UNCASVILLE, Conn. – PBR points leaders Justin McBride and JB Mauney kept the distance between them exactly the same after the first round at the Mohegan Sun Casino Friday night. If either takes a look over his shoulder, the view would show a Brazilian sneaking up on them in the race to a world title.
Round one of the three day event that makes up Stop 27 went to Robson Palermo, with an 88.75 ride aboard Live Wire (Jeff Robinson).
It was one of more than a dozen qualified rides in a round that saw Missouri’s Luke Snyder break a record and hold down the lead through most of the event. Snyder drew cheers during the introductions, as he broke the long-standing record of "Iron Man" JW Hart. Snyder was riding in his 198th consecutive PBR event, a streak that dates back to his rookie season. Snyder celebrated setting the new record with an 86.25 point ride aboard McClintock (Berger Bucking Bulls) that held on to the round lead until Palermo made his ride.
It was heartbreak for JW Hart fans, and frustration of Hart himself, however when the clock showed an 8 second ride on Outrider (Davis/Wilson/Mayo/Hooker) but the replay judge called for a review that went against Hart. He was ruled to have bucked off at 7.9 seconds, and received no score. Snyder nearly suffered the same fate, when a judge called for a review of his ride. Snyder was airborne before the eight second buzzer, but didn’t touch the ground or lost the tail of his bull rope before it sounded, and his 86.25 score stood.
Also high in the round was LJ Jenkins, who scored 85.75 points on Turbo (Chad Berger/Clay Struve) in the early stages of the night. His ride came in a burst of bull riding brilliance that kicked off the Mohegan Sun event as four of the first eight riders put scores on the board. Matching his score was Brazilian Silvanei Dias on Navajo (Butcher/Davidson).
Next on the points list was senior bull rider Greg Potter. Potter was the first rider out of the chutes and put up 85.25 points on Joleen’s Machine (Chad Berger/Clay Struve) to kick off the night in style. He was followed by Travis Briscoe and Ednai Caminhas, each with 84.75 point rides. Briscoe’s came aboard Red Jacket (Berger/Daniels) while Caminhas’ was a reride option. Caminhas is just returning from an injury, having suffered a broken leg this summer, and had a few scary moments when his first bull, Atta Boy (Jeff Robinson) fell down on Caminhas’ leg right out of the chute, and had difficulty getting up. Luckily Caminhas appeared to escape unharmed, his still healing leg not the one trapped under the bull. His limp later Friday night was attributed to his still healing broken leg, not an injury related to Atta Boy’s fall-down.
Valdiron de Oliveria put up 83.5 points on Midnight Special (Chad Berger/Clay Struve), and an 83 point ride put Wiley Petersen in good shape heading into Saturday’s round. McBride and Mauney followed with matching 82.75 scores – McBride’s on the back of Super Bad (Chad Berger/Clay Struve) and Mauney rode Thunder Rolls (Jeff Robinson).
Injuries did take their toll Friday night. The ugliest happened to fan favorite Tater Porter, when after bucking off Olivia (Frontier Rodeo Co.) at 7.4 seconds, the bull came down on Porter’s forearm (free arm). Early reports were that Porter suffered a compound fracture of both bones in the forearm.
Rocky McDonald had a rough night as well. McDonald posted a 75.25 pointer early in the night on Lillie’s Pet (Chad Berger/Larry Ryken), but also got and took the option of a re-ride. For his re-ride McDonald drew the bull Texas, who gave McDonald one heck of a ride before the chute gate ever opened, and then sent him crashing to the dirt at 7.7 seconds. McDonald crashed hard to the dirt, and was very slow to get up. After making it back into the safety of the chute, the medical team had to be called in and it was several tense moments before McDonald walked out, assisted, to the cheers of the crowd.
As a result of facial injuries sustained in Greensboro two weeks ago, Paulo Crimber rode with a helmet, but failed to make his ride, with War Wagon (Chad Berger/Clay Struve) winning the battle at just 1.9 seconds.
The battle for points in the race to next month’s PBR World Finals in Las Vegas will continue Saturday night, and then again Sunday afternoon. Saturday night’s round from Mohegan Sun will air live on Versus. Sunday’s third round and short go is scheduled to air on Fox on Sunday. Check local listings for times.
(Article and all photographs by Mary Rudloff)
