The ABBI’s youngest buckers provided a stunning spectacle at the Wrangler U facility outside the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas during the 2009 Futurity Finals. The setting was dramatic, the weather amazing and the crowd large and lively.

For the first time on record, the event was held outdoors. Although many were initially nervous about the set up, it didn’t take long for most to relax including the co-owner of the freshly crowned 2009 World Champion Futurity Bull Pure Smoke.

“At first with that much money on the line I was a little bit nervous about having to load my bulls on big trucks to have them hauled over to the event,” explained Cody Ohl. “ But everything was very professional. The chute help and guys working in back are great. I mean they know what’s going on, and they know how to handle these bulls and they do this stuff everyday. Once the bulls got to the event, the set up was great. The lead-ups were lined right where there was no way for a bull to get hurt and the pens were set up so there was no way for a bull to get out once they got to the arena.”

Sunshine, regal palms and the beautiful Mandalay Bay Resort provided the perfect backdrop to showcase 102 well-prepped and talented ABBI 2-year-olds.

“I thought the outdoor deal and the weather was outstanding. The whole crowd environment just seemed a lot more intense and exciting to me. Having it so close to where most everybody stays was great. Most people could walk over or catch a cab to get there. If it had been indoors there wouldn’t have been such a great crowd or so much enthusiasm,” said Ohl.

When it comes to the caliber of contenders present in Vegas, Ohl points out the obvious.

“I had lunch with my partners who were only there for the short-go and I told them there were about 80 bulls entered that a guy would love to have his name on. It was a heck of a field and same with the 20 in the short-go. There were at least 17-18 bulls that went out there and had the same trip they had in the long-go. That’s awfully impressive and something to really be proud of,” Ohl added.
Newly appointed ABBI President Brad Boyd echoed Ohl’s sentiments about the event.

“This year’s futurity was one of the greatest sets of 2-year-olds ever. All the bulls performed well and the owners of these animals did a great job preparing and showing them. The ABBI and the PBR should be commended for having such a great set up for the bull housing. I heard nothing but compliments. It was a great year and I look forward to 2010,” said Boyd.