The 16 year history of the PBR World Finals added another chapter to it's record books tonight. It may be easier for me to write about the 16 bullriders that didn't record a score this evening. The qualified rides totaled 24 cowboys and there was not one 90-pointer in the group. It was a conglomerate of high 80's that we'd watch tonight. Last night's draft and pen of bulls must have been a dream for these bull riders, and it started with the first man and continued right through all the sections this evening.
The night belonged to five cowboys who would line up at the end of the round to take a picture for the go-round win. That's right, five bullriders made history tonight by riding their bulls to identical 89.25 scores on the judges' sheets. A five way tie has never happened in the PBR's 16 years of existence. All five of them split the points and money for the first five places.
The five are: Aaron Roy of Asquinth SK Canada, Cody Nance who is in the running for Daisy Rookie of the Year, Brian Canter of Randleman NC, Brazilian Robson Palermo who is trying to repeat as the World Finals winner and Kody Lostroh who is trying to end his story book year by becoming the World Champion.
We'll start with Aaron Roy, because he was our first man to ride to that 89.25 on his choice Big Iron (4L & Diamond S Rodeo).The kid right behind him from Paris Tennesee was Cody Nance and he had a little fun on Foolish Pride, another bull from 4L & Diamond S. During this first section we would see Billy Robinson (86.75), the veteran Brian Herman (88.00) and Clayton Baethge (85.00) ride their first bulls of the World Finals.
Ben Jones and Skeeter Kingsolver would finally each get one covered, for their first qualified rides of the finals in section 3 as Ben would tune it up for 88.50 and Skeeter was 86.25.
Section 4 would see the leaderboard look a little different. Caleb Sanderson, who rode Chicken on a Chain last night, would threaten the 90-point club and stay hot, checking in with an 89.00 on Outta Da Blue (Circle T Ranch) and finish the night in 6th, a quarter point out of the money,
Brian Canter was next and he was still fuming from last night as he had his bull rode and reached down early to pull his rope from his grip and was disqualified at 7.8 seconds. Not tonight though, as he would get Frosty of Circle T Ranch and ride the full 8 seconds and 89.25 was the result.
Section 4 would end with the much anticipated Enterprise Ride with the Best, with Enterprise cowboy Kody Lostroh, who has won the last 2 rounds. He would make it 3 in a row, the only difference being that he would have to share the money and buckle this evening with four others. Kody chose Chester (Mendell/Jaeger), which JB rode to a first round victory if you remember. JB was 89.75 on that bull but I believe Kody is going to be happy with his 89.25.
There were still 12 toro-twisters left to ride and that's the rest of the best bullriders of the 2009 season. Travis Briscoe, LJ Jenkins, Chris Shivers, Sean Willingham, Wiley Petersen and Renato Nunes all bucked off. Dustin Elliott (81.50) Austin Meiers (88.25) would post scores, although Austin would have to do it with his reride attempt. Dustin Elliott had a reride opportunity but chose to stay in contention of an average chack and short round qualification tomorrow. You can't fault him for that, as he now finds himself 8th in the average and that would be a nice payday at the end of the finals.
Robson Palermo would spin round for round and hang on to get his 89.25 aboard Grey Dog (D & H Cattle) and deposit the $14,000 that comes to each rider in the 5-way tie. Valdiron de Oliveira would stay in the hunt for a short round qualification and post an 88 on Maverick, but more importantly he is right behind the number 1 and 2 man, Kody and JB for the average. He is the only other cowboy who has ridden all 6 bulls to date.
2008 PBR world champion Guilherme Marchi would break the silence tonight, riding his fiirst bull of this year's finals. It really has been different for this young man. He hasn't had the Finals he is used to, but he remains a great champion in every form. He's gracious, he is thankful and he tries hard!
JB Mauney was last to go tonight and right before this kid slid down into the Priefert bucking chutes, the arena announcers made mention of the log jam at the top, with 89.25 points. The Copenhagen cowboy was ready to go and during the commercial break, he was motioning to his family thimbs up...Confidence!!! The North Carolina talent and Daisy Rookie of the Year a few years back picked Beer Googles (Don Kish) in the draft last night and tonight he would ring up 87.25. The sold out crowd of 17,889 would send down the boo's as they may have felt his effort was worth a little more.
As the night ended, it looked like a train from behind the chutes heading to the arena floor as the 5 cowboys lined up for interviews and pictures - The first ever in the history of the PBR.
Kody, Robson, Brian, Aaron and Cody would each cash a check for $14,000, and they will all get their buckles for the go round win, compliments of Ford Motors. Now that's Built Ford Tough!
As the Thomas & Mack Center closes for the last night performance, you can't help but look back on this night and think wow, now this is why the PBR is the fastest growing sport in North America! The toughest sport on Earth will crown a new jewel tomorrow afternoon. Either Kody or JB both will deserve it, as we look back over the past 10 months on the BFTS tour and the World Finals.
Before I close, I would like to give you the list of the short round qualifiers after round 6. There are 7 cowboys on the list that have ridden 2 bulls that have a legitimate shot at making the championship round and inserting their names on this list of short round bullriders. The top 8 can rest tonight, as they are almost a slock for that round.
1. JB Mauney (534.50)
2. Kody Lostroh (534.00)
3. Valdiron de Oliveira (530.00)
4. Robson Palermo (444.75)
5. Aaron Roy (439.25)
6. Austin Meier (353.25)
7. Ednei Caminhas (348.75)
8. Dustin Elliott (341.50)
9. Caleb Sanderson (266.75)
10. Ryan McConnel (265.00) Out/Injured
11.Shane Procter (263.00)
12. Ross Coleman (261.50) (possible for Sunday)
13. Kasey Hayes (258.00)
14. Brian Canter (177.75)
15. Cody Nance (176.75)
16. Edmundo Gomes (176.75) Due to Ryan McConnel's injury
As I shut the barn door this evening down and head to the Silverton Hotel & Casino to listen to Justin McBride playing the after party, the press room is still buzzing from the history made tonight, and how we may never see anything like that again. The PBR never seems to amaze me and I'm certainly thankful Cindy allows me to cover it for Rodeo Attitude and bring you some insight through my writing.
Until next time, Take Care and God Bless
JW Kinder
Professional Rodeo Announcer
Casper Wyoming
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