Author: PBR

FORT WORTH, Texas – Rafael Jose de Brito (Potirendaba, Brazil) etched his name in the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) history books this afternoon in Fort Worth, Texas, completing a come-from-behind surge in the standings to win the World Finals event and 2023 PBR World Championship.

The 31-year-old Brazilian, who arrived in America in the summer of 2022, became the first rider to ever win the world title and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season.

“I want to thank God for making this dream come true and for all He has done for me,” Brito said from the dirt as he hoisted three glittering buckles. “I put in the work. I rode bulls day after day. It’s a great thing to have my name next to champions like Adriano [Moraes], Guilherme [Marchi], Silvano [Alves], Kaique [Pacheco] and Jose [Vitor Leme]. I want to dedicate this to Kaique at home watching.”

 

Brito traveled to Dickies Arena for his career-first World Finals ranked No. 9 in the heated gold buckle battle but atop the race amongst first-year Unleash The Beast competitors.

While he failed to convert in the opening two rounds, upended by Top Dollar (Hookin’ W/DeHoff/VanCleave) in 2.41 seconds in Round 1 and Stone Cold Gangster (Universal Pro Rodeo/Rachel & Dustin Powell) in Round 2, Brito, who in 2022 signed as a free agent for the Texas Rattlers in the separate PBR Team Series, returned more determined and with newfound confidence in Round 3.

Tasked with Chiseled (Flinn/D&H Cattle Co.), Brito delivered the first 90-point ride of the 2023 PBR World Finals with a mammoth 90.5-point score.

The 8-second effort garnered Brito a crucial 89 Unleash The Beast points, propelling him from No. 9 to No. 7 in the standings, and he inched within 336 points of then No. 1 Kaique Pacheco (Itatiba, Brazil), who did not compete at the seven-day event due to injury.

While Round 4 did not go in Brito’s favor, as the Brazilian was bucked off in 2.05 seconds by Ricky Vaughn (D&H Cattle Co./Buck Cattle Co.), he rebounded in Round 5.

Conquering Time Bomb (Carr Pro Rodeo) for 89.25 points and tying for the second-best score of the night, Brito cracked the Top 5 in the World Championship battle. Garnering 46 Unleash The Beast points, he surged from No. 7 to No. 5 and was within 290 points of the No. 1 rank.

The score also allowed him to gain ground in the Rookie of the Year race, rising 209.67 points ahead of the then-second-place contender Daniel Keeping (Montague, Texas), who was shut out at the 2023 PBR World Finals.

Brito’s momentum continued to mount in Round 6 as he overtook the World Finals event lead courtesy of an 88.5-point ride atop Short Circuit (D&H Cattle/McWhorter) that netted another 46 points. While Brito remained No. 5 in the standings, he rose within 244 points of No. 1 Pacheco.

Brito also extended his lead atop the Rookie of the Year race, surging 276.5 points out in front of the new No. 2-ranked rider Wingson Henrique da Silva (Navirai, Brazil).

Silva was challenging Brito in the Rookie of the Year battle, as well as in the race for the World Finals event title and World Championship.

Before Championship Sunday, Brito and Silva were two of just six riders to have gone 3-for-6 at the World Finals. Silva’s three scores, logged consecutively in Rounds 3-5, led him to begin the final day of the individual season third on the World Finals event leaderboard, 4.75 points behind Brito, and No. 11 in the World Championship standings.

In Round 7, Brito elected to go head-to-head with Red Mosquito (Cord McCoy/Zach Muegge/McCoy Rodeo), while Silva architected a matchup between himself and Ivy League (Jane Clark/Gene Owen).

Both decisions proved fruitful as each rider made the 8, marked a matching 88.25 points, to tie for second in the round on the final day of the championship event.

Brito and Silva’s scores, coupled with key buckoffs from Dalton Kasel (Muleshoe, Texas), Dener Barbosa (Paulo de Faria, Brazil), Cooper Davis (Jasper, Texas) and Andrew Alvidrez (Seminole, Texas), made it a three-rider race entering the championship round.

The third contender, two-time PBR World Champion Jose Vitor Leme (Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil), kept his title hopes alive in Round 7 when he delivered the second-best score, covering JAG Metals Grand Theft (D&H Cattle Co./Philip Elkins) for 90.25 points. The ride, which also avenged a buckoff from Round 2, earned Leme 49 Unleash The Beast points, briefly giving him the world No. 1 rank as he surpassed Pacheco by 9 points.

As the sixth man out in the championship round, Leme’s renewed hopes of victory were quickly extinguished as he was tossed by Canadian-born Yellowknife (Blake Sharp/Michael Floyd) in a swift 1.8 seconds.

Then it all came down to the final two outs of the season as Silva readied to take on Ricky Vaughn, while Brito found his name matched with World Champion Bull contender Flapjack’s (Parker/OK Corralis/Gordon/D&H Cattle).

While Silva was first out, the tension quickly mounted as he was awarded a re-ride when Ricky Vaughn stumbled. Silva’s third bull of the day, Hunting Trip (Dozier Cattle Co./Martinez Bucking Bulls), would be his final bovine athlete opponent of the season.

In a must-ride situation, Silva failed to convert, bucked off in 4.93 seconds.

Despite still needing to attempt his draw, Brito, who would inevitably be bucked off by Flapjack in 0.97 seconds, began to tear up atop the back of the chutes as Silva’s buckoff clinched a never-before-accomplished trifecta for Brito, as he won the World Finals to clinch the 2023 Rookie of the Year honor and 2023 PBR World Championship.

Brito concluded the World Championship race 287 points ahead of No. 2 Leme and, in the Rookie of the Year battle, 486.5 points ahead of runner-up Silva. On the World Finals event leaderboard, Brito edged second-place Silva by 4.75 points in the aggregate.

In addition to becoming the first rider to win all three titles in the same season, Brito is now just the eighth rider to capture both the World Championship and World Finals event win the same season, joining Daylon Swearingen (2022 – Piffard, New York), Leme (2021), Jess Lockwood (2019 – Volborg, Montana), Silvano Alves (2014 – Pilar do Sul Brazil), J.B. Mauney (2013 – Statesville, North Carolina), Renato Nunes (2010 – Buritama, Brazil) and Mike Lee (2004 – Decatur, Texas).

In the PBR’s 30-year history, Brito is the 21^st different rider – and eighth Brazilian – to claim the PBR World Champion gold buckle. His title is the 13^th time a rider from Brazil has won what’s been called the most difficult individual championship in professional sports.

Throughout 2023, Brito earned $1,586,514, including $1,390,500 for his career-first PBR World Championship and World Finals event win.

In the bull pen, Ridin Solo (Cord McCoy/Bill McCarty/McCoy Rodeo) defended his title, crowned the 2023 YETI PBR World Champion Bull and earning the accompanying $100,000 bonus.

The honor was bestowed upon the animal with the highest average bull score from their six highest-scored regular-season outs and two outs at the PBR World Finals.

Much like the race amongst the riders, the battle between the organization’s animal athletes was equally fierce. Ridin Solo began the World Finals ranked No. 2 in the world, 0.41 points behind regular-season leader Cool Whip (Julian/Staci Addison/D&H/Crooked W).

First bucking in Round 2, Ridin’ Solo tied Cool Whip for the No. 1 rank in the fierce title battle with a monstrous 46-point trip earned via his 5.9 seconds of work against Barbosa.

Following the outs, both Solo and Cool Whip, who was marked just 42.75 points for his 4.27-second buckoff of Boudreaux Campbell (Crockett, Texas), held a matching 45.61-point average.

The World Champion bull contenders then returned to the arena in Round 4.

Delivering what would ultimately be the second-best bull score at the 2023 PBR World Finals, Ridin’ Solo overtook sole ownership of the No. 1 rank.

Ridin’ Solo, matched up against Chase Outlaw (Hamburg, Arkansas), sent the charismatic Arkansas native to the ground in a swift 3.54 seconds, awarded a mammoth 46.5-point score.

The powerful animal athlete’s score, paired with Cool Whip’s uncharacteristic 44-point out during his 3.15-second buckoff of Tyler Manor (Portland, Indiana), allowed Ridin’ Solo to surge to the lead in the World Champion Bull race.

When the dust settled, with each bull having just one out remaining, Ridin’ Solo pulled 0.07 points ahead of the No. 2 bull. Cool Whip, meantime, plummeted in the standings to No. 4, 0.25 points behind No. 1 Ridin’ Solo.

During the round, UTZ BesTex Legend (Blake Sharp/Chris Utz/Carey Brothers) took a firm hold on the No. 2 rank in the standings. Legend was scored an impressive 46 points after he bested Aaron Williams (Pismo Beach, California) in a quick 1.56 seconds.

On Championship Sunday, Cool Whip was first out, bucking in Round 7. Despite tossing Koltin Hevalow (Smithville, Missouri) in 5.81 seconds, the powerful bull was marked just 43.75 points to eliminate him from the World Championship race. Cool Whip concluded the year with a 45.55-point world average, ranked No. 4 in the world.

Legend was next out, bucking second in the championship round. His 45-point, 3.24-second trip with Joao Lucas Campos (Porto Feliz, Brazil), however, was not enough to pass Ridin Solo. The trip led him to finish the year with a 45.63-point world average, tied for No. 2 alongside Flapjack.

Ridin’ Solo capped his season with a 45-point trip with Braidy Randolph (Jonestown, Pennsylvania).

The captivating bull defended his World Champion title with an impressive 45.70-point world average, finishing 0.07 points ahead of runners-up Legend and Flapjack.

Ridin’ Solo is now just the seventh animal athlete ever to win the honor in multiple seasons. He joins the elite club which includes two-time PBR World Champion Bulls Dillinger (Herrington Cattle Co.), Bones (Teague Bucking Bulls) and Smooth Operator (Dakota Rodeo/Julie Rosen/Clay Struve/Chad Berger), and three-time PBR World Champion Bulls Little Yellow Jacket (Berger/Teague/Taupin), Bushwacker (Julio Moreno Bucking Bulls) and SweetPro’s Bruiser (D&H Cattle Co./Buck Cattle Co.).

Ridin’ Solo was also named the YETI “Built for the Wild” Bull of the Finals, earning a $25,000 bonus, as the animal athlete who posted the top combined score across his three outs logged during the 2023 PBR World Finals.

Blake Sharp was crowned the 2023 PBR Stock Contractor of the Year. The honor was Sharp’s first, dethroning Chad Berger, who had won the award the past nine consecutive seasons.

Andrew Alvidrez (Seminole, Texas) earned the Lane Frost/Brent Thurman Award for the top-marked ride of the 2023 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast when he won Round 5 compliments of an unmatched 91.5-point ride atop Red Mosquito (Cord McCoy/Zach Muegge/McCoy Rodeo).

Pacheco won the Mason Lowe Award, presented annually to the bull rider who records the highest-scored ride during the PBR Unleash The Beast regular season. Pacheco earned the honor for his 93-point ride aboard Ricky Vaughn during the 15/15 Bucking Battle in Indianapolis, Indiana, in late January.

Nick Tetz (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) was awarded the Glen Keeley Award for the first time in his career. This award goes to the Canadian bull rider earning the most Unleash The Beast points during the season.

PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer re-airs and on-demand replays of every PBR Unleash The Beast event. PBR RidePass is available on desktops, laptops and mobile devices via www.pluto.tv. Click here for on-demand PBR programming.

Stay tuned to PBR.com for the latest news and results and be sure to follow the league on all social media platforms at @PBR.

 

PBR Unleash The Beast
PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast
Dickies Arena – Fort Worth, Texas
Event Leaders (Round 1-Round 2-Round 3-Round 4-Round 5-Round 6-Round 7-Round 8-Event Aggregate-Event Points)

1. Rafael Jose de Brito, 0-0-90.5-0-89.25-88.5-88.25-0-356.50-783 Points.
2. Wingson Henrique da Silva, 0-0-86-89.5-88-0-88.25-0-351.75-508 Points.
3. Ramon de Lima, 87-0-88.75-0-0-88.25-0-0-264.00-370 Points.
4. Braidy Randolph, 0-85.75-87.25-0-89.25-0-0-0-262.25-264 Points.
5. Jesse Petri, 0-0-0-88.75-85.75-87.25-0-0-261.75-221 Points.
6. Dawson Branton, 85-0-0-0-87.75-80-0-0-252.75-178 Points.
7. Josh Frost, 0-0-0-0-86-0-90.5-74-250.50-271 Points.
8. Jose Vitor Leme, 0-0-0-0-88.5-0-90.25-0-178.75-145 Points.
9. Dener Barbosa, 85.75-0-0-0-0-90-0-0-175.75-155 Points.
10. Boudreaux Campbell, 84.75-0-90.25-0-0-0-0-0-175.00-86 Points.
11. Joao Lucas Campos, 85-0-0-89.5-0-0-0-0-174.50-103 Points.
12. Colten Fritzlan, 0-86-86.75-0-0-0-0-0-172.75-72 Points.
13. Andrew Alvidrez, 0-0-0-0-91.5-0-0-0-91.50-92 Points.
14. Derek Kolbaba, 89.75-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-89.75-89.5 Points.

(tie). Austin Richardson, 0-89.75-0-0-0-0-0-0-89.75-89.5 Points.

16. Dalton Kasel, 0-0-89-0-0-0-0-0-89.00-44 Points.

(tie). Flavio Zivieri, 0-0-0-0-89-0-0-0-89.00-40 Points.

(tie). Nick Tetz, 0-89-0-0-0-0-0-0-89.00-48 Points.

19. João Ricardo Vieira, 88.5-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-88.50-48 Points.

(tie). Kyler Oliver, 0-0-0-0-0-88.5-0-0-88.50-46 Points.

(tie). Marcus Mast, 0-0-0-0-88.5-0-0-0-88.50-34 Points.

22. Chase Dougherty, 88.25-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-88.25-44 Points.
23. Cooper Davis, 0-0-88-0-0-0-0-0-88.00-34 Points.

(tie). Lucas Divino, 0-0-88-0-0-0-0-0-88.00-34 Points.

25. Eduardo Aparecido, 0-0-0-0-0-87.75-0-0-87.75-36 Points.

(tie). Ezekiel Mitchell, 0-0-0-0-87.75-0-0-0-87.75-22 Points.

27. Tate Pollmeier, 0-0-0-0-87.5-0-0-0-87.50-16 Points.
28. Silvano Alves, 0-0-0-0-86.25-0-0-0-86.25-13 Points.
29. Guilherme Valleiras, 0-0-0-0-84.75-0-0-0-84.75-10 Points.

(tie). Koltin Hevalow, 84.75-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-84.75-22 Points.

31. Keyshawn Whitehorse, 0-0-0-0-0-84.5-0-0-84.50-28 Points.
32. Brady Turgeon, 0-0-0-0-0-83.25-0-0-83.25-24 Points.

Kaique Pacheco, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Daniel Keeping, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Luciano De Castro, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Rafael Henrique dos Santos, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Mason Taylor, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Eli Vastbinder, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Manoelito de Souza Junior, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Marcelo Procopio Pereira, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Brady Oleson, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Jess Lockwood, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Wyatt Rogers, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Casey Roberts, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Bob Mitchell, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Chase Outlaw, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Dakota Louis, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Aaron Williams, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Vitor Losnake, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Tyler Manor, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Claudio Montanha Jr., 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

 

2023 PBR World Standings

(Place, Rider, Events, Wins, Top 5’s, Points, Total Winnings)

1. Rafael Jose de Brito, 26, 2, 8, 1,338.00, $1,516,705.81
2. Jose Vitor Leme, 16, 3, 10, 1,051.00, $304,781.67
3. Kaique Pacheco, 25, 3, 10, 980.00, $254,512.67
4. Wingson Henrique da Silva, 21, 0, 4, 851.50, $258,185.00
5. Dalton Kasel, 22, 4, 8, 792.66, $181,355.67
6. Dener Barbosa, 22, 2, 5, 780.83, $185,641.67
7. Andrew Alvidrez, 26, 2, 5, 707.00, $176,951.67
8. Boudreaux Campbell, 25, 0, 7, 686.66, $142,354.67
9. Cooper Davis, 21, 2, 4, 679.50, $145,426.00
10. Ramon de Lima, 16, 1, 3, 664.50, $182,653.33
11. Eduardo Aparecido, 25, 1, 5, 631.50, $127,941.14
12. Jesse Petri, 28, 1, 5, 624.00, $162,724.81
13. Braidy Randolph, 18, 0, 3, 491.00, $123,182.67
14. Daniel Keeping, 24, 2, 3, 434.33, $115,753.33
15. João Ricardo Vieira, 21, 0, 4, 433.00, $81,444.33
16. Tate Pollmeier, 21, 0, 4, 405.25, $71,652.81
17. Keyshawn Whitehorse, 24, 0, 2, 371.25, $57,051.33
18. Colten Fritzlan, 20, 1, 2, 340.66, $83,517.48
19. Luciano De Castro, 16, 0, 3, 339.50, $55,814.67
20. Kyler Oliver, 14, 0, 5, 329.00, $69,556.67
21. Silvano Alves, 27, 0, 4, 327.00, $51,012.00
22. Chase Dougherty, 13, 1, 1, 296.83, $80,626.67
23. Josh Frost, 4, 0, 0, 287.50, $160,005.00
24. Thiago Salgado, 14, 0, 3, 277.50, $36,385.00
25. Rafael Henrique dos Santos, 22, 1, 2, 274.50, $51,403.67
26. Mason Taylor, 16, 0, 1, 264.50, $37,848.00
27. Derek Kolbaba, 18, 0, 1, 251.50, $65,188.33
28. Austin Richardson, 12, 0, 2, 246.50, $69,828.67
29. Ezekiel Mitchell, 23, 0, 1, 245.00, $31,365.14
30. Eli Vastbinder, 23, 1, 2, 233.50, $63,726.00
31. Dawson Branton, 9, 0, 0, 207.00, $41,241.67
32. Lucas Divino, 5, 0, 3, 200.50, $36,989.14
33. Guilherme Valleiras, 8, 1, 2, 197.00, $58,243.62
34. Manoelito de Souza Junior, 24, 0, 1, 194.00, $24,513.00
35. Marcelo Procopio Pereira, 14, 0, 1, 189.00, $20,813.33
36. Koltin Hevalow, 24, 0, 0, 184.50, $21,196.33
37. Marcus Mast, 18, 0, 0, 180.50, $26,245.00
38. Brady Oleson, 11, 1, 1, 167.00, $49,880.33
39. Sandro Batista, 13, 0, 2, 166.50, $21,514.67
40. Brady Turgeon, 7, 0, 2, 160.00, $25,976.00
41. Jess Lockwood, 4, 0, 2, 159.00, $37,375.67
42. Wyatt Rogers, 22, 0, 0, 157.25, $19,745.95
43. Flavio Zivieri, 14, 0, 2, 156.66, $37,732.67
44. Casey Roberts, 12, 0, 1, 149.00, $33,136.00
45. Bob Mitchell, 11, 0, 1, 135.00, $15,163.00

Celebrated entertainer will officially retire from his entertainer role at PBR World Finals in Fort Worth, May 12-21

Pueblo, Colo. (February 2, 2023) – Flint Rasmussen, the official entertainer of PBR since 2006, has announced he will retire from his on-the-dirt role at the end of the 2023 Unleash The Beast season. Rasmussen will join the sport’s television broadcast as a commentator for the PBR Team Series season that begins later this year.

Rasmussen, one of the most recognizable and enduring personalities across professional sports even while not competing in the events, is credited with reinventing and modernizing the role of “rodeo clown” into a multi-hyphenate entertainer combining singing, dancing, fan interactions, off-the-cuff commentary, and impromptu comedy.

After embarking on a farewell tour during the remaining 14 events of the Unleash The Beast regular season, Rasmussen’s final elite series performances will be at the PBR World Finals in Fort Worth, Texas May 12 – 21.

A special “retirement party” will be held for Rasmussen in conjunction with PBR’s “Dirty 30 Anniversary Celebration” on May 17 in Fort Worth during PBR World Finals.

Fans can then expect to see him in roles both in front of and behind the camera, including PBR Team Series coverage on CBS Television Network, CBS Sports Network, and Pluto TV later this year.

“I am a blessed man,” Rasmussen said. “I have had an amazing career in rodeo and continued to find my identity with the opportunities afforded me by the PBR. I worked my first World Finals in 1997, so I do not take this decision lightly, nor am I making it without being completely sure. But physically and emotionally, it is time to move on. Making the decision now gives me time to weigh all my future career opportunities, including joining the television broadcast of the PBR Team Series later this year. My goal is to continue to be a strong influence in the growth and preservation of our Western lifestyle.”

With a string of markets important to Rasmussen’s career coming up on the PBR Unleash The Beast schedule, including Sacramento in Northern California this weekend, the award-winning entertainer wanted to announce his plans now to acknowledge and thank the fans for their supportive role in his legendary career.

“More than anything, on behalf of the entire Western Sports industry, I want to thank Flint for bringing joy to millions of fans, for always being a thoughtful advocate of our PBR brand and for his countless contributions to our sport inside and outside of the arena,” said PBR Commissioner and CEO Sean Gleason. “He is leaving the dirt but not our sport. We are all fortunate in being able to continue to experience Flint’s love of our sport, his passion for entertaining fans, and his inimitable point of view, which is part of the soul of PBR, on future CBS broadcasts.”

In addition to his role at PBR, Flint is an eight-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Clown of the Year and eight-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo barrel man.

Since 2006, Rasmussen has been the master of ceremonies, on-dirt quarterback, sultan of sarcasm and chief instigator of both the mischief and the unfiltered musings playing out across PBR events. The former schoolteacher done up in clown makeup has been patrolling the dirt as if it’s the maple wood stage floor of Carnegie Hall and making jokes that sound like Eddie Murphy crossed with Larry the Cable Guy.

Before he joined the gold standard for entertainment in Western sports, Flint had always been funny, but unlike so many bull riders who knew exactly what they wanted to be from the time they could walk, he didn’t grow up planning for life clowning in the rodeo, let alone reinventing the role.

In his hometown of Choteau, Montana he wasn’t a show-off or the class clown. But he liked to have fun and get a reaction. A collection of his mother Tootie’s old Christmas letters sent out annually in the late 1970s has a recurring theme: “Flint still entertains us.”

He was a regular in school plays and sang in the choir, getting a taste of adulation from an appreciative audience and feeling a constant “pull” to be in front of crowds performing. Growing up in the Western culture, there was always place drawing crowds eager to be entertained – rodeo.

When Flint was 19, during the summer, first on a dare, he began working amateur rodeos in Montana, getting nervous like he did as an all-state high school football player, but having an absolute ball in making people smile and laugh. He was no longer an athlete. But being out on the dirt performing in front of people during a rodeo competition was scratching an itch. It felt good. It was fun.

Flint treated rodeo like a summer job; the plan was to get through college and then teach. After graduating University of Montana Western, he landed a job teaching high school math and history. But he kept getting phone calls. Rodeo organizers who had caught his act saw potential. Promoters know their crowds, and he was busting them up. This Flint Rasmussen character just might make a name for himself if he gave it a chance, they said. He quit teaching school at 25 and began performing at professional rodeos.

During one slow period in the fall, a rodeo in Hibbing, Minnesota called. Their regular rodeo clown couldn’t make the event because his trailer caught fire on the highway. Could Rasmussen come?

Flint did his thing, impressing one of the stock contractors, who recommended him to legendary rodeo promoter, Jerome Robinson, who happened to be planning a few winter shows. Robinson was producing PBR’s first events in the 1990’s and used Rasmussen there as well. One man’s very unlucky trailer fire lit the fuse, so to speak, for Rasmussen’s rise. But truth be told, with the simmering powder already in place, it’s hard to imagine he would not have been “discovered’ to play much bigger stages.

Rasmussen’s next stage will be the television cameras beaming an international broadcast of a sport he continues to love for fans he’ll continue to entertain.

About PBR

PBR is the world’s premier bull riding organization. More than 500 bull riders compete in more than 200 events annually across the televised PBR Unleash The Beast tour (UTB), which features the top bull riders in the world; the PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour (PWVT); the PBR Touring Pro Division (TPD); and the PBR’s international circuits in Australia, Brazil, Canada and Mexico. In 2022, PBR launched the PBR Team Series—eight teams of the world’s best bull riders competing for a new championship—as well as the PBR Challenger Series with more than 60 annual events nationwide. The organization’s digital assets include PBR RidePass on Pluto TV, which is home to Western sports. PBR is a subsidiary of Endeavor, a global sports and entertainment company. For more information, visit PBR.com, or follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/PBR, Twitter at Twitter.com/PBR, and YouTube at YouTube.com/PBR.

Regular-season No. 8 Stampede beat the No. 1 Austin Gamblers, No. 2 Texas Rattlers, presented by Ariat, No. 3 Oklahoma Freedom and No. 5 Arizona Ridge Riders en route to the national title

LAS VEGAS – The Nashville Stampede, who entered the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series playoffs in last place, proved that it’s not how a team starts a season, it’s how they finish, in winning the inaugural PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series Championship.

The Nashville contingent, stacked with talent including riders with four combined PBR World Championships, continually disappointed throughout the regular season, finishing 7-20-1. But the squad caught fire and was dominant in the eight-team tournament in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena. After concluding the regular-season last in the league standings, the Stampede delivered a historic Cinderella run through the progressive elimination tournament, riding upset wins against the Top 3 teams to be crowned the first-ever PBR Team Series Champions.

“It’s crazy,” said Nashville Stampede Head Coach Justin McBride dirtside. “I got to win two individual titles as a bull rider in this sport, and it’s nothing compared to this. The buckle is awesome, but for me, it’s about these guys who never gave up and finished on top.”

 

Before the final games, McBride delivered an epic amped-up pregame speech now going viral on social media.

 

The Nashville Stampede began their march to victory Friday evening when they faced off against the No. 3 Oklahoma Freedom. The gritty contingent rode three bulls to stun the Freedom, defeating the powerhouse team by one ride score, 264.75-176, to advance in the team tournament. The Stampede’s performance was headlined by scores from Ryan Dirteater, who came out of retirement to seek his first championship, Cladson Rodolfo and 2018 World Champion Kaique Pacheco.

 

As competition continued in Round 2, the Stampede were locked in a David vs. Goliath showdown with the No. 1 Austin Gamblers. Continuing their impressive run through the tournament, the Stampede bested the Gamblers by one ride score, 265-175.25, to earn the first direct berth to the Semifinals.

 

On Championship Sunday, the Stampede then went head-to-head with the No. 2 Texas Rattlers, presented by Ariat, in the first Semifinal showdown. Compliments of an early score from Joao Henrique Lucas, and a 90-point, fifth-frame ride from Pacheco, the Stampede punched their ticket to the title game with a 178.5-90.25 win.

 

The Stampede’s fate then came down to the Championship Game against the No. 5 Arizona Ridge Riders. Delivering three qualified rides from Dirteater, three-time World Champion Silvano Alves and Pacheco, the Stampede defeated Arizona 264-182.75, completing their come-from-behind surge to be crowned the inaugural PBR Team Series Champions,

 

Looking down the league standings, following Semifinal losses, the Texas Rattlers and Oklahoma Freedom squared off in the Third-Place Game. Outscoring Oklahoma by two rides, the Rattlers concluded the 2022 season third, beating the Freedom 270-86.75.

 

PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer replays of all the PBR Team Series action from Las Vegas. Check https://pluto.tv/en/live-tv/pbr-ridepass for the latest programming schedule.

Carolina Cowboys Conclude Inaugural Homestand Ranked No. 1 in PBR Team Series Standings as Oklahoma Freedom go 3-0 to Win PBR Cowboy Days in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

 Cowboys’ closer Daylon Swearingen goes 2-for-3 inside LJVM Coliseum to inch within a mere 12.5 points of No. 1 rank in PBR Team Series MVP Race

 

 WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Competing in front of a home crowd for the first time, the Carolina Cowboys delivered a 2-1 performance in game play, while also winning the Bonus Round, at PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Cowboy Days, to conclude the Team Series event in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as the No. 1-ranked team in the league.

Beginning the event No. 3 in the league standings, the Cowboys rose to No. 2 following their commanding Friday night win against the Missouri Thunder. Backed by key scores from Mason Taylor, Cooper Davis and Wingson Henrique da Silva, the Cowboys won 261.5-0.

 

The Cowboys then overtook the No. 1 spot with a walk-off win against the Arizona Ridge Riders Saturday night. Courtesy of an evening-best, 87.75-point score from Daylon Swearingen atop Jailhouse Cat (Clark View Farms/Phillips), the Cowboys completed the come-from-behind victory to beat the Ridge Riders 265.5-169.5.

 

On Championship Sunday, however, the Cowboys’ six-game win streak came to an end in a thriller, when they were narrowly beaten by the Nashville Stampede by 1.5 points, falling 257.75-259.25.

 

In true cowboy fashion, Carolina rebounded in the Bonus Round. For the fifth time this season, the Cowboys dominated, collecting a maximum 8 Bonus points, courtesy of Taylor’s massive 89.75-point trip atop Duke (Sho-Me Rodeo).

 

The Carolina Cowboys concluded their inaugural homestand second, having gone 2-1 in game play and earning 8 bonus points. They are No. 1 in the league with a 10-6 record and 46 combined bonus points and lead the No. 2 Austin Gamblers, who also hold a 10-6 record, by 9.5 bonus points.

 

No team in Winston-Salem, however, rivaled the Oklahoma Freedom, who went a perfect 3-0 in game play and finished second in the Bonus Round to win their first PBR Team Series event at PBR Cowboy Days.

 

The Oklahoma Freedom began the event with a bang, knocking off the Nashville Stampede 261-0 compliments of a lead-off 90-point ride from third-round draft pick Chase Outlaw.

In just his second event, Outlaw faced a familiar opponent in Big Black (K-C Bucking Bulls/Joe & Nina Webb). Having met five times prior, Outlaw entered the slugfest with a perfect record, marked 90 points or more in each out. Keeping the streak alive, Outlaw logged just the fifth 90-point ride in PBR Team Series history, dominating the powerful animal athlete for 90.25 points. The score is tied for third best in the league and ties the Freedom with the Carolina Cowboys for most 90-point scores by one team, each with two.

The Oklahoma Freedom remained red-hot as competition continued Saturday, upsetting the Austin Gamblers 86.75-83.25.

Keen to remain perfect in game play with their inaugural homestand just days away, the Freedom faced the Kansas City Outlaws on Championship Sunday. Both teams entered the showdown with a 2-0 record at PBR Cowboy Days.

Backed by crucial scores from both Briggs Madsen and Captain Eli Vastbinder, the Freedom defeated the Outlaws by one ride score, 170.75-87.

As the only team to go a perfect 3-0 in game play, the Freedom entered the Bonus Round with the event win already clinched. Seeking crucial bonus points, Freedom Head Coach Cord McCoy elected to have Derek Kolbaba go head-to-head with Jeremiah (Martinez Bucking Bulls, LLC).

 

In a decision which proved dividends, Kolbaba conquered the animal athlete for 88.75 points, the second-best score of the Bonus Round, garnering the team 7 Bonus points.

 

Courtesy of the 3-0 performance, and their 7 Bonus points, the Freedom rose to No. 5 in the league standings, now with an 8-8 record and a combined 22 Bonus points.

 

The PBR Team Series will next travel to Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for the fifth team-hosted homestand as the Oklahoma Freedom welcome the league for PBR Freedom Fest. The event will be on Friday, September 16 at 7:45 p.m. CT, Saturday, September 17 at 6:45 p.m. CT and Sunday, September 18 at 1:45 p.m. CT.

The game matchups for the opening night of competition in Oklahoma City on September 16 are:

Nashville Stampede @ Missouri Thunder

Arizona Ridge Riders @ Carolina Cowboys

Kansas City Outlaws @ Texas Rattlers

Austin Gamblers @ Oklahoma Freedom

 

PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer replays of all the PBR Team Series action from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Check https://pluto.tv/en/live-tv/pbr-ridepass for the latest programming schedule.

SCORE BULLETINS

 

Texas Rattlers Come Back to Beat Missouri Thunder on Final Day of PBR Team Series Competition in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

 

Texas Rattlers: 170

Missouri Thunder: 166.5

 

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C – After suffering two heart-breaking losses as PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series competition got underway in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the Texas Rattlers, presented by Ariat, rebounded in resilient fashion Sunday afternoon, earning an upset, comeback victory against the Missouri Thunder. In the lead-off position for the Rattlers, Cody Jesus (Window Rock, Arizona) struck early for Texas, conquering Rock Solid (TCB Ranch/K-C Bucking Bulls) for 86 points to give the Cody Lambert-coached outfit an early lead. The Thunder, however, responded in the very next trip. Andrew Alvidrez (Seminole, Texas) rode Prisoner (K-C Bucking Bulls/Daniels Cattle Co.) for 83.5 points, and Missouri inched within 2.5 points of the lead. In the second, the Rattlers were humbled as newly inked rider Junior Patrik Souza (Sonora, Brazil) was bucked off by Trinity (Lucas Manning Bucking Bulls) in a close 5.99 seconds. The Thunder’s momentum, however, rolled on. In his debut out for the team, Marcelo Procopio Pereira (Rinopolis, Brazil) outlasted Old Time Religion (Lucas Manning Bucking Bulls) for 83 points to give the Thunder their first lead, surpassing the Rattlers by 80.5 points. After neither team converted in the third, the Rattlers shifted the tide in the top of the fourth, regaining their lead when surging Aussie Brady Fielder (Clermont, Queensland, Australia) rode Smooth Kat (Cornwell Bucking Bulls) for 84 points. Compliments of the score, the Rattlers rose to a 3.5-point lead as Missouri readied to attempt their fourth bull. With the chance to give his team back the lead entering the final frame, Cody Teel (College Station, Texas) failed to capitalize, sent to the dirt in a quick 2.75 seconds by Tiger (Blake Sharp/Henry Wilson). With the game coming down to the fifth, Joao Ricardo Vieira (Itatinga, Brazil) was in the closer position for the Rattlers, while first-round draft pick Colten Fritzlan (Rifle, Colorado) was out last for the Thunder. With both riders bucking off prior to the 8, the Rattlers won their first game of PBR Cowboy Days, beating the Thunder 170-166.5. As a result, the Rattlers improved to 1-2 at PBR Cowboy Days and 5-11 during the season, while the Thunder fell to 1-2 at the PBR Team Series event and 8-8 throughout 2022.

 

 

Austin Gamblers Rebound with Win Against Arizona Ridge Riders on Final Day of PBR Team Series Competition in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

 

Austin Gamblers: 86

Arizona Ridge Riders: 0.00

 

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C – The Austin Gamblers recaptured their winning form Sunday afternoon during the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series event in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, beating the Arizona Ridge Riders by one ride score, 86-0. The game-deciding score was registered in the first frame. After the Ridge Riders’ Vitor Losnake (Bauru, Brazil) was awarded a re-ride, newly signed Ramon de Lima (Rio Branco, Acre) struck in the bottom of the first for the Gamblers. Matching Shakira (JR Phillips) jump-for-jump, Lima reached the whistle for a crucial 86 points. With neither team covering in the second, third or fourth, it all came down to the Ridge Riders’ closer Luciano de Castro (Guzolandia, Brazil) in the fifth. Needing to score in excess of 86 points to keep his team’s hopes of victory alive, Castro was paired with Homer (JR Phillips) for the crucial out. Despite a true cowboy effort to remain centered, Castro was bucked off in a close 5.57 seconds, handing the victory to the Gamblers. With the Gamblers unable to convert in their final out, and a re-ride awarded from the third, the final scoreboard read an 86-0 Gamblers win. Courtesy of the win, the Gamblers improved to 1-2 at PBR Cowboy Days, and 10-6 this season, while the Ridge Riders backslid to 1-2 at the event and 10-6 this season.

 

Oklahoma Freedom Complete Perfect 3-0 Sweep at PBR Team Series Competition Event in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with Win Against Kansas City Outlaws

 

Oklahoma Freedom: 170.75

Kansas City Outlaws: 87

 

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C – The Oklahoma Freedom continued their white-hot momentum Sunday afternoon, completing their perfect 3-0 sweep of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series event in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, defeating the Kansas City Outlaws 170.75-87. Both teams began the game with a perfect 2-0 record. After a scoreless first, the game intensity ratcheted up in the second. Riding in the top of the frame, Briggs Madsen (Tremonton, Utah) put the Freedom on the board first, riding Happy Gambler (Sho-Me Rodeo) for 86.75 points. Oklahoma’s lead, however, was short lived as the Outlaws converted in the very next out. Marcus Mast (Middlebury, Indiana) conquered High Country Hitman (High Country Solutions/JR Phillips) for 87 points, to put the Outlaws ahead by a mere 0.25 points. After the scoreboard remain unchanged through the third, Freedom Captain Eli Vastbinder (Statesville, North Carolina) delivered the go-ahead score in the top of the fourth. Paired with Left Eye Lopez (Dustin Denning), Vastbinder reached the requisite 8 for a crucial 84 points to put the Freedom back on top by 83.75 points. Keen to answer, the Outlaws were unable to keep pace as second-round draft pick Kyler Oliver (Roy, Utah) was brought down by The Undertaker (Cornwell Bucking Bulls/Riley Bucking Bulls/PCP Bucking Bulls) in a close 5.23 seconds. As the fifth got underway, Derek Kolbaba (Walla Walla, Washington) had the chance to clinch the victory early for the Freedom. Kolbaba, however, erred in his showdown with Rocky Malcoma (Mike Miller Bucking Bulls), sent to the ground in a quick 2.58 seconds. Via the buckoff, the door was opened for Dalton Kasel (Muleshoe, Texas) to win the game for the Outlaws in walk-off fashion. Kasel, however, was no match for Whip (Obernagel/Sho-Me Rodeo), bested in 4.36 seconds. As a result, the Freedom won the game 170.75-87, and improved to 3-0 at PBR Cowboy Days and 8-8 throughout the 2022 PBR Team Series season. The Outlaws, however, fell to 2-1 at PBR Cowboy Days and 7-9 this season.

 

 

Nashville Stampede Knock Off League No. 1 Carolina Cowboys at Home During Final Day of PBR Team Series Competition in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

 

Nashville Stampede: 259.25

Carolina Cowboys: 257.75

 

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C – The final game of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series event in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, pitted the winless league No. 8 Nashville Stampede against the No. 1, and host, Carolina Cowboys, who had yet to lose at their home event. In a David versus Goliath-style showdown, the Stampede knocked off the Cowboys at home, eking out the win by 1.5 points 259.25-257.75. The see-saw game featured both teams going a commanding 3-for-5, covering 60% of the showdown’s bovine athletes.

 

In the opening frame, Nashville was quick to convert, as 2018 PBR World Champion and first-round draft pick Kaique Pacheco (Itatiba, Brazil) covered YETI’S Big Poison (Cowtown Rodeo) for 87.75 points. While the Cowboys logged a score in the very next out, 2016 PBR World Champion Cooper Davis’ (Jasper, Texas) 87-point ride aboard Whiplash (Blake Sharp/Floyd Lowery/CB & Traci Lee) was not enough to give his team the lead. As the second got underway, Manoelito de Souza Junior (Itamira, Brazil) stumbled for the Stampede, and Boudreaux Campbell (Crockett, Texas) was awarded a re-ride after Chief (Blake Sharp/Michael Floyd) fell during his trip. As the game approached the midway point, the Stampede registered their second-consecutive buckoff when Ryan Dirteater (Hulbert, Oklahoma) was upended by Apper’s Mind Freak (Jo-Z Bucking Bulls/K-C Bucking Bulls/Spark-Lin-Acres) in a close 5.94 seconds. The Cowboys rebounded, as Mason Taylor (Maypearl, Texas) gave Carolina its first lead in the bottom of the third. In perfect time with Siroucho (Dozier Cattle Co./Martinez Bucking Bulls), Taylor reached the requisite 8 for 86.25 points to put Carolina ahead by 85.5 points. Matt Triplett (Canton, South Dakota) then righted the tide for the Stampede in the top of the fourth, conquering Contusion (Sho-Me Rodeo) for 86.5 points to put Nashville back out front of Carolina by a slim 1-point. With both Wingson Henrique da Silva (Navirai, Brazil) failing to make the 8, and Campbell bucking off his re-ride, the game came down to the fifth.

 

For the second time during PBR Cowboy Days, three-time PBR World Champion Silvano Alves (Pilar do Sul, Brazil) was in a must-ride position as the closer for the Stampede. After his qualified ride was not enough to push the Stampede past the Thunder Saturday evening, he was determined to settle for nothing less than a win in his crucial out Sunday afternoon. Rising to the occasion, Alves rode Prime Tested (Blake Sharp/Travis Austin/Koe Wetzel) for a critical 85 points to give his team an increased 86-point lead ahead of Carolina’s final out. Like Alves, 2022 PBR World Champion Daylon Swearingen (Piffard, New York) was also in a must-ride position for the second-consecutive evening. Initially paired with Cooter Brown (Lucas Manning/Waller Brothers Cattle Co.), Swearingen was awarded a re-ride when the bull fell towards the end of the out. In a manner that seemed straight from a move script, Swearingen’s re-ride partner was none other than Jailhouse Cat (Clark View Farms/Phillips), the very bull he rode Saturday evening to earn the Cowboys a walk-off win against the Arizona Ridge Riders. While Swearingen again covered the bull, the out immediately went into review. The trip was confirmed to be a qualified ride, but Swearingen was awarded just 84.5 points, not enough to clinch the victory for Carolina. When the dust settled, Nashville won its first game of PBR Cowboy Days, defeating the host Cowboys by 1.5 points, 259.25-257.75. The win snapped a six-game losing streak and improved Nashville to 1-2 at PBR Cowboy Days and 4-12 this season. Carolina concluded their homestand having gone 1-2, now with a 10-6 season record.

 

WINSTON-SALEM TEAM STANDINGS:

Here are the final Team standings for the Winston-Salem, North Carolina, PBR Team Series event:

 

1. Oklahoma Freedom, 3-0-0-7
2. Carolina Cowboys, 2-1-0-8
3. Kansas City Outlaws, 2-1-0-3
4. Texas Rattlers, 1-2-0-6
5. Missouri Thunder, 1-2-0-5
6. Austin Gamblers, 1-2-0-4
7. Nashville Stampede, 1-2-0-2
8. Arizona Ridge Riders, 1-2-0-1

 

PBR TEAM SERIES SEASON STANDINGS:

Here are the current Team standings for the regular season after the conclusion of competition for PBR Cowboy Days in Winston-Salem, North Carolina:

 

1. Carolina Cowboys, 10-6-0-46
2. Austin Gamblers, 10-6-0-36.5
3. Arizona Ridge Riders, 10-6-0-19
4. Missouri Thunder, 8-8-0-27
5. Oklahoma Freedom, 8-8-0-22
6. Kansas City Outlaws, 7-9-0-20.5
7. Texas Rattlers, 5-11-0-25
8. Nashville Stampede, 4-12-0-20

 

About the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series:

The PBR Team Series is an elite new league that features the world’s top bull riders competing on teams in five-on-five bull riding games during an 11-event season beginning in July and culminating in a team championship at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas November 4-6.  During the 2022 season, each of the eight teams representing teams in Austin, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Glendale, AZ; Kansas City, MO; Nashville, TN; Oklahoma City, OK; Ridgedale, MO; and Winston-Salem, NC will host a three-day homestand.  There will also be neutral site games in Cheyenne, WY and Anaheim, CA. To determine team rosters, the league held a rider draft on May 23 prior to start of the 2022 season among any bull riders who have declared for the draft during a league eligibility window. The PBR Team Series builds on the existing structure of professional bull riding with the same basic rules for judging and scoring qualified 8-second bull rides. Events will be staged in a tournament-style format with all teams competing in head-to-head matchups against a different opponent each day. Each game will feature five riders per team squaring off against another team. Full team rosters will be comprised of seven riders on the core roster and three practice squad members. The team with the highest aggregate score of qualified rides among its riders will be declared the winner of each game. The event winner will be the team with the most game wins across an event, with a special bonus round designed as a tie-breaker to determine final event standings. All PBR Team Series events will be carried on either the CBS Television Network, streaming live on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, or RidePass on PlutoTV.

 

Arizona Ridge Riders overtake No. 1 rank in season standings with victory against Oklahoma Freedom

Colten Fritzlan (Rifle, Colorado), the Missouri Thunder’s No. 1 draft pick, knocked down a clutch game-winning ride in the bottom of the fifth frame of the opening game for PBR Outlaw Days Saturday night to beat the Austin Gamblers 86.75-86.25. Looking for more qualified rides and early momentum, the Gamblers, who began the game with a 1-2 record, slotted three new players into the starting lineup and moved two-time PBR World Champion Jose Vitor Leme (Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil) into the leadoff position. Originally matched up with Death Warrant (John Wyckoff/Frihauf Cattle Co.), Leme was awarded a re-ride after being marked only 62.5 points. With the Thunder unable to respond with a qualified ride as Leandro Machado (Nova Esperanca, Brazil) was bucked off by Midnight Flyer (Jane Clark/Gene Owen), the game remained scoreless through the midpoint of the third frame. After watching as his teammate Lucas Divino (Nova Crixas, Brazil) was unable to convert, Leme converted aboard his re-ride Mr. Winston (Dakota Rodeo/Mark Baker/Clay Struve/Chad Berger), marked 86.25 points to give his team an early lead. Adriano Salgado (Batatais, Brazil) of the Thunder was then bucked off in a heartbreaking 7.69 seconds. Following buckoffs by Dakota Louis (Browning, Montana) for the Gamblers and Clayton Sellars (Fruitland Park, Florida) for the Thunder, the game came down to the final round of riders. Ezekiel Mitchell (Rockdale, Texas) had the chance to clinch the win for the Gamblers but was denied when Magic Potion (K-C Bucking Bulls/Daniels Cattle Co.) dispatched him in 3.89 seconds. As a result, the game came down to the Thunder’s Fritzlan, who needed a minimum of 86.25 points to tie. As the chute gate burst open, the Colorado native was in perfect time with Cold Creek (Young Cattle Co./Rocking A/Braswell), reaching the whistle for 86.75 points, earning the Thunder their first victory of PBR Outlaw Days by 0.5 points. When PBR Team Series competition in Kansas City continues Sunday afternoon, the Missouri Thunder (3-1) will face the host Kansas City Outlaws (1-3), while the Gamblers (1-3) will attempt to rebound against the Ariat Texas Rattlers (1-3).

 

“I’m feeling great,” said the Missouri Thunder’s Colten Fritzlan. “The bull tested me quite a bit. I’m just glad it all worked out. I wanted to make sure I got one rode for the team and myself. I’m loving it. I think if you keep it as simple as you can and stay on and do your job, it’ll all work out.” 

 

Ariat Texas Rattlers Ride Three Bulls to Break Out and Upset the Carolina Cowboys to Earn Team’s First Game Win

 

Ariat Texas Rattlers: 257.25

Carolina Cowboys: 0

 

The Ariat Texas Rattlers, who had not ridden more than one bull in any game this season, rode three tonight in Kansas City to win their first PBR Team Series game this season. Punctuated by a score for a 47-year-old PBR World Champion, the Rattlers stunned the then-No. 1 Carolina Cowboys, 257.25-0. Riding for the Rattlers in the team’s first out inside T-Mobile Center Saturday night, Rafael Jose de Brito (Potirendaba, Brazil) quickly put the Fort Worth-based outfit on the board, covering Little Voodoo Jacket (Lari Crane/Gene Owen) for a crucial 87 points. While the Carolina Cowboys kept their roster unchanged from the start of regular-season competition, with reigning PBR World Champion Daylon Swearingen (Piffard, New York) remaining the roster’s leadoff rider, Head Coach Jerome Davis’s strategy would not work tonight. Although Swearingen had yet to buck off in four outs in PBR Team Series competition, he was brought down in a close 6.53 seconds by Nomad Max (Crooked Crown Bucking Bulls/Braswell). Not missing a beat, the Ariat Texas Rattlers grew their lead as the second frame got underway. First-round draft pick Cody Jesus (Window Rock, Arizona) was a dominant force atop Lone Survivor (Whitman Bucking Bulls/Jenkins Cattle Co.), scored 87 points and growing the Rattlers’ lead to 174 points. The Carolina Cowboys again failed to respond, with Ramon de Lima (Rio Branco, Brazil) brought down by Baby Gangster (Cooper/Scruggs Bucking Bulls) in a swift 3.18 seconds. With a two-ride lead, the Rattlers had the chance to clinch the game win in the third frame but fell just short after Australian sensation Brady Fielder (Clermont, Queensland, Australia) was awarded a re-ride in his initial showdown with Batter Up (Crooked Crown Bucking Bulls/Braswell Bucking Bulls). With the chance to change his team’s momentum, Mason Taylor (Maypearl, Texas) could not right the ship for the Cowboys, beaten by the unridden JoJo (Gene Owen Bucking Bulls) in a heartbreaking 7.46 seconds. The fourth frame then brought the second potentially game-winning out for the Rattlers, this time a showdown between 2002 PBR World Champion Ednei Caminhas (Indaiatuba, Brazil) and Dr. Campbell (Nancy Haverty/Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger). The 47-year-old was a picture of perfection atop the powerful animal athlete, bringing the Show Me State crowd to its feet as he reached the requisite 8 for a crucial 83.25 points. With the Cowboys having just two outs remaining, the Rattlers clinched the win with a combined 257.25 points from their three qualified rides. As the game progressed, no rider for either team was successful, with the final scoreboard reading 257.25-0 to bring the Rattlers their first victory. On the final day of competition for PBR Outlaw Days, the Rattlers (1-3) will look to continue their red-hot momentum when they play the Austin Gamblers (1-3), while the Cowboys (2-2) will attempt to reclaim their winning form when they take on the Oklahoma Freedom (1-3).

 

“First of all, I say thank you God and to all of the team behind me, pushing, yelling for me, and then all the crowd,” said Ariat Texas Rattlers’ Ednei Caminhas. “Age is just a number. I love bull riding; bull riding is my blood. I’m here because God put me back over here. If I’m feeling good, I’m going.” 

 

 

Arizona Ridge Riders Knock Down Second Game Win of PBR Outlaw Days, Beating Oklahoma Freedom by One Ride

 

Arizona Ridge Riders: 168.25

Oklahoma Freedom: 83

 

In a Saturday night showdown between two of the winning teams from the opening day of competition, the Arizona Ridge Riders beat the Oklahoma Freedom 168.25-83 in a game that went down to the final frame. After the night’s third game began with a Freedom buckoff suffered by Deklan Garland (Foster, Oklahoma), the intensity was ratcheted up as both teams struck in the following two outs. The Ridge Riders’ Alisson de Souza (Taubate, Brazil) was first to strike, covering Malakai (Jenkins Cattle Co.) for 86.25 points, while the Freedom’s Derek Kolbaba (Walla Walla, Washington) gave his team its first lead as he rode Homeboy (K-C Bucking Bulls/Joe & Nina Webb) for a game-best 87.25 points. With Keyshawn Whitehorse (McCracken Spring, Utah) unable to put his team back atop the scoreboard, the Freedom retained their 2-point lead as the third frame got underway. Surging young gun Casey Roberts (Munford, Alabama) was unable to deliver a clutch ride for his team, bucked off by Legend (Paradigm Bull Company) in a heartbreaking 7.27 seconds, opening the door for Sandro Batista (Pedra Preta, Brazil) to reclaim the lead for the Ridge Riders. Rising to the occasion, Batista rode Lady Killer (P. Ro Ranch/Lone Star/Pate/D&H Cattle) for 83 points. The fourth frame then featured buckoffs for both the Freedom and Ridge Riders, with the game’s fate once again resting in the hands of Freedom Captain Eli Vastbinder (Statesville, North Carolina). In a must-ride fifth-frame position for the second consecutive evening, Vastbinder was unable to capitalize for his team, tossed by Lil Hott (Stinger/Brunner/Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger) in a quick 2.81 seconds to hand the Ridge Riders the win. Despite the game ending in a buckoff for Arizona’s Luciano De Castro (Guzolandia, Brazil), the Ridge Riders’ opening two scores propelled them to a 168.25-83 win. The Arizona Ridge Riders (3-1) will continue to chase their first PBR Team Series event win Sunday afternoon when they next face the Nashville Stampede (2-2), while the Oklahoma Freedom (1-3) will be keen to rebound when they play the Carolina Cowboys (2-2).

 

Bulls Dominate as Nashville Stampede and Kansas City Outlaws Both Tally a Loss Following 0-0 Tie

 

Nashville Stampede: 0

Kansas City Outlaws: 0

 

As the second day of action for PBR Outlaw Days wound to a close, the bovine athletes dominated the night’s final game between the Nashville Stampede and host Kansas City Outlaws. The bulls surrendered no qualified rides and handed each team a loss following a 0-0 tie. As the game got underway, both Stampede Head Coach Justin McBride and Outlaws Head Coach J.W. Hart shook up their rosters. McBride moved 2018 PBR World Champion Kaique Pacheco (Itatiba, Brazil) to the final frame, while Hart placed young gun Koltin Hevalow (Smithville, Missouri) in the final slot after the Missouri native was the lone rider to cover on the opening night of competition. During the first three frames, each team earned a re-ride; the Outlaws had home-field advantage as their re-ride was placed in the final frame, while the Stampede had theirs in the middle of the fourth. Despite valiant efforts by both teams, the scoreboard read 0-0 as Pacheco and Hevalow readied to ride, and Rafael Henrique dos Santos (Sebastianolopis, Brazil) prepared to attempt the Outlaws’ re-ride earned by Dustin Martinez (Canjilon, New Mexico). With Pacheco and Hevalow brought down prior to the 8, the game came down to Brazilian Santos. The 26-year-old, however, was unable to deliver, bucked off in a crushing 2.88 seconds by Patches (Sho-Me Rodeo). The Nashville Stampede (2-2) will look to shake off the loss Sunday when they play the Arizona Ridge Riders (3-1), while the Kansas City Outlaws (1-3) will continue to chase their first win in their home venue when they play the Missouri Thunder (3-1).

 

KANSAS CITY TEAM STANDINGS:

Here are the current Team standings for the Kansas City PBR Team Series event after the second day of competition for PBR Outlaw Days:

 

1. Arizona Ridge Riders, 2-0-0
2. Ariat Texas Rattlers, 1-1-0
3. Oklahoma Freedom, 1-1-0
4. Carolina Cowboys, 1-1-0
5. Missouri Thunder, 1-1-0
6. Nashville Stampede, 1-1-0
7. Austin Gamblers, 0-2-0
8. Kansas City Outlaws, 0-2-0

 

PBR TEAM SERIES SEASON STANDINGS:

Here are the current Team standings for the regular season after the second day of competition for PBR Outlaw Days in Kansas City:

 

1. Arizona Ridge Riders, 3-1-0-6
2. Missouri Thunder, 3-1-0-1
3. Carolina Cowboys, 2-2-0-8
4. Nashville Stampede, 2-2-0-3
5. Austin Gamblers, 1-3-0-7
6. Oklahoma Freedom, 1-3-0-5
7. Ariat Texas Rattlers, 1-3-0-4
8. Kansas City Outlaws, 1-3-0-2

 

AUGUST 7 GAME SCHEDULE:

Here are the game matchups for the third and final day of action for PBR Outlaw Days on Sunday, August 7:

 

Oklahoma Freedom @ Carolina Cowboys

Austin Gamblers @ Ariat Texas Rattlers

Nashville Stampede @ Arizona Ridge Riders

Missouri Thunder @ Kansas City Outlaws

 

About the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series:

The PBR Team Series is an elite new league that will feature the world’s top bull riders competing on teams in five-on-five bull riding games during an 11-event season beginning in July and culminating in a team championship at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas November 4-6.  During the 2022 season, each of the eight teams representing teams in Austin, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Glendale, AZ; Kansas City, MO; Nashville, TN; Oklahoma City, OK; Ridgedale, MO; and Winston-Salem, NC will host a three-day homestand.  There will also be neutral site games in Cheyenne, WY and Anaheim, CA. To determine team rosters, the league held a rider draft on May 23 prior to start of the 2022 season among any bull riders who have declared for the draft during a league eligibility window. The PBR Team Series builds on the existing structure of professional bull riding with the same basic rules for judging and scoring qualified 8-second bull rides. Events will be staged in a tournament-style format with all teams competing in head-to-head matchups against a different opponent each day. Each game will feature five riders per team squaring off against another team. Full team rosters will be comprised of seven riders on the core roster and three practice squad members. The team with the highest aggregate score of qualified rides among its riders will be declared the winner of each game. The event winner will be the team with the most game wins across an event, with a special bonus round designed as a tie-breaker to determine final event standings. All PBR Team Series events will be carried on either the CBS Television Network, streaming live on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, or RidePass on PlutoTV.

 

Jose Vitor Leme wins Round 5 to climb to No. 4 in the world and inch within 270.66 points of No. 1 Swearingen as he seeks his unprecedented third consecutive gold buckle

FORT WORTH, Texas – Daylon Swearingen (Piffard, New York) continued to ride supreme inside Dickies Arena, delivering a monster 90-point ride during Round 5 of the 2022 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) World Finals: Unleash The Beast on Friday. He furthered his stronghold on the world No. 1 rank and also overtook the top position on the World Finals event leaderboard.

While both No. 2 Joao Ricardo Vieira (Itatinga, Brazil) and No. 3 Kaique Pacheco (Itatiba, Brazil) bucked off their bulls, Swearingen is now firmly locked in the sights of two-time reigning PBR World Champion Jose Vitor Leme (Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil). Leme won the round on a patented ride that was both flashy and in total control to rise to No. 4 in the world and second in the event.

For the second consecutive night, Swearingen padded his lead atop the standings by converting in the final out of the evening.

Swearingen was a picture of perfection atop Lone Survivor (Whitman Bucking Bulls/Jenkins Cattle Co.), reaching the requisite 8 for 91.5 points.

The 90-point ride is Swearingen’s second of the marathon event. In Round 2, Swearingen recorded his first score of the 2022 PBR World Finals when he rode Big Black (K-C Bucking Bulls/Joe & Nina Webb) for a career-best 93 points.

The score, which was the fourth-best of Round 5’s four 90-point rides, earned Swearingen a check for $10,000 and a crucial 41 world points. While he began the evening 44.99 points out front, Swearingen now leads No. 2 contender Vieira by 85.99 points.

Swearingen is also now the top-ranked rider in the World Finals event standings. Having gone 4-for-5 with a combined aggregate score of 359.75 points, he leads second-place Leme in the event by five points.

Leme put the field on notice in Round 5, delivering the top score to return to the world No. 4 rank.

In perfect time with Canadian bull Norse God (Wild Hoggs Bucking Bulls), making giant moves while completely centered on the bull, Leme was marked a commanding 92.75 points to earn $35,000 and 89 world points.

“I’m glad to be here,” Leme said on top of the Can-Am cage in accepting the event buckle. “This buckle means a lot after everything I’ve been through this year. I’m so blessed. I thank God. Without him, I’m nothing.”

As the 40 best bull riders in the world ready for Round 6 on Saturday night, Leme is now within 270.66 points of the world No. 1 rank.

Should Leme once again be crowned the PBR World Champion in 2022, the stoic Brazilian would become the first rider in history to claim the honor in three consecutive seasons and just the third three-time PBR World Champion.

For the second consecutive night, world No. 2 Vieira was upended by his bovine athlete opponent.

In the fifth round of bull riding’s most prestigious event, the popular veteran rider was bucked off in 5.63 seconds by Soy El Fuego (Winston/Melton/Stockyards Pro Rodeo).

Vieira, who is attempting to become the oldest PBR World Champion in history this season, is now seventh in the event standings, having gone 3-for-5 thus far.

World No. 3 Pacheco also suffered defeat in Round 5.

Continuing to compete with a broken foot, 2018 PBR World Champion Pacheco was bucked off by Tortuga (Halpain/Martinelli) in 5.02 seconds.

The “Ice Man” is now 87.49 points back of No. 1 Swearingen. In the event standings, Pacheco, who has gone 3-for-5, is fourth, 87.5 points behind leader Swearingen.

Round 5 of the 2022 PBR World Finals featured a breakthrough performance for 19-year-old sensation Bob Mitchell (Steelville, Missouri).

Converting atop Big Wave (Lone Star/Outlaw/Maynes/D&H Cattle Co.) for his first qualified ride at his debut PBR World Finals, Mitchell was marked 88.75 points, earning 28 world points.

Atop the standings in the race for the coveted Rookie of the Year honor, Mitchell extended his lead over No. 2 Clayton Sellars (Fruitland Park, Florida) to 66.92 points. Sellars, who missed Round 2 due to injury, has yet to cover at the event. In Round 5, he was bucked off by Buffalo Heifer (Lucas Manning Bucking Bulls) in a heartbreaking 7.06 seconds.

Returning to the Round 5 leaderboard, Dalton Kasel (Muleshoe, Texas) and Dener Barbosa (Paulo de Faria, Brazil) tied for second after logging matching 92-point rides. The duo covered Mr. Excavator (Cornwell Bucking Bulls) and Flapjack (Parker/OK Corralis/Gordon/D&H Cattle), respectively, each collecting $17,500 and 47 world points.

Kasel remained No. 7 in the world, and Barbosa climbed one position from No. 12 to No. 11.

Reigning PBR Rookie of the Year Eli Vastbinder (Statesville, North Carolina) delivered his second consecutive ride, and third overall of the event, in Round 5 to gain one position in the world standings.

Vastbinder, who covered WSM’s Trail of Tears (WSM Auctioneers/Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger) for 89 points to finish sixth in the round and collect 32 world points, is now No. 9 in the world after beginning the evening’s competition No. 10.

The reserved North Carolinian trails No. 1 Swearingen by 495.33 points.

The score also elevated Vastbinder to sixth in the World Finals event. Having gone 3-for-5 to amass 264.25 points, Vastbinder is within 95.5 points of overtaking the event lead.

Round 5 of the 2022 PBR World Finals also included the Top 15 3- and 4-year-old ABBI (American Bucking Bull Inc.) Classic bulls from Round 1.

Current No. 1 Classic bull in the ABBI standings Cool Whip (Julian Cattle & Staci Addison/D&H Cattle/Crooked W) extended his lead with a 91.6-point out Friday evening, and a 180.4-point average across the two performances. The bovine earned the championship title and more than $10,000.

Alakazam finished second with 178.88 points for just under $7,000, while Tchoupitoulas (Heavy Hitters Group/Twisted T Livestock) was not far behind with 178.56 points for a third-place finish and more than $5,000.

Flapjack landed in fourth with 178.08 points for $4,000 and Mr. Excavator rounded out the Top 5 with 177.68 points for just under $3,500.

The 2022 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast continues with Round 6 on Saturday, May 21 at 7:45 p.m. CDT.

PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer re-airs and on-demand replays of every PBR Unleash The Beast event. PBR RidePass is available on desktops, laptops and mobile devices via www.pluto.tv. Tune to channel 720 for the latest programming schedule, and click here for on-demand PBR programming.

PBR Unleash The Beast
PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast
Dickies Arena – Fort Worth, Texas
Event Leaders (Round 1-Round 2-Round 3-Round 4-Round 5-Round 6-Round 7-Round 8-Event Aggregate-Event Points)

1. Daylon Swearingen, 0-93-89.5-85.75-91.5-0-0-0-359.75-166 Points.
2. Jose Vitor Leme, 85.75-90.25-86-0-92.75-0-0-0-354.75-156.33 Points.
3. Cody Jesus, 89-90.25-89-84.75-0-0-0-0-353.00-129 Points.
4. Kaique Pacheco, 0-91.75-89-91.5-0-0-0-0-272.25-168 Points.
5. Luciano De Castro, 0-91.25-90.25-0-85.25-0-0-0-266.75-146 Points.
6. Eli Vastbinder, 87.5-0-0-87.75-89-0-0-0-264.25-90 Points.
7. João Ricardo Vieira, 90.25-86-87.75-0-0-0-0-0-264.00-89 Points.
8. Dalton Kasel, 90.25-0-0-0-92-0-0-0-182.25-92 Points.
9. Josh Frost, 88.75-92.75-0-0-0-0-0-0-181.50-77 Points.
10. Dener Barbosa, 0-0-0-89.25-92-0-0-0-181.25-87 Points.
11. Brady Oleson, 91.25-0-0-89.5-0-0-0-0-180.75-133 Points.
12. João Henrique Lucas, 0-0-0-91.25-86.5-0-0-0-177.75-73 Points.
13. Ezekiel Mitchell, 88.5-89-0-0-0-0-0-0-177.50-52 Points.
14. Ramon de Lima, 0-0-88.75-87.75-0-0-0-0-176.50-66 Points.
15. Lucas Divino, 0-0-85.75-0-89.5-0-0-0-175.25-52 Points.
16. Andrew Alvidrez, 85.75-0-89.25-0-0-0-0-0-175.00-60.33 Points.
17. Mauricio Gulla Moreira, 0-94.25-0-0-0-0-0-0-94.25-89 Points.
18. Mason Taylor, 90.25-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-90.25-45 Points.
19. Bob Mitchell, 0-0-0-0-88.75-0-0-0-88.75-28 Points.
20. Eduardo Aparecido, 0-0-87.5-0-0-0-0-0-87.50-24 Points.
21. Ednei Caminhas, 0-87.25-0-0-0-0-0-0-87.25-20 Points.
22. Marcelo Procopio Pereira, 85.75-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-85.75-16.33 Points.
23. Cody Teel, 0-0-84.5-0-0-0-0-0-84.50-13 Points.
24. Brady Fielder, 84.25-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-84.25-12 Points.

Austin Richardson, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Derek Kolbaba, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Chase Dougherty, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Manoelito de Souza Junior, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Clayton Sellars, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Rafael Henrique dos Santos, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Dakota Louis, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Keyshawn Whitehorse, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Matt Triplett, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Marco Eguchi, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Claudio Montanha Jr., 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Silvano Alves, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Alex Marcilio, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Adriano Salgado, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Brandon Davis, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Casey Coulter, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Alex Cardozo, 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.00

 

Ten-time Stock Contractor of the Year Chad Berger’s Smooth Operator dominates to win second-consecutive YETI PBR World Champion Bull title

ARLINGTON, Texas – Competing at his first-ever PBR (Professional Bull Riders) World Finals, Boudreaux Campbell (Crockett, Texas) delivered a near perfect 4-for-5 performance inside AT&T Stadium, to win the 2020 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast event title, clinching the 2020 PBR Rookie of the Year honor and propelling to No. 3 in the world.

Just as the 2020 PBR World Champion Jose Vitor Leme (RIbas do Rio Pardo, Brazil) had loudly announced his arrival at the top of the sport by dominating the World Finals event in 2017, Campbell, winner of the four-day 2020 season-culminating event, also put the bull riding world on notice that a new title-contending cowboy is on the scene.

“I’m lost for words,” Campbell said. “I’ve been working at this all year long, especially with the year we had. It was crazy. We had to go through a lot of obstacles. PBR went through a ton of stress to get us to where we are. And heck, my emotions right now are so happy.”

“I’ve always dreamed of a PBR World title. This is one step closer to that goal. It’s a big accomplishment.”

Beginning the season-culminating event No. 33 in the world, Campbell began his surge up the standings when he covered Heartbreak Kid (D&H Cattle/Buck Cattle/Erwin Cattle) for 88 points in Round 1 on Thursday night.

The Texas native then drafted Bullseye (Mears Owen) for Round 2 of the event in his home state, once again reaching the requisite 8, this time for a score of 89.25 points.

Campbell then recorded the second 90-point ride of his Unleash The Beast career, and his first-at the PBR World Finals, on Safety Meeting (Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger/Clay Struve/Hruby/Kainz) for a commanding 90 points in Round 4.

While the 22-year-old, who is the lone rider to qualify for both the PBR World Finals and National Finals Rodeo, was unable to remain perfect at the sport’s most prestigious event, bucked off by Silent Night (Hart Cattle Co./Randy Wood) in 4.13 seconds in Round 4, he punctuated his World Finals debut with a score when he covered Buckin For Cash (Paradigm Bull Company) for a sensational 90.75 points in the championship round as cowboy hats from fellow riders zinged in celebration over the dirt before the ride was complete.

Including the $300,000 World Finals event winner bonus, Campbell netted a check for $368,500 as well as 710 world points. He surged 30 positions in the world standings to conclude his first season with the PBR No. 3 in the world, 722.34 points behind PBR World Champion Leme.

“I’m so happy to be here in this spot,” Campbell said. “Winning the Rookie of the Year, that was a goal I had coming in here, and I knew I was far behind, and I knew I needed some help drawing and riding. And I’m glad everything worked out this week, and it all played in my favor.”

In his blazing path to the Rookie of the Year honor, Campbell overtook fellow Texan Cole Melancon (Paris, Texas) for the title. Melancon concluded the race amongst first-year professionals second, while Alex Cerqueira (Iguatemi, Brazil) was third, Mauricio Moreira (Gaviao Peixoto, Brazil) was fourth, and Andrew Alvidrez (Seminole, Texas) rounded out the Top 5 in fifth.

Leme was crowned the 2020 PBR World Champion Saturday evening following his monstrous 95.75-point, Round 3-winning ride aboard Woopaa (Barker Bucking Bulls).

The statement 8-second effort, a career-best for Leme, was also the high-marked ride of the 2020 PBR World Finals, earning the Brazilian phenom his second Lane Frost/Brent Thurman Award. Leme also captured the honor in 2017 when he covered Magic Train (Jared Allen’s Pro Bull Team) for 94.5 points in the championship round.

Adding to the significance of Leme’s title-clinching ride, his match-up with Woopaa, solidified a world title for both the bull rider and bovine athlete.

Woopaa bucked to both the 2020 ABBI Classic World Championship and the 2020 ABBI Classic Bull of the Finals title courtesy of his monstrous out, netting a collective $150,000 in bonuses.

In 2020, in addition to winning a league-leading seven Unleash The Beast events and 16 rounds, Leme went a torrid 44-for-65 covering a head-turning 67.69% of the planet’s rankest bovine athletes.

In the league’s 27-year history, Leme is the 19^th different rider – and seventh Brazilian – to claim the PBR World Champion gold buckle. His title is the eleventh time a rider from the nation of Brazil has won what’s been called the most difficult individual championship in professional sports.

After entering the 2020 PBR World Finals 0.03 points behind the regular season’s No. 1 bull Chiseled (Flinn/D&H Cattle Co.), Smooth Operator (Dakota Rodeo/Julie Rosen/Clay Struve/Chad Berger) delivered two commanding outs inside the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys to win his second consecutive YETI PBR World Champion Bull title and $100,000 bonus.

In Round 1, Smooth Operator overtook the lead in the race amongst the league’s bovine athletes when he bucked off Dener Barbosa (Paulo de Faria, Brazil) in 3.57 seconds to earn a 46-point bull score. He then cemented his victory in besting veteran rider Ryan Dirteater (Hulbert, Oklahoma) in 2.6 seconds in the championship round to earn a 46.25-point bull score.

Ten-year-old Smooth Operator is now the oldest two-time World Champion Bull in league history, and the sixth animal athlete ever to win the honor in multiple seasons. He joins the elite club which includes two-time PBR World Champion Bulls Dillinger (Herrington Cattle Co.) and Bones (Teague Bucking Bulls), and three-time PBR World Champion Bulls Little Yellow Jacket (Berger/Teague/Taupin), Bushwacker (Julio Moreno Bucking Bulls) and SweetPro’s Bruiser (D&H Cattle Co./Buck Cattle Co.).

Smooth Operator concluded the 2020 season 0.10 points ahead of runner-up Chiseled with a 46.13-point world average.

Smooth Operator also tied with I’m Busted (Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger/Clay Struve/Ken Barnhardt) for the 2020 PBR Bull of the World Finals. I’m Busted also posted 46.25 and 46-point scores, compliments of his 6.09-second and 4.95-second buckoffs of Daylon Swearingen (Piffard, New York) in Round 1 and the championship round, respectively.

On an evening of competition when his bulls were dominant, Chad Berger was crowned the 2020 PBR Stock Contractor of the Year for an unprecedented tenth time, including the past seven consecutive seasons.

Dakota Buttar (Kindersley, Saskatchewan, Canada) was awarded the Glen Keeley Award for the fourth consecutive year. This award goes to the Canadian bull rider earning the most points during the season.

The final day of the 2020 PBR World Finals also held the last day of action for the inaugural $750,000 Women’s Rodeo World Championship.

In breakaway roping, 18-year-old Madison Outhier (Utopia, Texas) was the undeniable star of the discipline, delivering what would be the most groundbreaking performance of the event. As the quickest athlete to earn a qualified time, her 2.05-second effort elevated her to a $60,000 payday.

Fans can relive all the action from the 2020 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast on demand on RidePass at 8:00 a.m. ET on Monday, November 16. RidePass is available at RidePass.com or via the RidePass app available on iOS, Android and Roku.

2020 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast

AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas

Event Leaders (Round 1-Round 2-Round 3-Round 4-Round 5-Event Aggregate-Event Points)

1. Boudreaux Campbell, 88-89.25-90-0-90.75-358.00-710 Points.
2. Keyshawn Whitehorse, 0-91-90-0-93.75-274.75-485 Points.
3. Marco Eguchi, 0-88.75-83.25-84.75-91-347.75-445.5 Points.
4. Cole Melancon, 0-88.75-0-88.5-92.25-269.50-265 Points.
5. Eduardo Aparecido, 91.5-89-0-87.5-0-268.00-246.5 Points.
6. Jose Vitor Leme, 87.5-83.25-95.75-0-0-266.50-231.5 Points.
7. Derek Kolbaba, 92.75-0-90.75-0-0-183.50-150 Points.
8. Cody Teel, 87.5-88.25-88.5-0-0-264.25-130 Points.
9. Cooper Davis, 82.75-0-87.75-89.25-0-259.75-117 Points.
10. Jess Lockwood, 0-0-0-91-0-91.00-100 Points.
11. Silvano Alves, 85.25-87.25-0-0-86.75-259.25-76 Points.
12. Daylon Swearingen, 0-88.5-0-90.25-0-178.75-75.5 Points.
13. Tye Chandler, 89.5-88.5-0-0-0-178.00-69.5 Points.
14. Ryan Dirteater, 0-88.25-91-0-0-179.25-66.5 Points.
15. Dalton Kasel, 0-0-87.5-89-0-176.50-46 Points.
16. Alex Cerqueira, 0-89-0-0-0-89.00-42.5 Points.
17. Mason Taylor, 89.25-0-0-0-0-89.25-40 Points.
18. Kyler Oliver, 0-0-90-0-0-90.00-35 Points.
19. Joao Henrique Lucas, 0-0-0-88.5-0-88.50-32.5 Points.

(tie). Dakota Louis, 89-0-0-0-0-89.00-32.5 Points.

(tie). Brock Radford, 89-0-0-0-0-89.00-32.5 Points.

22. Kaique Pacheco, 87-84.25-84.5-0-0-255.75-32 Points.
23. Dener Barbosa, 0-0-0-88.25-0-88.25-25 Points.

(tie). J.B. Mauney, 0-0-89.75-0-0-89.75-25 Points.

25. Ezekiel Mitchell, 0-0-89-0-0-89.00-17.5 Points.

(tie). Taylor Toves, 0-0-89-0-0-89.00-17.5 Points.

27. Luciano De Castro, 83.75-85.5-0-0-0-169.25-9 Points.
28. Alex Cardozo, 0-87.5-0-0-0-87.50-6 Points.
29. Brennon Eldred, 0-83.75-0-0-0-83.75-2 Points.

João Ricardo Vieira, 0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Lucas Divino, 0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Colten Jesse, 0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Fabiano Vieira, 0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Ramon de Lima, 0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Matt Triplett, 0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Mauricio Gulla Moreira, 0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Andrew Alvidrez, 0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Aaron Kleier, 0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Stetson Lawrence, 0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Claudio Montanha Jr., 0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Amadeu Campos Silva, 0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Marcus Mast, 0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Wallace Vieira de Oliveira, 0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Cody Casper, 0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Bradley Brittain, 0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Cody Campbell, 0-0-0-0-0-0.00

Andre da Cruz de Souza, 0-0-0-0-0-0.00

 

2020 PBR World Standings

(Place, Rider, Events, Wins, Top 5’s, Points, Total Winnings)

1. Jose Vitor Leme, 43, 17, 25, 1,573.00, $1,601,931.57
2. João Ricardo Vieira, 31, 4, 13, 916.91, $277,740.85
3. Boudreaux Campbell, 20, 2, 7, 850.66, $471,671.36
4. Marco Eguchi, 26, 3, 12, 700.25, $198,644.87
5. Jess Lockwood, 21, 1, 10, 696.00, $275,558.74
6. Kaique Pacheco, 31, 1, 10, 685.50, $153,803.77
7. Keyshawn Whitehorse, 27, 3, 10, 685.00, $299,217.38
8. Cooper Davis, 27, 4, 17, 679.00, $175,826.25
9. Daylon Swearingen, 45, 4, 13, 678.66, $273,056.48
10. Cole Melancon, 36, 2, 7, 579.50, $313,791.07
11. Lucas Divino, 33, 2, 11, 571.50, $155,998.53
12. Eduardo Aparecido, 24, 0, 5, 557.50, $160,383.78
13. Derek Kolbaba, 42, 4, 11, 516.00, $164,244.93
14. Colten Jesse, 43, 4, 12, 472.00, $130,471.29
15. Mason Taylor, 38, 3, 9, 462.75, $144,899.94
16. Cody Teel, 27, 0, 4, 386.25, $147,177.88
17. Dener Barbosa, 18, 2, 7, 352.41, $93,548.60
18. Ezekiel Mitchell, 38, 1, 6, 351.50, $84,722.55
19. Alex Cerqueira, 29, 1, 6, 302.00, $74,822.26
20. Silvano Alves, 38, 1, 5, 273.00, $72,171.95
21. Brennon Eldred, 30, 1, 4, 259.50, $77,691.38
22. Fabiano Vieira, 23, 3, 6, 258.50, $52,703.97
23. Ramon de Lima, 20, 1, 2, 248.16, $90,862.79
24. Matt Triplett, 30, 3, 8, 241.50, $126,996.48
25. Mauricio Gulla Moreira, 38, 4, 11, 221.83, $63,920.90
26. Andrew Alvidrez, 32, 2, 7, 217.66, $63,434.11
27. Aaron Kleier, 31, 4, 13, 214.83, $49,861.58
28. J.B. Mauney, 10, 0, 4, 209.00, $43,708.02
29. Stetson Lawrence, 34, 1, 8, 203.00, $75,945.93
30. Tye Chandler, 12, 1, 3, 192.83, $55,556.67
31. Ryan Dirteater, 16, 0, 6, 186.50, $86,061.41
32. Claudio Montanha Jr., 23, 0, 3, 185.00, $53,422.84
33. Joao Henrique Lucas, 33, 1, 4, 184.41, $42,800.37
34. Dakota Buttar, 20, 6, 11, 170.00, $55,309.65
35. Lachlan Richardson, 19, 4, 9, 166.00, $52,577.61
36. Taylor Toves, 28, 1, 3, 157.50, $56,030.35
37. Kyler Oliver, 13, 2, 5, 151.00, $38,989.25
38. Dakota Louis, 40, 1, 7, 135.50, $52,437.23
39. Brock Radford, 28, 2, 9, 124.66, $35,406.25
40. Dalton Kasel, 12, 0, 3, 117.50, $33,101.11
41. Rafael Henrique dos Santos, 25, 1, 6, 106.00, $31,043.02
42. Amadeu Campos Silva, 34, 0, 4, 104.66, $31,425.29
43. Junior Patrik Souza, 32, 0, 5, 104.50, $26,817.17
44. Alex Cardozo, 18, 0, 4, 102.33, $18,584.63
45. Marcus Mast, 40, 0, 7, 99.16, $34,598.99

Three-time World Champion Silvano Alves further solidifies record, Derek Kolbaba snaps buckoff streak, and world No. 1 Jose Vitor Leme falters

GUTHRIE, Okla. – At the historic third closed-to-fans PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Unleash The Beast event inside Lazy E Arena in Logan County, Oklahoma, the world’s Top 35 bull riders continued to pioneer the return of professional sports in an empty arena on a night where the bovine athletes reigned supreme.

With bull power in full force, only six cowboys recorded qualified rides on the opening night of the two-day PBR Lucas Oil Invitational, presented by U.S. Border Patrol.

Compliments of his 88.75-point score aboard Hell on the Red (Bill Henson/Gene Owen), young gun Mason Taylor (Maypearl, Texas) won Round 1.

The ride marked Taylor’s second round win of the 2020 season and also snapped a three-out buckoff streak for the 20-year-old. He earned $3,750 and 20 world points.

After beginning the event No. 17 in the world, the Texan climbed one position to No. 16.

In Round 2, Taylor will face a familiar opponent, set to attempt God’s Country (Owens/Wyatt/Smith) for the second time in his career.

When the duo first met last weekend at the Lazy E, God’s Country bested Taylor in a swift 4.71 seconds.

Three-time PBR World Champion Silvano Alves (Pilar do Sul, Brazil) further etched his name in the PBR record books tonight, courtesy of his 82.5-point, fifth-place ride aboard Sidewinder (TNT Bucking Bulls/Hart Cattle Co.) in Round 1.

The 8-second effort marked the Brazilian veteran’s 414^th career ride on the elite Unleash The Beast.

After surpassing two-time PBR World Champion Chris Shivers (Jonesville, Louisiana) for fifth-most rides all-time last weekend, Alves is now within 15 rides of tying Valdiron de Oliveira (Balcimo, Brazil) for fourth in the league history books. Shivers logged 412 rides in his career, while Oliveira reached the 8-second whistle 429 times.

PBR’s 2008 World Champion Guilherme Marchi (Tres Lagoas, Brazil) leads the league with 635, followed by two-time World Champion J.B. Mauney (Statesville, North Carolina) with 528, and 2004 World Champion Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) with 525.

Alves’ latest ride netted him seven world points, propelling him from No. 49 to No. 42 in the world.

In Round 2 of the PBR Lucas Oil Invitational, presented by U.S. Border Patrol, Alves will attempt Bullseye (Owens/Wyatt/Smith/Mears). After propelling Alves’s countryman Fabiano Vieira (Perola, Brazil) to the event victory at the first premier series event held inside Lazy E Arena in late April, Bullseye got the best of Lucas Divino (Nova Crixas, Brazil) last weekend.

The opening night of PBR’s final event at the Lazy E to finish a three-weekend stand also featured a breakthrough performance from phenom Derek Kolbaba (Walla Walla, Washington).

Kolbaba snapped a five-out buckoff streak in riding Caddy Black (Owens/Wyatt/Smith) for 81.75 points to finish sixth in the opening round.

Kolbaba earned six world points, maintaining his No. 19 ranking.

World No. 1 Jose Vitor Leme (Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil) was not among the contingent celebrating the evening’s six qualified rides.

Leme was bucked off by rank, high-kicking M.A.G.A. (TNT Bucking Bulls/Hart Cattle Co.), in an uncharacteristic 1.84 seconds.

As he looks to redeem himself on Championship Sunday, the former semi-professional soccer player will attempt a bovine athlete in a high-profile rubber match.

Leme will face Blue Crush (Cord McCoy/Chad Reese) for the third time in his career. With both their outs on record taking place at the annual January Unleash The Beast event in Chicago, Leme first rode Blue Crush for 87.25 points in 2019, before being bucked off in 5.61 seconds this season.

Rookie of the Year contender Amadeu Campos Silva (Atair, Brazil) was second in Round 1, earning $2,500 and 10 world points, after completing an 87.5-point trip aboard Real Gun (Cord McCoy/Graber/Gallagher).

Climbing one position in the world standings, now No. 30, Silva will attempt Honey Man (D&H Cattle Co./Buck Cattle Co.) in Round 2 as he seeks his first premier series event win.

Third was Alex Cerqueira (Iguatemi, Brazil).

As the first rider to log a qualified ride, Cerqueira covered Spit Out The Bone (Cord McCoy/Double R) for 84.75 points to net $2,000 and nine world points.

The 8-second effort marks the second time Cerqueira has been able to cover the bovine athlete. The duo first squared off this January when Cerqueira reached the whistle for 85.5 points at the Touring Pro Division’s Cowtown PBR in Fort Worth, Texas.

Cerqueira’s performance allowed him to gain ground in the world title race. Ahead of his Round 2 matchup against Danny Boy (D&H Cattle Co./Gordon/OK Corralis), the 27-year-old rose from No. 48 to No. 41 in the world.

Rounding out the Top 5 in fourth was Divino, riding Eye of the Storm (McCoy Ranches) for 84.25 points.

Nabbing a paycheck for $1,250, along with eight world points, Divino maintained his world No. 12 rank.

The PBR Lucas Oil Invitational, presented by U.S. Border Patrol, will conclude with Round 2 and the championship round on Sunday, May 17. CBS Sports Network and RidePass’ LIVE coverage of Round 2 will begin at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Starting at 2:00 p.m. ET, CBS Sports will televise the championship round LIVE, as PBR’s historic trio of events concludes inside Lazy E Arena, utilizing a health and safety plan that has been reviewed by more than a dozen other sports leagues and organizing bodies.

Fans can relive all the action from Round 1 of the PBR Lucas Oil Invitational, presented by U.S. Border Patrol, starting at 8:00 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 17, on RidePass at RidePass.com or via the mobile app.

PBR Unleash The Beast
PBR Lucas Oil Invitational, presented by U.S. Border Patrol
Lazy E Arena – Guthrie, Oklahoma
Event Leaders (Round 1-Round 2-Round 3-Event Aggregate-Event Points)

1. Mason Taylor, 88.75-0-0-88.75-20 Points.
2. Amadeu Campos Silva, 87.5-0-0-87.50-10 Points.
3. Alex Cerqueira, 84.75-0-0-84.75-9 Points.
4. Lucas Divino, 84.25-0-0-84.25-8 Points.
5. Silvano Alves, 82.75-0-0-82.75-7 Points.
6. Derek Kolbaba, 81.75-0-0-81.75-6 Points.

Jose Vitor Leme, 0-0-0-0.00

Daylon Swearingen, 0-0-0-0.00

Colten Jesse, 0-0-0-0.00

Cole Melancon, 0-0-0-0.00

Fabiano Vieira, 0-0-0-0.00

Matt Triplett, 0-0-0-0.00

Mauricio Gula Moreira, 0-0-0-0.00

Tye Chandler, 0-0-0-0.00

Cody Teel, 0-0-0-0.00

Joao Henrique Lucas, 0-0-0-0.00

Stetson Lawrence, 0-0-0-0.00

Taylor Toves, 0-0-0-0.00

Andrew Alvidrez, 0-0-0-0.00

Brennon Eldred, 0-0-0-0.00

Marcus Mast, 0-0-0-0.00

Jake Lockwood, 0-0-0-0.00

Cody Casper, 0-0-0-0.00

Rafael dos Santos, 0-0-0-0.00

Dalton Kasel, 0-0-0-0.00

Keyshawn Whitehorse, 0-0-0-0.00

Brady Sims, 0-0-0-0.00

Dakota Louis, 0-0-0-0.00

Keith Hall, 0-0-0-0.00

Devon Weaver, 0-0-0-0.00

Joseph McConnel, 0-0-0-0.00

Grayson Cole, 0-0-0-0.00

Wallace Vieira de Oliveira, 0-0-0-0.00

Cannon Cravens, 0-0-0-0.00

Rubens Barbosa, 0-0-0-0.00