150 Minutes Leading To 8 Seconds

Bull riders are well paid for a mere eight seconds of work.

But those who’ve been in the arena know there’s much more to bull riding than a few seconds of hanging on.

Utah Valley Magazine spent 150 minutes with Payson resident and reigning world champion bull rider Wes Silcox to document his time leading up to his multi-second performance at the Spanish Fork Fiesta Days rodeo in July.

This rodeo king strutted between paying his $270 entry fee to applying rosin to the rope to prospecting bulls to taking a call from his girlfriend.

7:55 p.m.
Wes Silcox arrives at the Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo. He carries with him a medium-sized suitcase filled with bull riding
accessories.

8:04 p.m.
After unloading some of his bull riding equipment, Wes Silcox poses for dozens of photos for Utah Valley Magazine.

“I’m not nervous. It’s just another rodeo. But I do feel a little more pressure tonight with so many people I know here.”

8:08 p.m.
Wes signs the hat of an admiring fan.

8:14 p.m.
Although the reigning world champion bull rider is something of a celebrity in Spanish Fork, he’s still required to pay a $270 entry fee just like every other cowboy.

8:20 p.m.
So far in 2008 Wes has traveled more than 50,000 miles and won more than $109,000.

Wes says he earns the majority of his money from winnings — not sponsorships, although his clothing is tattooed with logos of companies that provide him with free merchandise.

8:22 p.m.
Wes was able to catch up with old friends and family members before the Fiesta Days rodeo.

8:25 p.m.
Wes and Steve Woolsey (pictured right) travel together to rodeos around the country.

During the Fiesta Days Rodeo on July 24, Steve competed in the bareback bronc riding and bull riding events.

8:30 p.m.
“I have a lot of friends and family here tonight. I hope I stay on!” Wes says as he continues to unload his bag.

8:31 p.m.
In September 2007 Wes broke his jaw while bull riding and lost 20 pounds during the recovery. Still the only protective gear Wes wears is a flak jacket and mouth piece.

8:32 p.m.
Bull ropes are required to have bells attached. The bells make the rope heavier and easier to remove after a ride.

8:35 p.m.
Wes receives a phone call from his girlfriend. “I always talk with her before I ride. It’s nice she’ll be here tonight.”

8:42 p.m.
In preparation for his bull ride, Wes changes into his riding boots and jeans. He also applies extra athletic tape to his left wrist (center photo).

8:48 p.m.
Wes (and most bull riders) use rosin to prime their riding glove against the rope. “Some bull riders like a really sticky rope. I’m not one of those riders.”

8:53 p.m.
As the summer sun begins to set, Wes prepares for his upcoming ride in earnest.

9:20 p.m.
A little more than an hour before he rides, Wes puts on his flak jacket and chaps. He continues to stretch and prepare his body.

9:22 p.m.
Wes scouts out his bull with friend (and fellow bull rider) Lee Woolsey. “I’ve never seen that bull before, but he looks like a bull to me,” Wes says.

9:24 p.m.
In a quiet moment, Wes prays before his ride.

10:07 p.m.
In front of a capacity crowd at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds, Wes (second from the left) accepts a special award for winning the bull riding competition at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas last December.

10:32 p.m.
The crowd erupts as Wes is announced. He slaps his face three times on each side before the chutes open. He is calm but intense.

10:32 p.m.
As the chute opens, the bull takes a sharp left turn. Like the world champion he is, Wes compensates for the movement and keeps riding.

10:32 p.m.
Although Wes rides his bull for the full eight seconds, he earns a score of 76 (out of a possible 100) because the bull did not spin, dip, kick or change directions as much as the judges would have liked. A score of 76 earned Wes 11th place on the night and a check for $212.85.

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