LAS VEGAS (October 20, 2010) - [Editor’s Note: The PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals will be a six-round event this year after encompassing eight rounds the past six years. Before we look ahead, let’s take a peak back at some of the great moments from the 2004-09 Finals. Writer Chris McManes – who’s been covering PBR since 1996 – will feature eight achievements until the start of the showdown in Las Vegas.]
Kody Lostroh and J.B. Mauney’s battle for the PBR World Championship at last year’s Built Ford Tough World Finals was arguably the most exciting race in PBR history. Back and forth they went, two warriors intent on giving every ounce of skill and ability they had.
How close were they? Consider that they came back 1-2 in the short go and finished first and second in the event and World Championship standings.
“I thought the amount of athleticism that they both showed – physically and mentally – would rival any athlete, in any sport, in any era,” Ty Murray said at the post-event press conference. “It was fantastic to watch, very inspiring. We’re looking at two really great champions, and I’m proud we have them.
“Without question, this year, those are the two very best bull riders in the entire world.”
Lostroh came into Las Vegas with a 294.75-point lead over 2008 World Champion Guilherme Marchi, who was attempting to become the first repeat titlist. Mauney was 785 points back. Marchi proceeded to buck off a season-high five consecutive bulls, paving the way for Lostroh or Mauney to grab the gold. They responded by riding their first seven bulls.
Lostroh’s 90-pointer on Soulja Boy (Priest Creek Ranch) in Round 7 actually gave him the World Championship, but neither he nor Mauney knew this for sure as they rosined up their ropes for the final go. Fans at the Thomas & Mack Center were also in the dark.
“I didn’t have a clue what the points were,” Lostroh said at the time. “To be honest with you, I didn’t care. I was still there to do my job.”
Mauney won the short go with an event-high 93.75 on Black Pearl (Ravenscroft/Boyd-Floyd) and became the only man to cover all eight bulls at a PBR World Finals. Lostroh looked like he was going to join him until he lost his rope at 7.47 seconds on Voodoo Child (Robinson, Beutler, Bar None & McNeely).
Lostroh became the first PBR Rookie of the Year (2005) to win the World Championship. His season earnings of $1,628,442 included a $1 million bonus from Ford Trucks. He held the top position in the PBR points standings for the final 20 regular-season events. His 16,640 season points were 594 better than Mauney. He placed second in the Finals event standings.
Despite dealing with ligament damage in his left (riding) elbow, a broken nose and a late-season shoulder injury, Lostroh won five regular-season contests, placed in the Top 5 eleven times and covered a PBR-leading 64.2 percent of his bulls. The injuries, which only kept him from one event, were just another thing he had to overcome.
“That’s what I enjoy about the sport; nothing’s ever easy,” said Lostroh, who had surgery on his elbow three days after his victory. “As you work hard and put in the effort, you’re going to get rewarded. No matter how good you ride or how much you’re winning, there are always going to be challenges and obstacles ahead of you, and that’s what makes it so rewarding and so challenging.
“I just love that part about it.”
Mauney, the PBR’s top rookie in 2006, closed out the season by making the whistle on 12 straight bulls and won his first Finals event title. He won a Finals-record $348,000 and $786,298 for the year.
“I really did everything I could and still Kody came out on top,” he said. “He was awesome and deserves to be World Champion.”
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