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Nafzger likes to compare his riding experiences to his training regimen.
“We’re all adrenaline jockeys, that’s why we’re here,” said Nafzger, who won his first Derby with Unbridled in 1990. “Before something really big happens, we all think this is something you never want to do again. But as soon as it’s over, you can’t wait for the next one.”
How about next Saturday’s Classic, which also features 3-year-old stars Curlin, Hard Spun and Any Given Saturday, as well as 4-year-old Lawyer Ron?
“I wake up at night thinking about it,” he said. “Not every bull and not every horse will give you that rush. But this horse does. It’s going to be a great race.”
About a month ago, Nafzger found out he had been voted into the Ring of Honor, which includes rodeo greats Jim Shoulders, Larry Mahan and Ty Murray.
“He was pretty choked up when he got the call,” Nestlen said. “Very emotional.”
Bull riding today is far from what it used to be in the carefree days of the 1960s, when rodeo competitors traveled from town to town in what Leffew likes to call “endless fiestas.”
Professional Bull Riders, Inc., was created in 1992 when 20 riders chipped in $1,000 each to try and make bull riding — rodeo’s most popular event — a stand-alone sport. It worked: PBR competitions went from eight in 1994 to 225 in the U.S. this year, plus another 150 in Australia, Brazil, Canada and Mexico. Events are televised on cable channel VERSUS, Fox and NBC.
In April, the New York-based equity firm Spire Capital Partners became the majority investor and, according to Nestlen, paid $90 million for a 60 percent interest. The PBR has more than 1,200 competing riders, with the Ring of Honor consisting of 25 former stars.
Nafzger will be inducted along with Phil Lyne, the all-around champion in 1971-72 and world calf roping champion in the same years. Each will receive an engraved diamond ring.
“What more can you ask for?” Nafzger said. “I hope we can take the Classic with us.”
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