Ross Coleman and Brendon Clark formed their friendship over 5 years ago at a bull riding in Tacoma, Wash.. Brendon stepped off a plane and made his way down to the arena and the first bull rider to introduce himself was Ross Coleman. From there they have been friends and have formed a bull riding bond that is unbreakable. To split the round at a PBR World Finals is at the top of accomplishments.
Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas was really no different from last night's round. Honestly, the predictions from the media room and some of the staff were that they would ride half of the bulls out today. The bulls must have heard the rumors, as they brought their A-game. Some of the riders are starting to understand what makes Sin City so tough, even after just 2 rounds. If anyone can use a day or two off, it would be the bullriders.
As it turns out of the 18 cowboys that had qualified rides Sunday, only 4 of them hadn't ridden a bull yet. Ryan Dirteater (84.25 on Rush), Rocky McDonald (86.25 on Mataska), Sean Willingham (88.50 on Mean Machine), and Harve Stewart (89.50 on Southern Gangster) all made the best of their Sunday draws. However, all of them were just out of the money in the round. That's right! For the third straight round, you had to be in the 90 point club or close to earn a check.
As the afternoon was unfolding, the Sunday crowd was only treated to 6 bullrides through the first 3 sections, which consisted of 27 bullriders.
Then boom, the 29th bull rider today got the fans in the Thomas and Mack off their seats. Brendon Clark, fresh off of riding Scene of the Crash last night for 90.75 and getting a taste of the money to be won, put up a 90.75 on Pearl Snap of Boyd/Floyd for the go round lead. Of course, last night that would finish 5th, so even after the ride, Brendon had to wait for the other 20 superstars to take their shot.
Tonight his 90.75 would stay at the top for the next 20 bull rides, but Ross Coleman took his shot on Outsider of Mayo/Hooker for an identical 90.75, to share the round win.
Daisy Rookie of the Year contender Reese Cates tried to do his part in putting a scare into those veterans as he went jump for jump with Firewater (Big Bend/Flying 5) for a 90.50 and added $11,000 dollars to his year end total.
Both Ross and Brendon had to watch as the top guns in the PBR all nodded their Resistols. Mike Lee would finish his first weekend with an 83.25 on Man Law (Jeff Robinson Bulls). Renato Nunes would come down early so we wouldn't be entertained with a back flip off the Enterprise center stage.
It was time for the Colorado kid that seems to always bring his gear bag to Vegas during the World Finals. If you remember, last year Kody Lostroh started out hot and won 2 rounds during his stay in Vegas, so he is no stranger to the media room at the Thomas and Mack Center. Red Onion of Sammy Andrews hasn't ever been to Vegas but he did his best to put Kody in the money with his 89.25.
Then there were two, Brazilians that is. Valdiron de Oliveira went round and round with Red Light (Frontier/Teague) for an 89.50 to split the 6th and 7th spot with Harve Stewart. The top gunner from last night's Air Force opening continued to add pressure to the field that can catch him for the title of World Champion. Guilherme Marchi's smooth 88 point ride on Flashover (Ty Rinaldo Bulls) wasn't exactly flashy but it was good enough to add to the dilemna of the others trying to catch him in the race for the cup and a gold buckle, oh not to mention the million dollar bonus.
Let's talk about the average race that will come into play next weekend, as the first three rounds are in the books and official.
J.B. Mauney leads the pack with his total on 3 bulls of 273.50. His 2 go round wins have put him in the driver's seat for the first weekend. He is followed closely by Guilherme Marchi at 270.50 and Chris Shivers, who for 5 years now has seen Vegas be unkind to him. Since winning his last world title in 2003, Chris has struggled with Las Vegas. This year, he is riding like he did back when he won those titles. He sits in the number 3 slot with 270.25. Renato Nunes is in there with 2 bulls scores of 92 pointers from round 1 and 2 and that has him there at 184. Brendon Clark with 181.50 and that comes from a pair of 90.75's from the previous two rounds. Ross Coleman 179.75, Reese Cates 179.75, Kody Lostroh 179.50, Justin McBride 178.50, Mike White 175.75 rounds out the top 10.
As the afternoon ended on the first weekend of competion, the events won't. I will be attending the ABBI events that will take us through Wednesday and the blackjack tourney, along with the golf and clay shoot events, will be on the target of things to do while in Vegas. All the funds raised will go to support the rider relief fund and those cowboys who may need it in the future of the PBR. I will also be reporting on the name changes of the PBR and as many of you know that the retirement parties start this evening with Justin McBride at the Silverton and Adriano and Ednei Caminhas will be later in the week. You all have a fantastic week and stay tuned with us here in Las Vegas with Rodeo Attitude.com as we bring you the final week of action.
J.W. Kinder
PRCA Rodeo Announcer & Western Regional Director
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