PUEBLO, Colo. (January 18, 2010) - The Professional Bull Riders Rules and Regulations Committee determined in an emergency meeting Monday that there was a significant inconsistency in judges’ scores at the Sacramento Classic last weekend, and that disciplinary action was required.
Longtime judge Jeff Shearer, one of four judges at the ARCO Arena on Saturday night, will be suspended for five events.
“We saw a problem, so we met and rectified it,” said Jay Daugherty, Senior Vice President of Competition. “Jeff has been one of our best judges for years, but we have a zero-tolerance policy on something like this.”
In the second to last ride of the event, Shearer gave Elliott Jacoby an 18 (out of a possible 25) for his ride on Necessary Evil. The score was well below the other judges’ range of scores (21.5, 22 and 21), and resulted in Jacoby losing out on the event title by half a point.
The Rules and Regulations committee determined that the inconsistency was unreasonable. As a result, Shearer will be suspended for five events. Once he returns, he will be subject to indefinite probation, with zero tolerance for error going forward.
“In any judged sport, there will be differences of opinion,” Daugherty said. “But a major inconsistency like this can go to the heart of our credibility. This incident is a small blemish on Jeff’s otherwise stellar career as a PBR judge, and I’m confident it won’t happen again.”
Shearer will be eligible to return on Feb. 26 at the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Invitational at St. Louis. Mo.
