride has set an extensive list of records including 32 career event wins; the most money earned in a single season ($1,835,321); and eight single season event wins among many others.

Dont miss the opportunity to see McBride ride at the last PBR World Finals of his career on Oct. 31-Nov. 2 and Nov. 6-9. For more information, please contact the Professional Bull Riders at 719.242.2800.

Below is an article by Cartwright.  I can only assume it's on the PBR website, but I couldn't find it so I'm cutting & pasting it from the Probullstats message board.

Justin McBride: Game over



Justin McBride: Game over
Two-time World Champion Justin McBride has decided to call it a career



PUEBLO, Colo. (October 21, 2008) - At a press conference this afternoon in Las Vegas, two-time World Champion Justin McBride announced his retirement from professional bull riding.

It doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure out that was going to happen, said Brendon Clark, a close friend of McBride. Ive known for a long, long time now that that was going to happen. It was just something that he discussed with all his buddies.

Added Mike White, Most of the guys knew. Its not surprising to me.

After winning last years world title the second of his career McBride sat out the first six months of the just-completed Built Ford Tough Series. Competing in just seven regular-season events, the Oklahoma cowboy won two event titles Tulsa and Nashville and easily qualified for the upcoming PBR World Finals.

Hes going out when he can still ride every single bull in the world, Clark said, and ride the rankest bulls in the world. There will be no doubt in his mind that the day he says he doesnt want to do it anymore, which will be the last round of the Finals, that he can come back at any time still be able to do it.

But he wants quit when hes still the best, and thats the big thing, I think. Its the same reason Ty Murray retired. He didnt think he could do it at the level he wanted to anymore. He quit because he wanted to be able to do it better than anybody else.

One of the most decorated bull riders in PBR history, the defending World Champ recently crossed the $5 million mark in career earnings in September, making him the richest cowboy in history.

In his 10-year career, McBride has set an extensive list of records, including 32 career event wins; the most money earned in a single season ($1,835,321); and eight single season event wins, among many others.

Hes not the kind of person to say Im retiring and then get all the media behind it, have everyone talk about it and then at the last minute come back in six months because everyone thinks he can, Clark said.

When he says hes finished, hes finished, because thats the way Justin McBride is. He doesnt do anything haphazardly.

Hes definitely not going to change his mind, Clark continued. He knew he wanted to quit and this was the time, so I know you wont see Justin McBride get on another bull again after the eighth round of the PBR World Finals.

Log back in to www.pbrnow.com to hear the audio of an exclusive one-on-one interview with McBride.

Fellow riders react to the news:

Michael Gaffney: Im happy for him, but disappointed for the sport. Hes not going away, I dont think, but at the same time, to not have him actively riding is a drag for our fans and, quite frankly, those guys in the locker room. But Im really happy for him and his family because of the danger thats involved in this business, and hes a guy that never says die.

J.B. Mauney: I mean, you gotta hand it to him. Hes going out on top and hes still riding good. I dont know, really. I wouldnt if I was him, but its a lot different, because hes got a family and everything and hes a lot older than I am. You can kind of tell hes ready to go home. Hes a really good friend of mine and hes always good to have around the bull ridings, because you cant act like a sissy when hes around. He kind of stays on your butt about being a cowboy, and now he wont be there to do that.

Kody Lostroh: Hes definitely made his mark in the world of bull riding. I know he still really likes riding bulls, but hes got a family going now too, so his priorities have changed a little bit, I guess. Its good that hes getting to quit on top of his game and not hanging around so long that the sport makes him leave.

L.J. Jenkins: Holy cowI would have never thought that he would do that. I figured Adriano being a three-time World Champ, that hed want to do the same. Weve all seen he can do that any day, and thats kind of what I was figuring. I thought once he became a two-time World Champ that he might think about it, but I never saw it coming now.

Mike White: I look at it from a family perspective. Justins made a really good living in a short period of time and hes got a family. He wants to retire and spend time with his familyhes made a lot of money and hes at the point where he can retire and enjoy life with his family.

Chris Shivers: I think thats a great decision. Bull riding is something that if you have experienced it youll know enough is enough. Whenever you feel like your dreams are fulfilled and then you dont really want to do it anymore, then its not worth getting hurt over.

Luke Snyder: Shoot, in this game everybody knows when theyre done. He obviously knows that he doesnt have the desire that he once did or may notah, that guy could win so many more world championships. Hes still young. He could still come back anytime he wanted to and just dominate. Everybody has a point when theyre done with it and hes obviously pretty well set up.

Sean Willingham: Hes that good that he can retire at a young age because hes won so much already. Itll be good for him and, I guess, hes going to pursue his country music and go from there. Im sure hell still be around the bull riding world, but hes going to be missed. Im dang sure going to just miss him as a friend. Its going to be different, and youre not going to get to compete against one of the best bull riders of all time. I guess hes just done with it. Were going to miss him and, I dont know, you cant really say too much.

Reese Cates: With Adriano and Justin McBride retiring the same year as my rookie seasonthats crazy. Its something that Ill always remember, that I came on tour and I got to ride against the legends for one year before theyre gone. Yeah, thats something to me and Im just glad I got to come along this year instead of next year. Im honored to be at their level and I wish McBride would be hanging around a little bit longer so I could have the chance to compete against him some more.

Dustin Elliott: Hes hit $5 million, hes won two world titles, hes rich and he doesnt have to worry about moneywhy not? But honestly, the guys an outstanding, phenomenal bull rider and him retiring just gives me that much more of a chance to win some money myself. I mean, the guy went to (seven) events this year and he won two of them. Thats just amazing. I like the competition and I like the money too. Hes had some injuries with the broken leg, the collapsed lung and then the shoulder. Hes 29-years-old and hes got enough money, so why not save your health? Hes accomplished everything there is to accomplish in bull riding, so what else is there other than save your health and raise your family?

by Keith Ryan Cartwright


-- Edited by Jaye at 16:56, 2008-10-21

Farm Goddess wrote:

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I wish I could say something nice like "I'm crushed". However, I'm a grumpy old broad who is really tired of hearing about him so I'm not. The nicest I can muster is the very sincere hope that he does at least some of the announcing because he truly did crack me up quite often there.
Wow.

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Same here. I'm also irritated that it was supposed to be Adriano's big event and now he has to share it with the great Justin McBride!! However, I'm grateful that Adriano had a season long fair well and I'm sure the PBR will do right by both of them. We'll find out in a couple of weeks. I do want to say, though, that I always respected what a great rider he is and the PBR is losing a another great one. I'm sure his family is very happy that he'll be home more often and out of harm's way (mostly). I've always respected him as a husband and father based on the things I've heard.

"I still wonder who they'll make me sick of hearing about next year. Poor dude."

I'm betting if they don't go on incessantly about Guilherme, it will be JB.

blackboots wrote:

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Shannon wrote:

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I've always respected him as a husband and father based on the things I've heard.

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Me too, Shannon. I might get fed up and snark "Princess" at the TV screen when they're gushing about him, but then they'd show him talking about his kid and I'd feel like an old meany. Luckily, he'd immediately say something dumb and reaffirm my belief. I do think he'd be good in the broadcast booth--maybe he's bounced his bud JDub out of a job--I hope.

And gawdhelp our eardrums if he's really, really serious about this country music thing.

It's funny to read all the rider's comments. I can just hear Reese Cates saying "Justin and Adriano both retiring my rookie year? That's crazy."

I can't say I saw this coming at ALL. I thought he'd shoot for one more World championship before he left. I don't want to raise any rumors but I hope he is retiring because he's truly not enjoyng it anymore, and not because there's a family issue.

Then the cynic in me wonders if they dropped this annoucement now so they could sell more Finals tickets. (spanks own hand).

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I know, my Inner Cynic gets all excited and starts spinning theories about why he's quitting now.

- To pump up ticket sales at the finals
- To trump Adriano
- To make himself the center of attention again

But I don't really believe any of those cynical theories.  What I DO think, however, is that he found the process of rehabbing his shoulder unpleasant, and the shoulder still isn't right.  He's always been pretty honest about how he never really had to work as a bull rider - never went to the gym, never had to do any rehab except drink beer and blow up balloons - and maybe the shoulder injury and his slightly advanced age mean that he can't compete at the highest level without doing more work than he's prepared to do, especially since money is no longer an issue.

That's just my theory.  It's also entirely possible that his wife told him to quit.

blackboots wrote:

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I can't say I saw this coming at ALL. I thought he'd shoot for one more World championship before he left. I

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Ditto here blackboots. It never entered my wildest dreams that he'd quit before he either beat Adriano's record or took such a physical beating that winning a third title was unrealistic.

Now, here's hoping Ednei comes to his senses soon.

I'm going to need to resort to alcohol to get me through the finals.

blackboots wrote:

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Farm Goddess wrote:

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I'm going to need to resort to alcohol to get me through the finals.

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      Please pass the bottle.
      His announcement puts quite a spin on finals week, doesn't it? I feel like we're headed for more drama than backstage at a drag show. With Guiherme's run for the title, two (hopefully three with Ednei's) retirements, the great battle for  Rookie of the Year and the 5-way race for Bull of the Year, we're gonna have plenty to keep us entertained. Is it Halloween night yet?

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Sooo that'd mean he'd get upgraded to Queen Justine right? LOL!

Yeah wow, when you list it all right there it does sound exciting!

It only just dawned on me when I was reading Jaye's post with the rider's reactions that they didn't get any Brazilian reactions to the news. I'm going to suppose that's because they just took the reactions of team U.S.A. and/or Justin's pals, or maybe these were just the guys that were immediately available for comment.

I'll stock the cyber bar with some peppermint schnapps, Midori (oh damn that does sound good), JD, vodka (maybe a couple of pitchers of vodka bullfrogs), Bailey's, Southern Comfort (had a little too much of that in my misspent youth) and Rum.

blackboots wrote:

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I noticed the lack of comment from the Brazilians too, FG. I'm going to suppose what you supposed, because if I suppose anything else it's really ugly.
<snort> Queen Justine! With JDub and Cody Lambert as his background singers.  Wearing kneepads.

Mmmm, Baileys. How about some of the Brazilian national drink, the caipirinha? And some Canadian beer and Mexican tequila, and whatever Australians drink--Foster's Lager? Just to be fair.  And I'll bring the Diet Coke--you know us Southerners, we gotta have some of the home brew handy.

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What is the caipirinha like?  With blithe indifference for the facts I assume it to be tropical in nature, but that's coming from somebody who enjoys the occasional gin and tonic.  The gin and tonic must surely be the least appetizing drink known to man, with the possible exception of Old Milwaukee or unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine, but for some reason I like them now and then.

For a while the most popular beer in Australia was Castlemain XXXX, with Fosters being a sort of distant second or third. 

I wonder why more alcoholic beverage companies don't buy up and name bulls.  Not that I'm in favor of that practice by any means, but the truth-in-advertising people could have a field day with bulls named things like Jaegermeister Spewin' or Smirnoff's Neural Knuckleduster.

Oh, pay me no mind, it's early and I'm getting ready to go to work; I never make sense under such circumstances.

Yup, you got it. Cachaca is very similar to rum, and it's to Brazil what vodka is to Russia. It's a sister drink to the mojito, that fabulous Cuban drink made with white rum. I got a tutorial in Caipirinhas from a very handsome Brazilian (my gawd, are they ALL this handsome? Must book airline tickets) who was bartending at a Brazilian steakhouse in Atlanta--they're very popular here. I haven't tried to make them myself, but they are awfully refreshing--and all things in moderation, of course. (hee).

Bullfrogs, mmmm! I know I'd rather drink one that run across one in my garden. Sounds perfect for hot, lazy days.

A while ago I signed up with the PBR to have a shot at winning the Sooper Dooty truck, and the right to be the honorary stock contractor for the bull Super Duty.  In so doing I signed up for PBR newsletters, "Echo Mailers" I call them because that's the return email address.  (Curiously, these newsletters suggest that the PBR business office is in Nashville, while I thought it was in Colorado Springs.)

ANYWAY.  One of the more recent ones was an advertisement for a pre-Finals party in Las Vegas at one casino or another, and to spice up the ad they had bookended it with pictures of Luke Snyder and Pistol Robinson.  They kept the camera low so they look like hulking giants, of course, but what's really amusing is that Pistol Robinson looks significantly older and tougher than Luke Snyder! 

(I'd like to know why Luke Snyder has such perfect teeth.  Are they all implants, or has he signed a pact with the devil?)

Guilherme's blogging! His first one is short and sweet:

"I've got a good bull in Round 1 and, yes, I'm so glad to get this started tonight. I'll try my best and I hope to be better now than I've being doing all the season--without pressure. And I really expect to be the World Champion.

I'm very excited about the Finals.

We've been working all year and we have dreams to be accomplished, wishes that need to come true. In hindsight the year went by very fast and I'm in a very good position. I've not won yet, but I'm going to take advantage of the bulls I pick.

I'm going to go and ride this week without pressure and stress. I hope to stay relaxed the whole time and do my best. I'm feeling very well and my mind is very good. I feel very prepared.

My last experiences will help me a lot this year. I'll try to join the 5 years of experience I've had at the Finals and the 3 years finishing in second place. I'm going to try to do my very best. I know a lot of people are cheering for me fans, family and friends so I want to make everybody very happy this year."


Looks like they've got Austin, Cord and Ty lined up to blog, too.

lol! I love watching them stretch.

Shannon wrote:

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Who great was that interview with Leah and Guilherme? It was so sweet when he said "I'm coming for broken".

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LMAO! I heard that and it made me laugh and say "AWWWWWW". I am such a sucker. I may have to adopt that phrase.

blackboots wrote:

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I noticed after the end of the round Guilherme pounded JB on his chest and his back in congratulations. Considering how strong he is and how skinny JB is, that must have HURT. I've seen him do it to someone else, too--at the moment I can't remember exactly who--and they let out a big "woof" of pain immediately afterwards. Heh.

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hee! I didn't notice that, but I think it's great that he's so friendly with JB. I told a friend that if, God forbid, JB pulls off a win, Guilherme seems like the type to truly appreciate the his effort and sincerely congratulate him.

I just hope it doesn't come to that.......

-- Edited by Shannon at 13:45, 2008-11-07

"So one day I thumped myself in the chest in that way when what I was doing at work panned out.

Afterwards I had to sit down for about an hour, occasionally dabbing at my welling eyes with a paper towel, and then write myself a stern note to never, NEVER, thump myself in the chest in that way again. "

Well, you could either never do it again, or buy yourself one of those fancy, protective vests. But with those on, I have to wonder how it is that he isn't damaging his hand, so you may be right--just give up chest thumping for good.

-- Edited by Shannon at 23:07, 2008-11-07

Hear, hear!

I'm quite ready to see Guilherme wrap matters up tonight.  I'm sure the TV executives just love this high drama in long-playing format, and I suppose if I didn't have an emotional stake in the matter I would too.  After all, nobody is giving JB or Guilherme anything.  JB is picking and riding the rankest bulls he can find, and Guilherme is methodically defending his lead.  They're both at the tops of their games, and it's great TV and great bull riding, but gee whiz, I can't take this sort of tension forever.  In the immortal words of Mr. Scott, "They're going to blow!"  (I presume that he was referring to his cerebral arteries.) 

Ok, this is one of the only places I'll admit this: Reese Cates, in spite of one or two irritating comments on his blogs, has really impressed me and if Guilherme doesn't win the event title tomorrow, I wouldn't mind seeing Reese come ahead and win it. I know that being in 4th place, it's a long shot, but I think it would be something to see.

I missed Adriano's last ride, missed the emotion, missed the interview and actually only got to see about the last 15 minutes of the event yesterday. We had a cold front and huge wind storm come through yesterday. I was crawling around in the stalls trying to tie down the tarps my son put up as wind breaks around the barn. I came in just long enough to start the dvd recorder. 

I have every intention of watching the final rounds at my leisure this afternoon! (With kleenex and chocolate milk)

Someone on the Breeder's Connection wrote this about Guilherme's win and the event in general:

"the draft is ok for the 4 day events during the regular season. I do not like it for the finals. Marchi may have rode 7 out of 8, but if he had DRAWN a bull away from his hand he would not have rode that many. JB gave 110% all week and came up short, Marchi gave 80% and won over a million bucks. with the draft out of the picture we would know who the real champion would be. And im not saying that Marchi would not have won, it just would have made it more interesting"




Austin Meier responded like this:

"MRG, you sure must think alot of your self to cut down one of the best riders out there and this year the best. I Don't say much on here but a statement like that get my blood hot. Who gave you the try scale so that you could tell how much try each one of us put out. Every one of us came to the finals with hopes and the thoughts of winning. Some of us got it done and some of us didn't. But, how dare you say Marchi only gave 80% and JB gave 110%. It looks to me that they both gave all they could and there can only be one winner, so have some respect, because I don't think your name is on any gold buckles and untill it is you have no place to make a statement like you did. We are the ones out there, your not."

Flint isn't a rider, but I thought I'd put this here because he wrote a song about the PBR and the video of it has been making the rounds. It's a really good!

Enjoy!

Yet another reason to love Austin Meier:

Cultural Exchange Student

Good for him!