story by Lori O’Harver
BULVERDE, Texas – Say it right, it sounds like ‘bull-verdy’. Now that that’s out of the way, visit the sweet, southwest Texas town where they’ll learn your name in a heartbeat and make you feel right at home. That’s just the way they are in that part of the country. They’re also all about their neighbors, their community and especially their rodeo.
The Texas Bronc Rider’s Association (TBRA) Don’t Weaken Be A Cut Above Tour kicked off at Bulverde the last weekend in January from the home arena of Tejas Rodeo with all the major players in attendance. This was the Bulverde Spring Branch Chamber of Commerce’s 4th annual fundraising rodeo and the third time to hold it under the TBRA sanction. It was also their first time to feature the Ladies Ranch Bronc Riding.
“Hands down, the most fun rodeo I’ve ever been to,” said Brittany Miller, winner of the Ladies Ranch Bronc Riding from Dillon, Montana. “The grounds are all done up to look like a town straight out of the old West, with saloons and dancehalls. The energy from the crowd in that setting was like nothing I’ve ever felt before.”
“I drew a good looking, grulla mare from Diamond Cross they call Legs. She’s the biggest bronc I’ve ever gotten on and bucked real nice for me. I’m excited for this coming TBRA season for a lot of reasons; some changes in format and more women entering my event mean a step up in competition if you want to stay in the mix. I like that, as well as the fact that we’re moving up a class in horses. It’s all about challenging yourself to better your game. I’m all in!”
Jesse Berry was back to win the open ranch bronc riding after a wreck last season that required a total rebuild of his face after being stepped on. His orbits (eye sockets) were rebuilt from one of his ribs.
“I’ve had buddies of mine say they’d never get on again if they’d been hurt like that,” Berry, the Fittstown, Oklahoma, native said. “My grandma almost isn’t speaking to me because she worries so much. I thought long and hard while I was healing, but in the end, the call of good bucking horses was just stronger than anything else. The win at Bulverde was a real confidence builder.”
Christen Petterson, Bulverde Spring Branch Chamber of Commerce rodeo committee member, was thrilled with the TBRA sanction, especially the Ladies Ranch Bronc Riding.
“I was so impressed with the way the ladies rode, represented themselves, interacted with our crowd and did everything they could possibly do to see that our rodeo was successful and our fans would be coming back for more,” said Petterson.
For more information about the 2018 TBRA tours and tour stops or to become a member, please go to www.txbroncriders.com
