A break from bull riding

FORT WORTH, Texas - Luke Snyder is one of the few riders treating the summer break from the Built Ford Tough Series for what it is - a break from bull riding.

Since the conclusion of the event in Pueblo, Colo., he's been on a safari in Africa, and more recently, he went fishing in Bermuda. He stained the deck at his home in Missouri, and continued planning his November wedding with fiancé Jen Manna.

His entire summer came together because of the success he had in the arena prior to the break.

He's currently ranked 10th in the world standings, and his $100,766.32 also puts him 10th in the qualifier standings. His sights are now set on the World Finals in Las Vegas.

"It's been great to really be able to afford that time off," Snyder said. "(It has) allowed the little minor things I did have… heal up, so I can come back fresh in Tulsa."

While on break from the BFTS, Luke Snyder went on a safari in Africa.

His summer plans haven't come without sacrifice.

This will be the first summer in quite some time he doesn't spend the month of July competing in Australia.

Because of his strong finish last season, he was invited to compete at the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede.

It's the first time in his career he's been invited to do so. For the past six years, Stampede officials have been inviting the top PBR riders from the previous season.

"It's pretty darn cool," said Snyder, who said the Stampede has remained one of the most prestigious events. "Not to mention, it pays $100,000 to win the bull riding."

He added, "I was tickled to death to get that invite."

After seeing elephants and lions up close in the African jungle, and catching 60-pound tuna off the coast of Bermuda, he's already begun to refocus on the task at hand.

"We took it easy and enjoyed the break for exactly what it was."

Although he's not competing, he'll be at the Touring Pro Division event in Springdale, Ark., this weekend, before heading up to Calgary. Once he returns from Canada, he'll ramp up his training routine in anticipation of the Aug. 10-11 event at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla.

He likened the time away to last winter's break during the holiday season.

"We went to Hawaii," he said, "and we took it easy and enjoyed the break for exactly what it was.

"In this sport, we don't get too many breaks. … Personally, if I'm able to enjoy that break, (I'm) going to enjoy it the whole entire length. I don't even think about the bull riding. … About the time we start back up is about the time I get the bug again, and I really get fired up. I love bull riding."

His goal is to finish as high in the BFTS standings as he can. That means, at this point, he needs points instead of money.

"I want to see if I can salvage a world title out of this," Snyder said, "and (I'm) definitely going after it like I want one."

Follow Keith Ryan Cartwright on Twitter @PBR_KRC.