New York, NY (October 13, 2010) - The details of Friday’s Final Five Showdown in Times Square have been carefully thought out. But bucking bulls in one of the most iconic locations in the world still will have an impromptu feel to it.
“It’s outdoors and the elements could be a factor,” PBR Livestock Director Cody Lambert said in his weekly Podcast, noting that the forecast calls for some rain Friday in the New York area. “But that’s part of the deal. That’s part of the deal at all outdoor events. We’ve all been to outdoor rodeos and bull ridings and things like that, and we’ve dealt with the rain before.”
Rain or shine, it will likely provide even the most worldly New Yorkers something they’ve never seen before.
“And it’ll be interesting to see it on the big screen there in Times Square,” added Lambert, who also shared a few thoughts on each of the 10 matchups to be featured.
“[The pen] will be about the same as the bulls as we’ve seen in the last few [Final Five Showdowns],” said Lambert, who noted that all the animals are being hauled in by Jeff Robinson. “They’re really good ones. They’re ones that nearly made the Finals.
“It’s bulls that have been in the short go at the Built Ford Tough Series before, but they just didn’t quite make the Finals this year. Historically, if they ride them, they should be around 88 to 90 on them. These are the Top 10 bull riders in the world, and they should ride them.”
Austin Meier and Mac Nett’s El Presidente: “You know Austin is going to give it everything he’s got. I know El Presidente has bucked him off at least once. I think he’s probably bucked him off twice, and that’ll be tough.”
J.B. Mauney and Flying J Saddles: “I don’t think J.B.’s been on this bull yet, and I expect him to ride him. This bull was called Freak originally, and he’s the one that came out of Mexico earlier this year and was a kind of a legendary bull in Mexico.”
Mike Lee and Chicken Lickin: “Chicken Lickin has been a really good bull, and he’s one they can be 90 on—89, 90.”
McKennon Wimberly and Little Mr. T: “McKennon’s been struggling. Little Mr. T is a strong bull, and if you rear back he’s going to jerk the rope out of your hand. That’s kind of what I expect to see out of McKennon. I hope he corrects it, and he’s very capable of doing things right, but if he leans back at all and puts pressure on his hand, Little Mr. T is strong enough to pull the rope out.”
Silvano Alves and Bandalero: “You should take him on any bull. Bandalero has really been bucking good. He’s the smallest bull in this pen of bulls. That probably won’t be an advantage for Silvano, as far as his score goes, because he rides really strong, and where the bull is small like that, he might not make him look that great.”
The five other matchups include Valdiron de Oliveira and Bird Creek; Ryan McConnel and Hypnotized; Robson Palermo and Despicable Me; Travis Briscoe and Skyhawk Cut-a-Rug; and Shane Proctor and Hank.
Lambert recorded “In the Bull Pen” early this week in honor of his friend Lane Frost. The interview was recorded the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 12, which would have been Frost’s 47th birthday.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been that long, because he was 25 years old when he died,” said Lambert, whose close friend is remembered by many as a young, gregarious personality.
The entire Podcast can be heard here.
NEWS AND NOTES
TUNE IN and watch the Built Ford Tough Road to Vegas on CBS. The last of the Final Five Showdowns, it will take place in Times Square on Friday at 1 p.m. ET, and be broadcast Sunday afternoon. Check your local listings for times in your area.
GENERAL PUBLIC TICKETS go on sale Friday, Oct. 15 for the Madison Square Garden Invitational and the Dickies Iron Cowboy Invitational. The New York event, which takes place Jan. 7, 8 and 9, is the first BFTS event of the 2011 season. The Iron Cowboy is the second year in a row the PBR will hold a one-day event at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Tickets can be ordered by calling 800-745-3000.
RIDING HIGH MINISTRIES will host Faith & Family Night at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, immediately following Round 2 of the 2010 Built Ford Tough World Finals on Thursday, Oct. 21. The event will feature Christian artist Jeremy Riddle, PBR Champions sharing stories of faith, and a unique horse-breaking demonstration by PBR Chaplain Todd Pierce. Everyone with a ticket for Round 2 is invited to attend.
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