As was last year, round four was eliminator time again, and brought us, for our viewing pleasure, the four-legged bad boys. I want to focus on the bulls a little bit right now. These were the bulls that are hard to get by, and when ridden, usually produce high scores. There were 13 rides this night, with three scores being 90 or better.
The second bull out was the 2005 Bucking Bull of the Year, Big Bucks. He is up for that honor again this year, and made short work of Jared Farley. He received a 46 score from the judges, and just might be working his way to another Bull of the Year title. This great athlete is owned by Frontier/Teague Bucking Bulls.
Robinson/Tedesco/Larry the Cable Guy’s bull Chicken on a Chain was the next bull out that is up for the prestigious Bucking Bull of the Year title. Not only did he buck off Clayton Williams, but he scored a 46.25 score.
Scene of the Crash took care of Beau Hill, keeping his hopes alive for the top bull honors. Frontier/Teague/Ron White own Scene of the Crash.
Diamond G Rodeos, Inc.'s White Magic rounded out the field of bull power that are challenging for that title. Unfortunately for White Magic, he fell down while trying to buck off Greg Potter, which gave Greg a re-ride and White Magic a no score.
As of now, the standings for PBR World Champion Bull are as follows: Chicken on a Chain, 46.625; Big Bucks, 46.125; Scene of the Crash, 44.625; and White Magic, 41.5.
I must mention here that the fifth bull up for the title is Cat Daddy, owned by Diamond S Bucking Bulls. Unfortunately, Cat Daddy is injured and unable to compete at the present time.
OK, time to look at the cowboys now. There was a tie for the event win between Brendon Clark and Wiley Petersen. Both men scored 90.75 Brendon rode Evil Forces, owned by Chad Berger/Clay Struve. Petersen covered the Berger Bucking Bull, Bad Medicine. These were two great rides here by two super cowboys.
Brendon later said, “I was real happy when I found out who I had. I let a couple get away from me over the weekend and was a little disappointed, and I didn’t want that to happen on him. On the betting, about 10 of the guys had me picked to win the round, so I didn’t want to fall off. All I could see were those big old horns swinging past me every round.”
Brendon had ridden the bull before, and was asked if the bull was any different tonight. Clark replied, “Actually he was a little bit harder to ride tonight. It felt like he had more front end. But I think he’s a bull that really kind of fits my style."
Clark didn’t get on any practice bulls before the finals. Even the practice ones are dangerous and something stupid can always happen, so he didn’t want to risk injury right before this important event.
Petersen did not either, and normally doesn’t do so. “I have a Might Bucky – a barrel that you practice on. I don’t get on very many practice bulls at all any more. I used to, but like Brendon was saying, riding bulls is dangerous enough. I just train at home and try to stay in shape.”
Wiley was really happy with his draw. “I couldn’t have picked a better bull. I was pretty excited. I was thanking God for it. I got on him a few weeks ago in Connecticut to win the event there. He bucks real hard but he’s fun to ride, he’s fast, he’s spinning and kicking, just a fun bull to ride. It felt great to be on there when the whistle blew.”
There were two re-rides tonight, one successful and the other, not so much. As previously mentioned, Greg Potter was given another chance when his bull White Magic fell. Potter then rode Double R Bucking Bulls’ Sharp Shooter to an 86.50.
Adriano Moraes rode the Berger/Ward bull Blue Boy, but was give a re-ride when the bull did not perform up to standards. He took that ride and drew Sharp Dressed Kid, owned by Double R Bucking Bulls, only to come down from that bull.
Robson Palermo had a super ride on Bad Action, but it was determined that he slapped the bull and was given a no score.
Both Colby Yates and Silvanei Dias suffered hard buck offs, but seemed to be all right, albeit sore. Jared Farley is doubtful for further competition due to a cracked vertebrae.
With round four in the books we have Petersen and Clark splitting the round with their 90.75. Justin McBride was third with an even 90 after riding Sports Machine, owned by Page/Buck/Watts. Fourth in the round was Ross Coleman, who rode Cooper to an 89.75. Chad Berger/Ryken/Rosen hauls Cooper. In fifth was Cross, with his 89.25.
In the race for the event win, there is a tie between Kody Lostroh and Petersen for the average with a score of 266.75. Third is Marchi with 263.25; fourth is Renato Nunes with 261.50, and Billy Robinson rounds out the top five with a score of 260.50.
The World Championship order is the same as it has been, but still has the opportunity for change. For now it is McBride in the lead, followed by J.B. Mauney, Marchi, Petersen, and Matt Bohon.
Round five tomorrow, and I’m sure that will bring more exciting rides.
Andy Watson photo
Be safe and God Bless,
Viva La Raza,
Barb.
