LEVY COUNTY JOURNAL

AROUND LEVY COUNTY

THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2006

Page 15

 

Bull Bash provides two nights of big fun

BY JEFF M. HARDISON
STAFF WRITER

Bucking bulls tossed most
of the riders off their backs
at the annual Bull Bash.
Cowboys won some rounds,
however, by staying on the
bulls for eight seconds. From
among those cowboys who
stayed on, some went home
with cash.

Spectators enjoyed two
nights of family fun at Carter’s
Arena on April 21 and 22,
while helping support the
Future Farmers of America..

Between 10 and 12 years
ago, R.D. Skelton and Eugene
Carter III created the Bull
Bash to raise money for the
FFA, Skelton said.

These FFA alumni brought
in approximately $5,000 for
FFA coffers this year, Skelton
said. That is about the same
amount as last year, he
added.

This annual event is a
family affair for spectators,
but it is also family-oriented
from the people who put it
on. The main family are the
Carters. Their arena is at the
corner of CR 345 and CR
347 — the location of Carter’ S
Crossroads.

“R.D. (Skelton) is like
family,” said Dorothy Carter,
the wife of Eugene Carter II.

Dorothy and Eugene
Carter II own the store, the
arena and other property at
the southwest corner of that
intersection.

David Gilliam of Bell is

the father of Michelle Carter, | §

Eugene Carter III’s_ wife.
Gilliam was on hand to help
Friday and Saturday nights.
He assisted in moving bulls
from pen to pen.

Gilliam is also the father of
Mary Anne Goold, who set
up equipment for announcer
Roger Mooney‘of% Ellijay,”
Ga.

Cody Carter and his brother
_ Everett Carter were the

“bullfighters.” In bull riding
competition, the bullfighters
distract bulls after the riders
are bucked off. That gives
riders a-.chance to clear
the area before a bull can
hurt them with his horns or
‘hooves.

Billy Carter was among the
men -pulling the gates open
to let bulls and riders out.
Darren Plank of Cross City,
a close family friend, pulled
gates open, too.

David Carter was the man
who moved bulls outside the
view of the general audience.

Selena Carter, the wife of
David Carter, was the time-
keeper. Her job is vital in this
sport because anything less

than eight. seconds makes

the difference between a
rider earning a score and not
earning a score. ;

Charlie Driver of
Monticello, Fla. was the
judge for scoring.

Michelle Carter, Eugene
Carter III’s wife, was the
scorekeeper.

Riders must stay on. the

bucking bull, keep their
hands free from touching it,
and not purposefully lock
their spurs into any ropes for
eight seconds. Depending on
how high the bull jumps, how
fast he spins and leaps, and
how the rider shows style as
he rides this huge bundle of
bucking bull, determines his
numeric score. The bulls are
scored, too.

Carolyn Skelton, R.D.’s
wife, and their daughters --
Yvonne and Jennifer -- took
tickets as vehicles arrived.
Other ticket takers were
Brittany Hardin, Heather
Rucker and Lisa Robson.
There were many other

people providing support by
cooking and selling food and

drinks and other concessions.

The Bull Bash came into
being as the result of what
R.D. Skelton and Eugene
Carter III do onaregular basis.
They haul bulls throughout
the southeast United States.
The. bulls earn money for
promoters of — bull-riding
events, Skelton said. The two
men decided to do the same
thing at Carter’s Arena for the
good of the FFA.

“It’s good,” said Eugene
Carter III. “It’s bull riding.
FFA is a good program.
People need to Suppor: the
FF.

Among the other hired
hands Friday and Saturday
nights was Rockin’ Robbie
Hodges, 38, of Cave Spring,

Ga. He is a “barrel man.”
Hodges has been doing this
for six years now, he said.

He jokes with the audience
during lulls in the excitement,
Among the people he targeted
to joke with was Crystal
Ruland, 21 of Chiefland.
Hodges saw her on a cell
phone and announced to the
crowd this was not acceptable
practice at a. bull-riding
event.

He confiscated her phone,
which she surrendered when
he asked. Hodges returned
it after making more jokes
using the phone. Ruland was
a good sport.

Behind the scenes, out of
public view in the darkness
near the announcer’s booth

 

STEPHEN KEIGHLEY of Williston leads Christian cowboys in the Study of God’ s

Bash.

eeeee ret Ia

Low Rates - Easy Terms _

Personal & Commercial Auto Insurance

Home - Life Commercial

Rapid Tax Returns

"Guaranteed Lowest Down Payment"

wa (LU an aUisnYen a ticlavel

(352) 486-7007

151 East Hathaway Ave : Bronson

“Plumbing Enterprises Inc.

Remodel, Re-Pipe, New Construction,
Mobile Home Hook-Ups and Water Heaters.
Serving the Tri-County area.

Bronson (352)486-3509.

=

COWBOYS ride buils in competition at the Bull

word during a break in action Friday night at the Bull Bash.

Journal photos by
Jeff M. Hardison

during a late intermission,
Stephen Keighley of Williston
led Christian cowboys in

some Gospel study and they:

said prayers.

Tomorrow, April 28, is
Keighley’s 17" — birthday.
On April 29, he plans to
participate in the 13th annual
Florida High School Rodeo at
Williston Horseman’s Park.

Other riders at the event

in Carter’s arena were a bit
older and more experienced

. than Keighley and other teens

who ride.

Before he rode early in the
evening, Brandon Berry, 24,
of Winnfield, La., put tape
on his wrists. His 2-year-old
son Shanktin Berry had his
father tape his wrists and

JASON HIRES of Romeo, Fla., carries Old
Glory around the arena before the start of
Bull Bash festivities.

then Carol Berry, wife and
mother, dressed their little
boy. Brandon said the child
always wants to dress up like
his father.

Brandon has ridden in the
PBR circuit. He spoke about
another Florida PBR cowboy
— Tater Porter.

“Ol’ Tater...He’s a cool cat.
Can’t beat him. He’s one of
the best out there,” Brandon

Berry said.
Berry, Keighley and other
cowboys participating in

this event are part of the
Southeastern Bull Riding
Association. .There were
winners each night. The top
winners were decided by the’
average of the two metts
rides.

  
   
   
    
      
   
 

R. D. SKELTON Nand Eugene Carter Hl pause for a moment
before the action on Friday night.

Enrolled to
Practice Before

the IRS

Nancy Bell Westbury 4
Enrolled Agent

e Personal and Business Tax Returns
e Partnership & Corporate Tax Returns
e Computerized Monthly Accounting

e New Monthly Clients
Welcomed !

Bell 6 Westbury

eR aE C ae

712 North Main Street, Chiefland * 493-4996

 

én VAWNCARE ING

KEITH & JAYNE
ROCKS

Now adding Lot and
MOLEC MT
removal
Tree Trimming,
Bushhog Mowing
oy

I Hy KY 2

  

Licensed & Insured
iii cet: 352-572-1910 (352) 463-

oF
oe

  

2287 ‘hen

iif Gin, fis iki, OE, Bn, in ihn