Disclaimer: This is AU. I do not own any of the characters from Grey's Anatomy. I just manipulate them to my will. Also, any line or phrase or setting that seems remotely familiar from any other show, movie or book, also not mine. I borrow…
AN: Ok, so this chapter is just provides alittle background information on the sport of bullriding. And for those of you wanting more Arizona/Callie time, its coming. Promise. Now let me feel the love!
Chapter 7
Callie's POV:
So I've witnessed about 4 rides, and am still no closer to being able to figure out how this whole sport works. Mark, on the other hand, has been shouting since the very beginning.
"Hey, Mark." …Nothing, he is engrossed in the ride taking place right now. Yelling stuff like the rider is able to hear him. At 6.8 seconds the rider is bucked and Mark sits back down. I try again "Mark!"
"Huh?"
"How does this whole thing work? Like, what are the rules?"
He laughs, then leans in close as another rider is getting set in the stocks.
"Alright, I'll try to break it down for you. The basics: a qualified ride is 8 seconds. The clock starts when the bull's shoulder or flank breaks the plane of the gate. It ends when the rider's hand comes out of the rope, the rider touches the ground, or the rider's free arm touches the bull, also known as a slap. Which is what the second rider did. A successful ride will earn a score between 0 and 100, and scores of 90 points or above are considered outstanding."
"Ok, I'm following so far. So how are the scores figured?"
"The four judges" he points to the far side of the arena, to a table right next to the control panel is "rate each rider and each bull on a scale from 1-25. Those points are added together and divided in half to reach a rider score and a bull score of between 0 and 50. Those numbers are then combined to reach a final score between 0 and 100."
"Ok, but when the rider is bucked before the 8 seconds lapses they are still given a score…"
"Right, the bull always receives a score, even if the rider is bucked off. His score is based on his degree of difficulty. Judges look for many things to figure that, such as drop in the front end, kick in the back, spin and direction changes. Where as a rider only receives a score if he lasts the required 8 seconds. Judges look for control – the ability of the rider to successfully counter the moves of the bull. Spurring isn't required, but tends to demonstrate control, and will add points to the rider's score."
Mark finishes and looks at me "You think you get it?" "Yeah, I think so…" I reply.
A couple rides later and I'm starting to get into it. Then next guy up is out of the gate and having a good ride until something flies of the bull, at which the bull promptly settles down and turns to go back the way it came. I turn to Mark "What just happened?"
"The bull's flank strap fell off. The flank strap, or that rope that is bound around the bull just in front of the back legs, is what makes the bull buck. They try to kick it off them. When one comes off during a ride, it's considered a foul and the rider gets a re-ride. A re-ride is also given if the bull performance negatively affects the ride score."
"So he gets to re-ride?"
"Yes, he has the option of riding the same bull, or drawing at random for another."
Only a couple more rides until Arizona's turn and I'm getting anxious…God I hope her shoulder will be ok. Not that I wouldn't mind getting my hands back on her, but I'd rather it be not because she is in pain. But then Mark says she's had worse. I can't imagine her being hurt like that….
"She's a big deal isn't she?" I ask, Mark replies "She is. Trailblazer that one is. Opened the door for other female bull riders. None have been as successful as she has, but they are out there. Slowly but surely they are making themselves known. Hell, took Arizona nearly a year to get recognized AS a pro even though she was already riding at that level. It's a man's world, but she's bringing the heat."
I've known this woman all of 30 hours, and I'm already proud to be associated with her…
Arizona's POV:
Ok, so I've been staring, and not subtly, at Callie for the better part of a half hour. She seems to be having a good time… At least she looks interested. Mark and Callie say something to eachother every now and then, but mostly they both are intent on watching the riders.
Alex is in the process of getting set, he had drawn a tough bull so this ride could be a big push for him. Each rider has a different grip, different form on the bull. So it takes a while for a rider to be satisfied with the bull ride. And no rider signals an ok without being comfortable with their grip on the bull rope.
The bull rope is a flat rope braided from nylon or grass that goes around the bull's girth area behind his front legs. The rope has a handle, constructed partially of leather that is braided into it and serves as the riders only anchor for the duration of the ride.
Another couple seconds and he gives a nod, signaling the ok. With that, the gates busts open and the bull starts bucking madly. Oh yea, he's a big boy, and he's pissed off. Hang on Alex, come on 5 seconds left….4….. He's getting thrown around like a rag doll. Damn its scary how much power those beasts have. 3…2…. One more buck and Alex is thrown. He falls on his stomach and quickly gets up and runs the opposite direction of the bull.
"Oh, 6.23 seconds! What a bull! Another great ride by Alex Karev, but not enough. Lets take a look at the replay." The announcer says. All eyes turn to the large screen above the stage for a replay. "Alright, now to the judges…" We wait, and look to the board and a 40 pops up. Atleast he got a decent bull score…shouldn't hurt him too much.
At this point, they cut to commercial and I am summoned over to my chute. The bull I drew is named Code Blue. 1500 lbs of muscle and power, breed for the sole purpose of bucking. He's a tough bull, with an overall buckoff percentage of 92.59%. So yeah, he's a meanie. As the bull is being brought into the chute, I check over my gear one more time. First I check my spurs, make sure they are secure. The spurs are dulled, so it doesn't harm the bull but they are used to keep a better grip on the bull's underside, showing complete control and therefore a higher rider score.
Next I check my riding vest which is the standard black, adorned with patches of all my sponsors. It serves two primary purposes: it absorbs shock and dissipates the blow to the body, while protecting the torso from the threatening punctures caused by direct contact with the bull's hooves and horns.
After checking the vest, next are my chaps, also displaying logos of sponsors. Chaps are normally the standard black, but I've had my custom made and they aren't black…nope, they are pink. What? I may be riding a bull but that doesn't mean I can't be alittle girly, right? Next is my riding glove. The same one my dad bought me after I won my first championship title. Still fits like a….well, a glove.
Finally I put in my mouth guard and pull on my helmet. Riders can choose between wearing a hat or a helmet, but I've seen too many head injuries to chance it. Besides, I'm hot! I don't want anything misshaping my beautiful bone structure (some guys can pull off the missing teeth and crooked nose look, but I can't). Again, helmets are usually black, but I've had mine custom made to where it is edged in pink.
I climb the rail of my chute and settle on the bull, and start tying my bull rope. Everything starts to fade…it's just me and this beast. Man vs Nature…. This is what I live for.
AN 2: I know, what a sneaky sneaky person I am. Next chapter...I promise! Cross my heart