PBR back on TV with Tulsa's historic short go
PUEBLO, Colo. (July 30, 2008) - Nearly two weeks after the fact, folks are still talking about the event in Tulsa, Okla. And with good reason(s).
Following a tape delay because of Versus’ coverage of the Tour de France, the Built Ford Tough Series event, won by defending World Champion Justin McBride, is set to air this weekend.
The three-day event will air in two parts. The first will be broadcast on Saturday at 7 p.m. EST, and the second part will air the following day at 8 p.m. EST. Versus will also be airing last week’s event held in Edmonton.
In any case, it’s been all anyone can do not to talk about the Tulsa event, which is precisely why PBR livestock director Cody Lambert said, in no uncertain terms, “Since we’ve started the PBR we’ve had three performances like that.”
Lambert is referring to the 1999 World Finals, the short go in St. Louis seven years ago, and this year’s short go in Tulsa.
“Of course they got to pick ‘em, which helps a lot,” said Jerome Robinson, production manager.
There were eight impressive rides in the short go.
Dustin Elliott stuck it to Chicken on a Chain, Pistol Robinson rode Nervous Waters and Clayton Williams made the whistle on the back Chance in three of eight rides. Mike Lee (90.75), Guilherme Marchi (91), Cord McCoy (91.25) and Justin McBride (94.50) all scored big as well.
“Those are rides that would win almost any other short go,” Lambert said, “and they were third, fourth and fifth there.
“I didn’t feel we were set up for greatness anymore than anywhere else. They just came through the way they’re supposed to. That’s the way they’re supposed to ride. It’s not a freak accident – that’s what they’re supposed to be striving for.”
But none of those rides were as big as Mike White, who scored a 95.75 on Troubadour, in what is arguably one of the most impressive rides in the history of the PBR.
“We’ve got a lot of knowledgeable bull riding fans in Tulsa,” Lambert explained, “and there’s not an empty seat in the house, and they saw something that I don’t care if they’ve been going to bull ridings all their life, they haven’t seen a ride like that before.”
Finally, after days of listening to others talk about the event, PBR fans have an opportunity to watch it for themselves.
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