May 2007 Blog

May 24, 2007

Hello one and all. As you can see I am venturing into something new, the blog world, which will hopefully be a way for you to stay up-to-date with my adventures as well as be entertained along the way. I have been told that blogs are the current cool thing, so I am going to give it a shot. Not sure why anyone would want to read about me but if the fans want it then, I will give them what they ask for. I also understand from other guys that do blogs that some schools have even used them for geography lessons, so hopefully in some way they can not only be entertaining but also serve an educational purpose.

To catch you up with things over the past six months, I will start with the end of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. What an event it was and especially since it came down to the last steer between Dean (Gorsuch) and I for the world title. To think we competed all year long plus nine days in Las Vegas for it to come down to the 10th day and one steer for the world title. It didn’t fall my way, but I was happy for Dean and for the fans to be treated to such a great competition.

Before long it was time for the New Year to begin. We all have to approach this year a little differently with the 70 rodeo limit (this means we can only count 70 rodeos towards our world standings and qualification to the Wrangler NFR) and the season ends Sept. 30 unlike the normal November cut-off date.

The first part of January, I competed at our circuit finals rodeo in Norco, Calif., where I placed in a couple of rounds. In February, I headed to Texas for the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. I was especially excited about this rodeo this year because the committee increased their overall purse to a $1 million, becoming the first PRCA sanctioned event (other than the Wrangler NFR), to offer that kind of money. Another plus is that it was the fourth stop on the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour, which this year the Tour consists of 21 rodeos (we can count 15) and it is all based on money won at those rodeos. After the final Tour stop in Dodge City, Kan., in August the top 35 in the Tour standings will advance to the first playoff site in Caldwell, Idaho.

My first two in San Antonio were pretty average and although I got decent times, I didn’t place in the money until the third round. In the third round, I finished in a tie for third with Tom Hansen with a 3.6-second run, picking up just over $3,500. My average time on three-head was enough to qualify me back for the Tour round (final round) where I stopped the clock in 4.1 seconds, just behind Wade Steffan with a 4.0. I picked up another $2,400 and also finished second in the average with a four-head total of 16.8 seconds, collecting another check worth just over $9,000. Shawn Greenfield snagged the average title with a total time of 15.1. All in all, I left the Alamo City with just over $15,000. Not a bad way to start the year.

Then it was off to San Angelo, Texas, and Tucson (Ariz.) for two more Tour rodeos. I didn’t find any luck in San Angelo but in Tucson I finished third in the first round with a time of 4.9 seconds, but that was all I could get done there. Then it was off to Houston (Texas).

This year’s format for Houston was a little different and was set-up more like a basketball tournament bracket. I was in the first Super Series that consisted of three rounds with the top four money winners advancing to the semifinals. I won the second round with a 9.0-second run and was second in the third round with a 4.5. I picked up the average win with 13.6 seconds on three head and also won the most money in our series totaling $9,000. I then had to wait it out until the other four super series concluded. I was in the first semifinal group, which consisted of 10 guys. The top four in the semifinal round automatically advanced to the finals with the other six dropping to a wild card group with one more shot at making the finals. I came up short in that round to automatically qualify for the finals. I finished in a tie for seventh in my group with a 5.1. I returned for the wild card round where the top two made it to the finals. It wasn’t meant to be for me as I finished out of the top two and kissed my chance at $50,000 good-bye.

It was then off to Austin, the capital of Texas, for Rodeo Austin. I finished in a tie for seventh in the second round with a 4.0-second run, so I got a little of my entry fee money back. Then it was back to California for the Cow Palace (San Francisco). My second round run there will be one I will remember for some time. I knew I had a good steer but when I stopped the clock in 2.7 seconds, I couldn’t believe my eyes. That was the fastest run I have ever turned in and it set an arena record. I was hoping it might be a PRCA record as well but I found out that 2.4 seconds is the world record last accomplished in 1976 by Gene Melton in Pecatonia, Ill., and Carl Deaton in Tulsa, Okla. Oh well, something else to shoot for now. We didn’t have time to dwell on the run too much as we spent a lot of time on the road between San Francisco and Logandale, Nev., that week. I placed fourth in the third round there with a time of 4.4 seconds.

It was back for more California rodeos and this time it was Red Bluff. I qualified for the Tour round and despite a muddy arena I finished second in the Tour round with a 5.9 and was third in the average with a total time of 26.1 seconds on four head.

We packed up and headed south to Clovis. I didn’t pick up any checks in the first three rounds but I managed to stay in the average race. I was riding a horse named Smarty, which belongs to my traveling partner and hazer, Billy Bugenig. We had changed bits on him and I was having trouble scoring him, so we switched bits for the Tour round. In that round, I finished third with a time of 5.3 seconds and somehow when the dust had settled I had also picked up the average title with a four head total of 22.9 seconds. I had told myself before Clovis if I could win $5,000 there, I wouldn’t make the trip to Guymon (Okla.). However, I only won $3,800, so it was off to the Oklahoma panhandle.

Usually the weather isn’t the greatest in Guymon. It is either raining, snowing, or blowing 50 mph or a combination of all three. However, this year the weather was extremely nice. Again I didn’t place in the first two rounds, but was able to make it back to the Tour round where I finished atop the leaderboard after stopping the clock in 3.8 seconds. That run helped me secure the second place spot in the average with a total time of 18.7 seconds on three head. I picked up just a few dollars short of $5,000. It was back to California for a few days at home.

It is always nice to be home but there is always work to be done. I spent time working around the place and driving a water truck. I went to a few rodeos around but then was able to be back home for a few days before I left again. I am trying to get as much done before the busy summer run begins.

In June, I will be off to Reno (Nev.) and everywhere else in between. Check back in a few weeks for an update of where my travels have taken me.

In closing, I would like to thank my sponsors and all the men and women who are fighting for my freedom. May God Bless them and get them home safely.

Until next time,
Luke