COLUMBUS, Ohio (October 10, 2008) - The top 45 bull riders in the world bucked into Nationwide Arena for the Rocky Boots Invitational, the second of two back-to-back events in the Buckeye State. For the eleventh consecutive year, the world’s best bull riders thrilled the Columbus, Ohio crowd on the 31st stop on the elite Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler (BFTS) tour. At the end of round one, PBR veteran Brian Herman (Victoria, Texas) found himself in the winner’s circle after riding the bull, The Iceman, owned by Chad Berger/Denny Hawks, for 89.5 points.
Taking second place was BFTS alternate Ryan McConnel (Cortez, Colo.) who took on the bull, Raisin’ McCain (Chad Berger Bucking Bulls) for 88.5 points. Texas young gun McKennon Wimberly (Cool, Texas) rode Chad Berger/Clay Struve’s bull, God’s Gift, for 88.25 points and a third place finish in round one. Rounding out fourth and fifth place was Brazilian hot shot, Renato Nunes (Buritama, SP, Brazil) and fan favorite Ross Coleman (Molalla, Ore.), each scoring 88 points. Nunes tamed Astro of Diamond S Bucking Bulls while Coleman took on the bull, Almost Famous of Chad Berger/Clay Struve.
As the winner of round two at the U.S. Air Force Invitational in Cincinnati, Ohio, Valdiron de Oliveira (Aparecida de Goiania, GO, Brazil) was eligible to compete for the $5,000 Enterprise Rent-A-Car “Ride with the Best” bonus during round one of the Rocky Boots Invitational. Oliveira rode his bull, Big Money’s Fun (Walker Ranch, LLC) for 83.25 points and was awarded the $5,000 check. As the winner of round one, Brian Herman (Victoria, Texas) will be eligible to compete for the $5,000 bonus during the second round of competition in Columbus.
The Rocky Boots Invitational continues tomorrow as the top 45 bull riders compete in round two and the Built Ford Tough Championship Round to see who will take home the coveted Columbus event title. The event airs on VERSUS at 8:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, October 11 and at 8:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, October 12.
INJURY REPORT:
Clayton Williams (Carthage, Texas) bruised his knee during round one of the Rocky Boots Invitational. He is questionable for tomorrow night’s round of competition.
Rocky Boots Invitational RESULTS
ROUND ONE: 1) Brian Herman (Victoria, Texas) 89.5 points on The Iceman (Chad Berger/Denny Hawks), $2,730; 2) Ryan McConnel (Cortez, Colo.) 88.5 points on Raisin’ McCain (Chad Berger Bucking Bulls), $1,950; 3) McKennon Wimberly (Cool, Texas) 88.25 points on God’s Gift (Chad Berger/Clay Struve), $1,170; 4/5) Renato Nunes (Buritama, SP, Brazil) 88 points on Astro (Diamond S Bucking Bulls); 4/5) Ross Coleman (Molalla, Ore.) 88 points on Almost Famous (Chad Berger/Clay Struve).
