TULSA, Okla. (July 18, 2008) - The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) took over the Tulsa Convention Center for the Express Classic presented by Creek Nation Casino, the 23rd stop on the elite Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler (BFTS). The world’s top 45 bull riders took on the toughest bulls in the country in front of a sold out Friday night crowd. Two-time (2000 & 2003) PBR World Champion Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) rode Flying C-130, owned by Teague Bucking Bulls, LLC, for 91.5 points. Shivers pocketed a check for $7,000 and the round one win.
Second place went to Renato Nunes (Buritama, SP, Brazil) who took on #10 Bucking Bulls’ prize bull, Cat Man Do, for 90.5 points. Cat Man Do continued in his 90 point ways---so far in 2008, every time a rider has made the eight second whistle on him, they have scored at least 90 points or above. Third place went to world no. 1 and new father, Guilherme Marchi (Leme, SP, Brazil) who scored 90.5 points on Circle T Ranch & Rodeo’s Outa Da Blue. Rounding out the top five were Brazilian Helton Barbosa (Douradina, PR, Brazil) and Mike White (De Kalb, TX) who split fourth and fifth place. They each scored 89.75 points with Barbosa riding Lightning McQueen of Boyd/Floyd Bull Company and White conquering Danny Lemmons’ Splat Kat.
As the winner of round two at the Dickies American Worker of the Year Invitational presented by Pike Electric in Dallas, TX, Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) was eligible to compete for the $5,000 Enterprise Rent-A-Car “Ride with the Best” bonus during round one of the Express Classic presented by Creek Nation Casino. By virtue of covering the bull, Flying C-130, owned by Teague Bucking Bulls, LLC., Shivers not only took the round win, but took home the $5,000 bonus as well.
As the Express Classic presented by Creek Nation Casino is a three-day event, a draft will be held to determine which bull the riders will take on Saturday night. Based on their first round performances, they will have the chance to select the bull they would like to ride in round two. The winner of round one will select his bull first while the rider who had the quickest buck-off time will select last. The draft will be held Saturday, July 19 at 11:15 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza in Tulsa. The draft is free and open to the media and public.
New to the BFTS season is the Zantrex-3 Insta-Shot Grudge Match. The third match-up of 2008 showcases the winner of the last event in Dallas and 2004 PBR World Champion Mike Lee (Decatur, TX), who will be going head-to-head with the rider of his choice, Dustin Hall (Springfield, Mo.), the co-champion of The Cooper Tires Invitational in Chicago. $15,000 is up for grabs and it will definitely be a showdown that can’t be missed!
The Express Classic presented by Creek Nation Casino continues tomorrow as the world’s best bull riders compete in round two on the bulls they hand-selected. Catch the action when it airs on VERSUS on Saturday, August 2nd at 9:00 p.m. EST!
Injury Report:
Bryan Richardson (Dallas, TX) was diagnosed with a hip pointer. He is probable for round two.
Brian Canter (Randleman, N.C.) bruised the forearm of his riding arm. He is probable for round two.
Sinovaldo Correia (Lobato, Brazil) was diagnosed with a hip pointer. He is probable for round two.
Tony Mendes (Pueblo, Colo.) bruised his left foot. He is probable for round two.
Express Classic presented by Creek Nation Casino RESULTS
ROUND ONE: 1) Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) 91.5 points on Flying C-130 (Teague Bucking Bulls, LLC), $7,000; 2) Renato Nunes (Buritama, SP, Brazil) 90.5 points on Cat Man Do (#10 Bucking Bulls), $5,000; 3) Guilherme Marchi (Leme, SP, Brazil) 90.25 points on Outa Da Blue (Cricle T Ranch & Rodeo), $3,000; 4/5) Helton Barbosa (Douradina, PR, Brazil) 89.75 points on Lightning McQueen (Boyd/Floyd Bull Company), $1,600; 4/5) Mike White (De Kalb, TX) 89.75 points on Splat Kat (Danny Lemmons), $1,600; 6) Pistol Robinson (Burleson, TX) 89.25 points on Chester (Mendell/Lane/Downard).
Copyright 1996 - 2008 Rodeo Attitude, LLC., All rights reserved.