Bruiser will Compete at NFR Before Future is Decided

By: Justin Felisko
November 14, 2018

PUEBLO, Colo. – SweetPro’s Bruiser has already solidified himself as one of the greatest bucking bulls in PBR history following his record-tying third consecutive World Championship last weekend at the 2018 PBR World Finals.

But will D&H Cattle Company push for a record-setting fourth world title in 2018?

“I really have been debating retiring him after the NFR in December, but we will play that by ear,” H.D. Page said on Sunday. “Right now, I feel pretty confident squeezing another year out of him. It has crossed my mind. He doesn’t owe me anything. That is for sure.

“We will worry about the NFR first, and then I will talk to my dad, and we will assess what we are going to do after that.”

The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo takes place on Dec. 6-15. Bruiser will be making his fourth appearance at the NFR.

Bruiser won the 2018 PBR World Championship with a World Champion Bull average of 46.08 points. The 7-year-old clinched the championship with a 45.75-point bull score on Championship Sunday when Jose Vitor Lemerode him for 93.5 points.

Earlier in the week, Bruiser bucked off Francisco Garcia Torres in 3.35 seconds for 44.75 points.

“He was 45.75 or 46 if I have ever seen one,” Page said. “I don’t know where the negativity is coming on Bruiser, but I think they were looking at a different out than I was looking at the other night. I have bucked a ton of 22-point bulls in my career, but I didn’t buck one the other day.

“The intensity, the rear, the kick, the drop and the turn, everything is there like it always has been.”

There was some doubt over what kind of Bruiser would show up in Las Vegas for the 2018 World Finals.

Bruiser hadn’t bucked at a professional event in four months and the bovine athlete had been dealing with a stifle issue and minor back injury.

Bruiser’s first out against Torres quickly erased any concern from Page’s mind that his bull would be rusty.

Bruiser was then back to his old self, teaming up with Leme for a highlight-worthy ride.

The ride was the second this year that Bruiser helped contribute for 93 or more points.

 
Ryan Dirteater won the Oklahoma City event in January by riding Bruiser for a season-high 93.25 points.

“That bull is something special,” Dirteater said during the 2018 PBR World Finals. “That is three in a row. That is really special for H.D. That is huge. That bull has won me a lot of money too, and I like him. He is a pet. You can rub all over him. It is amazing to me how electric he can be in the arena. It is something to see. He is real special.”

Four riders in 12 outs rode Bruiser this season on the Unleash The Beast – Leme (93.5 points at the World Finals), Kaique Pacheco (92.75 points at Last Cowboy Standing), Cody Nance (88.75 points in Anaheim, California) and Dirteater (93.25 points in Oklahoma City).

They all won their respective events with a ride on Bruiser, earning a combined $482,133.34.

You can then add in another $1 million to that total as Pacheco’s Last Cowboy Standing victory contributed to his World Championship.

“He is a bull rider’s dream,” Dirteater added. “A bull you can break records on. A bull you can be a lot of points on. He feels great. He is an amazing animal. He loves his job.”

Derek Kolbaba won the WCRA Rodeo Showdown at the Days of ’47 rodeo in Salt Lake City with an 89.5-point ride on Bruiser.

Kolbaba also notched 92- and 93-point rides on Bruiser in 2017.

The 22-year-old has won $142,068.97 with those three rides, and he was happy to see Page walk away with the $100,000 World Champion Bull bonus.

“That is one of those bulls I would love to have in the backyard just to look at him every damn day,” Kolbaba said. “He is one bull that is unlike no other I have seen. I am happier than hell for the Page family and Bruiser to get that third world title.”

No bull in PBR history has won four World Championships.

Page admitted he has yet to put much thought into chasing another championship.

“I haven’t, but I know it is possible,” Page said. “I know he has the talent and there is no doubt he has the will and the heart and whatever else it takes to do that. Perception has a lot to do with that, and if he wasn’t getting the marks he deserved, I wouldn’t put myself through that. He don’t really care.”

Julio Moreno retired Bushwacker at 8 years old following his bull’s third championship in 2014.

Bushwacker competed for six seasons and was 64-2 on the premier series and 84-3 at all levels.

Bruiser has more mileage on him compared to Bushwacker, seeing as he also bucks at PRCA events.

The reigning World Champion turns 8 years old in March, and he already has 102 outs at all levels of competition.

2019 would be Bruiser’s sixth season.

Bruiser is 45-13 on the premier series since 2014.

A fourth title would be special for D&H Cattle Company, but the real gold buckle is Bruiser’s ability to be the foundation for the company’s breeding program.

Making sure Bruiser is healthy for breeding will be top priority when it comes toward making a decision on Bruiser’s competition future.

“His calves are gold,” Page said. “His sons and daughters are something we are going to build our herd around the next few years. I don’t want to compromise that, but I really feel like he loves what he does.”

Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko

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