LAS VEGAS (October 20, 2010) - In a matter of hours, 53 of the best bull riders in the world will be introduced at the Thomas & Mack Center. And over the next five days, they will match up with the rankest bulls on the planet.
One man will win the Finals average title, another will be crowned a World Champion, and between now and then they will face many pressures – some of which are perceived, and others that are real.
“Really, it’s all perceived,” said Ty Murray in his daily Podcast. “It is what it is.”
Murray said that part of being a great bull rider is learning how to control emotions, and compartmentalize everything from fear to the pressures of winning and losing.
In the end, it can be the difference between winning a $1 million bonus and coming up one spot short in the standings.
Murray used Justin McBride’s maturation process as an example.
“He was a great bull rider, who dominated a lot all during the season, and when he finally got to the position of being able to be a World Champion, it took him several tries to get it all figured out,” Murray said. “And once he did get it figured out, he was a pretty unstoppable force.”
McBride won his first world title in 2005 and his second in 2007 before retiring at the conclusion of the 2008 season.
In today’s Podcast, which can be accessed here, Murray also talked about not letting the Finals feel any different than a regular-season event, even though it “gets you out of your groove and out of your rhythm.”
NEWS AND NOTES
MAYOR OSCAR B. GOODMAN PRESENTED PBR Executive ChairmanJeffrey Pollack with a proclamation prior to Wednesday night’s draw for the opening round of the Finals. Goodman spoke briefly at the start of the kickoff party before presenting the proclamation, which read in part, “I, the Mayor of the City of Las Vegas, County of Clark, State of Nevada, hereby proudly proclaim October 20 – 24, 2010 to be: PBR 2010 World Finals Days.”
GUILHERME MARCHI, who missed the last four Built Ford Tough Series events of year, said he’s unsure how his injured right wrist will hold up this week. He knows “it’s going to be sore after three or four bulls.” Marchi said he hasn’t ridden any practice bulls in the past month because he’s been “saving it for the Finals,” and although he hasn’t made any final decisions, he said he’s considering a second surgery.
MARK LOPES WASN’T CONCERNED with what bull he drew for the first round. Prior to the draw, he said, “I’m just happy to be doing something I like.” Lopes, who broke his right fibula at a Touring Pro event in Hollister, Calif., has been out of competition for the past six weeks, and didn’t intend to compete again until the Canadian Finals, which take place next month. The 28-year-old Lopes is one of the Touring Pro qualifiers, and joked that when he received the call to compete last week, he “made an exception for Vegas.”
MARCHI AND LOPES aren’t the only riders coming to Vegas after missing time with injuries. Travis Briscoe (left wrist), who competed in and won the last of the Final Five Showdowns, is back in the draw, along with Skeeter Kingsolver (right elbow), Ross Coleman (concussion), Luke Snyder (right hand), Beau Hill (left hand) and Reese Cates (right hand).
Cates, the 2008 Rookie of the Year, unknowingly rode with several breaks in his middle and ring fingers before sitting out. He estimated that he’s about 80 percent, although he’s still having problems closing his hand all the way.
NED CROSS AND JORDAN HUPP HAD BREAKOUT SEASONS in 2010 thanks in no small part to the Challenger Finals last November. Hupp is ranked 17th in the world, while Cross is 22nd. Cross finished the first event third in the average, and Hupp was sixth. The two then waited until the first cut of the season before being seeded in the Top 30.
“It was a blessing,” Cross said. “I don’t want to say it was a surprise, because I knew that I could do this good, but it definitely came at the right time, and I’m pleased with my season. Well, I’m not satisfied yet. I still need to do good here at the Finals.” Cross’ entire interview can be heardhere.
BRENDON CLARK WILL BE STREAMING HIS LIVE ONLINE TALK SHOW all this week. To watch live or to access archived shows, log ontowww.ustream.tv and type “Brendon Clark Show” in the search box. He encourages fans to email questions for the show by contacting him through his Facebook page, which is where he’ll also announce daily show times as well as guests. Clark already confirmed that his guest on Thursday’s show will be Justin McBride.
JUSTIN MCBRIDE RELEASED HIS NEWEST CD/DVD, “Live at Billy Bob’s Texas,” this week. In support of it, the singing cowboy is playing two concerts in Las Vegas. The first of them is tonight at his CD release party, which takes place at The Palazzo inside the Venetian Hotel. It starts at 10:30 p.m. and is an acoustic-only performance. McBride will perform with his entire band Friday night at The Venetian Showroom. That performance also begins at 10:30 p.m.
LOS DE SONORA, an up-and-coming Mexican band and YouTube sensation, will perform on the Cooper Tires stage in the Fan Zone outside the Thomas & Mack Center immediately following Round 1 of the World Finals on Wednesday, Oct. 20.
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS continues at the Finals. The pink jerseys previously worn by the Cooper Tires team will be available at the silent auction hosted by the Rider Relief Fund. The riders wore pink shirts and pink chaps in Columbus, Ohio, and again in Times Square. Proceeds from the sale of the uniforms will be split between the Rider Relief Found and the Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation.
PBR Fan Club members were so taken by the riders who participated, including all those who wore pink ribbons in Columbus, that they have organized an unofficial “pink” night on Wednesday. Through comments on www.pbr.com and social networking sites, it appears there are a growing number of fans planning to wear pink to the opening round of the Finals.
RIDING HIGH MINISTRIES will host Faith & Family Night at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, immediately following Round 2 of the 2010 Built Ford Tough World Finals on Thursday, Oct. 21. The event will feature Christian artist Jeremy Riddle, PBR Champions sharing stories of faith, and a unique horse-breaking demonstration by PBR Chaplain Todd Pierce. Everyone with a ticket for Round 2 is invited to attend.
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