Is the future of Bull Riding at risk ????

Is the Future of Bull Riding at Risk?... You dang right it is....

The true definition of a Jr Bull is one proportionate in size, strength and bucking style to advance Jr riders in their quest to become bull riders when they mature. Unfortunately in most cases this rule has been thrown out the window by the people who are bucking their young bulls as well as the parents of the young riders. Bull power is the strongest in the history of the sport and isn't likely to be going the other direction. Boys and young men need the very best chance to develop their natural talent and ability without having to get on bulls that are out of their league.

So many Jr associations will just hire a bull man to bring Jr bulls for the kids and they bring their futurity prospects or even proven full grown bulls to the Jr rodeo. In a lot of cases the kids just get on and get slammed to the ground and don't enter next time. Real bull riders dying off because of this kind of thing taking place at the foundation and structure level. this didn't happen to my era of riders because there weren't breeding programs only guys going to the sale barn and trying bulls. Not a lot of hot bred bulls out there.

Any of us in leadership of the Jr associations must make a stand and against this BS taking place and let these youngsters develop into bull riders rather than expecting them to try to ride real bulls when they should be able to be kids and have fun. Getting your ass slammed all the time isn't any fun and turns a bunch of talented kids into head cases. They finally settle for being halfhearted most of the time and mediocre is acceptable because they wont put out 100%. They don't even know what 100% really is because they don't know success, only failure and 35% riding average is something they are proud of.

It's got to stop or bull riding will be a distant memory to all of us. Take a stand with me against this wherever you have influence let it help.

Thanks for listening.
Cody Custer