MBR provides world-class opportunity for next generation of bull riders
See more from the stars of the Mini Bull Riders in the eight-part series The Short Go, available exclusively on RidePass.
By Darci Miller
PUEBLO, Colo. – When 5-year-old Bentley told his dad, five-time PBR World Finals qualifier Gage Gay, that he wanted to ride bulls, Gay was less than enthusiastic about the idea.
“Pick up a golf club or a baseball bat, please,” Gay recalled of his reaction with a laugh.
But bull riding is in Bentley’s blood, and Gay couldn’t deny his son of a passion he himself knows so well.
So, at the 2018 PBR World Finals, Bentley had his first out on a bull at the Mini Bull Riders World Finals with his dad holding onto him the whole time.
The Gays were back this past November, and while Bentley’s bull was the same, his out was entirely different.
“Last year we held him on the whole time, and he was crying and scared,” Gage said. “And this year, he got in there and told me he didn’t want me to hold him, and the only part he didn’t like was that he didn’t get to fall off and hit the ground. The bullfighter grabbed him.”
Bentley admits that he does sometimes still get scared.
“A little bit,” he said. “I’ve just got to tough it out.”
Spoken like a true cowboy.
A partner of the PBR since 2012, the MBR riders and events have become an attraction unto themselves, drawing hordes of fans to watch the best up-and-coming bull riders under the age of 15.
The Mini Bull Riders are the focus of the new eight-part series The Short Go, which can be seen exclusively on RidePass.
Many of the MBR riders have names that are easily recognizable by PBR fans, having followed their fathers into bull riding. In addition to Bentley Gay, Noah Lee, son of 2004 World Champion Mike Lee, has turned heads in the junior division, and John Crimber, son of 10-time PBR World Finals qualifier Paulo Crimber, won the senior division.
“When I was 5 or 6 I got on my first actual bull, and then I started getting on calves and stuff,” John said. “It was like a surprise deal from my dad. It was for PBR Brazil, and I got on a little calf at a ranch. It was fun.
“He almost had a heart attack,” John said, gesturing toward his dad, “but it was fun.”
“And I still do,” Paulo said, chuckling.
Like Gay, Crimber initially had reservations about letting his son follow in his own dangerous footsteps.
“At first I really never wanted to let him ride because of the danger of it,” Crimber said. “I didn’t want him to go through what I did. But deep inside, I was really kind of proud for him to do it.”
It didn’t take long for his hesitations to disappear.
“I didn’t want to force him to do it,” Crimber said. “If he wanted to do it, I’m going to support him. Whatever he was going to decide to do, I was going to support him, but seeing him doing what he’s doing today, and how good he is and how talented he is, I’m very proud of him. I’m proud to have him as my son, and to be able to help him to do what I did.”
John says his dad’s advice has been invaluable, and that his dad was his inspiration to start riding bulls.
“I watched him ride a few times, so I kind of wanted to follow in his footsteps,” John said. “I’ve rode (in the MBR) since a long time ago. It’s pretty cool.”
Bentley Gay also said he wants to be like his dad when he grows up, but he had an additional motivation when he began riding bulls.
“Helping my family not be scared,” Bentley said.
Gay is thrilled with his son’s World Championship dreams, but even more so that his son looks up to him.
“It means the world,” he said. “Just knowing that I’m his role model and he wants to be like me, it’s awesome.
“He’s good at about everything he does. Whatever he tries to do, he’s good at, so if he puts his mind to it, he can do it.”
While Bentley may want to be like him, Gay recognizes that the MBR gives his son a better opportunity than he had as a kid.
“When I was younger, I was getting on overgrown calves, roping steers,” Gay said. “It’s just awesome for these kids to be able to get on these mini bulls. They actually buck, too. And it gets them ready for real-life bull riding, because getting on steers and calves, that just don’t cut it anymore. You’ve got to have something under you to learn how to do it.”
Crimber – who says he’s never been more nervous or excited than he gets when he watches John ride – appreciates that the MBR and the PBR have stepped in to get the next generation of bull riders ready for that next level.
“It’s amazing. MBR came out, and it’s just something so special,” Crimber said. “It’s hard to describe how special it is, because I didn’t have that chance when I was growing up. He’s able to ride the mini bulls and kind of have the experience of PBR just stepping them up and getting them into it. Just to be able to kind of have the feeling as a professional, be on RidePass and do all that kind of stuff, that’s something that’s going to make them kids a lot better when they come to a professional age.
“It’s just something unbelievable. It couldn’t get any better.”
