ProRodeo Sports News - November 17, 1999

PRORODEOSPORTS NEWS r 29

rBy STAF Bullfighter to come around the mountain his ITth trip this year. Morurca CRnnurH F WRITER Fred Nyulassy photo

"I've just been walking through the hills and getting legged up for it and keeping my mind in focusr" he said. Forzani said his plans once he gets in the ring are simple. "Take it all," he said. "I just want to go out there and have some fun. A lot ofthe guys that made it are good friends of mine so it's fun to compete against people who don't hold grudges." The bright

But Smets will not be Brittan's only competition. Among the other finalists are: l99B world champion lerry Norton who makes this vear's iut at No. 6, two-time world c"hampion Mike Matt who comes in at No. 4 and No. 3-ranked and 1990 world champi- on Greg Rumohr. Though Wrangler Bullfight Tour competition began in 1980, the Wrangler Finals kicked off a year later. This year the \AIBF celebrates its ITth year. Competition runs Dec. 6-9 fol- lowing National Finals Rodeo perfor- mances each night. There will be more than $108,000 up for grabs in Las Vegas with less than $4,000 separating No. I-ranked Brittan and No.-6 ranked Norton. \4TBF TOURSTANDINGS (uNoFFrcrAL) l. Lance Brittan, lVindsor, Colo., $22,1.34 . 2. Rob Smets, Shamrock, Texas, $20,4t7 J Rumohr Rio Vista, ) . 4. Mike Matt, Billings, Mont., $I9,619 _ 5, Doug Forzani, Watsonville, Calif., $I8,785 ,_9.Jgr"y Norton, Mitchell, S.D., $18,734 $ I ) 737 WRANGLER BULLFIGHT BARRELMEN: Leon Coffee and Jim Bob Feller

A t 33 years old. Doug Forzani A i,:;1ln:f:[f;sq're in todal"s A self-proclaimed hermit, Forzani lives in the mountains of Carmel Valley, Calif., with his horse and two hound dogs, away from such modern amenities as electriciry. But in December Forzani will come down from those hills to compete at his first Wrangler Bullfight Tour Finals in the fast-paced and electrically- charged ciry ofLas Vegas. . Though he has come close many times since joining the Association'in 1988, Forzani said 1999 was rhe turn- ing point thanks to big wins and good health. "I've been knockin' on that back door," he said. "I figured it was time to kick it in. I' m so seasoned in the g"te it was kind of expected I guess.', To help him reach the top, the sea- soned veteran took home nearly $3,000 from Lake Charles, La.; Lufkin, Ga., and Salinas, Calif.; and more -than $2,000 from Montgomery, Ala.; Santa Fe, N.M. and Billings, Mont. "I' m excited," he said. ,,It just has- n't really hit me I guess. Until I walk up on the stage and get my jacket that's when I'll know I reallv made it." In the meanrime Forzani'is getting ready.

Doug Forzani tangles wjth an agile, mean beast during the Salinas Rodeo. Forzani turned in a stellar campaign-and qualified for his first Wrangler Bullfight Finals this yeai.

lights ofVegas will have extra

appeal this year, but not enough to lure Forzani out of the hills permanendy. "About five days into thar and I want to go home," he said. Leading the race this year is Lance Brittan ofWindsor, Colo. At 6-foot and 180 pounds, Brittan has managed to become one of the best in his sport. He joined the PRCA in 1996 and-bv 1998 he had qualified for his first

Wrangler Bullfight Tour Finals. Aside from Forzani, who enters the \4lBF ranked fifth, Brittan holds the 1di111t1ee over five-time Wrangler Bullfight Tour World Champion Rob Smets. Smets,40, has qualified for more Wrangler Bullfight Tour champi- gnships than any other professional bullfighter. Missing jusr two qualifica- tions (1992 andl997),Smeti bagged

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