Photos and story by

Juana Martinez

BlueDEF Velocity Tour Finals Professional Rodeo Event in Bakersfield, Ca.

If I could sum up in one word what it is like to be at the Professional Bull Riding BlueDEF Velocity Tour finals, it would be enthralling. It captures your attention every time.  As a photographer, I am privileged to be able to capture, in a sense stop time. I can be able to show and share fans/viewers a glimpse of that death defying seconds-these seconds could be their last. Bull riding is not just a sport, it is a way if life .It is the passion of the soul that moves these professional bull riders to be able to sustain severe injuries, such as broken ribs, punctured lungs just to name a few and recover to what they love. “It is my life, it is what I grew up with. I shall continue until I can’t”, Professional Bull Rider, Ben Jones, 35 yrs. old, Jones, had two puncture lungs in the past and continues to bull ride.