Bullfighter "puts mind over matter"

Casey Stuivenga was determined to prove himself when he was dared to ride a bull at the age of 13.

Stuivenga’s buddies gathered around as he rode the bull at least four times his size. Stuivenga walked away unharmed and had newfound love for bull riding.  

Stuivenga tried his hand at bull riding for nine years with no intentions of becoming a bullfighter until he encountered a unique circumstance.

As a young bull rider, Stuivenga entered a bull-riding event hoping to walk away with some extra cash. Before the event began, news spread that one of the bullfighters was jailed. Stuivenga allowed his friend to take his place in the competition while he suited up as a substitute bullfighter.

“Saving cowboys is what I love about it,” Stuivenga said. “My buddy walked away with $2,600 and I walked away with $100. It was funny, but it all worked out for me I guess.”

Stuivenga, 32, has been protecting cowboys for 11 years and plans to continue his work for as long as his health allows.

During an event last year, Stuivenga bruised his spleen and broke several ribs.

“The momentum of those bulls is crazy,” he said. “He barely touched me and I flew 15 feet in the air and landed 20 feet away.”

Stuivenga lives in Kamiah, Idaho, and although he travels to many places, he mostly bullfights in Montana.

As a first generation bullfighter, Stuivenga received two Bullfighter of The Year awards in the Elite Professional Bull Riding circuit and five in the National Rodeo Association circuit.

Brett Bronson, the event coordinator, said he aims to have the best of the best when it comes to bullfighters. “Casey, in my opinion, is one of the best bullfighters in this part of the country,” Bronson said. 

Stuivenga attributes his success as a bullfighter to growing up around the animals. He said he learned how to react around bulls because his family raised and bred cattle.

“[Bulls] are repetitious animals,” he said.  “They do things and see things in repetition. Bull fighting is a lot of reading what’s going on, and you can prevent a lot of things from happening just by paying attention to the animal.”

Despite his passion for bullfighting, Stuivenga understands the potential dangers that lie ahead. He said he cannot dwell on the risk because he does not want it to prevent him from doing what he loves.

“Everything happens so quick you don’t have time to think,” Stuivenga said. “It is all about reaction. Mind over matter is a serious thing in this sport.”