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Bull Riders Psyched Up For Big Show

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By SHERRI ACKERMAN

sackerman@tampatrib.com

Published: February 5, 2009

TAMPA - Sometimes the bull wins. But more often than not, it's a rider like "Iron Man" Luke Snyder.

The 26-year-old Missourian started riding the beasts after attending rodeo school at just 8 years old. During his nine-year career, Snyder has earned nearly $1 million.

On Friday, he will be among the top 40 bull riders in the world at the Tampa stop of the Built Ford Tough Series tour at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Others include Brazilian star Guilherme Marchi, Brian Canter of North Carolina, Kody Lostroh of Colorado, Cord McCoy of Oklahoma and the No. 1 bull rider in the world, J.B. Mauney of North Carolina.

This will be Snyder's 241st consecutive competition for Professional Bull Riders Inc., which hosts three other tours throughout the year. This is the 12th year the event has come to Tampa, where organizers expect a crowd.

Last week's stop in New York was sold out, said Snyder, who landed a television interview on the "Rachael Ray Show" while he was in town. The 2001 World Finals winner and Rookie of the Year chatted with recipe queen Ray about cleaning products - because rodeo stars get dirty.

The Tampa stop will feature two rounds of competition where judges rate the riders and the bulls. Riders try to stay on the bull for 8 seconds while hanging on for dear life with one hand.

And the other hand can never touch the bull.

The top 15 scorers advance to a championship round. The cowboy with the highest total score on two bulls wins.

It's a young man's sport that challenges riders mentally and physically, Snyder said.

"You have to talk yourself into it," said the rider, who can count on two hands the number of bones he has broken.

There's no way to psyche out a bull, though, Snyder said. "No matter how strong you are, you'll never be stronger than them."

Bull riders tend to retire early, like football players. They also can earn some serious cash, like football players. An average season might net $300,000 to $500,000. Tour winners can earn an additional $1million.

So Snyder's parents weren't too devastated when he declared he was going to be a cowboy when he grew up.

Occasionally, the bull does win. And some attract a following. Fans might cheer as much for the bull as the cowboy, Snyder said.

The competition starts at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $10 and are available at the Forum box office at 401 Channelside Drive, Gate B; at www.ticketmaster.com; or by calling (813) 287-8844. For information, call the Forum at (813) 301-2500.

Reporter Sherri Ackerman can be reached at (813) 259-7144.

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