Mississippi Hippy Update by Phil Blythe, National Accounts Manager, Ing. Div.
Mississippi Hippy, the Professional Bull Rider’s bovine giant is officially calling it a career. K-C Bucking Bulls & Blythe Cattle Company announced that they have decided to retire Mississippi Hippy following a hip injury the bull sustained during the Iron Cowboy in Arlington, Texas. Hippy’s veterinarian discovered that the 2300 pound bull sustained a dislocated hip during a ride attempt in the first round action. It was evident something was wrong from the beginning with the largest bull in the PBR. It was deter- mined he had a dislocated hip and dislocated to the extent to where he will never buck again. It was a devastating blow to us after Mississippi Hippy fought his way back to competition in the past three months by overcoming not only a horn infection, but as well as two bouts with cancerous tumors in his eyelids. Mississippi Hippy finishes his professional career with 34 buckoffs in four plus seasons and was only ridden three times. Hippy retires with an average bull score of 43.78 points. He also competed at the last four Built Ford Tough World Finals. We are looking forward to a full recovery for Hippy on the K-C ranch in Mt. Orab, Ohio. Hippy loved his job. He was the PBR’s version of Andre the Giant. Mississippi Hippy is not only 2300 pounds but he stands 6-foot-4 inches to his hump. His massive frame makes it nearly impossible for opposing riders to find any room for their legs inside the bucking chute. “We rarely see a bull that big in bull riding or anywhere, even in the days before the PBR when there used to be a lot of 1,800-2,000 pound bulls” said PBR’s Director of Livestock Cody Lambert. “You rarely see one that’s close to 2400 pounds, I can only think of about three or four in the years I’ve been around bull riding. He’s one of the biggest ones I’ve ever seen in the bucking chutes.” Hippy was marked 45 points or higher nine times in his career but Lambert believes there could have been many more. “He had lots of outs where he didn’t get the score he really deserved because he bucked guys off pretty quick and he is so big and he looks like a gentle giant”, Lambert said. “There were lots of times though early in his career where he was the best bull of the night and he got scored as such.” When we first got Mississippi Hippy, Hippy was a big mean and frightening bull on the ranch, but over time made a transition into a lovable, “big baby”. Mississippi Hippy’s evolution into a loving creature transformed into a massive following on social media. In fact, Mississippi Hippy announced his retirement on his personal Facebook page, where he has over 8,000 followers. His popularity and fame has started to slowly catch up to his massiveness in recent seasons. There has been a huge outpouring of support from other stock contractors and many of the cow- boys on the tour. The people in the PBR and Hippy’s fans have sent emails, texts and phone calls reaching out to see how Hippy is doing and offering best wishes to Hippy and in particular Kenny McElroy and his family who own Hippy and take care off him. I have been lucky to be part owner with Kenny on Mississippi Hippy. Mississippi Hippy’s future is still bright. He may not be able to buck anymore but Hippy will be a big part of the future for K-C Bucking Bulls and hopefully me once he is healthy again. We hope in three or four years down the road we will see a bunch of Hippy’s coming into the sport. I have been proud to be a partner on Mississippi Hippy. He did all we asked of him and became one of the best bulls in the PBR Tour. It has been an honor and a lot of fun to be a part of Hippy and the ride he has taken us on. We now hope to have Mississippi Hippy live a long and healthy life on the ranch and produce some young Hippy’s in the future. It will be hard to ever match the pride and excitement that Mississippi Hippy has brought to our fam- ily but hopefully, the future will be full of more Hippy’s.
24 Crest Ink April, May & June 2016
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker