July 3, 2001:

I just got back from Sydney, Australia. I went down there for one of Troy Dunn’s PBR events. I only got on one bull and bucked off of him, so there’s not much news there. But it was a fun trip anyway. Short, but fun.

I was only there three days, and there’s a 16-hour time difference. That’s a tricky, tough deal. It’d be like getting up at 4 a.m. here and going and getting on a bull. It made me respect guys like Troy Dunn, who come over here for one event all the time, even more than I already did.

Troy’s got the ball rolling over there, and that was great to see. He started Championship Bull Riders, which is basically the Australian version of the PBR, and it reminds me of the PBR five years ago. They have good bulls and good events there, and the way the people love it there’s a ton of potential for growth. They’re on their way, and they will get there.

I really liked the Australian people. They all seemed really nice and laid back. When you get in a crowd of people here, there’s always someone pushing on you or cutting in front of you. The people there didn’t seem that way at all. They were all really friendly.

It’s sure pretty there, with all the big trees and water. We went to the zoo one day, and saw everything from Tazmanian devils to koala bears and kangaroos. I wanted to get a picture with a kangaroo, so I jumped the wall and got right in there with them. The TV crew that was with us didn’t quite know what to think of that, but they took it pretty good.

We had the last PBR Bud Light Cup event before the summer break in Houston the other day, and I ended up second in the average there. Justin McBride won it. Adriano Moraes is in the lead with 8,388.5 points, I’m second with 8,168.5, and Justin’s third with 7,877. That’s bull riding competition at its highest form. We’re just battling it out, week in and week out. It’s so much fun to be a part of such a close race.

I’m going to a PBR event in Salinas, California on July 18th. They have a match between Adriano and I scheduled, so that ought to be fun.

We’re building fence at the ranch, and getting my parents settled in. It’s great to have them here.

My book is done, and should be available in the next week or so. I’ll keep you posted as soon as I get more information on that.

In the meantime, have a Happy Fourth of July with your family and friends.

— Ty