A SON'S PASSION BECOMES DAD'S BUSINESS

Two years ago, Richard Couch watched his son face a charging bull the first time.

His son, Richie, a Cape Girardeau teen-ager, had dreams of becoming a professional rodeo bull fighter. Now 19 years old, Richie Couch's dream is coming true ... thanks in large part to his father.

While watching Richie learn the basics of rodeo bull fighting at a school in Oklahoma two years ago, Richard Couch worried.

In fact, he wasn't too sure a rodeo career was a good choice for his son. But Richie was determined. So dad decided to enter the rodeo business, too.

Couch, along with business partner Tim Smith, owns Bull Blow-Out, a company that produces bull riding and bull fighting rodeo events for fairs and other expositions.

"I thought, do I want him out there working the circuit, or can I put a vehicle together for him to get good, proper training," Couch said.

"This has given him an opportunity to train and me a chance to make sure he's OK," Couch said. "When he works our shows, I know the guys will take care of him. Our guys are a team."

The show combines bull riding, voted the most dangerous sporting event in America by sportswriters, and bull fighting for a two-hour show.

Last year, the company produced two shows; this year, six; next year, 12 shows are contracted.

On Aug. 20, Bull Blow-Out will be featured at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia.

On Oct. 15-16, a show is scheduled at the West Kentucky Expo Center in Murray, Ky.

"I've made this into my life," Richie said. "But this is his business. We kind of work it together."

Which means Richie is soon headed for the open circuit to compete against other professional bull fighters.

"Bull fighters are a dime a dozen," Richie said. "I'm not the best bull-fighter not yet."

"This year I'll probably hit this as hard as I've ever hit it. I'm feeling the best I've ever felt about my bull-fighting ability."

Couch agreed that Richie will need to branch out. "I feel fortunate that during these formative years we were able to do this," Couch said. "But this is a business. We need new blood also."

Smith owns SEMO Telephone. "This kind of started as a hobby for me," he said.

"It is a skill, an art, promoting a show like this."

They often coordinate everything from renting the arena to buying advertising.

The show, they say, is designed to be packed with entertainment value.

"My background with the rodeo is as a spectator and working security at the Sikeston Jaycees Rodeo," Couch said. "I watched the crowds and what people enjoyed."

Cowboys ride 40 bulls during each performance. A three-man bull fight competition is part of each show also.

Some top rodeo bull riders competed at a recent Bull Blow-Out event. "We didn't think we would be to that stage yet," Couch said. "We have to sell ourselves to the cowboys and build that kind of quality. But when Irvin Williams, who has been to the national finals, is sitting on one of our bulls, that's pretty exciting."

The business is growing, Couch and Smith said. "It's a big investment," said Smith. A single show costs about $20,000.

"If you build it right to start with you won't have to worry about it crumbling," Smith said.