Well, I arrived in Vegas to a cool 80 degree fall day ...oh Viva Las Vegas baby, after spending the last 2 1/2 weeks in the mountains of Wyoming guiding for my own Cowboy Country Outfitters chasing Deer and Elk. Needless to say, Las Vegas and the World Finals have been on my mind most of the week. I have covered the last four PBR World Finals for Rodeo Attitude and once again I find myself in the Mandalay Bay Events Center for the first round.
The story of the night happened to be all the classic bulls out for the round. Matter of fact, 48 of the 49 bulls out tonight were making their first appearance at a World Finals, which means they are young and athletic. That’s' right, the ABBI and the PBR have put together an impressive list of bulls for the future. On the cowboy side of things, 11 of the 49 guys were visiting Sin City in October for their first time.
Of course the openings at the PBRs are always fantastic with explosions and laser light technology that blows your mind. But the real fireworks started early with Renato Nunes, the second man to nod his head, put up a 91.25 point ride on Grey Dog owned by the Pages, who have won the last 6 Stock Contractor of the Year awards. This duo would watch 47 more riders take their shot at a chance to get a piece of the go round money but none of them would best that mark.
However, Kody Lostroh who won 3 rounds at the finals last year, would make a statement with his 90.50 on Bad Medicine of Berger Bucking Bulls. Once the confetti from those two 90 pointers settled into the arena crowd, the North Carolina cowboy Brian Canter put together a 89.25 on Move It and he was followed closely by the 88.75 by the retiring Tater Porter.
Oklahoma's Austin Meier chose to take a reride after his bull fell during the 8 seconds and went round for round with Sharped Dress Kid for 88.50.
After watching only 15 qualified rides in tonight’s go, the feeling was just get one round in the books and it didn't matter what the scores were. With that, the remaining 5 were in the books with only a point separating 5 cowboys. It was the young guns Robson Palermo 87.5 aboard Dirty Dozen and Travis Briscoe getting his 87.25 aboard Navasota. Then it was the 2006 Rookie of the Year and Rodeo Attitude member J.B. Mauney's 87 on Werewolf Snuff and then a split for 9/10 with 2002 World Champ Ednei Caminhas 86.5 and the PBR's Reserve World Champ the last 2 years Guillherme Marchi with his 86.5.
After 29 events and one round, The Chase for the World Championships still remains with 6 contenders hovering around the final breakdown of points to obtain the million dollar bonus that comes along with being the world champion. With 2005 World Champ Justin McBride hitting the ground early tonight, round two should prove to be quite interesting.
With night one set in stone and Renato enjoying his $20,000 payday, it’s time for the Rodeo Attitude crew to see the lights of Vegas, get a bite to eat and a little rest. Saturday will certainly be a great day to check in with a few of our riders and enjoy a day at the PBR Fan Zone.
See you all tomorrow night after round two....Let'er Buck
J.W. Kinder
(Photos by Mary Rudloff)
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