At the ABA Board meeting, with all board members present, we took into consideration everything that was brought to a Board member’s or the ABA office’s attention. We know what the by-laws of the ABA have been since the ABA was formed four years ago. We know that there have been proposals to have 30 to 50 bull ridings in certain states. The original goal for the ABA was to allow no more than 15 events in each state unless the state of TN produced more than 15 events, allowing the other states to match that number. At the 2006 ABA Finals, the ABA Board had a meeting of contestants, contractors and personnel and allowed this rule to open up. Upon completion of the 2007, the ABA Board voted unanimously to revert to our original by-laws. We know, as an association group of cowboys, stock contractors, and personnel, that we would like to have a Finals with a lot more added money for the cowboys and more pay for the personnel and stock contractors. We have had several proposals to be able to bring more added money and pay to the Finals. Each of these proposals have been fair offers; however, they have, at this point, set the stage for an unequal environment for the contestants. Based on that, the ABA will only accept a proposal that stays within our rules and by-laws and keeps our contestants with equal opportunity. We have some of the best up-and-coming bull riders in the industry. We have cowboys riding at all levels, from high school rodeo to professional bull ridings. We have contractors bucking from the start-up of their careers with not-so-good bulls to contractors sending bulls to the PBR Finals. We, as an association, have this in mind: giving contractors, cowboys, and personnel a chance to start their careers or continue the successful careers they already have while being on a level playing field. We have jackets, buckles, and other awards at the Finals for the contestants, contractors, and personnel that are as good as any others in the industry. We have the association set up so that a contractor can produce a bull riding in small town America without going broke. We aim to keep the cowboys riding in the ABA with an equal environment in which they can compete. As a result, the points Champion is a true cowboy and a true champion. Cowboys, contractors, and personnel, this association is about you. As an ABA Board, we will do what is in the best interest of keeping us all on equal ground and strive to grow without sacrificing the principals on which the ABA was founded. If any of you national sponsors see this newsletter and want to be a part of the ABA, we could use your help.
We would like to thank Brandon Gasper, Guy Cox, Craig Jarrell, Craig Whitman, Norman Totten, Charlie McDonald, Mike Owen, Scott Ashley, Michael Roberts, Scott Littrell, Matt Littrell, and Marvin Littrell. These are the contractors and producers that made the ABA possible. They are out of Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. We are in five states and growing. We would also like to thank all of the cowboys and personnel for being a part of the ABA.
As I write this letter, I want everyone to know that I think the ABA Board members are keeping everyone’s best interest at heart. Good luck on the upcoming 2008 season and stay posted to the ABA website, HNH Bull Riding News, and the Mid-South Rodeo Review for upcoming dates and information. We’ll see you down the road.
Scott Littrell