Thrills, spills and more on the 2007 George Paul Memorial Bull Riding rollercoaster in Del Rio

May 7, 2007
By Bill Sontag
Feature Writer

As the 30th Annual George Paul Memorial Bull Riding in Del Rio came to a close Sunday afternoon (May 6), the satisfied audience of about 3,500 drifted home with memories of excitement, humor and horror not soon to be forgotten.

In the soft sand of the arena, the championship buckle was awarded to L.J. Jenkins, Texico, N.M, for his high point rides on two spotted white bulls. But before Jenkins turned in his winning scores, the afternoon in the arena of the Val Verde County Fairgrounds featured attention-riveting drama of a more sinister kind.

Forty-five riders competed in the first go rounds Saturday and Sunday, and the top ten riders won the right to ride again, in the Sunday afternoon “short go.” Texan Cody Hart earned a slot there, clinging to a bull named “My Sharona” Saturday night, thus entering the Sunday “short go” with a score of 83.5.

But both Hart’s hopes and his head were dashed into the dirt when he came out of the chute atop a muscular brindle bull that tossed him up, down, sideways and eventually into his crown or the stubbed horns. Hart was unconscious and bleeding from a two-inch gash, and could not release his hand from the rope around the bull. He was tossed like a rag doll, and dragged until rodeo bullfighter Wesley McManus strove to slow the bull’s advance so Hart could be freed.

Hart went face down into the arena sand, motionless, as the audience stood and gasped. Other bullfighters surrounded him, and Val Verde Regional Medical Center emergency medical technicians ran into the arena. Doctor “Bill” Abbott, rodeo photographer and Del Rio physician tossed his camera aside, and went to work to assess Hart’s condition, as announcer Boyd Polhamus maintained a stream of narrative, including an invitation to prayer, information coming out of the huddle, and details about the career of the Gainesville bull rider.

Hart regained consciousness, according to Polhamus, and asked to be allowed to walk away. EMTs and Abbott refused, of course, and Hart was carried to an ambulance for transportation to VVRMC’s emergency room as the audience applauded Hart and his rescuers. According to hospital officials, Monday morning, Hart was treated and released to head home.

More typical of the majority of GPMBR entrants was James White, a 31-year-old bull rider and father of two daughters from Houston. Most riders are dumped, scoreless, to the floor of the arena long before the eight second buzzer sounds. Sunday, White mounted “Free Ride” for his last ride at the 2007 GPMBR, and stayed on top for only a few seconds. He had gone into the “short go” with a Sunday score of 83.5 on “Wild, Wild West.”

The 2007 edition was White’s third GPMBR event in a seven-year bull riding career, and, disappointment in his luck notwithstanding, he’s living out a childhood dream. “I wanted to ride ever since I was a kid, and finally got a chance to get started with my career,” White said. His unceremonious dumping was not unique. Only two of the top ten riders rode past the buzzer: Jason Bennett, Honey Grove, Texas, and Jenkins.

John Ludlum, marketing director for the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding, relaxed in San Antonio following the exhausting weekend, but was well-satisfied with all results. “It was a packed and very, very successful weekend, and, from the standpoint of my involvement in it, it was as good as it gets,” Ludlum said, Monday morning. “All the figures are not in yet, but total weekend attendance of 7,000 sounds about right.”

Pinkston, Texas bull rider Colby Yates, also an aspiring singer, is cajoled into song by announcer Boyd Polhamus, following the cowboy’s eight-second ride aboard “Smokin.” Yates’ score of 83 allowed him to enter the “short go” round of top ten riders at the GPMBR, but a quick toss into the dirt ended his lucky string for the 2007 edition. (LIVE! photo/Bill Sontag) (click image to enlarge)

Cody Hart, Gainesville, Texas, is already stunned into unconsciousness by his bovine mount, then tugged along, unable to release his hand from the rope in the Sunday afternoon “short go” of the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding. (LIVE! photo/Bill Sontag) (click image to enlarge)

Hart is dragged through the Val Verde County Fairgrounds sand, as bullfighter Wesley McManus tries to slow the bull’s charge and confuse the animal into pausing long enough to free his rider. (LIVE! photo/Bill Sontag) (click image to enlarge)

Face down into the dirt, Cody Hart lies knocked out by the impact of his head with the bull’s. GPMBR Marketing Director John Ludlum, in the arena keeping track of riders’ scores was among those who rushed to Hart’s aid. “When I picked up his hat, it was full of blood,” Ludlum said later. (LIVE! photo/Bill Sontag) (click image to enlarge)

He was particularly gratified about an effort to encourage attendance by Air Force personnel. “We had a huge participation from Laughlin Air Force Base, and by all reports they thoroughly enjoyed the weekend. I foresee we’re going to have another Laughlin night at the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding next year,” said Ludlum.

Emergency medical technicians and physicians carry Hart from the arena Sunday afternoon. By the time this picture was taken, only minutes after his initial impact with the bull, Hart had regained consciousness and waved weakly at the cheering audience. The two-inch gash to Hart's head was sewn up at Val Verde Regional Medical Center, and he was released at his own insistence. (LIVE! photo/Bill Sontag) (click image to enlarge)	Del Rio champion calf roper Rusty Sewalt, left, enjoys the views high above the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding, Sunday, from the catwalk above the mounting chutes, with Father Jim Fischler, Sacred Heart Catholic Church priest. (LIVE! photo/Bill Sontag) (click image to enlarge)
Sonora, Texas oilfield worker and former bull rider Robert Marin, left, reacquaints with another rider, Wacey Cathey who began his career and the complement of bull riders at the GPBMR. Cathey’s last ride was in 1994, and now he serves as one of three judges, scoring riders in the dusty arena. The Big Spring, Texas judge began riding in high school junior rodeo, and finished his fourth year of scoring with Sunday’s event. (LIVE! photo/Bill Sontag) (click image to enlarge)	Tracy Crouch, widow of famed world-class rodeo clown and barrelman J.G. Crouch, pauses to wave at friends as she leaves the GPMBR arena Sunday. Crouch presented her husband’s "baggies" (pants), colorful shirt and hat to officials of the George Paul Memorial Museum, on South Main Street in Del Rio, where the clothing will be displayed. (LIVE! photo/Bill Sontag) (click image to enlarge)
Chad Denton, Berry Creek, Calif. cowboy, takes a brief ride on "Walk This Way," Sunday afternoon. The legendary bull summarily tossed Denton aside shortly after this photo was snapped, continuing a record of 123 riders with only three who heard the eight second buzzer. (LIVE! photo/Bill Sontag) (click image to enlarge)	Texico, New Mexico bull rider L. J. Jenkins works toward a score of 86 points when the eight second buzzer sounds in Sunday afternoon's first go round, atop "Sharp Dressed Man." The score earned Jenkins a chance to ride in the "short go." (LIVE! photo/Bill Sontag) (click image to enlarge)
Barely hangin' on, Jenkins championship "short go" ride, Sunday, May 6, earned the New Mexico cowboy the top prize for a quality performance by both bull and rider. (LIVE! photo/Bill Sontag) (click image to enlarge)	Bull rider L.J. Jenkins, second from left, receives the GMPBR championship buckle Sunday afternoon. Presenting the cherished buckle are, from left, Jaime Garza, owner of the Corona Club, Ciudad Acuña landmark, Bobby Paul, brother of George Paul, grandson Jack Sorrell, 6, and son Robert Paul. (LIVE! photo/Bill Sontag) (click image to enlarge)

Arguably, the most satisfied man to leave the GPMBR arena Sunday afternoon was L.J. Jenkins. Not only did he take home a $4,500 silver-and-gold championship buckle, Jenkins also pocketed a cash payout of about $13,000.