March madness I believe is an understatement. It has definitely been a very busy month for me. I have traveled from Lufkin to Ft. Worth from there to Marshall then on to Houston (several trips) and then back to Dallas. So far 2008 has been an awesome year for the CBR. Our new TV show on RFD-TV has been a huge success and we have had sell-out crowds at all our 2008 events. I am currently working on getting things packed up to head to Lubbock, Texas for our first annual event with the ABC Pro Rodeo Lubbock committee. We are very excited about ending out the 2008 Pro Rodeo in Lubbock with our Championship Bull Riding venue. If you want to see a great show come check it out because we are planning on having six World Champions in the house this Sunday which should make for some great rides.

If you have already missed the Lufkin, Texas CBR event on RFD I will catch you up to speed first hand on what took place. J.C. Bean of Goldendale, Washington thrilled the crowd with an 89 point score to take the lead headed into the short round. When the dust settled it was fellow Washington neighbor and friend, Zack Oakes of Elk, Washington who took home the $10,000 and the Hy O Silver Champion Buckle. Lufkin was an event that was partnered up with the awesome bucking bulls of the NBBA. One again Mr. Alvin Jones and his partner in crime Apollo took home top honors in the NBBA category. Luckily the only injuries that occurred was Cooper Kanngiesser had a severely bruised tail bone an opted not to compete in the short round. I would like to thank the owners of Southern Stables Bed & Breakfast for hosting the CBR Crew and riders for a pre-party on Friday night prior to the event. As always thanks to Ray Clary, Cody Sosbee, Matt Baldwin, Tuff, Wesley Silcox and Steve Woolsey for traveling to the area schools and appearing for several autograph opportunities prior to our Lufkin CBR event. One final thank you to Cavender’s Boot City (Zack), KICKS 105 (Danny, Sean, Tammy and the radio crew), Loving Toyota (Joe) and all the sponsors that made Lufkin once again a great event!

After Lufkin we only had a few days down time until we headed to Ft. Worth for the 16th Annual Tuff Hedeman Championship Challenge. Ray and I arrived to Ft. Worth on Wednesday afternoon and by Thursday morning we were in the middle of an ice/snow storm and about 20 degree weather. Billy Bob’s Texas was the scene of the pre-party where several sponsors, staff, contestants and fans weathered the snow and ice for a night of socializing. Pam Minick and Charlie Throckmorton did an awesome job as always hosting the event and providing the entertainment. Tuff and Pam did a great job promoting the event and if you missed out be sure to catch the show this Wednesday April 2nd at 9:00 p.m./central on RFD. Wesley Silcox took top honors of the long round competition with a 91 point score on a Lufkin Ranch & Rodeo bull. Chad Castillo of Lipan, Texas took the prestigious honors of winning the title, saddle, buckle and about $18,000. Chad has been past due for an appointment with a knife and Dr. Tandy Freeman in Dallas for shoulder surgery but after visiting with Chad he has decided to hold out until after the CBR event in Del Rio, Texas May 3rd & 4th. Other notes from Ft. Worth CBR event: Apollo of Alvin Jones was the NBBA winner; Cody Whitney had a horrible hang up with a fractured wrist; Junior Steer Riding Champion from the National Junior Bull Riders Association from Sulphur, OK~Brennon Eldred; after the dust settled Jason Boland & The Stragglers preformed for the crowd and put on a great show; and oh yes~ and I can’t forget the best moment was when Chad slipped and busted his bottom on the ice outside the building of course he was fine but it was quite funny!

The week after Ft. Worth several of the cowboys stayed down here while traveling to a few local rodeos. Terry & Clayton hosted several guys out at the bunk house while I managed to cook a few things and take in a few hot card games. I wish I would have had a video camera on hand to film Steve, Wes and Friday trying to ride the horses bareback. Friday thought he might try out some bareback riding but after getting thrown quite quickly he decided he would stick to bull riding! I got to take in the Thursday night performance at the Marshall PRCA rodeo where I kept Andy Stewart and Cody Kidd company in the announcer’s stand. Howdy Cloud made a great ride and if I recall correctly he ended up second over-all. Then it was on to the Houston Rodeo for the weekend. My sister and niece got to take in a little shopping with me before we watched the rodeo and Brad Paisley. Then on Tuesday night I actually got to sit and watch the Xtreme Bulls event in Houston. Stephanie Wilfong (Logan Knibbe’s girlfriend), Anna Bean (J.C. wife) and Anne Oakes (Zack’s wife) and I all sat and took in the event. Things did not fair well for Zack, as he received once again a fractured hip that will require surgery in the next few weeks. I have to give a huge congrats out to Mike Moore for winning the event being the only contestant to cover two bulls. I had actually visited with Mike down stairs before the event and he was limping so I asked him what was wrong to find out he was riding with three broken toes. Mike took home about $20,000 and also a place in the top 10 currently in the PRCA World Standings. Closing out the Houston Rodeo excitement was four of our top CBR contestants. Cole Echols, Chance Smart, Dave Samsel and B.J. Schumacher were the final four riders left for the Finale Shoot-Out. Cole turned in an 91 point ride to start out but soon to follow was Dave tying with a 91 point ride, Chance scored 91.5 and B.J. Schumacher was the lucky one who ended up taking home the $50,000 prize purse after turning in a 92 point ride. The CBR wants to say congrats to all the cowboys on a job well done.

For the first time in a few months my injury list is quite short to report. I received a call from Clint Craig today that he plans on taking several more weeks off to heal up a fractured shoulder he suffered back in the winter months. John Jacobs received a cracked collar bone over the weekend after dismounting off of a ride at a pro rodeo. John said he plans to be out anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Zack Oakes has had heck with his hip re-breaking it for the second time in less than a year. I talked with Zack this week and he is planning on having surgery in the next few weeks and will be out about 4-6 months. Ardie Maier got a good report from his MRI of his broken neck. Doctors reported that his neck looked like it was healing correctly and at this point they are pretty sure he will not require surgery. Last but not least our thought and prayers go out to Pistol Robinson and his family for the loss of his mother. Pistol’s mom had been sick for quite some time with multiple sclerosis and passed away last week. The entire CBR staff wants to express our sympathy and will continue to keep the Robinson Family in our prayers.

Sorry I have to run but I have got so much to do and too little time. I am trying to finish out my four college classes I have been taking this semester, prepare to leave for Lubbock and get a second bag ready to go to Laughlin, Nevada for the Xtreme Bulls next week. If you are in the Lubbock, Texas area come join us for an afternoon full of fun at the ABC Pro Rodeo CBR Bull Riding April 6th at 2:00 p.m. Our next CBR event will take us to the border in Del Rio, Texas May 3rd & 4th for the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding and if you have never been to Del Rio it is quite an experience. We hope to see you there! Take Care & God Bless

Cicily