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Community Heroes Series
From the July 2003 issue of Alabama Living magazine
Article by Kay Marshall - CBR
WebAdmin
True Grit. A phrase which most of
us have heard from the movies. But in other circles, it refers to
both mental and physical toughness in the sport of professional
bull riding, where cowboys have only 8 seconds to show their own
true grit.
8 seconds may not seem like a long time unless, of course, you’re
strapped to the back of a muscular ton of bucking fury and power
in the shape of a high-bred bull. Bucking bulls, as they’re
called and rightly so... just ask anyone who’s sat on the back
of one!
From its roots in the 1860s and 1870s, rodeo events like bull riding
would have been hard to imagine back in the days when the annual
round-up and branding of cattle encouraged informal contests among
the working cowboys.
By the 1920's, with the help of early
promoters, championship events in Boston and New York attracted
nationwide focus. Today’s events offer cash prizes. Points
are based on cash winnings and high point makers are advanced to
event finals. Leading contestants compete in more than 100 events
per year for prize money in excess of a million dollars plus a variety
of valuable awards. The ever watched bull riding has become so popular
that groups were organized to promote only professional bull riding
events.
The newest rising star on the professional
circuit is the locally owned CBR, short for Championship Bull Riding.
CBR is the brainchild of local entrepreneur, Joel Logan, of Hamilton.
Logan, a long time follower of the sport, is a cattleman who is
involved in the bull breeding business. Through his lifelong interest
in cows and bulls, he knew that there had to be a way to create
some excitement for the fans of bull riding.
Logan Bucking Bulls got its start in 1996. The purpose behind the
enterprise was simple. Logan wanted to raise and breed some of the
toughest and “rankest” bucking bulls known on the professional
bull riding circuits. The common meaning of the term "rank"
is a very bad smell, but in the bull riding circuit it’s used
in a much different sense. It describes a bull that is mean, bucks
hard or is particularly difficult to ride. The fact that Logan Bucking
Bulls currently holds the record for owning the highest scoring
bull in pro bull riding history, a bull by the name of Jim Jam is
proof that Logan knows “Rank”.
When the nationally respected RSR (Rodeo Stock Registry) asked what
Joel thought about their industry upon his admittance as a member
and what he thought would help it excel into the future, he had
one word, "exposure".
“We need exposure, more television, print, futurities, quality
sales and overall media attention. That’s what will push us
in the right direction," he stated. As an RSR member, Logan
understands the importance of good genetics for the future of the
bucking bull business. "DNA testing grants us the ability to
know exactly what we’re buying," said Logan. "With
the quality of stock getting better, we, as an industry, need to
stick together," he added. Through associations such as the
RSR, Logan became an aquaintance and then a friend of five-time
stock contractor of the year, Terry Williams, of Carthage, Texas.
They soon joined camps and Logan & Wiliams Bucking Bulls was
born. Their friendship and business partnership was not to end with
just the breeding of bulls, but has, over the past four years, metamorphasized
into the creation of this newly sanctioned bull riding circuit.
 “I
had bought some bulls from Terry and I spent quite a bit of time
with him at stock shows and I watched him as he put on numerous
bull riding events. We started out as a PBR (Professional Bull Riders)
sanctioned touring event and then thought we needed to be televised.
We scoped out that idea and when those opportunties started to pan
out, that's when we decided to break from the PBR and develop and
host our own Champtionship Bull Rid ing events,” Logan explained.
This presented to both Logan and Williams, as well as to the sport
of bull riding, an opportunity to expound on some old ideas and
explore new ways for the sport of professional bull riding to reach
its highest level for both the organization as well as for the cowboys,
whose careers depend upon a successful and sanctioned circuit.
“The whole reason that people seem to like what we're doing
is the way that we treat them at the events. They like that we show
them how appreciative the CBR is for them and for what they do for
the sport,” said Logan. “For example, he continued, before
every event we have a staff and riders meeting where we go over
current and future plans. We discuss our sponsors, our fans and
what responsibilities we have to all of them. We also ask for their
input. We truly want their opinions on how we can make it better
for everyone involved.”
The CBR is also focussed on family and fans. A standard pre-event
at CBR shows are FAN FAIR's featuring autograph sessions with the
riders, live music and games for all ages. “Another important
element of our events is showing national pride and each event opening
is dedicated to this great nation we live in,” Logan stated.
“A good, wholesome, family-fun atmosphere is a main requirement
at a CBR event,” said Joel. “As a family man, whose own
family travels to the events, it’s important that we host clean
events. My family inspires and supports me and because I'm involved
in the sport,they’re involved in the sport and that holds true
for a lot of the other fans, cowboys and CBR board members,”
he said.
With their goals and priorities in
place the CBR officially launched its first season in 2002 with
CEO, Joel Logan at the helm of the new organization. As President,
Terry Williams was out doing what he does best - promote his sport
and his bulls - but this time he promoted them through the CBR.
Together Logan and Williams have forged a high-quality and reputable
sporting venue that is attracting national attention at all levels
of the sport.
Their first year flying solo brought such success and fan support
that by the end of 2002 it was announced through sporting news magazines,
like Humps-n-Horns, that 2003 CBR events would be televised through
the nationally syndicated Outdoor Channel. Sponsors like Coors,
BudLight, and other national labels have lined up as well, wanting
to add their name to the growing list of avid CBR endorser's. From
a light event schedule in 2002, which concluded in December in Fort
Worth, Texas with cowboy, Mike White, of DeKalb, Texas winning the
first CBR World Champion title, the CBR has on its roster for 2003
fourteen events in cities across the south and southwest.
2003 got into swing in January with the launching of a new Website
promoting the organization. At CBRnow.com you’ll find lots
of information on the CBR and how to become a rider, a stock contractor
or a bullfighter (formerly called rodeo clowns), plus event results
and ticket information. You’ll also be able to read a Behind
the Chutes article, by former Miss Rodeo America and television
personality, Pam Minick, as she gives her perspective on each past
event.
If you’re wondering who else is a part of the CBR and why Logan
and Williams is confident on their success, here’s a few of
the other people who’ve come on-board. 8-time World Bucking
Bull Champion, Donnie Gay, Finals judges, Nicky Wheeler and Terry
Holland, CBR Announcers Randy and Amber Smutz, Cicily Cross, CBR
Secretary and Director of Entries and other stock contractors such
as H.D. Page, Harrington Cattle Company and Jerry Nelson to name
a few. “There’s just too many to name, said Logan, and
we have so many good people that make up the CBR that this might
be a mock answer. But everyone associated with us are the CBR. People
are what make an association great and we have a lot of great people
in the CBR.”
So what exactly IS bull riding, you
might ask. Joel Logan sums it up this way. “It's an extreme
sport. It’s an on-edge sport. It’s a very dangerous sport
that is essentially man versus beast.” Still got questions?
Well, here’s a few basics to help you along.
Like other roughstock events (Bareback and Saddle Bronc) the rider
tries to remain on the animal for a total of eight seconds. That's
8 seconds tied to 1800 pounds of fight'n fury. Bull riding isn't
exactly a fair sport either as the contestant is only allowed to
ride with one hand. Upper body control, strong legs and great balance
is essential when riding bulls. The rider tries to remain forward
"over his hand" at all times. Failure to do this could
cause him to lose balance or to be tossed forward when the bull
bucks. Unlike the other roughstock contestants, bull riders are
not required to spur. No wonder. It's usually impressive enough
just to remain seated for eight seconds on an animal that may weigh
more than a ton and is as quick as he is big. If you’re looking
for an Xtreme sport to watch, bull riding is for you!
Final thoughts from Joel Logan
Current money leaders, events and
TV schedules are constantly updated at CBRnow.com. CBR’s World
Championship will be held at the Resistol Arena in Mesquite, Texas
on October 31-November 1. Should be good!
As for parting thoughts. Logan stated that his major success has
been in seeing the CBR grow into a successful sporting venue for
cowboys wanting to make it in the sport. The downside, he says,
is not being able to meet every single person and shake their hand
and to let them know where you're coming from. “It's important
to me because I love people and you really don't know someone until
you get to shake their hand.”
Kay Marshall is the Internet
Projects Coordinator and Alabama Living Editor for TEC
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