Wow. Wow. Wow. Have you ever read a story that was so brilliantly written, revealing, insightful and compelling that you couldn’t wait to share it with someone? One of my favorite aspects of having a large social media platform is the ability to share great writing, thinking and stories with all of you.
Jenkins’ beautifully written piece on J.B. Mauney painted a compelling portrait of a bull rider's life. It reminded me of a more personal story about a bronc rider my dad wrote about and met in person. Following is a poem, written by my late father, Joe Beardsley. It is about Benny Reynolds, one of the most famous Bronc riders who ever lived. While putting his book of poetry together, looking for photos that complimented his poems, my father made a visit to the retired Benny Reynolds, who lived in a small cabin on a ranch outside of Dillon, Montana. The rugged and weathered Benny Reynolds kindly invited my dad inside his warm and dusty house to sit and reminisce. My dad read his 'Silver Buckles' poem, which can also can be beautifully sung, to Benny, who listened intently. When my dad asked Benny if he had a photo that could be used in the book of poetry, the legendary Reynolds reached over to his window and picked up an old water-stained photo of himself, in his heyday, riding a wild bronc, and handed it to my father. This gesture was deeply moving to my dad. That photo is in my dad's book of poetry -Benny riding high in the saddle of a wild bronc. My dad treasured that memory and Benny's photo for the rest of his life.
(The 'portrait of words' Steve posted today reminded me of the harsh life of a bull or bronc rider. )
About Benny Reynolds: (He retired at the age of 57 due to a broken neck.)
Steve, I agree: Ms. Jenkins’ piece on J.B. Mauney is a tour de force. It’s beautifully written, superbly edited, and incredibly interesting. And the accompanying visuals are right on target. About half way through the article I texted my daughter, who barrel races and has attended the Nationals in Las Vegas for several years, “Do you know who J.B. Mauney is?” Her response was, “Of course Dad, he’s a legend.” After reading Ms. Jenkins piece, she said that she learned a lot about the “legend” she thought she already knew. This is Pulitzer Prize material. Maybe for “feature article.”
". . .a fractured tibia, a torn medial collateral ligament, a torn rotator cuff, a rib separation and fracture, a sprained wrist, a sprained ankle and a groin strain"
". . .13 anchors in his right shoulder, a plate and screws in his left hand and a plate in his pelvis"
". . .broken his jaw on both sides, fractured an eye socket, taken five staples in his head"
A wonderfully written piece about a total knucklehead.
That was such a good read for a gal from Wyoming. Sitting at the airport in DC waiting for my flight home. I enjoyed that very much. Thanks for sharing. “…in bull riding, the bull is the one with the accelerator.” - so true.
Great story, beautifully written. I read it when it first came out and quickly sent it to others who might appreciate it, including one college athletic director. You know your narrative prose, my man.
I read this story yesterday in the WaPo and I agree with you that Mr. Mauney is an American original. It is a poignant piece that talks about the rewards and costs of that sport (for myself, I like sports where both sides consent to play and dislike these ventures). I was immersed in his story and history. Thanks for sharing this excellence with your audience.
Really Steve? I read that stupid story. He sounds like an idiot to me. He will probably die of lung cancer. But I bet you that he is against women having an abortions. They didn't even want to do IVF because they think that a fertilized egg is a human. If you believe that the body is the temple of the spirit of the indwelling God fragment ( which I do) then why spend you like abusing that temple. He could have totally broken his neck and been a burden on his family for the rest of his life, just for the adrenaline hits he got ridding the bulls. I call bullshit on his whole trip and wonder what the hell Steve is thinking praising this man
Maybe the same that he was thinking when supported Dean Phillips? Sometimes I wonder about you Steve!
Good writing aside, it is the subject matter that is disturbing.
J. B Mauney participated in an extremely cruel sport of bull riding. Equally as cruel as horse racing or any other sport involving unwilling animals such as bull fighting, pig wrestling, calf roping, dog fighting and so on. I could go into the details of the cruelty of bull riding specifically but it is readily available on the internet.
Needless to say, after a life of torment, genetic manipulation, and psychological torture to make theses sentient creatures perform for the whim of human entertainment the majority are sent to the kill pen. The few lucky bulls and horses go to pasture as studs. It is deeply disturbing that this man should be heralded as a great sportsman and American. All sports that involve such cruelty is the lowest form of human entertainment and should never be glorified. There is nothing honorable about those who would willingly participate and exploit such innocence for their own glory and greed.
These sports are inherently cruel shamefully showcasing the much believed and embraced idea of human superiority over helpless innocent animals. Much like racism among humans. It is aptly called speciesism. “Culture” is no excuse to continue something that is overtly immoral much like the immorality of slavery.
And Let us not be distracted by J.B. Mauney’s touted benevolence towards the animal that put him out of commission allowing him to live out his life in relative comfort. It is a perverse and arrogant gesture considering the pain and death he has wantonly and pointlessly caused for decades to so many others while he now gives a thumbs up to this one lucky bull as a way to fool the crowd of his great magnanimity by showing “mercy” rather than vengeance to an animal that never deserved the punishing life he endured in the first place. It is not kindness he has offered to the Bull but a final arrogant act of human superiority letting the bull live. He is no hero no more than those who exploit human beings are heroes.
The only decent final act this man might have displayed if he were truly enlightened from his near death experience is to have denounced the sport entirely and then try to forgive himself.
I am greatly disappointed that Steve Schmidt, a man of great insight, awareness, and enlightenment would recommend this article that openly displays man’s arrogant subjugation and injustice of other sentient beings in the banal pursuit of entertainment.
I was fascinated with the J.B. Mauney profile. Having been to several rodeos in Texas, I was awed by the athleticism and courage on display at these very American events. Bull riding is no place for cry babies, or whiners, or what abouters. Which begs the question - how does any rodeo fan vote for Donald Trump or Ted Cruz or Greg Abbott? That Donald Trump is so popular in Texas and Wyoming and Oklahoma, and Montana, and Idaho, etc. is baffling.
Biden campaign workers should go to a rodeo and witness the opening ceremony. It includes the Star Spangled Banner and an opening prayer. If a guy like Trump can fake religiosity to oonnect with millions of Americans, why can't a real church goer like Biden?
Excellent piece Steve. While I may not approve of or like the Sport itself, I appreciate the Journalism and am very impressed by Mr. Mauney. I loved at the end how he and the Bull became friends of a sort.
Definitely a beautiful portrait of a slice of Americana. ❤️🇺🇸💙
Despite what these 'cowboys' say, rodeos are cruel for all the animals involved and I thought this article was despicable in that it aggrandizes a horrible spectacle.
Jenkins’ beautifully written piece on J.B. Mauney painted a compelling portrait of a bull rider's life. It reminded me of a more personal story about a bronc rider my dad wrote about and met in person. Following is a poem, written by my late father, Joe Beardsley. It is about Benny Reynolds, one of the most famous Bronc riders who ever lived. While putting his book of poetry together, looking for photos that complimented his poems, my father made a visit to the retired Benny Reynolds, who lived in a small cabin on a ranch outside of Dillon, Montana. The rugged and weathered Benny Reynolds kindly invited my dad inside his warm and dusty house to sit and reminisce. My dad read his 'Silver Buckles' poem, which can also can be beautifully sung, to Benny, who listened intently. When my dad asked Benny if he had a photo that could be used in the book of poetry, the legendary Reynolds reached over to his window and picked up an old water-stained photo of himself, in his heyday, riding a wild bronc, and handed it to my father. This gesture was deeply moving to my dad. That photo is in my dad's book of poetry -Benny riding high in the saddle of a wild bronc. My dad treasured that memory and Benny's photo for the rest of his life.
(The 'portrait of words' Steve posted today reminded me of the harsh life of a bull or bronc rider. )
About Benny Reynolds: (He retired at the age of 57 due to a broken neck.)
https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/collections/awards/rodeo-hall-of-fame/inductees/5053/
Silver Buckles- by Joe Beardsley
I rose up with the mornin' sun,
Knowin' it had just begun
Warmin' the fields of meadow hay;
I felt the feelin' risin',
And it wasn't too surprisin'
My mind was goin' back to a better day.
I drove the tractor till midmornin'
When it quit without a warnin',
So I walked away and left it in the field;
The bunkhouse yard is shady,
And as fragrant as a lady
With a sweet perfume and feminine appeal.
I can see beyond the mornin'
Where mountain clouds are formin'
Big thunderheads that billow in the blue;
Within those ivory castles
My mind don't have the hassles
Of the daily chores I just don't want to do.
My mind goes back a'dreamin'
Till I see the banners streamin'
And I touch those big arenas one more time,
Where I rode in all the biggest shows,
The silver-studded rodeos,
Tryin' to make those silver buckles mine.
Silver buckles, silver buckles
Are the mark of a champion;
Silver buckles,
How bright those silver buckles
That I finally won.
Steve, I agree: Ms. Jenkins’ piece on J.B. Mauney is a tour de force. It’s beautifully written, superbly edited, and incredibly interesting. And the accompanying visuals are right on target. About half way through the article I texted my daughter, who barrel races and has attended the Nationals in Las Vegas for several years, “Do you know who J.B. Mauney is?” Her response was, “Of course Dad, he’s a legend.” After reading Ms. Jenkins piece, she said that she learned a lot about the “legend” she thought she already knew. This is Pulitzer Prize material. Maybe for “feature article.”
". . .he shot himself up with cattle antibiotics"
". . .a fractured tibia, a torn medial collateral ligament, a torn rotator cuff, a rib separation and fracture, a sprained wrist, a sprained ankle and a groin strain"
". . .13 anchors in his right shoulder, a plate and screws in his left hand and a plate in his pelvis"
". . .broken his jaw on both sides, fractured an eye socket, taken five staples in his head"
A wonderfully written piece about a total knucklehead.
That was such a good read for a gal from Wyoming. Sitting at the airport in DC waiting for my flight home. I enjoyed that very much. Thanks for sharing. “…in bull riding, the bull is the one with the accelerator.” - so true.
Great story, beautifully written. I read it when it first came out and quickly sent it to others who might appreciate it, including one college athletic director. You know your narrative prose, my man.
I read this story yesterday in the WaPo and I agree with you that Mr. Mauney is an American original. It is a poignant piece that talks about the rewards and costs of that sport (for myself, I like sports where both sides consent to play and dislike these ventures). I was immersed in his story and history. Thanks for sharing this excellence with your audience.
Really Steve? I read that stupid story. He sounds like an idiot to me. He will probably die of lung cancer. But I bet you that he is against women having an abortions. They didn't even want to do IVF because they think that a fertilized egg is a human. If you believe that the body is the temple of the spirit of the indwelling God fragment ( which I do) then why spend you like abusing that temple. He could have totally broken his neck and been a burden on his family for the rest of his life, just for the adrenaline hits he got ridding the bulls. I call bullshit on his whole trip and wonder what the hell Steve is thinking praising this man
Maybe the same that he was thinking when supported Dean Phillips? Sometimes I wonder about you Steve!
Read it and was taken by his hardheaded dedication. Appears his broken bones will never dim his spirit.
Struck me as the American ideal, both viscerally admirable and intellectually questionable.
Good writing aside, it is the subject matter that is disturbing.
J. B Mauney participated in an extremely cruel sport of bull riding. Equally as cruel as horse racing or any other sport involving unwilling animals such as bull fighting, pig wrestling, calf roping, dog fighting and so on. I could go into the details of the cruelty of bull riding specifically but it is readily available on the internet.
Needless to say, after a life of torment, genetic manipulation, and psychological torture to make theses sentient creatures perform for the whim of human entertainment the majority are sent to the kill pen. The few lucky bulls and horses go to pasture as studs. It is deeply disturbing that this man should be heralded as a great sportsman and American. All sports that involve such cruelty is the lowest form of human entertainment and should never be glorified. There is nothing honorable about those who would willingly participate and exploit such innocence for their own glory and greed.
These sports are inherently cruel shamefully showcasing the much believed and embraced idea of human superiority over helpless innocent animals. Much like racism among humans. It is aptly called speciesism. “Culture” is no excuse to continue something that is overtly immoral much like the immorality of slavery.
And Let us not be distracted by J.B. Mauney’s touted benevolence towards the animal that put him out of commission allowing him to live out his life in relative comfort. It is a perverse and arrogant gesture considering the pain and death he has wantonly and pointlessly caused for decades to so many others while he now gives a thumbs up to this one lucky bull as a way to fool the crowd of his great magnanimity by showing “mercy” rather than vengeance to an animal that never deserved the punishing life he endured in the first place. It is not kindness he has offered to the Bull but a final arrogant act of human superiority letting the bull live. He is no hero no more than those who exploit human beings are heroes.
The only decent final act this man might have displayed if he were truly enlightened from his near death experience is to have denounced the sport entirely and then try to forgive himself.
I am greatly disappointed that Steve Schmidt, a man of great insight, awareness, and enlightenment would recommend this article that openly displays man’s arrogant subjugation and injustice of other sentient beings in the banal pursuit of entertainment.
It is not a sport I follow, but I have always been impressed by the work of Sally Jenkins after reading her biography of Sandy Koufax.
Sally Jenkins piece on J.B. Mauney & Arctic Assassin, an excellently crafted piece of storytelling..
I was fascinated with the J.B. Mauney profile. Having been to several rodeos in Texas, I was awed by the athleticism and courage on display at these very American events. Bull riding is no place for cry babies, or whiners, or what abouters. Which begs the question - how does any rodeo fan vote for Donald Trump or Ted Cruz or Greg Abbott? That Donald Trump is so popular in Texas and Wyoming and Oklahoma, and Montana, and Idaho, etc. is baffling.
Biden campaign workers should go to a rodeo and witness the opening ceremony. It includes the Star Spangled Banner and an opening prayer. If a guy like Trump can fake religiosity to oonnect with millions of Americans, why can't a real church goer like Biden?
Excellent piece Steve. While I may not approve of or like the Sport itself, I appreciate the Journalism and am very impressed by Mr. Mauney. I loved at the end how he and the Bull became friends of a sort.
Definitely a beautiful portrait of a slice of Americana. ❤️🇺🇸💙
Despite what these 'cowboys' say, rodeos are cruel for all the animals involved and I thought this article was despicable in that it aggrandizes a horrible spectacle.
I agree. A superb piece of journalism.
Why cowboys are kings.