Vinceramos Buck Off Final a Rousing Successs

[Wellington, FL] Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center (VTRC) located in Loxahatchee, FL, celebrated 30 years at its 25th annual Benefit Auction and Dinner on February 11, 2012 at the International Polo Club in Wellington, FL. VTRC, an organization that witnesses countless miracles on a daily basis and truly lives up to its meaning, “to overcome,” uses this annual benefit as a way to raise money for the organization to continue to help further its riders abilities to accomplish just that.

The reaction for the Buck Off has been nothing but positive, creator of the event, Bobbi Rottman with Equine Solutions expressed. “The Buck Off has really morphed off into its own event,” expressed Ruth Menor, executive director of VTRC. “This whole event has just been a wonderful way to get a younger generation involved with Vinceremos and have a fun time doing it.”

The Buck Off consisted of three preliminary rounds, where teams of four compete to stay on the raging mechanical bull, Old School. Each team paid a $100 fee to participate and had to sign a waiver before attempting the bull.

When it came down to the scoring the judges looked for the style of each individual team member and if they could last the whole 15 seconds on the raging mechanical bull. Each member can score up to 20 points from each of the four judges for an overall score out of 100 points. The total is added after each member has attempted the bull and the grand total determines the winning team for the night.

There were five teams including the 2011 champions, the CWD Saddles team, all competing for the title of the 2012 Buck Off Champions. The teams were the Panda Pals, Team Orian, the Palm Beach Equine Clinic Girls, and the Sophie’s Swingers. Each team fought their hardest against the bull, but only one team would triumph and be named champions. That team was Sophie’s Swingers with a grand total of 355. The team members were Loren Hazard-Daniel, Val Renihan, Katherine Walsh, and Marty Huygens.

“I am super excited,” beamed Katherine Walsh. “We all came here to win and we accomplished our goal.”

The judges had nothing, but praise for the winning team. “They did a wonderful job staying on and had great style,” remarked Frank Madden, one of the five judges. “It’s been a great night and we all had a fun time judging the competition.”

Sophie’s Swingers are ready to defend their title next year. The team is ready to go up against anyone who thinks they can take them down. “Bring it on!” said Walsh. Congratulations to the 2012 Buck Off winners. Who will be the next Buck Off Champions?