I can defiantly say that summer has hit here in East Texas! For the past couple of weeks we have been in the 90’s & looks like it is going to stay there! I hope everyone is starting out their summer on the right step although travel may be scarce for some due to the rise in gas prices. Where ever you summer plans may take you I hope it is an enjoyable and adventurous one!

Let’s talk Del Rio, Texas! As most of you have probably already witnessed on the CBR Show on RFD-TV Del Rio, Texas CBR was one that tops the cake. I have been around rodeo and bull riding my entire life and I can truly say that I think that was one of the best, if not the best bull ridings I have ever watched. We had fifteen 90+ point rides over the two day event. I had glanced over on Pro Bull Stats to check out the rankings and in the judges defense they truly did mark correctly. These CBR contestants came there with their guns loaded and pulled out all the stops for an event that will go down on history. Trent Cormier from Houma, Louisiana was the Round 1 winner scoring a 93.5 ride aboard Maverick of Lufkin Ranch & Rodeo. Trent was knocked a little silly after the ride and chose not to get aboard the $10,000 bounty bull Walk This Way of the Bad Company string. Dave Samsel followed up close behind Cormier with a 93 point score to fall a few seconds short in the challenge round. Round two honors went to Logan Knibbe with a 92 point ride followed closely by Bronson Butcher with a 91 and the old champ Matt Austin looked like he was back in fine form & fashion turning in a 90.5 score to round out the top three. As if that wasn’t enough hold on to your hats as Danny McDowell of Jena, Louisiana and Wesley Silcox of Payson, Utah each turned in 93 point rides in the championship round action followed up by Travis Sellers and Corey Davis each with 91.5 and Cooper Kanngiesser with a 91. When the dirt setteled it was Zenda, Kansas’ Cooper Kanngiesser won took home top honors and the Championship Hy O Silver buckle with a total of 264.5 on three head. Newly married Corey Davis took home second place honors while it was Danny McDowell and Wesley Silcox who rounded out the top four. I have to say “Great Job” to Bobby Paul, John Ludlum and all the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding staff for a unbelievable event! Great job to all the CBR Staff, Jeff Medders & his production crew, Jennifer Smith, Boyd Polhamus all the stock contractors and anyone else involved that I might have missed.

I am back tracking just a little but my notes I have jotted down are written crazy on this page so I will make do and try to update up on as much as possible. Terry Williams & I left driving (yes~ I said driving not flying) to Del Rio on Thursday. Actually the time went by pretty fast because we had a lot to talk about and catch up on the drive down. We started things off bright & early at the arena on Friday morning and broke for lunch to find that Mr. Mac Altizer had treated us to lunch at Chili’s. Thanks again Mac that was very nice and much appreciated! I managed to get a race track ride with Wes in his Corvette before we headed back to the hotel to prepare for the pre-party festivities. I think with our whole crew we ended up taking like seven large cabs (did I mention in 100 degree weather with no air conditioners) over to the Bad Company Ranch for a nice little gathering before we headed to the Calcutta. We were pleased to have with us the Wild Eyes Production crew for a little filming festivity which I will be talking about in the near future (hopefully they did a lot of editing). We once again loaded up in the nice steaming cabs for the trip over to Mexico for the CBR~Del Rio Calcutta that took place at the Macarena Club. It was great to have several World Champions on hand including Tuff Hedeman, Wesley Silcox and Paul Mayo, Jim Sharp and Wacey Cathey. We managed to mix and mingle with the crowd and then headed back to Del Rio for the event. I would like to say “Thank You” to Wesley Silcox, Steve Woolsey, Ray Clary, Matt Baldwin, Chad Beavers, and Tuff Hedeman for signing autographs at the remotes on Saturday. Oh and I can’t forget Lucas Guilbeau for helping Terry & I drive home! I think I would have had to pull over & sleep on the side of the road I was so tired if he would not have offered to ride home with us~ thanks Lucas!

Now that I think I have all of Del Rio out of the way let’s talk about the injury home front. I will start with the good news first. I received a phone call from Ardie Maier of Timber Lake, South Dakota that he has been released and given the go-ahead from doctors to start back riding once again. If you don’t remember, Ardie broken his neck several months back and has healed up quickly. Ardie told me he was going to take it easy, make sure he was physically and mentally ready before he steps back into the arena but he would for sure be at the CBR event in Huron, South Dakota in August. Hugo Pedrero called me the day before Del Rio to inform me he had broken his wrist and would be out for a few months. Jarrod Craig of Hillsboro, Texas underwent surgery on his shoulder that he injured at the CBR event in Lubbock. Jarrod plans to be out about six months and while off plans on working on his daddy skills as him & Rachel are expecting their first child in December. Jarrod plans on making a big come back at the CBR Finals in Las Vegas. Clint Craig has returned after a broken color bone and did quite well in Del Rio posting a 92 point ride. Logan Knibbe was hit on his shoulder on his dismount on a bull in Del Rio and opted not to get on in the short round competition but is well and competing again. Actually Logan & Stephanie and a group of friends took it easy after Del Rio and went and floated the Frio River for Logan’s birthday so he is refreshed and ready to go for that summer run. Luke Haught of Weatherford, Texas got a little cut above his eye after a horn nicked him on his dismount also in Del Rio. Finally the dreaded surgery that Chad Castillo has put off finally came to an end as he underwent surgery the week after Del Rio on his shoulder and plans on making a late return in November or December. On a positive note for Chad he sits at the top of the CBR standings and we will plan on seeing him in Las Vegas in January for the CBR World Finals.

The CBR welcomes a new family member as CBR Bull Fighter Matt Baldwin and his wife, Kristy welcomes Eli Maxwell Baldwin into this world on May 21st at 3:17 p.m. Eli weighed 7 lbs & 12 oz and was 19 inches long. Matt, Kristy and Eli are at home and doing great! I talked with Kristy and she said everything was awesome except Matt’s cooking so she plans on taking that job back over real soon! Congrats & we wish you the best of luck!

As the summer rolls around we have got Cooper Kanngiesser atop the CBR World Standings with Chad Castillo in second and Wesley Silcox sitting in the third position. The CBR season will pick back up at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron, South Dakota on August 27th & 28th so make plans to attend. Currently sitting atop the PRCA World Standing is Chance Smart from Philadelphia, Mississippi with Wesley Silcox in second and B.J. Schumacher sitting third. It should be quite interesting to see how the standings change a little with Cowboy Christmas nearing. Everyone at the CBR wants to wish each of these guys well on their summer rodeo run and safe travels!

Well I think that just about wraps things up for now except for if any of you are making plans on heading to Nashville, Tennessee this week for Country Music’s Fan Fair look us up. Starting this Wednesday, June 4-8 the CBR/RFD-TV will have an autograph booth and celebrity bull riding contest. Jake Littlefield, Cooper Kanngiesser, Laddan Ledbetter, Travis Sellers, Steve Woolsey, Bonner Bolton, Wesley Silcox and Tuff Hedeman along with part of our staff will be on hand for autographs and give-aways. I would also like to wish all of you Dad’s an early “Happy Father’s Day” on June 15th! Take Care & God Bless

Cicily