The Bulls were difficult to ride Thursday night at the Bull Blowout during the 2001 Cowley County Fair in Winfield.  Only four riders were able to score with full rides of eight seconds.

           Local bull rider Brian Mayfield tries to stay on his bull for an eight-second ride.  The clown in the photo is Jeff Knight from Lebo KS

      Local bull rider Brady Uden tries to stay on his bull for a full ride.

  At the fair with Roy Graber

    When they came up with the name "Bull  Blowout," I don't think they meant that the bulls would blow right out of the arena.  But that's what happened Thursday night.

    One of DeLyayne Long Rodeo Co.'s bulls hopped the east fence and started to roam the fairground's baseball diamonds and the area around the railroad dike.

    I guess the outfield had some good grazing potential.

    Anyway, it could have been chaotic or even disastrous, but it ended up being just plain entertaining. Aside from a few curious onlookers, there were few people in that area, reducing the danger factor.  Also the skilled hands of the rodeo company got the bull roped and loaded into a trailer, not too long after the escape took place.

    That wasn't the first time a bull had escaped, bullfighter Larry Degas said, but it happens so seldom that Winfield fans got a special treat.

    I'd like to thank the bull for thinking of us.

    All in all, the Bull Blowout was a success.  The grandstand was pretty full.  I don't have any attendance numbers, but fair board member Dennis Mayfield did verify that attendance was up from last year.

    And it should have been.  The action of the NABA - sanctioned bull riding was a cut above the Bull Blowouts of earlier years.  Not only in terms of the livestock and cowboys, but overall production.  Bullfighters Deagas and Jeff Knight, as well as barrel man Ron Hunter, were great at what they did.

    Jumping in Front of a raging bull to protect a cowboy is not an easy task, but well worth it  Degas said.

    "It's very rewarding.  There's a lot of satisfaction when you get thanked by the cowboys," Knight said.

    And how about Hunter?  I thought he was really a good entertainer.  To think, his other job is being a high school principal.  I know my principal wasn't ever that funny... at least not intentionally.

    Luckily, only one cowboy was visibly hurt.  Ok cowboy John Pollard took a pretty nasty blow when a bull threw him against a chute gate. He was evaluated by emergency medical personnel for a possible head injury but was released at the scene.

       Ark City bull rider Travis Buffington attempts to ride a tough bull named "Neutron".  This bull has never been ridden for a full 8 seconds..   

   Rodeo Clown, Jeff Knight gets in between a bull and a fallen Tupelo Bull rider Cord McCory.

Send mail to longcompany@aol.ocm with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 09/07/09