PUEBLO, Colo. (July 23, 2010) - Matt Werries described his two recent trips to Brazil as “kind of wild,” and added that both were “great experiences.”
On his first trip, the Illinois native traveled with four other American riders, including 2008 PBR Rookie of the Year Reese Cates. But his most recent trip was on his own.
He described the Brazilian bull riding events he attended as “like large U.S. events.” Werries said the atmosphere is loud and that fans spend as long as six hours at the event, much of which includes additional rodeo competitions and a concert.
“They make the events really good for the fans,” said Werries, who returned to the United States so that he could compete at Touring Pro events this weekend in Thief River Falls, Minn., and Cheyenne, Wyo.
“There were so many fans,” Werries said, “and it’s so loud at those events. The grandstands are huge and they have the speakers turned up loud, just so everybody can hear the announcers.”
Last weekend, Werries finished fifth at an event in Rio Verde.
Acknowledging the talent of the Brazilian riders, Werries noted that he was leading the average after going 5-for-5, but when he bucked off his short-round bull, he wound up finishing fifth. He said two of the Brazilians went 6-for-6.
“The bulls are top-notch,” said Werries, who added they’re bigger and stronger than American bulls, “and the competition is tough.”
Werries said that the riders and fans “treated [him] great” while he was there, and that he and Cates have talked about returning.
PBR Brazil covered travel expenses and hotel accommodations for both trips, and there is no entry fee associated with Brahma Super Bull events. Werries also pointed out that although he doesn’t speak Portuguese, riders like Alan Moraes and Helton Barbosa helped him out, and he spent much of his time with Fabiano Vieira.
Since returning to the U.S., he hasn’t spoken with many American riders, but said he’ll see a lot of them this weekend and added “the guys will ask” about his last trip.
“I’ll tell them how good the event was,” said Werries, who has competed at five Built Ford Tough Series event this year. “If I was told that, I know I would go down there, so I’m sure other American riders will want to go.”
Live on location
Beginning this weekend, PBR.com will post a series on PBR Brazil. Check back often for stories about the popularity and growth of the PBR, as well as profiles and stories related to professional bull riding in Brazil. And catch the blogging of PBR Senior Writer Keith Ryan Cartwright, who is on assignment in Brazil this weekend.
