…I can’t say for certain, but I’m guessing the former in this instance. Bull riding can be called alot of things, but ‘rapture’ probably isn’t on the list.

Professional Bull Rider Renato Nunes won the Pueblo Invitational this past weekend skillfully riding the likes of Funeral Wagon to a score of 87.25 in the third round and later Bucking Machine to a score of 90 in the final. He looked impressive doing so; he even did a back flip to celebrate his eight-second victory over Funeral Wagon. It was impressive.

But after riding Bucking Machine in the final round, Nunes said he wrecked his knee and was unable to celebrate in the fashion PBR fans have come to know. He made $38,000 dollars for his efforts, roughly the amount a veteran Major League Baseball player might make per game. But after watching three consecutive nights of men subjecting themselves to some intense punishment, I couldn’t help but wonder if it’d be worth it, given what riding bulls has to do to a body over time.

Or even the over the short term.

Ty Pozzobon took a wicked blow to his mid-section during the second round of the Invitational. He crawled over the railing and doubled over as a medical crew rushed to him. “I don’t think I can make my next ride tonight,” he told the medical staff as they ushered him past the photo well.

Pozzobon was a scratch for the 15/15 Bucking Battle that night, but he was back at it again Sunday. He no-scored, for the third time that weekend. He made $400 for his efforts, roughly $50 less than I did over those same three days.;

Renato Nunes, above, rides Funeral Wagon during the third round of the 2012 Pueblo Invitational. Ty Pozzobon, below, gets tossed by Mark 10:27 during second round action. (Photos copyright Mike Sweeney/The Pueblo Chieftain)