Business Boot Camp
February 4, 2008
Rita Von Senden
February 7, 2008
Tim Josey is setting his sights on winning his second consecutive title at the Fear No Evil Bull Riding Challenge, set for Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15 and 16, at the Houma Civic Center.
The SportsNet caught up with the 24-year-old Raceland resident to discuss his chances for an encore performance.
SportsNet: Feeling any pressure to repeat as champion?
Tim Josey: No, no, no. I go into these like any other competition. I go in with a positive attitude like I always have and give it 110 (percent).
SN: Does a lot of success depend on the luck of the draw – being paired up with a manageable bull?
TJ: Yeah. You pretty much have to ride anything you draw, but that plays a big part of what you do. Bulls are brought in by side contractors and you always know what they’ll be bringing – at least somewhat. You pretty much know all of the bulls.
SN: What kind of a bull were you on at last year’s Fear No Evil event? Describe its personality.
TJ: My first-round bull didn’t have any horns, but that doesn’t really make any difference. My second bull had horns and was a little better – it bucked a little harder. But it was manageable. It was just a regular bull I guess.
SN: How many seconds did you last?
TJ: I rode it the full eight seconds. Sometimes eight seconds seems long. It’s hard to describe. I guess it’s like being on a roller coaster for eight seconds. A pissed off roller coaster.
SN: A roller coaster that wants to hurt you?
TJ: Yeah.
SN: How tough can the falls be on the body?
TJ: Sometimes your adrenaline is pumping so much that you get slammed and don’t feel it to the next morning. Your groin always hurts, but it’s just a little aching. You can handle the pain, though. I guess it’s the way you’d feel after you and your buddies finished wrestling.
SN: If I were to get onto an angry bull (as a beginner), how long do you think I would last?
TJ: It depends. I guess I’d give you three seconds.
SN: Would there be tears?
TJ: No. You’d probably black out.
SN: That’s a nice thought. So when did you get your start in bull riding?
TJ: When I was about six or seven years old. I was raised around cattle and the whole cowboy scene. I started riding calves and moved up to steers at junior rodeos. I was always pretty good at that. Then I went into junior bull riding in high school. It’s kind of the same thing as high school baseball in how you progress through the ranks. Around 19 or 20 years old, I started as a pro. I was ready because of my confidence and the experience I had. I won money going to some amateur and pro events, but the money of course is better at the pro level.
SN: Is it easy to get discouraged at a young age and want to give it up?
TJ: Yeah, there’s been a few times in my career that I thought “Dang! Do I really want to do this?” This was especially true after I broke my femur when I was 20. But after six months of recovering, though, I was ready to come back and get on a bull again after watching my other buddies ride.
SN: Besides your femur, what other body parts have you injured?
TJ: I broke both collarbones at the same time, both of my ankles and some ribs.
SN: You’ve had some pretty lofty medical bills then.
TJ: Oh yeah.
SN: So how long do you plan to continue bull riding?
TJ: Until I’ve had enough. I’d give it maybe another few years. I’m not going to be that old guy at rodeos that’s still out there still riding. But I’ll always be around it still, either as a judge or through raising them (bulls).
SN: Any predictions for this year’s event?
TJ: Hopefully I’ll do good. I’ll just go in with the same attitude. It will just be another day to go out there and give it my best. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.
Tim Josey gets to enjoy the ride of his life each time he straddles a bull. He’ll prepare to defend his title in the Houma Civic Center at the Fear No Evil Bull Riding Challenge, which is set for Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15 and 16. (Photo contributed by TIM JOSEY)
