December 2007

December 21, 2007

I thought I had better write one last update for the 2007 year. In some ways it is hard to believe that the year is over, but in other ways it has been a long one.

I finished the NFR on a strong note winning rounds nine and 10. In the 10th round I stopped the clock in 3.5 seconds to add $16,394 to my wallet. I was glad to get those two wins as it proved to me that I hadn't forgotten how to bulldog. The only thing is, I wish those had been the first two rounds and not the last two, but that is the way it was meant to be this year I guess. In the end I finished ninth in the average with 51.0 seconds on nine head and picked up $45,216 at the NFR. After the final calculations were done, I was third in the world with $151,681 behind Jason Miller and Lee Graves.

Since I wasn't able to capture the gold buckle, it was nice to see my traveling partner Jason Miller win it. He bulldogged great all week and he deserved to win it. It was great to see him on the world champions stage and I was happy for him. He ended the year with $178,767. Congrats Jason!

After the finals, I headed home and got ready for the holidays. I am happy to report that my Christmas shopping is done. We are going to Arizona for a few days and then will be back home just relaxing.

I have a new sponsor for the 2008 season - U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co., so the first of the year I will be heading to Orlando, Fla., for a meeting and then it will be back to rodeo. Denver will be my first rodeo, so I will update everyone as the new season gets underway.

I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thanks for everyone's support this year and I am hoping for bigger and better things in 2008.

Until next year,

Luke

December 14, 2007

I am happy to report after nine rounds, I finally got a "W." Tonight, I had a steer that Matt Reeves was 5.7 and Shawn Greenfield was 4.6 on, so I was hoping for a quick run. I got a good start and was able to throw him in 3.2 seconds to win the round and pick up a check worth $16,394.

A lot of people have been asking me what is the deal with Gunner this week. It wasn't the horse but me this time. It took me a while to get with Gunner(the horse). I was trying to be too fast instead of just slowing down and getting them down. I feel confident now and wish that this was the first round and not the ninth.

Tomorrow's race for the title should be good. One of the guys I have traveled with this year is Jason Miller and he is in good position. He is first in the average with a total of 37.9 seconds on nine head. Lee Graves is currently in first as we head into the 10th round.

It always amazes me how we compete all year long, but yet it comes down to one round at the Wrangler NFR. Be sure to tune in tomorrow as we will be live on ESPN2.

Luke

December 11, 2007

Well since I last wrote I have made it to the pay window twice. I finished sixth with a 5.0-second run in the fourth round but tonight I finished in 3.8 seconds to place third in the sixth round. That run was worth $9,784. It has been a frustrating finals for me but hopefully the run tonight will be the start of something good for me. I am hoping that I will find myself atop the leaderboard at least once in the next four rounds.

So stay tuned for more news from Vegas,

Luke

December 9, 2007

Here it is almost a week in Las Vegas and the way things have been going for me, I wish we could start over. On Tuesday, Dec. 4 all the steer wrestlers checked in at the Thomas and Mack for the initial preparation for the event. That night we were at the South Point Hotel and Casino for the back number presentation. That is the first official ceremony that makes a guy realize the magnitude of what he has accomplished this year to be in Las Vegas.

Wednesday was spent back at the Thomas and Mack getting checked in with the rodeo secretary. After we got checked in we had grand entry rehearsal and then a big group photo. After that it was time to get ready for the first round competition on Thursday.

The first round didn't go as planned in anyway. In such a close race it is tough to get a no time in the first round, but I had to move on to the next round. I got a time in the second round with a 4.2-second run, but I didn't place in the round. I was hoping that I would get things turned around last night but again I missed a trip to the pay window.

I am hoping that Sunday will be my day and I will be able to find my way to the winners circle. Don't forget that tonight's performance will be seen live on ESPN2.

Away from the arena, I have been spending my days signing autographs and taking care of other committments.

Hope to report good news from Vegas soon,

Luke