Newberry puts on a show in his hometown

By Ted Harbin
Posted Saturday, May 30, 2009

ADA, Okla. – Jody Newberry is an Ada boy at heart.

On Friday night during the first performance of the Cord McCoy Invitational presented by Cooper Tires, Newberry lit the Pontotoc County Agri-Plex ablaze with two strong rides and now carries the lead into tonight’s second performance after scoring 172 points on two rides.

Newberry scored an 88-point ride, matching moves with the Cody Hebert bull Handsome Jack to grab hold of the Round 1 lead. He then marked an 84 in the short go-round to carry the aggregate lead into tonight’s competition, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Agri-Plex.

“I was really excited that I got to ride in my hometown,” said Newberry, the 2003 PBR World Finals champion. “It’s even better than I did good.”

Newberry outlasted a strong showing from Brazilian Pim Rosa, who scored 171 on two rides – an 83 in the first round and a short-round leading 88.

“I don’t know if it’s the best I’ve ridden, but it’s the best I’ve ridden in a long time,” Newberry said. “I’m working my way back. The trick is to get on so many bulls to get into the swing of things. It’s just a matter of time.”

Newberry wasn’t the only local favorite to do well. Reigning World Champions Andy Burelle of Ardmore and Dusty Tuckness of Meeteetse, Wyo., representing Team Ada Gaming, have a resounding lead in the Professional Bullfighters Daisy Protection Bullfight Tour event that coincides with the Professional Bull Riders Enterprise Rent-A-Car Tour event.

In the protection bullfight, five two-man teams compete for points while serving as the primary protectors in the arena, showing off their aggressive athleticism and keen awareness of the animals. They are judged on criterion based on the fundamentals of good protection bullfighting.

“It’s always exciting to come into an event like this and do well,” said Burelle, who, with Tuckness, won the 2008 PBF Daisy Protection Bullfight world title, based on points earned throughout last season. “I’ve got a great partner in Dusty, one of the very best and someone I trust wholly.”

The teams not only use tremendous athleticism to keep everyone out of harm’s way inside the arena, but they must do so as a team. Team Ada Gaming scored 226, followed by Team Cooper Tires – Wacey Munsell of Ulysses, Kan., and Lance McIlvain of Arlington, Texas – who scored 180 points.

“We are very comfortable fighting together,” said Tuckness, a second-generation bullfighter. “I can’t ask for a better partner than Andy.”

Cord McCoy Invitational

Pontotoc County Agri-Plex

First Performance - Friday, May 29, 2009

PBR Enterprise Rent-A-Car Tour: 1. Jody Newberry, Ada, Okla., 172 points on two rides; 2. Pim Rosa, 171; 3. Paulo de Faria, Brazile, 171; 3. Pistol Robinson, Galaxy, Va., 165.5; 4. Chad Denton, Berry Creek, Calif., and Cody Atwood, Decatur, Texas, 85.5 on one; 6. Brant Atwood, Decatur, Texas, 85; 7. Jordan Hupp, Cheyenne, Wyo., 84.5; 8. Tate Stratton, Stanley, N.M., 84.

PBF Daisy Protection Bullfight Tour: 1. Team Ada Gaming, Andy Burelle, Ardmore, Okla./Dusty Tuckness, Meeteetse, Wyo., 226 points; 2. Team Cooper Tires, Wacey Munsell, Ulysses, Kan./Kevin Pitts, Burleson, Texas, 180; 3. Team Ada Travel Stop, Toby Inman, Davis Junction, Ill./Lance McIlvain, Arlington, Texas, 176; 4. Team Mann Creek Buck-n-Bulls, Jay Brewer, Graham, Texas/Steve Wangler, Plainview, Neb., 169; 5. Team Daisy, Brandt Clark, Lakeview, Mich./Joe Garretson, Springfield, Mo., 155.