Interview with Bullfighter Sam Childress
On November 5, 2022, Diamond Productions held the 28th Annual NBC Finals Bulls, Broncs, and Bullfights in Chico CA. There, bullfighter Sam Childress took home first place in the freestyle bullfighting competition. The Laramie, Wyoming native started his love for the fight 6 years ago at the age of 18.
Childress rode bulls throughout junior high, high school, and a short period of time after graduating. Though not for a lack of trying, Sam quickly realized the difficulties of being a bull rider and decided to take a year off in an effort to reassess his priorities. After some much-needed time off, an opportunity presented itself to learn how to fight bulls. Without hesitation, Sam jumped at the opportunity and had what he describes to be “the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.” At this moment, he knew that fighting bulls is what he was meant to do.
“Bullfighting isn't something that comes easy. It takes dedication and grit.” Childress stated that the preparation for the fight doesn't start right before an event. It is a commitment both inside, and outside of the arena. Sam watches film every day and does CrossFit 4-6 times per week in an effort to stay in shape mentally and physically. When watching the film, he theoretically puts himself in those cleats and in that specific fight. “It's not just watching a screen, I put myself in a mental state of which I am in the arena, fighting the bull. While watching the film, I find myself stutter-stepping as if I'm trying to get around a bull.” Sam continued to elaborate,
“The film helps the mind while exercising regularly helps the body”. When you take a hit in the arena you can't lay there and cry, you have a job to finish. It is hours of preparation, hard work, and dedication for a freestyle bullfight that lasts 60 seconds, or maybe 30 minutes when I'm fighting a bull riding event. Bullfighting is about action and reaction. There's no time for thinking. If you're thinking, you're late; if you're late, you get hit. Sam states that bullfighting is like an unchoreographed dance. You don't know what your partner (the bull) is going to do until the bull is already in motion. That being said, it is of the utmost importance to be the leader of the dance. Make the bull go where you want it to go. You have one second to read the bull and less than one second to react. If you come into the fight with a game plan from start to finish, you've already lost.
Sam Childress says that bullfighting has taught him many lessons. The biggest takeaway is that you cannot quit when situations, not only in the arena but life in general become challenging. When a bull gets you down you have to push through and finish your fight. This can be applied to anything in life. You can’t quit workouts, you can't quit the hustle. It takes a lot of grit and determination. One of the most influential people in the sport to Sam is his friend Cade Burns. Sam’s first year fighting bulls was under the instruction of Burns. “Cade is always willing to help and what I admire most about him is that he wants to teach the new generation of bullfighters how to perform such an intense sport the correct way to ensure longevity and success in their career.” The rodeo community is full of kind-hearted people which come from all different walks of life, yet all share the same dream as cowboys and cowgirls.
“There's a huge difference between guys that say they’re bullfighters and guys that fight bulls. Some fight for the prestigious title next to their name, but the best fight because it's what they live for.” Childress is a big believer in working towards goals. His biggest 2022 goal was to meet the requirements and pass the evaluation process with the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association). It's safe to say that the hard work and dedication to the sport and the lifestyle that it brings have paid off for Sam. Not only did he achieve his goal pertaining to the PRCA, he has also been approved by the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) to protect the bull riders at PBR events. Congratulations Sam! One goal off the list but many more to strive for.
Follow along with Sam's Bullfighting journey and career!
By Jacqueline