Essicks wins Gold Belt Buckle at AFB

GONZALES — A large and enthusiastic crowd packed the J.B. Wells Park arena on Saturday night May 19 as Shorty Gorham’s American Freestyle Bullfighting Association stampeded into town.

Twenty of the top bullfighters from all over the world competed for a chance at the top prize of $7500 and the Gold Belt Buckle.

When the final horn sounded, it was Myles Essicks who won the gold with a fantastic final round performance. Essicks actually was caught up on the bull, and appeared to ride it for awhile but his moves in proximity to the bulls made him the clear winner.

Essicks was pushed to the limit by cowboys Cade Gibson and Corey Carlisle who finished second and third, respectively.

All was not a loss for young Gibson, however. He performed a spectacular back flip over a bull and won the cash prize for performing the best trick of the night.

“Shorty Gorham knows the best bullfighters in the world,” said Adam Libby, promoter of the event. “Tonight he brought 20 of the best and they really did a great job entertaining the large crowd on here at J.B. Wells park. I was excited to see the enthusiasm, and was happy on the turnout and the fighters’ performances.”

Shorty Gorham echoed Libby’s comments.

“The crowd was really into it tonight,” Gorham said. “Whenever the crowd is that engaged and enthusiastic, it really pumps up the bullfighters and even the bulls.

“There was a lot of energy out there tonight, and it was a fun show to put on.

“Thank you Gonzales!”

Libby also announced the AFB will return to Gonzales in 2019 on May 19, 2019.

It was also announce at the AFB event on Saturday night that Bo Davis will be bringing back the PBR in March of 2019.

For all the AFB and PBR news, stay tuned to your only trusted news source in Gonzales County, the Gonzales Inquirer.