Dillinger (bull)

Dillinger was a black bull with a white face and underbelly.[1] Although larger than most elite bulls of his era,[2] he was well known for his speed and agility, bucking over 86% of riders in 51 career outs at all levels.[3]

Herrington Cattle Company purchased Dillinger from stock contractor Neal Gay after he was awarded the title of 1999 co-Bull of the Year, along with Cripple Creek's bull, Promise Land.[4] Robbie Herrington was the direct owner of Dillinger throughout his lifetime.[5] Dillinger is still the #1 bull historically according to ProBullStats.[6] However, when Herrington worked out the deal with stock contractor Neal Gay, he believes that "was the most honorable business dealing he ever had with a fellow contractor". Neal priced Dillinger fairly. He allowed Herrington and his son, Chad, to pay half up front. And Neal, which is far from usual in this business, gave them a guarantee: "If they weren't happy with him after three events they could return him and get their money back". "'Of course, we knew the day we bought him that wasn't going to happen," said Herrington.[5]

Dillinger drew Dunn for his first ride. Out of the chute, Dillinger took two long jumps and, according to Herrington, "it looked like he went halfway across the Thomas & Mack Center before he turned back, but it just happened so quick and so strong you're like, I don't know. It was like seeing something you had never seen before. Of course, it proved out over time that it really was something we hadn't seen before."[5]

"He's almost 2,000 pounds (910 kg), but he's just as athletic as the Blueberry Wines and some of the bulls that are about 1,100 pounds (500 kg), but he's also got the power of a Hollywood," Herrington said. "And like any person going about their work, Dillinger knows when it's time to go to work"... Around the ranch in Mont Belvieu, Texas, Herrington said Dillinger is almost like a pet. But when he gets in the chute... "That's the only time you see him get excited," Herrington said. "He gets as pumped up as any athlete. But outside the chute, he's very passive. He's the exception. He's the Tiger Woods of bulls."[2]

His most notable ride came in the 2001 Bud Light Cup Series (BLC) PBR World Finals, when two-time PBR World Champion Chris Shivers rode him for an all-time World Finals record score of 96.5.[7] This score by Chris Shivers is tied for the highest score in the history of the PBR World Finals. This score is also tied for the highest individual score in the PBR.[1] As of 2016, three men hold the record highest score of 96.5 points with 4 rides.[8]

Some of Dillinger's highest recorded scores place him in part of five of the 50 highest scores in the history of the PBR. These rides include the following: At the 2002 Tuff Hedeman Championship Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, two-time PRCA World Champion Jim Sharp rode Dillinger for 95.5 points in the Mossy Oak Shootout and won $85,000 for that ride;[9] 2002 PBR World Champion Ednei Caminhas drew Dillinger four times and successfully rode him all four times, with three scores of 94 or better;[5] 95 points for Ednei Caminhas in 2001 at Columbus, GA; then, 94.5 points for Caminhas at the World Finals in 2000;[1] and last is when Corey Navarre rode him for 94.5 points at the PBR World Finals in 2001.[1] Dillinger was a part of three of the Top 10 scores in PBR World Finals history.[1][10]

In all of Dillinger's rides at all levels, he was only marked under 45 points twice.[5] This is compared to 13 scores in which he was marked at 48 points or higher. Of the 7 qualified scores, 4 of those were round wins. Also, there were 28 events he participated in where he was the high-marked bull of the event. And 6 of those 7 qualified rides were scored in between 93.5 points to 96.5 points by judges. Lastly, his lone low score of 88.5 points was "impressive considering his broke his leg during the out". "That's the one thing, when you look back, that takes the wind out of you," said Herrington, referencing the injury. He added, "It's not always easy."[5]

At the end of his career, Dillinger had a buckoff rate of 85.11 percent in events. Dillinger went out for a total of 47 BFTS rides. Of those 47 rides, 7 were qualified rides and 4 of those rides were event round wins. He finished up his career with an average bull score of 46.83.[1] He is a member of the ProBullStats Hall of Fame, and ranks first with an average mark of 46.888.[11] According to Herrington,"When bull-riding enthusiasts - be it contractors, riders and PBR fans alike - see a bull like Dillinger they appreciate it. People gravitate toward greatness. When you talk about great bulls, from Little Yellow Jacket to Bushwacker, each has his own style."[5]

Dillinger was forced into retirement after "sustaining multiple fractures in his left hock that caused joint dislocation" at the 2002 Jack Daniel's Invitational Bud Light Cup in Louisville, Kentucky, which occurred when his left leg was caught in the chute.[12][4] The injury happened right before Caminhas' fourth career ride on him. He was on track to win his third consecutive World Champion Bull title in 2002 prior to the injury.[12][13] "We say we've never had a back-to-back champion, but that is only in the human category," said PBR Founder and Livestock Director Cody Lambert.

"Dillinger won two years in a row, and he was battling with Little Yellow Jacket, Blueberry Wine, and Mossy Oak Mudslinger when injury took him out of the game. He was a lot bigger than those bulls, weighing about 1,800 pounds in his prime. He had the same tools that they had with lots of speed and agility with power added in. All great athletes come in different sizes and shapes or even different species, but they all have one thing in common and that's competitive desire. Dillinger brought that on every trip."[1]

Dillinger died in 2004.[13] It is claimed that PBR great late bull Mick E. Mouse, who finished his short career undefeated, was his grandson.[13][14]

• 1999 PBR Co-Bull of the Finals w/ Promise Land[15][4]
• 1999 PRCA National Finals Rodeo Bull[16]
• PBR World Champion Bull 2000[17]
• PBR World Champion Bull 2001[17]
• First back-to-back World Champion Bull[1]
• First two-time World Champion Bull[1]
• 2012 PBR Heroes and Legends Celebration: Brand of Honor Recipient[10]
• Ranked first in the ProBullStats Hall of Fame[11]
• Ranked first in the ProBullStats historical ranking.[6]

• PBR Brand of Honor: Dillinger (Official YouTube Video)
• Dillinger (Bucking Bull) - 99 NFR Dillinger 1999 National Finals Rodeo
• Chris Shivers vs. Dillinger - 01 PBR World Finals (96.5 pts)
• Dillinger vs Jim Sharp - 01 PBR Bossier City 47 pts.
• Dillinger vs Justin McBride - 99 PBR Finals
• Ednei Caminhas vs Dillinger - 02 PBR Little Rock (94 pts)
• Ednei Caminhas vs Dillinger - 01 PBR Columbus, GA (95 pts)
• Corey Navarre vs Dillinger - 01 PBR Finals (94.5 pts)