Age: 27
Born: March 1982, in Alden, N.Y.
Hometown: Sugarcreek, Ohio
When you look at Dave Jantzi’s resume, you’ll see quality. Whether it’s winning the event in Durango, Colo., or being part of the Freestyle Bullfighting World Championship in Ada, Okla., for five straight years, his credentials stand by themselves.
But Jantzi has a heart as big as anything, and his love is fighting bulls.
“It’s clean fun. It’s a clean adrenaline rush,” he said. “I love doing it, and I love the respect you get for a job well done, whether it’s from the bull riders or my fellow bullfighters.”
During the prestigious Miller Lite Bull Blowout in Denton, Texas, the longest-running protection bullfight competition in the world, Jantzi and his partner, Toby Inman of Davis Junction, Ill., finished second overall, quite an accomplishment given the field of players.
"To go up against these guys, it literally puts you up against the best," Inman said. "It doesn't bring me down; it builds me up."
He has been battling bovines for nine years and has been a card-carrying member of the PRCA since 2004. He won the Professional Bullfighters event in Texarkana, Ark., in March 2007 and, along with winning in Durango in 2008, he was crowned the MVP of that event.
“I grew up around livestock, working at a livestock auction,” Jantzi said. “I always watched rodeo on TV.
“I went to a bull riding school with some buddies of mine that rodeo bulls and did some protection for them. I enjoyed the heck out of it, so I started.”
And being an athlete, Jantzi realizes the importance of doing a good job, whether it’s working an event or being part of a PBF contest.
“My protection – because of going to the competitions – has just gone up tremendously,” Jantzi said. “It’s just so much better at protecting cowboys. You start doing everything competition wise, and then you’re running with the top guys in the country.
“You’ve got to be good, or you don’t win a check at these deals.”