When stating my case for appropriate stock at youth bull riding events, so many times the reply back to me is, "they need to be ready for nationals". So the quality of the animals at the Finals of these National Associations has become the standard, whether appropriate or not. Who says that those in leadership of an association with a National Finals know what's appropriate for youth bull riders? They say they do but the proof is in the advancement and quality of their riders as a whole. Just because they are established and may be longstanding doesn't mean they automatically have someone qualified to judge what will be proper to advance these kids without the risk being too high. If they sought out someone qualified to help them it could be different but most of the time they don't ask or they ignore wise advise.
I have personally witnessed a few as well as watched videos of national competitions for youth bull riders and have yet to see... a complete set of bulls that are appropriate for the whole set of kids entered. I understand that one can slip by an organizer but when one does the organizer should at least be responsible enough to remove the bull. Many times bulls that are a danger to the kids are left in the draw and bucked in later performances, placing even more kids at risk. If they are advertising youth bull riding wouldn't it make sense to have appropriate stock to fit the level of the riders and to continually cull out the ones that don't fit.
So it's the organizations that continue to allow damage to the whole sport of bull riding. If they would first seek out and buy into advice of those qualified to give the right advice and then put their foot down against the gung-ho bull guy who is unwilling or uneducated enough to bring the appropriate bulls that will best serve the purpose of Jr bull riding and it might change. My guess is that most will not do what is right concerning this "most important" issue because pride will keep them from admitting that they've been wrong all along.
This is just my take and opinion. But it is an educated opinion. Thanks for reading. I hope this doesn't stop with just reading this and more will stand up for the future of bull riding.
Cody Custer
I have personally witnessed a few as well as watched videos of national competitions for youth bull riders and have yet to see... a complete set of bulls that are appropriate for the whole set of kids entered. I understand that one can slip by an organizer but when one does the organizer should at least be responsible enough to remove the bull. Many times bulls that are a danger to the kids are left in the draw and bucked in later performances, placing even more kids at risk. If they are advertising youth bull riding wouldn't it make sense to have appropriate stock to fit the level of the riders and to continually cull out the ones that don't fit.
So it's the organizations that continue to allow damage to the whole sport of bull riding. If they would first seek out and buy into advice of those qualified to give the right advice and then put their foot down against the gung-ho bull guy who is unwilling or uneducated enough to bring the appropriate bulls that will best serve the purpose of Jr bull riding and it might change. My guess is that most will not do what is right concerning this "most important" issue because pride will keep them from admitting that they've been wrong all along.
This is just my take and opinion. But it is an educated opinion. Thanks for reading. I hope this doesn't stop with just reading this and more will stand up for the future of bull riding.
Cody Custer
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