Well, I've been living life out of a suitcase and a gooseneck trailer for the last month. I've been from Texas to Denver and Pueblo, then onto Portland, and now I'm waiting for the Sacramento event to start. I've had a blast on this trip and spent time with some really great people. All of the bulls were kept at Ross Coleman's family ranch in Molalla, Ore., during the Portland event, and the hospitality Ross's parents, Steve and Kathy, showed us was amazing. The bulls had a great place to stay and so did all of us! Miss Kathy fed us, let us stay in their home and they really showed us a good time. We got to help with some ranch work, too, so that is always fun.

Right now, I'm laying over outside of Red Bluff, Calif. I am staying at my great uncle Wilson and Aunt Sherri's house, and my dad and grandpa are here also. It's a house full of Pates. None of us have gotten to hang out together much in a long time, so it's been a really nice family reunion. My uncle Wilson is one of the toughest cowboys I know, and is a legend in this part of the country. He could do everything: ride bulls, broncs, rope, bull dog… you name it!

We stopped here for the Red Bluff Bull and Gelding sale. It's an annual sale that I used to attend with my family a lot. They sell commercial breeding bulls and ranch horses, along with stock dogs. It's a pretty traditional cowboy event and always a lot of fun. My dad is putting on an Effective Stockmanship demonstration, and I'm helping him out. In these demos, my dad explains ways to handle livestock in a low-stress, but effective way. I'm really proud of his work and I really want to carry it over into the bucking bull industry. 

This weekend is the start of the 15/15 Bucking Battle, where they are matching the Top 15 bull riders with the Top 15 bulls. I am really proud that Cody Lambert selected my bull, Cowboy Casanova, to be part of that. A year-and-a-half ago, Cowboy was completely crippled and I didn't know if he would ever buck again. It just goes to show how much heart these animals have. He is matched against Caleb Sanderson this weekend, and whether he bucks off or rides him, it will be good watching!

I hope to see some of you this weekend in Sacramento!