CLN’s Danny O’Donnell filming Ak-Chin Indian Community Council Member, Gabe Lopez at the 6th Annual Masik Tas Bull Bash
In December 2014, the
Cowboy Lifestyle Network (CLN) team attended the extremely exhilarating Masik Tas Bull Bash event. The Executive Producer of the Cowboy Lifestyle Network, Danny O’Donnell, had the opportunity to meet all the bull riding contestants. Mr. O’Donnell was very honored to donate $1,000 of added money to the winner on behalf of CLN.
The Ak-Chin Indian Community Bull Bash garnered entries from the local rodeo communities and beyond. Of the open bull riding contestants’ category, the first place winner, 18-year-old
Brandon McCassie, came from Phoenix, Ariz. and won with a score of 82. Brandon said he has been riding bulls since he was twelve years old but this year was his first year riding at Ak-Chin Indian Community. He thought he barely slid by and almost got dragged off after his knee got caught on a post for a split second. Either way, this victorious cowboy walked with $1600 in winnings and a first place saddle. Second and third place bull riding cowboys, Jose Mora and Joel Gallego, tied with a score of 73 and split the total winnings for second and third combined.
Other bull riders also participated in the novice category, running the gamut of skill levels. With the more experienced cowboys riding the big bulls, the younger guys riding steers, and even younger cowboys (and cowgirls) riding calves and sheep.
In addition, the
Ak-Chin Indian Community Bull Bash event began and ended with a lively wild horse race. In the finale, four wild horses were loaded into the chutes and the remaining teams were handed ropes connecting them to the halter of the wild horses. The mission was to steady the horse long enough for each to be saddled and ridden across the finish line.
All in all, the
Masik Tas Bull Bash event was a huge success! Having over 30 contestants is considered a very successful bull riding event. With so much excitement, it is a definite that the entire CLN team will be there next year to cover the event in its entirety.
Masik Tas Bull Bash Slideshow
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Aaron Kuhl Aaron Kuhl is a passionate advocate for the western lifestyle, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Cowboy Lifestyle Network (CLN). Growing up as an Arizona native, with a mother who worked for Wrangler Western for over 30 years, Aaron was immersed in the cowboy culture from a young age. Aaron and his sister Heather grew up watching rodeos, as their grandfather and uncle were PRCA ProRodeo cardholders. This early exposure has given him a profound understanding and appreciation for the western way of life. Aaron went to Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, AZ, then to the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ, where he received a Bachelor of Science after creating his own major. This unique course of study wove together Business Marketing, Geography, Sociology, Philosophy, and Religion. After graduating from the University of Arizona, Aaron joined CLN in its nascent stages, contributing to its growth and development over the past decade. As COO, Aaron manages operations, using AI to streamline processes and analyze data, ensuring CLN remains a leading voice. With expertise in business development, he innovates and cultivates client relationships, supporting CLN’s exponential growth. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Aaron values his faith, family, and friends, which are the cornerstones of his life. This personal foundation, combined with his professional expertise, makes him a trusted and authoritative voice in the western lifestyle community. Aaron’s commitment to philanthropy is the bedrock of his personal ethos. He actively supports local Arizona organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, Chandler Compadres, Horses Help, Harris Brothers Charity Foundation, and the American Heart Association (among others), reflecting his dedication to giving back and strengthening the community he calls home. Through his work, Aaron aims to preserve and promote the traditions of the west, ensuring that the spirit of the cowboy lives on for future generations.
