What are they doing out there?

Maybe this ain't your first rodeo or even your first Los Fresnos Rodeo, and while you are familiar with the sport, what's different about the bull riding here? What in the world are the bullfighters, the guys assigned to protect the bullriders, doing out there? What's this about a "protection match"?As you know, rodeo is a competition that started when one cowboy said to another, "I can rope (or I can ride) better than you!" Once that was said, the competition was on to determine who was the best. Soon, some adventurous type determined that he would ride a bull! Probably no sooner than he dismounted or was thrown and scrambled to safety, someone else said that they could do it better.

Eventually, all of these contests were put together in the format we know today as "rodeo", and before long Professional Rodeo emerged, which is what is occurring in Los Fresnos as you read this. You are seeing the best cowboys competing on the best stock to show you "who's best".

It was only natural, then, that the bullfighters, many of whom are cowboys, would think they were better at protecting riders than the next guy. But if you're not being timed, and you aren't going to get bucked off, how can you tell who's doing a better job?

Enter TwoBulls mastermind Jim D. McLain, Jr. and Allen S Nelson, Jr., two professional bullfighters who have not only worked the Los Fresnos Rodeo for years but also professional rodeos and bull riding events all across the United States. Using years of experience and knowledge of bulls, bull riding, and bullfighting, they devised a system whereby the basics and fundamentals of the sport could be quantified in a format that would allow the bullfighter's performances to be displayed in order of superiority. Or, as Jim would say, "We developed a judging system!"

Two, or more, judges score the bullfighters as teams to determine who did their jobs the best. At the level of competition, you are seeing at Los Fresnos, it isn't that one team did a good job and the other team did a bad job. The bullfighters competing in Los Fresnos are experienced professionals at the top of their game, so, to determine who is doing the best job really does require a judging system to separate not just good from great, but great from greater, and greater from awesome!

Your job, as a fan, is to pick a team and help them win! You see, built into the system are bonus points for thrilling the crowd! As close as the scoring has always been at the Los Fresnos Rodeo, those points are enough to determine the winner. So, when you see your bullfighters do something that makes your heart throb or brings you to the edge of your seat, make some noise! You may just help determine the winner of the go-round and the overall competition!

SCORING
The teams each compete on an equal number of bulls. They will be given a cumulative score on each section of bulls. The scoring is different than other rodeo events in that Protection is not scored on a 1-100 scale for each bull. Instead, each technical maneuver that the bullfighters make has a point value. The maximum points that can be earned on a single bull are 18 points per judge. The judging is performed by Professional Bullfighters as they are the only person capable of reading a situation and determining if the bullfight team was at the right place performing the right maneuvers based upon the action taking place.

JUDGING CRITERIA:
TURNING BULLS BACK DISMOUNT POSITIONING
HOOKING PREVENTION
HANG-UPS
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY
AGGRESSIVENESS SHOWMANSHIP

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Team Coors Banquet

Knox Dunn, known as "Mr. Smooth," was born in Montgomery, Alabama, and raised in Slaughter, Louisiana. With over a decade of experience, Knox is celebrated for his seamless maneuvers and exceptional expertise in both protection and freestyle bullfighting. In 2021, he won his first major title winning both the Ultimate Bullfighters World Finals and World Championship. That same year, he earned selections for the Southeastern Circuit Finals and Pendleton Whisky Velocity Finals, solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the sport.

Hailing from Litte Rock and Jasper, this Arkansas native continues pushing boundaries and garnering respect in the profession of protection bullfighting Discovered at 17, Krepps was signed to a professional team, and within weeks, he found himself in the arena competing at the highest levels of American Freestyle Bullfighting in Las Vegas. IN 2019, a near-fatal injury threatened his career, but Krepps returned four months later to secure another world title, exemplifying his resilience.

Now 26, he works from coast to coast, safeguarding riders for the Professional Cowboy Association (PRCA).

Achievements:
Featured in Arkansas Money & Politics: 2024 Future Icon
2024 PRCA Top 5 Bullfighter of the year nominee

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Team Michelob Ultra

Colt Carlisle, a 25-year-old bullfighter, has spent the last decade mastering the art of bullfighting. Originally from San Saba, Texas, and now based in Tolar, Texas. His career highlights include winning the Waller County Fair Bullfight Championship, Denton TX Bullfights, & claiming the title of Freestyle Champion in Sikeston, MO to name a few.

As a two-time BFO World Finalist and a 2022 PRCA Permit Challenge Bullfighter, Colt’s passion and skill have earned him recognition at the highest levels of the sport. This marks his third time competing at the Los Fresnos Rodeo, where fans can expect an unforgettable performance.

Achievements:
Waller County Fair Bullfight Championship,
Freestyle Champion in Sikeston, MO
Two-time BFO World Finalist
2022 PRCA Permit Challenge Bullfighter

Hailing from Jackson, Wyoming, 24-year-old Seth Wilson is a force to be reckoned with in the bullfighting arena. With an impressive six World Finals appearances under his belt, Wilson continues to dominate the competition. He recently solidified his position as a top contender by capturing the 2024 Mountain States Circuit Finals Bullfighting championship. Prior to this, Wilson showcased his exceptional skills by winning the Burlington Colorado BFO Championship and the Billings Montana AFB Championship

Achievements:
6x bullfighters only world finalists
2024 Mountain States Circuit Fnals bullfighter
Burlington Colorado BFO champion
Billings Montana AFB champion