The PBR Comes to Anaheim!
by Laura Drake
This is always an exciting time for me, since the venue is less than ten miles from my house. Even more so this year, because my debut bull riding book will be out in May! I had to share some photos.
Love the color and action in this one.
We had tickets for all three nights, and I got to see a bunch of my Twitter bull riding buds. Who says social media doesn’t work? ‘The Tweet hearts’ are a dedicated group of bull riding fans, and we try to meet up at any events we can get to, and have a Tweet heart lunch in Vegas at the PBR Finals in October.
Sunday, my crit partner and good friend, Fae Rowen came along. After reading my books, she was curious about this sport. We had great seats — a bull just about came through the fence in front of us, we got dirt in our laps from one that bucked right by, and Fae brought her awesome camera for some great action shots!
Great seats, huh?
But the highlight, for me, was working with Jory Markiss, the #10 rider in the world, on a project for the book. Can’t give details yet, but how cool is this photo?
Having a bull rider want to read your debut book? PRICELESS!
Feb 21, 2013 @ 05:09:25
Love this! How cool all around!
Feb 21, 2013 @ 10:52:46
There are rodeos all over, Keri – check it out!
Feb 21, 2013 @ 07:54:20
Very very cool! I love watching those bull riders. At one rodeo, I ended up sitting my this girl who was sitting by herself. We got to chatting and low and behold, she was the wife of one of the bull riders! She did barrel racing, but was currently pregnant, so no barrel riding for her. She ran through all the injuries her husband had had riding bulls. When not on the back of bulls, he works as a cowboy at one of the large Florida cattle ranches. Having her beside me changed how I saw the world, that’s for sure.
She got to talking about the $250 entry fee they had to pay so he could ride. She said it was like gambling! and how addicting the riding could be.
I’m envious of you, Laura!
Feb 21, 2013 @ 08:15:17
Wow, Cyndi, what a great story! Even more than not getting how these guys can do this, knowing they can die — I don’t know how their loved ones can watch!!!!
I don’t think I have that kind of courage.
Feb 21, 2013 @ 10:28:14
That looks super-exciting!
I read something recently at Romancing the Jock that mentioned helmets and chest plates. I see one of the guys in your pictures is wearing a helmet. Good for him! But the others have cowboy hats. Are those special protector cowboy hats?
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Feb 21, 2013 @ 10:50:32
Natalie,
The PBR has required the use of the ‘flak jackets,’ but they haven’t yet required helmets. You know, the whole macho thing. But to be fair, the helmet is still a work in progress. It’s not like a football player’s – the face shield has to be MUCH stronger (in case it’s stepped on) and yet there has to be great visibility. Some riders can wear them, others can’t stand them.
It will be a moot point over time, because the kids coming up in High School and College are required to wear them, so they’ll be used to them by the time they hit the pros.
Feb 21, 2013 @ 10:32:20
Love the picture of the bullrider with your book! Sounds like a great day! Congrats!
Feb 21, 2013 @ 10:52:09
Isn’t he adorable? And I was about Ma’amed to death! So good to see that somewhere, mothers are raising their boys right!
Feb 21, 2013 @ 12:57:33
Wow wow wow… Having a #10 Bullrider in the World want to read your book, priceless indeed. And not that I’m a cougar… but how cute is he? Great blog, Laura!
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Feb 22, 2013 @ 17:17:11
Isn’t he just adorable? What fun, Laura, for you to be in the midst of something that inspires your stories.
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