Professional Bull Riders

The Big Apple was the site of the initial event of 2008, and it brought out some other firsts as well. Valdiron de Oliveira proved once again that consistency is the name of the game. While he did not win a round, by riding all four of his bulls, de Oliveira captured his first ever BFTS win. Putting the more than $31,000 in his pocket was not the only thing on his mind. “This win means everything to me,” he said. “I came to the U.S. to be (PBR) World Champion.” This was certainly not a bad start, particularly since this is only Valdiron’s second year on the tour.

Round one went to Kasey Hayes, who rode Frontier Rodeo Company’s Showdown to an 88.50. Canada’s young gun Tyler Pankewitz was second. He was able to cover Bad Action for 87.25. Chad Berger/Dibbett hauls Bad Action. Everybody’s favorite son Chris Shivers was third. He was just behind Pankewitz with an 87 on Mataska, owned by Frontier/Teague Bucking Bulls. Eventual winner Valdiron was fourth.

The second round proved to be quite interesting, and this is where another first took place. At all three-day events, the riders will have the ability to choose the bulls they will ride for both round two and the Championship Round. The winner picks first, and they go right down the line. This puts a bit more pressure on PBR’s Livestock Director, Cody Lambert, as he must make sure there is a pen of bulls that, from first pick to last, the cowboys could win the round on. It’s put up or shut up time, so to speak.

Shivers did not back away from the challenge. He picked Cat Man Do, a bull from #10 Bucking Bulls. He grabbed round two with a 90.75 score. That also proved to be the highest-scored ride of the event. Behind him was de Oliveira with an 89. He opted for Scardey Cat, who is owned by Chad Berger/Ryken/Hawks. Close on his heels was Dustin Hall, with an 88.75. His draft pick was a favorite bull of mine, Texas. Texas is hauled by Chad Berger/Dibbett.

Back to the original format for round three and we saw the youngsters come to the party, grabbing the top three spots. Texas came back in this round and showed everyone that his nick-name should be “Money Maker.” Brian Canter won the round on him with a big 90.25. Austin Meier and J.B. Mauney tied for second when they scored an 89. Meier rode McClintock, owned by Berger Bucking Bulls, and Mauney covered Chad Berger/Roger Ward’s Blue Boy.

-http://www.rodeoattitude.com

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