[luckycowgirl]

With the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo celebrating its 50th edition and the Professional Bull Riders touting its 15th World Finals this year, it's important to reflect on past legendary competitors.

Two men who made a tremendous impact on western sports are Ty Murray and Larry Mahan, and there's no doubt their accomplishments will be a topic at the PBR Finals scheduled for Oct. 31-Nov. 2 and Nov. 6-9, and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association's National Finals on Dec. 4-13 when both events roll into Las Vegas.

Ten years ago, Murray won a record seventh all-around title in the PRCA and he is a founding father of the PBR. Thirty-five years ago, Mahan won a then-record sixth PRCA all-around title and later became a member of the PBR's Ring of Honor.

In the past year, Murray, 38, who lives on a ranch near Stephenville, has reached a new level of transcending his sport.

Murray has strapped on a racing helmet during a prime time ABC special last summer about celebrity auto racing and drove around a NASCAR track faster than a rampaging bull charges after a scrambling rider.

And he also taught a small posse of celebs Bull Riding 101 last summer on a CMT television series.

Murray invited the group to his ranch to learn about bull riding and asked them to compete in Nashville in conjunction with a PBR tour stop.

"Those are things that make people ask, What about a bull rider? What about a cowboy?' " Murray said. "My idea behind the celebrity bull riding was to get people who are outside of our circles to start taking a look at the sport and what goes into it."

Murray, who retired from competing six years ago, said part of the problem is that millions of fans follow mainstream sports such as baseball and football because they have tried them to some degree, but bull riding and rodeo suffers because most people simply haven't had the opportunity.

Mahan took Murray under his wing in the early 1980s when he spotted him on the junior rodeo circuit and asked the 13-year-old to spend the summer at his ranch. It was an offer Murray couldn't refuse.

Murray said the main thing he learned was how to be an ambassador of the sport. Mahan who won his string of all-around titles in the late 1960s and early 70s, drew attention to bull riding and rodeo like no other. He was truly the sport's goodwill ambassador.

Mahan, 64, who lives near Bowie, said he believes it is the inherent danger of the events that drew people's attention.

"There's a huge market that likes extreme sports, and both Ty and I were fortunate that we were able to go to the top of our game and reached our goals," Mahan said. "And it set the table so we could pick and choose what we wanted to do for the rest of our lives."


Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Thursday June 26, 2008

Brett Hoffman is a 20-year rodeo columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and a member of the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. He can be reached at brett@myrodeoinsider.com.

[Bette]

It would have been fun to watch that celebrity thing. Wonder who was in it?

[luckycowgirl]

I'm not sure I didn't see it.

Bull Riding 101

Playlist: CMT.com Videos on Yahoo! Video

[albullfighter]

For those who didn't get to watch the celebrity bull riding,they were Leif Ericison,Stephen Baldwin,Vanilla Ice,Rocket Ismial,Adrain Quinn,Josh (UFC fighter),Johnny Fairplay,andCowboy Kenny Bertrim.It was pretty funny to watch.But I've got to give it to some of them.They had sand.

[Bette]

I've got to give it to all of them. I wouldnt do it for any reason any time.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by albullfighter

For those who didn't get to watch the celebrity bull riding,they were Leif Ericison,Stephen Baldwin,Vanilla Ice,Rocket Ismial,Adrain Quinn,Josh (UFC fighter),Johnny Fairplay,andCowboy Kenny Bertrim.It was pretty funny to watch.But I've got to give it to some of them.They had sand.

I saw it and was impressed by almost every one of the celebs (one of them curled up in his bunk and quit .. wouldn't come out for anything .. don't think he really wanted to be a bull rider .. he wanted something easier...) Stephen Baldwin broke his shoulder (or was it his arm .. don't remember) and was unable to continue, but he stayed right there cheering the others on. Jewel, Ty's then girlfriend, serenaded the guys one night. Vanilla Ice also entertained the group. They left with a high respect for the sport, for each other and for the thousands of folks who participate in one form or another. After it was over, I kept looking for a season 2, but as far as I know there never was one.

I never saw Murray compete (except on TV) but was priviledged to see Mahan more than once.

[albullfighter]

Yeah, Racer Duck I kinda feel the same way about them. I think they left with a new respect for the sport of bullriding and rodeo.

[Bette]

I dont follow the sport albullfighter. But I have watched it on tv a few times. I have all the respect in the world for those who do it.

[albullfighter]

Bette,just go out and watch one live one time.Or for that matter just a home town rodeo.You'll never feel more at home in a crowd of total strangers than you will there.Then you can get the feel of what we do 1st hand.It's Americana at it's best.I can't think of a child who didn't grow up wanting to be a cowboy.I just never grew out of it!

[Bette]

Originally Posted by albullfighter

Bette,just go out and watch one live one time.Or for that matter just a home town rodeo.You'll never feel more at home in a crowd of total strangers than you will there.Then you can get the feel of what we do 1st hand.It's Americana at it's best.I can't think of a child who didn't grow up wanting to be a cowboy.I just never grew out of it!

I will try to watch one live.
I liked cowboys and horses as a child. Still like horses and still like western shows and movies.
One of our favorites games was playing cowboys. But at that time our heroes were western heroes. Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Lone Ranger,

[luckycowgirl]

Originally Posted by albullfighter

Bette,just go out and watch one live one time.Or for that matter just a home town rodeo.You'll never feel more at home in a crowd of total strangers than you will there.Then you can get the feel of what we do 1st hand.It's Americana at it's best.I can't think of a child who didn't grow up wanting to be a cowboy.I just never grew out of it!

i agree....

[albullfighter]

Those are the kind of heros kids need today also.I'm not that old(33),but I grew up with 3 channels on the tv.We did our chores and homework before the tv was even turned on.I never saw a video game until we moved to Mobile,Al.I grew up watching the old westerns and such.Hey guess what?I've never shot anyone,robbed a store,stole from anyone,beat an old person for 20 bucks,carjacked anyone,fought pitbulls,or even been disrespectful to a cop.Then a gain my parents cared!

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by albullfighter

Those are the kind of heros kids need today also.I'm not that old(33),but I grew up with 3 channels on the tv.We did our chores and homework before the tv was even turned on.I never saw a video game until we moved to Mobile,Al.I grew up watching the old westerns and such.Hey guess what?I've never shot anyone,robbed a store,stole from anyone,beat an old person for 20 bucks,carjacked anyone,fought pitbulls,or even been disrespectful to a cop.Then a gain my parents cared!

Ain't it funny how those last 3 words of yours, "my parents cared", seem to make a fella or gal want to be a good citizen and to make something of themselves? And having a job and being responsible for your family are givens? Sure wish there were more of "us" and fewer of "them"...