LAS VEGAS (October 24, 2010) - Two-time World Champion Chris Shivers’ place in PBR history is as secure as a cowboy’s riding hand on a 95-pointer. He’s No. 1 on the PBR career 90-point ride list (84), No. 2 in all-time earnings (over $3.75 million), and twice posted the association’s highest-marked ride (96.5).
The future Ring of Honor member would like to add one more achievement to his resume: Built Ford Tough World Finals event champion.
“I came here to win the Finals,” Shivers said Saturday night in the bowels of the Thomas & Mack Center. “That’s something I haven’t accomplished yet. That would be one of the highlights of my career. I’ve done everything else that I’ve set out to do except win these World Finals.
“I’d like to do that, too.”
Shivers will need a little help Sunday, because world No. 1 Renato Nunes is leading the event standings with 356.25 points. Shivers is second (264.25), Dustin Elliott third (263.5) and Wesley Lourenco fourth (263.25). The final day of the season concludes today with Round 5 and the 15-man short-go.
After bucking off his first bull, Shivers was thrown into the slide gate in Round 2 just after the gate opened and later took a hard hit to his helmet-protected head. With re-ride flags dotting the landscape, the PBR sports medicine team helped the 5-foot-5, 145-pounder walk out of the arena.
His legion of fans would have understood if his injuries prevented him from taking his re-ride. And he was actually given the option of accepting the mount Friday. But after Dr. Tandy Freeman told him he’d be feeling worse the next day, he cowboyed up and earned 88.25 points on 4L and Diamond S Rodeo Co.’s Mission Accomplished. The crowd went wild.
“That’s the way a lot of the older guys used to do it, I think,” said Shivers, who lives in Jonesville, La., with his wife and two sons. “It didn’t matter how bad they were hurt, they still got on and they still competed because that’s what it took to win.
“That got my momentum going, too.”
How badly was he banged up? The 31-year-old said he was hurting from his head down the entire left side of his body, which includes his riding arm. When he rolled up his sleeve Saturday, the swelling above his left elbow was readily apparent.
“My arm is still about double the size of what it should be,” he said. “My knee is about the same way. I’ve been coming up here every morning getting worked on with ice and treatments and stretching, and all that stuff, and I think that’s what helped me to be able to compete.”
“I’ve known Chris a long time and there’s no doubt about how tough he is,” PBR co-founder Cody Lambert said. “It’s really fun to watch him winning because he’s a legend in the PBR and he can still do it, and that’s great to see.”
Shivers turned in an 87-pointer in Round 3 and then on Saturday covered #10 Bucking Bulls’ Cat Man Do, who was bucking for the final time in his illustrious career. Cat Man took his usual trip: one jump out of the gate and to the left. Shivers was tacked on and earned 89 points to tie for third. It was the third time he made the whistle on Cat Man, including two trips of more than 90 points.
“I had that bull twice and I got along with him both times pretty handy,” Shivers said. “At these deals, if you ride one, 90 percent of the time you’re going to be enough points to win some money. I’m really focused on not just winning the rounds but winning the average.
“That’s what I came here to Las Vegas this week to do, and that’s where my mindset is.”
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