Viva Mexico --- The PBR has so many great fans in Mexico and their event in Chihuahua was one of my favorites last year, I couldn’t wait to go back!  

We left the ranch and headed to Santa Teresa, N.M to cross the border into Mexico. They put us bulls in some pens where we spent the night. The next morning, they drove the trucks across the border, then let us out of our pens so we could walk across and get back on the truck. Well, I was so excited there was no walking for me. I headed out of that pen at a high lope and was the first bull across the border.

We got back on the trucks and made the 240 mile trip south. Not only was I the first bull across, when we got there, my pen was right up front so I got to see all the fans and they got to see me. Well you know I love having my picture taken and it got taken a lot! All of the bulls there were treated like superstars, but I’m pretty sure if they had a fan’s favorite I would have been at the top of the list.

Chihuahua is a three day event, so I’m out twice, in the first and third rounds. I was so excited when I found out who was getting on me the first time. I’ve known McKennon Wimberly longer than any other bull rider and I was ready for this meeting.

The first time I saw McKennon was at the 3T Rodeo Ranch. He probably wasn’t even a teenager yet. He and his dad, Joe, had come to help the Tallman family work cattle. McKennon was horse back and was sorting us into pens and keeping us moving through the alleys and into the squeeze chute.

They were talking about each of us young bull’s pedigrees when they ran us through and it was probably when I got my T64 brand. Bob tells McKennon to remember my number because we both had the potential to meet in the big leagues. Sure enough, that Bob Tallman was right again and it was happening.

McKennon broke his ankle in May and was riding now with a broken shoulder blade that he got just six weeks before our meeting. This kid is playing with pain, but he’s got as much try in his little finger as a lot of people have in their whole bodies. He sets down on me and I can feel the confidence he’s got.

I’m remembering the first time he chased me down an alley and I’m thinking that this is my turn. I came out of the chute, turned back to the left and got it on right outside of the gate. He’s right in the middle of me for over six seconds, then I feel his grip loosening, take one more big jump to the left and he’s out the door.

I hope he gets another shot at me because we kind of grew up together. He was the first champion of Bad Company Rodeo’s “Who’s Your Daddy” Jr. Bull Riding. It would be really cool for both of us if we could get that 90-point effort together.

In the third round it was Cory Melton that got on me. Cory’s a bigger guy but he’s got great balance and his size doesn’t keep him from riding the rank bulls. I was my usual unpredictable self with him, he got a little off center and I rolled right out from under of him.

I guess it would be safe to say that it’s an advantage for me when I get a guy that has a little more height and size to him. It makes it a little easier for me to feel what he’s doing and just like in Cory’s case, I didn’t have to buck him off, just moved away from him.