Rango #718 (April 10, 2007–September 14, 2014) was an American
bucking bull
A bucking bull is a bull used in American rodeo bull riding competition. They are usually a Brahma crossed with another breed, weighing 1,500 pounds or more, selected for their tendency to "leap, plunge and spin" when a human is on its back. ...
who competed at the
Professional Bull Riders
The Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) is an international professional bull riding organization based in Pueblo, Colorado, United States. In the U.S., PBR events have been televised on CBS and CBS Sports Network since 2012. In 2013, th ...
(PBR) circuit. He was a three-time PBR Built Ford Tough Worlds Finals qualifier. Rango was the star bull of the 2015 film
''The Longest Ride'' and has a credit in the movie.
Background
#718 Rango was born on April 10, 2007. He was owned by Center Point Ranch, then by Jeff Robinson Bulls.
Robinson bought Rango from Center Point Ranch in 2011. Robinson found the bull was very athletic and had great kicks.
Robinson, who had been voted PBR Stock Contractor of the Year four times, said Rango was his favorite bull. Robinson had hauled and bucked 100s of bulls at an elite level, and he considered Rango second best at bucking, but he was his No. 1 favorite.
Career
Rango bucked on the elite
Built Ford Tough Series
The Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) was the elite series tour name of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) competitions from 2003 to 2017.
The BFTS kicked off its tour on November 16, 2002 with the Mohegan Sun Invitational in Uncasville, Connecticut ...
(BFTS) tour of the PBR. Rango spent the years from 2011 to 2014 mainly on the BFTS tour.
2011 season
Rango bucked at his first BFTS event in
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He bucked off a total of 10 riders that year. Some notable outs were bucking off Wagner Luciano in 1.30 seconds with a 46-point bull score at a PBR Touring Pro Division (TPD) event in
Asheville, North Carolina. Another was bucking off Rubens Barbosa in 5.11 seconds at the BFTS event in
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. The city's population was 169,176 at the 2020 census. It is the principal city of the Springfield metropolitan area, which had an estima ...
, for a 45-point bull score. Another was bucking off Valdiron de Olivieira in 4.11 seconds at the BFTS event in
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte ( ) is the List of municipalities in North Carolina, most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located in the Piedmont (United States), Piedmont region, it is the county seat of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Meckl ...
, for a 46-point bull score.
2012 season
In 2012, Rango bucked on the BFTS 21 times, and was only ridden 3 times. Austin Meier rode him for 91 points at the Iron Cowboy III in
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, located in Tarrant County. It forms part of the Mid-Cities region of the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metropolitan statistical area, and is a principal city of the metropolis and region. ...
. Rango for his part was scored 44.50 points in this out.
"He was sure something special", Meier recalled. "(I am) honored to be one of the few guys that rode him. He was a bull rider's kind of rank bull (with) no tricks – just honest, smart and rank. When you rode him you smiled and when you got slammed by him you tipped your hat to him because he just flat bucked you off by being rank, not by cheating you or using dirty moves. I loved getting on him and watching him too".
Rango was also ridden by Matt Bohon for 86.25 points at the BFTS event in
Kansas City, Missouri, while being given a 42.75-point bull score. He qualified for the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals in
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vega ...
, and was ridden there by Emilio Resende for 87 points while being given a bull score of 43 points.
2013 season
In 2013, Rango bucked 36 times. Only two riders made qualified rides on him this season.
João Ricardo Vieira
João Ricardo Vieira (born July 28, 1984, in Itatinga, São Paulo, Brazil), is a Brazilian professional rodeo cowboy who specializes in bull riding. Since 2013, he has been a top contestant on the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) circuit, qualif ...
rode him for 91.75 points at the 15/15 Bucking Battle in
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County, Michigan, Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the List of municipalities in Mi ...
, and Rango had a bull score of 45.25. Brant Atwood rode Rango for 90.75 points at the PBR World Finals, and Rango's bull score was 45.25.
2014 season
In 2014, Rango was successfully ridden six times. He was first ridden by PBR world champion
J.B. Mauney
James Burton "J.B." Mauney (; born January 9, 1987) is an American professional rodeo cowboy who specializes in bull riding. The bulk of his career came from riding in the Professional Bull Riders (PBR), winning the world championship for said ...
at the BFTS event in
Duluth, Georgia
Duluth is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States. Located north of Interstate 85, it is approximately northeast of Atlanta.
As of the 2020 census, Duluth had a population of 31,873, and the United States Census Bureau estimated the po ...
, for 91 points, while Rango was given a 45-point bull score. He was then ridden by Marco Eguchi at the 15/15 Bucking Battle in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for 90.75 points while being given a bull score of 44.75. Rango was successfully ridden by Marcho Eguchi again, this time at the BFTS event in
Albuquerque, New Mexico, for 92.75 points and was given a bull score of 45.75. He was then ridden by PBR world champion Silvano Alves at the 15/15 Bucking Battle in
Fresno, California
Fresno () is a major city in the San Joaquin Valley of California, United States. It is the county seat of Fresno County and the largest city in the greater Central Valley region. It covers about and had a population of 542,107 in 2020, maki ...
, for 89.50 points while receiving a bull score of 43.75. Rango was next ridden by PBR world champion
Guilherme Marchi
Guilherme Marchi (pronounced Gih-lare-mee Mar-chee) (born July 22, 1982) is a Brazilian former professional rodeo cowboy who specialized in bull riding, and competed in the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) circuit. He was the 2008 PBR World Champi ...
at the BFTS Last Cowboy Standing event in
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vega ...
. This resulted in the same 89.50 rider score and 43.75 bull score. He was then ridden again by PBR world champion Silvano Alves at the BFTS event in
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the seat of Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the most populous city in the state, 21st most-populous city in the U.S., and t ...
, for 92.25 points while receiving a bull score of 45.25. "He is a good bull to draw", Alves said. "I rode him one time before break (15/15 Bucking Battle in Fresno, California, for 89.5 points), and he was good. I got a good score and a good ride today". Alves’ successful ride on Rango in Nashville would turn out to be the bull's final career out.
Additional career information
Rango consistently went on tour with
Bushwacker
Bushwhacking was a form of guerrilla warfare common during the American Revolutionary War, War of 1812, American Civil War and other conflicts in which there were large areas of contested land and few governmental resources to control these tra ...
and Asteroid; he might have won the PBR World Champion Bull title otherwise. He still was always considered a top 5 or top 10 bucking bull.
Rango was scored a high bull score of 47 points in the PBR three times. First, in 2012 at the Touring Pro Division event in
Asheville, North Carolina, against Skeeter Kingsolver, bucking him off in 6.30 seconds. Second, in 2013 at the BFTS Last Cowboy Standing in Las Vegas against
L. J. Jenkins, bucking him off in 2.06 seconds. Lastly, in 2014 came Austin Meier, being bucked off in 3.59 seconds at the Touring Pro Division event in
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Fayetteville () is a city in and the county seat of Cumberland County, North Carolina, Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States. It is best known as the home of Fort Bragg, a major U.S. Army installation northwest of the city.
Fayettev ...
.
PBR Livestock Director
Cody Lambert
Cody Lambert (born December 2, 1961) in Artesia, New Mexico is an American former professional rodeo cowboy. He specialized in saddle bronc riding and bull riding. He was also a co-founder and vice president of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR ...
said Rango bucked off some of the most tenacious BFTS bull riders. "There is not one guy in his career that rode him that wasn't a contender for a world championship, except for the day he bucked against Matt Bohon in
Kansas City
The Kansas City metropolitan area is a bi-state metropolitan area anchored by Kansas City, Missouri. Its 14 counties straddle the border between the U.S. states of Missouri (9 counties) and Kansas (5 counties). With and a population of more ...
". Lambert added. "In his career, that was his only off day and (Bohon) was still 86.25 points".
''The Longest Ride''
The
film adaptation of
Nicholas Sparks
Nicholas Charles Sparks (born December 31, 1965) is an American novelist, screenwriter, and philanthropist. He has published twenty-three novels and two non-fiction books, some of which have been ''New York Times'' bestsellers, with over 115 m ...
'
best-selling novel of the same name premiered in theaters on April 10, 2015. The film is a story about a fictitious superstar PBR bull rider, and featured Rango as its star bull. The bull even had a film cast credit.
Rango serves as a nemesis to protagonist Luke Collins, played by
Scott Eastwood
Scott Eastwood (born Scott Clinton Reeves; March 21, 1986) is an American actor. His notable films are '' Flags of Our Fathers'' (2006), '' Gran Torino'' (2008), '' Invictus'' (2009), '' The Forger'' (2012), '' Trouble with the Curve'' (2012), ' ...
. Real-life PBR contestants rode the bulls, including Rango, as stunt-doubles.
Jeff Robinson was beginning to see more fame for his bull after he starred in the film.
Reece Arnold, who worked for Robinson, hauled Rango to
Jacksonville, North Carolina
Jacksonville is a city in Onslow County, North Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 72,723, which makes Jacksonville the 14th-largest city in North Carolina. Jacksonville is the county seat and most populous commu ...
, and
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem is a city and the county seat of Forsyth County, North Carolina, United States. In the 2020 census, the population was 249,545, making it the second-largest municipality in the Piedmont Triad region, the 5th most populous city in ...
, for two weeks of filming in the mid-summer of 2014. It turned out that Rango liked the spotlight. During filming, he became a star. He even received praise from the producer Marty Bowen, the director
George Tillman Jr.
George Tillman Jr. (born January 26, 1969) is an American filmmaker.
Tillman is most notable for directing the films ''Soul Food'' (1997) and ''Men of Honor'' (2000). He is also the producer of '' Soul Food: The Series'' on television and the ...
, and the rest of the movie cast and employees. Per Arnold, Rango was meant for the big screen. "Rango stood out down there more than any of the other bulls because it was almost like he knew when the cameras was rolling". Arnold said. "He knew when they needed him to trot around the arena and turn around and look at the camera".
Death and legacy
On September 14, 2014, Rango died in the morning.
He had been admitted to the hospital for intestinal issues, then experienced heart troubles, which were life ending.
Cody Lambert contacted Jeff Robinson the next day after Rango's death; Robinson had scores of contacts regarding Rango. Everyone had high regard for the bull.
Robinson was still grieving the next day after Rango died. The face of his operation, yes, but also an authentic member of his family was gone. There was no bull waiting in the morning for him. Rango was a playful bull. He loved to dig holes. He would move secretly from his pen by lifting the gate handle with his horns. He loved taunting the other bulls, especially I'm A Gangster Too. When Robinson prepared to bury his faithful friend, another tear came down. His 5-year-old son came up to console him. “He came up to me and rubbed my back and said, ‘Daddy, it is time for you to be a big boy now. Rango has gone to heaven.” They buried Rango on their
Mars Hill, North Carolina
Mars Hill is a town in Madison County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,869 at the 2010 U.S. Census, and was estimated at 2,032 in 2018 by the U.S. Census. It is the home of Mars Hill University, the name of which was inspired b ...
, property.
Marco Eguchi had two 90 points rides on Rango, out of three outs. Both 90-point rides were in 2014. He called Rango the best bull on the BFTS. "Not only for me, but for all lovers of PBR, this week (we) lost a star of the arena", he said. "We talk about best rank bulls in the world – he was certainly one of them. I was very sad about the news and have good memories when watching my rides on him. My condolences to Jeff Robinson and fans".
"Great bull", PBR world champion
J.B. Mauney
James Burton "J.B." Mauney (; born January 9, 1987) is an American professional rodeo cowboy who specializes in bull riding. The bulk of his career came from riding in the Professional Bull Riders (PBR), winning the world championship for said ...
said, "was always one you wanted to have in the short round; bulls like Rango don't come around often". 2004 PBR World Champion
Mike Lee
Michael Shumway Lee (born June 4, 1971) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the senior United States senator from Utah, a seat he has held since 2011. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Lee began his career as a clerk for the U ...
echoed Mauney's sentiments, calling Rango one of the best bulls in the PBR at one time. "He was big, strong, got a lot of air", Lee said. "He would kick high and he was really showy and fun to watch. Rango himself enjoyed his job. He rolled up into the alley and his eyes were wide checking everything out". "The time I got him he leaned on the chute gate and it was like he was watching the gateman out of the corner of his. He really liked his job and he was ready to start. He was one of a kind. You don't come across them kind of bulls very often".
PBR Chairman and CEO, Jim Haworth, said the bull was one of their best performers, who will be greatly missed. Rango was a favorite among the bull riders, who were glad to face him due to great potential for a qualified ride to earn them a winning score. The PBR conducted a special tribute to Rango during its 2014 Built Ford Tough World Finals at the
Thomas & Mack Center
The Thomas & Mack Center is a multi-purpose arena located on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in Paradise, Nevada. It is home of the UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team of the Mountain West Conference.
History
The facility wa ...
in
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vega ...
in October 2014.
The bull's popularity was testified by popular culture, including a posable "Rango" bull figure.
Career Summary
Rango had an average bull score of 44.73. He bucked in 66 events. His buckoff percentage was 84%. His average rider score was 90.06. He had 68 outs, mostly on the BFTS. His average buckoff time was 3.69 seconds. He had 36 scores that were 45 points or more. He qualified for the Built Ford Tough World Finals three times.
References
External links
*
Professional Rodeo Cowboys AssociationProfessional Bull RidersVideos:
Remembering Rango: 2007-2014 (PBR)TOP BULL: Lightmaker's Rango 47 points (PBR)MONSTER RIDE: J.B. Mauney 91.75 points on Rango (PBR)The Longest Ride , "Rango" Clip [HD] , 20th Century FOXRango: Thanks for the Ride (PBR)L.J. Jenkins is launched by Lightmaker's Rango (PBR)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rango (bull)
2007 animal births
2014 animal deaths
Bucking bulls
Individual bulls in sport
Individual animals in the United States
Bulls