It was a “firewalker” who received the highest honors at the Dusty Gliko Bull Riding Challenge 2021 in the stands of the Montana ExpoPark on Saturday, but it was a brave young man who proved that “all things are possible with God”.
Stetson “Firewalker” Lawrence of Williston, North Dakota, was the only cowboy to ride two bulls for the eight seconds required, scoring a total of 170.5 points to win the tournament.
Columbia Falls native Matt Tripplett finished second with 89 points, although he was knocked off during the championship round.
Andrew Alvidrez and Jake Davis finished third with 87½ points each, while DJ Parker from Vernal, Utah finished fifth.
In a hand-to-cop sport – where that 2,000-pound pot roast with a sour attitude at best usually wins – two stories stand out.
Lawrence, 32, who is 5 feet 10 inches, the Toledos tips to 155 pounds and is “eligible” on top of that, is quick to remind people that bull riding is not for everyone.
“It sounds easy, but it’s a lot harder than it looks,” said Lawrence. “Shoot, I can’t be happier than winning this so close at home.
“I’m just happy to be driving again. I had a shoulder injury before the world finals and had an operation last December. This week is my first weekend and it is really something special to win.”
Injuries are a huge part of bull riding and are not very welcome. In fact, it is nothing new that drivers get killed in the arena.
And Lawrence knows this firsthand: “I saw some of my friends die in the arena and my buddy took a shot today and was out there … it’s a matter of life or death out there.”
Alvidrez, 24, is also surviving an injury he sustained last October that kicked him out of the world finals.
He broke his C7 vertebra when he was dropped by a cop in Tulsa. A broken neck.
This happened in October. On March 20th he was back in the arena.
“I firmly believe that it is a gift God gave me – a desire to chase after it,” said Alvidrez, a native of Seminole, Texas. “There is no psychological point in getting on a bull’s back, but if your heart calls for something, you will chase it.
“That’s what I believe … God is using this platform for me to spread his word and purpose.”
That Alvidrez is still on the sunny side of the grass is a miracle in itself. But Alvidrez is a bull rider, and anyone over two years old knows that it takes someone special to become a bull rider. That reporter would only have called for the wheelchair.
“Most people would, but … when I broke my neck – and I hope that reaches someone – as soon as I got in the car, I opened my Bible and the first thing she said was : ‘Be still and know that I am God,’ “said Alvidrez, quoting Psalm 46:10. “And that was enough for me, and I think this is my homage to my faith.”
Lee Vernoy covers sports and more for the Tribune. Email him at [email protected] or [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @GFTrib_LVernoy.
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