They call the thing Rodeo

Today I covered a bull riding show in Battle Creek. I know it may surprise many of you -- it shocked the hell out of me -- but it was awesome.
It's not the gory bull- fighting traditionally seen in Spain or Mexico, but a quite humane competition between the riders and bulls, who are athletes in their own right.
Sure there is some uncomfortable cinching of genitals to get the bulls a little more riled than usual, but I guarantee the riders come away with more discomfort and injury than the bull ever will.
I got to talk with some of the bull riders, the bull fighters (NOT rodeo clowns!), the judges and even get right up next to the bulls. They are HUGE! It's a lot easier to appreciate 2,000 pounds of bovine when it's staring you in the face only a few inches away.
The Ring of Fear is aptly named as ten participants enter a 40-foot diameter ring in the dirt and one bull has his way with them. The last man or woman (yes, there was a woman in the ring) left in the ring wins $500. Huh. That just doesn't seem like enough.
Cowboy Poker involves gambling but no cards. The bull came out of the chute and immediately floored two of the guys at the table. The other two sat motionless and the bull even passed close enough to brush the back of both men's heads with a horn. Eventually, one guy was tossed a few feet and the last guy seated took home $100.
Mutton Bustin' is one of the funniest things I've ever seen. I guess it has something to do with small children, between the ages of 4 and 6, clinging to the backs of sheep that are running at full speed.
If you ever get the chance to go to a bull riding show, I urge you to do so.
It's odd how you can find yourself enjoying something you never thought you had an interest in... Kind of like asparagus or Brussels sprouts.