T’bonne levee district inks LDWF agreement for J-2
February 23, 2010
A day in a soldier’s life
February 25, 2010
For Chauvin native Derick Romero, eight seconds sometimes feels like a lifetime.
That’s because Romero is an amateur bull rider, who often spends his free time in a saddle chasing bull riding’s sacred eight-second mark, while on a fierce animal that isn’t exactly thrilled to have a human on its back.
“Those seconds can’t come fast enough,” Romero said. “It’s the longest eight seconds of your life. You look at a clock and you see it ticking and you think eight seconds is nothing, but when you’re on the bull, it’s something completely different.”
Romero plans to feel just how long eight seconds can last again on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., as he is one of 40 scheduled riders who will compete in the 9th Annual Fear No Evil Bull Riding Challenge at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.
Tickets for the event are between $15 and $24 and children ages 2 to 12 get a $3 discount.
Houma rider Trent Cormier said the event is always a favorite of his because of the energy the Tri-parish fans bring to the arena.
Cormier is not riding this year because he is going to be in a more high-stakes rodeo on the same night.
“It’s always an awesome crowd in Houma,” said Trent Cormier, who is a former champion of the event. “They always absolutely pack the house and the people there are all rowdy and are having a good time. It really fires up all of the riders and it’s a great event. I’ll always make it there when I can.”
Romero got into riding through his stepbrother, Point-Aux-Chenes native Jonathan Guy.
“He was riding in a rodeo and he told me that if he won, he’d get me a cowboy hat,” Romero said. “Once I got it and put it on, that was it. I was hooked.”
Guy said he didn’t have to do much to teach his stepbrother to ride well.
“It’s a difficult thing to show someone,” Guy said. “It’s the kind of thing you just have to learn on your own. He’s picked it up pretty well.”
Romero said the skill did not come easily to him at first, but he’s progressed as he’s gained more experience. Romero said he’s won belt buckles (which is awarded to the winner of some rodeos) and numerous other first place prizes in his time as a rider.
And for danger? Romero has been blessed in that aspect of the sport, too.
“The worst I’ve had is a broken collarbone, thanks to the good Lord above,” he said. “I’ve seen a bunch of pretty bad stuff.”
Joining Romero in the event will be 39 other riders from around the area.
Calling all of the action in the civic center will be award-winning rodeo announcer Mike Mathis.
Mathis said he is excited to see the up-and-coming riders who will be vying for the title.
“There is going to be plenty of talent at this event,” Mathis said. “There will be talent on both sides, meaning there will be a bunch of very talented riders and a bunch of very talented bulls. It will be great for fans of bull-riding.”
Also scheduled to attend the event is Louisiana native and legendary barrel man Rick Young.
“He’s one of the best at what he does,” said Mathis of Young.
In addition to the rodeo, the first 100 youngsters through the gate will receive a “Goodie Bag” from Pinocchio’s Pizza Playhouse.
The winner of the rodeo will take home a large chunk of the $100 entry fees each rider pays to enter the rodeo. The top 10 riders will advance to the finals round.
But for Romero, winning and losing is not something that will ever cross his mind when he’s on a bull.
“My stepbrother always told me not to do it for the girls or for the money, or anything like that,” he said. “He always said to do it for the rush you get and the love of the sport. You focus on anything else, you’re not going to last very long on the bull.”
Children chase a calf during the Fear No Evil Bull Riding Challenge Calf Scramble. Other fan-friendly events are scheduled for this Saturday’s event. * Photo provided by FNE BULL RIDING
