Bedford County Fair Bull Riding Attracts Crowd

When the July calendar comes around each year many families in the Cove anticipate attending the Bedford County Fair. Many of those families participate in 4H projects, the demolition derby, tractor pulls, stock car races, or other fair events. For those not participating in the fair activities as an exhibitor, there are often plans made to attend the fair to see one of the many attractions. It is the anticipated annual outing that is often planned well in advance in the busy schedules of many families. The annual Bull Ride Mania Rodeo held on Wednesday evenings during fair week has become a well-attended event and has become a tradition for many Cove families to attend while visiting the fair. Bull Ride Mania was started in 1969 by Dave Martin and continues to be a popular rodeo promoter and stock contractor for today's cowboys and cowgirls under the direction of Greg & Donna Kennard and their son, Dylan Murphy, who had an impressive career as a bull rider before retiring.

When attending the rodeo at the Bedford County Fair, the main event of The Bull Ride Mania Rodeo is bull riding.

Bull riding

American bull riding is considered the most dangerous 8 seconds in sports. The sport involves a rider attempting to stay mounted on a bull while the animal bucks, rears, twists, and turns in an attempt to buck the rider to the ground. The rider must stay on top of the bull for 8 seconds when a buzzer sounds indicating to the rider the 8-second mark has been reached. Riders may only use one hand gripped onto a bull rope that is secured just behind the bull's front legs. Not remaining on top of the bull or making contact with the bull or themselves with their free hand will result in a no score for the ride.

Scores are calculated using a combination of a 50 point possible score for the bull and another 50 point possible score for the rider for an added possible score of 100 points. Most professional riders will score in the mid-70 to high 80s when the bull and rider's scores are added. In the event there was a no score from the rider not remaining mounted, the bull will still receive points on his record, which is used to place him amongst other bulls on a ranking scale of difficulty for riders.

In bull riding, the bulls are owned by stock contractors who take great care in handling these four-footed athletes. Barns are often heated and cooled and the bulls receive spa-like treatments to keep them in the best condition possible to perform the job they love to do. Spectators often question if the bulls enjoy this sport or if they are hurt by being ridden. Just like a person who enjoys their job and will show up relaxed and eager to work, the bulls are eager to buck when they enter the bucking chute but will show a relaxed demeanor when in the holding pens prior to entering the bucking chutes. The stock contractors take tedious measures to ensure the bulls are tended to after the ride is complete.

The most amazing part of this action-packed sport is the rider is paired with a teammate that is 10 times heavier than the rider and this teammate is a very unpredictable animal. This partnership is what makes the sport of bull riding the most challenging sport in the world.

Speicher shows up

This year's fair demonstrated how many local people enjoy the sport of rodeo where the grandstands were at capacity and spectators found any spot possible to watch the action of the evening.

According to Winston Speicher, bull rider from Buena Vista, Bedford County, bull riding is a passion as well as a lifestyle. "It's a brotherhood," according to Speicer.

Each rider may be competing alone along side his bull but each rider is there to help each other at a moment's notice.

Speicher said, "Bull riding is simple once it is broken down and understood by the rider."

After the rider understands the basics of bull riding, Speicher feels motivation, determination and sheer grit are the factors needed to win. Speicher, who was raised on a farm in Bedford County, considers himself a typical farm kid who had a dream to be a bull rider. His positive, no-quit attitude and strong work ethic is the fuel that is driving his dreams to a reality.

"Have a goal and make a plan. Otherwise, your goal without a plan is just a dream," Speicher said.

He demonstrated his quote at the Bedford Fair in front of his hometown crowd. Although he did not have a full ride and suffered an injury, he learned from the ride and was able to compete two nights later in West Virginia for a full ride.

Spectators to the rodeo witnessed the official rodeo photographer, Veronica Hart-Pizor with Just Breathe Photography, be knocked down when a bull made an unexpected turn into the metal fencing panels. As the crowd held their breath, a large group of cowboys rushed to ensure their beloved "Mama P" was okay. "Mama P," as Hart-Pizor has come to be known in the rodeo world, has a heart for bull riders and the brotherhood shared amongst this elite group of athletes. She has tended to the cowboys and cowgirls in their moments of need and has traveled with several of "her kids" in the ambulance for serious injures they sustained riding bulls.

If you see her at a rodeo, look for the chap fringes placed on her camera strap. Those fringes represent her connection to these amazing cowboys and cowgirls because each fringe belongs to someone special in her rodeo family.

Bull Ride Mania went to Ebensburg on Sept. 4, 2022, for the American Legion Fair.