I am not a rodeo guy. Every once in a rare while I might watch a snippet of a bull riding competition. Yes, it is dangerous you might say but watch this documentary about Ricky Ringer and you will most likely conclude bull riding is VERY DANGEROUS!
Ricky Ringer is a professional bull rider and has been so since he was 15 years old. At 40 he is finally determined to go for one more season. Is it passion or some addiction that propels his devotion and love of the sport? He has always been suffering from a never-ending string of injuries including a smashed face requiring 7 plates to repair, cracked ribs, 5 hand surgeries, punctured esophagus and 5 broken jaws.
What keeps him at it? It is the adrenalin rush of the 8 second (if you can last that long) ride on 2,000 pounds of a bucking animal. Ringer admits you have to be half crazy to be in the sport and see the incredible slow-motion shots and you can see just how vicious kicking hoofs and horns can be. Perhaps Ringer has the right attitude when he says he does not like the time to think when he rides preferring reaction to thinking.
You will hear from his mother, wife, friends, rodeo operators and clowns as they piece what makes Ringer tick. His mother and wife have concluded only a life-threatening injury will prevent Ringer from riding the bulls. Are they right?
Ringer has never won a championship although his winning belt buckles attest to his many victories. God help a rider that falls off a bull and his equipment keeps him attached to the bull! And you thought the clowns by the riders are entertainment? They are lifesavers facing enormous risk.
I am still no fan of bull riding but am a fan of this documentary that shows the extreme danger of bull riding and what fuels Ringer’s passion or perhaps addiction. And guess what Ricky Junior like his dad has left home at 15 and is riding bulls.
The film opens on digital platforms on April 8th and was directed and produced by Tony Rammos. The music by David Merulla captures the spirit of the documentary.
You can catch the trailer here https://vimeo.com/188775918
RKS Film Rating 86/100.
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 