North Carolina Rider Takes Event Title in The Big Apple!!

By Katharine Sherrer, PBR
Posted Sunday, January 11, 2009

PBR superstar J.B. Mauney wins the New York event - taking the title twice in three years.

NEW YORK, NY (January 11, 2009) - Madison Square Garden saw a new form of “bull” as the top 45 bull riders in the world invaded New York City for the third consecutive year. On the second stop on the elite 2009 Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS), the Built Ford Tough Invitational showcased the world’s toughest bull riders taking on the top bulls in the country at The World’s Most Famous Arena. In the end, J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) emerged victorious after scoring 350.75 on three bulls, taking home the coveted event title for the second time in three years and adding $30,245 to his 2009 season earnings.

“I won this event for the first time in 2007 and came in second in the end last year so it’s exciting to be here winning again,” Mauney commented from the winner’s circle. “The crowd was great and really gets into it---more than any city I’ve ever seen.”

In round one, Mauney scored 85 points on Chad Berger/Clay Struve’s bull, Copperhead Slinger, following up with a second place finish in round two after riding Bad Action, owned by Chad Berger/Clay Struve, for 89.5 points. Mauney scored 84.5 points on the bull, Catie Did It (Chad Berger/Clay Struve) in round three going into the Built Ford Tough Championship Round in fourth place. Mauney chose to get on 2007 World Champion bull, Chicken on a Chain (Robinson/Tedesco/Larry the Cable Guy)---the same animal he drafted in Baltimore, Md., the weekend before, but did not successfully complete the eight second ride.

Taking second place in New York was BFTS alternate Cody Campbell (Summerville, Ore.) who scored 349 points on three bulls, adding $18,183 to his bank account. Finishing third was Shane Proctor (Grand Coulee, Wash.) who totaled 344 points and $10,515 while fan favorite cowboy Wiley Petersen (Fort Hall, Idaho) rode for 338.5 points over the weekend, taking home $5,933. Rounding out fifth place was Leonil Santos (Colorado, PR, Brazil) who scored 334.25 points in New York and received a check for $5,060.

The race for PBR’s million dollar world title takes the top 45 bull riders in the world to California for stop three and four on the prestigious tour. PBR will invade Fresno on Friday, January 16, and Sacramento on January 17-18. The VERSUS network airs PBR events every Saturday and Sunday evening. Be sure to check www.pbrnow.com for upcoming cities, ticket information, and complete broadcast times.

INJURY REPORT:
Mike White (De Kalb, Texas) sustained a concussion during the Built Ford Tough Championship Round in New York. He is questionable for next week.

Leonil Santos (Colorado, PR, Brazil) suffered a rib separation over the past weekend. He is questionable for next week.

Shane Proctor (Grand Coulee, Wash.) pulled his hamstring. He is questionable for next weekend.

Ednei Caminhas (P. Alves, SP, Brazil) separated his shoulder and is probable for the next event.

Built Ford Tough Invitational RESULTS
ROUND ONE:
1) Mike White (De Kalb, Texas) 88.25 points on God’s Gift (Chad Berger/Clay Struve), $7,000; 2/3) Zack Brown (Santa Fe, Texas) 87.75 points on Blue Boy (Chad Berger/Roger Ward), $4,000; 2/3) Cody Campbell (Summerville, Ore.) 87.75 points on North Dakota Kid (Chad Berger/Jim Quintaine) $4,000; 4) Reese Cates 87.25 points on Countersink (Williams/Roth), $2,000; 5/6) Brian Herman (Victoria, TX) 87 points on Cooper (Chad Berger/Clay Struve/Julie Rosen), $1,000; 5/6) Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) 87 points on Gappy Joe (Robinson/Larry the Cable Guy), $1,000.

ROUND TWO:
1) Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) 91 points on Chance (Teague Bucking Bulls, LLC), $2,730; 2) J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) 89.5 points on Bad Action (Chad Berger/Clay Struve), $1,950; 3) Valdiron de Oliveira (Aparecida de Goiania, GO, Brazil) 87.5 points on Frank the Tank (John & Lacey Berger/Clay Struve), $1,170; 4) Robson Palermo (Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil) 87.25 points on Full Loaded (Chad Berger/Clay Struve).

BEHIND THE CHUTES:
Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s “Ride with the Best” Bonus:
Due to his round two win at last weekend’s Baltimore Invitational, PBR veteran Brian Herman (Victoria, Texas) was eligible to compete for the $5,000 Enterprise Rent-A-Car “Ride with the Best” bonus during round one of the Built Ford Tough Invitational. Because of his qualified ride on the bull, Cooper, owned by Chad Berger/Clay Struve/Julie Rosen, Herman was awarded the $5,000 bonus.

Mike White (De Kalb, Texas) was eligible to compete for the $5,000 Enterprise Rent-A-Car “Ride with the Best” bonus during round two of the Built Ford Tough Invitational due to his round one win. White was bucked off of the bull, Booker T, before the eight second whistle; therefore, the stock contractor, Teague Bucking Bulls, LLC, took home the $5,000 bonus.

As the round two winner, Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) was eligible to compete for the $5,000 Enterprise Rent-A-Car during the first round in Fresno, Calif. Lostroh made the eight second whistle on Hootie; therefore, Jeff Robinson Bucking Bulls took home the $5,000.

As the winner of round three, Renato Nunes (Buritama, SP, Brazil) will be eligible for the bonus at the 3rd BFTS stop in Fresno, Calif.

Ford Truck Moment of Truth Bonus:
Cody Campbell (Summerville, Ore.) was in the lead going into the Built Ford Tough Championship Round and ultimately did not win the Built Ford Tough Invitational. As the $5,000 bonus was not claimed, it will increase to $15,000 at the Built Ford Tough Invitational in Fresno, Calif., on January 16th. The bonus grows by $5,000 each week if it is not claimed. Once claimed, it returns to $5,000.

Ford F-150 Challenge:
As the Built Ford Tough Invitational event winner, J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) has qualified for a chance to compete at the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals, against all other 2009 Built Ford Tough Series event winners. The Ford F-150 Challenge contestant who finishes the highest in the event aggregate during the 2009 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals will win a brand-new 2009 F-150 truck.

Salem NationaLease Bull of the Event:
2008 PBR World Champion bull Bones (Teague Bucking Bulls, LLC) earned Bull of the Event honors with a score of 47.5 points in New York. This honor is acknowledged by an award of $1,250 going to the top bull of each event as determined by the PBR judges’ bull score.

About the PBR:
More than 100 million viewers tune in each year to the PBR on FOX, NBC, ESPN, VERSUS, and on a host of foreign networks across the globe. With approximately 500 hours of prime time programming annually, PBR ranks among the most prolific sports on air, in addition to attracting over 1.7 million live event attendees each year with it multi-tiered event structure which includes the prestigious Built Ford Tough Series, the Copenhagen Bull Riding Challenger Tour, the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Tour, and the Discovery Tour, designed specifically for entry level contestants. The PBR is headquartered in Pueblo, Colo., with additional offices in Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. The PBR prides itself in its 1,000 plus stock contractor relationships and over 1,200 PBR bull riders competing in more than 300 PBR sanctioned competitions in five countries.