Wild ride
CHERRY TWP — Jacob Rassau, 14, of Sarver already is an old hand at riding. But it’s not a horse he’s mounting — he’s climbing onto a more than 1,500-pound bull.
While some people might say Jacob is crazy for tempting fate and physics, he’s unfazed by the prospect of jumping on the massive beast.
Jacob, a home-schooler, is one of a few dozen riders preparing for a wild ride Feb. 17 at the Buckhorn Ranch, which hosts Friday night bull-riding competitions from November through March.
After watching his older brother, Matt Rassau, 21, experience the thrill of bull riding, Jacob caught the bug.
As with many others, Jacob wanted to feel the “rush” again after first riding a bull a couple years ago.“It was fun,” he said with the nonchalance a less daring person might use to describe an amusement park ride.Jacob has learned quickly. He is the 2005 state junior high school bull-riding champion.While the Rassau boys have no qualms sitting on a massive animal bucking them the whole time, their mom, Patty Rassau, has mixed emotions about her sons’ passion.Patty has found a way to remain calm, though. She has to keep her hands steady for videotaping the rides.More importantly, she and her husband believe they should support their sons in whatever they do.Jacob is just one of the teenagers who find the thrill of bull riding addictive.Travis Sanderson, 16, of Slippery Rock also loves the sport.As with Jacob, Travis got the urge after watching his older brother, Tommy, 21, ride. After their mother let Travis get on a bull for the first time in June, he was hooked.“It’s just an adrenaline rush,” Travis said at the recent competition.<BR>
Like many of the bull riders at the ranch, Travis has experience with horses. Earlier in the day, he was working with colts in Slippery Rock.Travis and Jacob are just two of the teens coming regularly to Buckhorn Ranch, which is operated by Dave and Tammy Simmons.The Simmonses moved onto the land after marrying 16 years ago, turning it into a ranch. This is the fifth year for bull riding. Horse and steer events round out the weekends.The ranch has a mix of owned and leased bulls, which have free time during the winter, which is the off-season for rodeos.Adding bull riding was inevitable, though. Dave has ridden bulls for 20 years. However, Tammy is content watching others attempt to not be thrown off the animals.“I like to think I’m a wee bit smarter than that,” she joked.While some riders opt for the practice rides on younger, smaller bulls later in the night, Travis and Jacob are among the more daring competitors vying for the cash prize, which usually runs between $200 and $300.
If riders in this Jackpot Round stay on a bull for eight seconds, they’re scored on their riding form using the universal rating system. As seen at professional rodeos, one hand must be held in the air while the other grasps the rope along the bull’s back.Riders younger than 18 need parental approval. The competitors’ ages range from low teens to 30.Held as a winter series, the rider with the most points from the Jackpot Rounds wins a buckle trophy.Just as the bull riding attracts thrill seekers, the event also has become one of the places to be on a chilly Friday night. Around 325 people paid the $5 admission on Feb. 17.Tammy said part of the fun for fans is that they get a closer vantage point from Buckhorn’s stands than those at professional rodeos.Practice rides cost $15 or $20 for two in a night. Rides in the Jackpot Round run $25. The jackpot prize is taken from those rides’ entry fees.On this night, 21 bold bovine busters tried for the cash prize and the glory.Ryan Malomb, 19, of Shippingport in Beaver County said he was riding with a fractured knee — an injury incurred from a bull stepping on it — and broken ribs from a vehicle accident.The passion overcomes any pain. Especially when the addictive activity is a “dream” realized for people such as Ryan, who has ridden bulls since he was 9.
Camaraderie is another attraction. Ryan rides with friend Nate Miller, 18, of Etna in Allegheny County. As with many of the Buckhorn riders, the two young men travel outside Butler County to compete in various professional events.On that night, however, Ryan and Nate were among the more than 30 people doing the practice rides on the 1,000- to 1,400-pound bulls.Along with these cowboys is 15-year-old Alyssa Seigworth of Knox, Clarion County, who not only competes in the tougher Jackpot Round, but also was riding with a fractured shoulder.While some of Alyssa’s friends thinks she’s crazy, no one can say she isn’t determined.Although wanting to try bull riding for years, Alyssa took the plunge last year. “I finally got the guts,” she said.A trait none of these riders lack.Alyssa’s mom, Cindy, is a big supporter of her daughter’s interest.“I think it’s great,” Cindy said. “It’s something I would have done at her age if I had the chance.”As with her male peers, Alyssa enjoys the camaraderie.“I like hanging out with the guys,” she said.Even when not competing on a given night, the riders enjoy the atmosphere.Andy Paul, 16, of Washington, Pa., was pulling the ropes to the chute where the bulls are released. Paul is a top 10 finisher in state-level high school bull riding.Along with teenagers, many young adults seek the exhilaration of trying to stay on the burly brutes.
Ernie Dykins, 20, of Rockland in Venango County rode for his second time. “It’s unlike anything else,” he said.After his first ride a couple weeks earlier, he lasted four seconds.“They said I had the biggest smile when I got up,” Ernie said. “I was proud.”Serving in the Army Reserves, Ernie works full-time as a chemist. He would rather bull ride.Ernie may get his wish. Having the pre-requisite small build needed to excel at riding, he’s told he has potential.As the time nears to start riding, Ernie goes through the pre-event ritual. He smears rosin on the rope that is tied around the bull.Then, he makes sure his gloves are tight enough. He puts the chaps over his pants.Ernie, Travis, Alyssa and Jacob get in line, waiting for their turns to ride either Coy, Milk Dud or the three with more intimidating names: Snake Stomper, Hammer Time and Psycho.The crowd is packed. Around 325 people fill the stands and surround the fence.As the national anthem is played, 8-year-old Noah Turley of Mars holds the Stars and Stripes up high while riding on horseback in the arena.
The Jackpot Round starts. During his turn, Travis hangs onto the rope with his hand even while his body falls to the side of the bull. Too stubborn to quit, Travis lets go when the eight-second whistle blows.Alyssa and Jacob each hang on longer than most people would.For his second bull ride, Ernie survives the eight seconds that seem to last an eternity. He rates a 63 out of 100 points for his form.To prevent the bulls from chasing the riders upon their dismounts, brazen cowboys briefly run into the arena to distract the animals.Blue-heelers Jesse and Gator, also known as Australian cattle dogs, then shepherd the bulls back into the pen.It’s a three-way tie for third place and a $105 prize. Matt Rassau, Ryan Singer and Chris Prang split the honor with 73 points each.Aaron Miller snags second and $157 with a score of 75.John Leinaweaver is the night’s champion with 82 points. He leaves with $262 in his pocket.Before the practice rides begin, spectators become competitors participating in an egg toss.Following all of the rides, cowpokes strut or, more often than not, limp outside.But it doesn’t matter whether these warriors of the pen won, placed or didn’t last eight seconds, they all proved they have the gumption to ride a bull in the first place.
