Tonight was the perfect setting for the last event of the Professional Bull Rider’s Built Ford Tough Series beginning part of the season. The high noon sun from the deserts of Las Vegas did all but match the heat and excitement that was witnessed throughout the day today on the arena floor. Performance number one of the 82nd annual Helldorado Days Rodeo began the day as the PBR’s third major of the season, Last Cowboy Standing, finished out the evening. The classic match-up of two premiere organizations made for a fantastic first day of action that set the stage for round two Saturday night.
As the top 40 bull riders in the world began their event earlier tonight they knew how simple the format would be for the weekend. In order to advance to the next rounds of competition it would be a ride or go home system, it is as simple as that. This weekend is another PBR major event that will set the record straight for who will go into the summer break at the top of their game and who will have to take some time off to get realigned and ready for the long road towards the World Finals this coming November.
Derek Kolbaba Looks To Maintain His Momentum This Weekend
Photo Credit: Bull Stock Media / Andy Watson
There is one man this weekend that not only has to be cognitive of how he handles the bulls underneath of him for the PBR but also must remain focused to compete at the Helldorado Days Rodeo that is sanctioned with the PRCA. Young gun Derek Kolbaba is coming off of a huge victory in Des Moines, IA that skyrocketed him up the PBR’s world standings leader board. This young man is on a mission to qualify for both the PBR World Finals and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2016.
Tonight it was all about his match-up with Jerry Brown Bucking Bull’s Tso-op as it was a do or die eight seconds. That being said the action on the arena floor was just what the doctor ordered for Derek Kolbaba as he showed more grit than his competitor on the bovine side. Kolbaba managed to qualify and move on to round two tomorrow night which makes it a very long weekend ahead for this up and coming superstar.
Robson Palermo Comes Out On Top In Round One
Photo Credit: Bull Stock Media / Andy Watson
Tonight the bull riders of the Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Series showed exactly why they are among the best of the best in the western sports industry. The rides tonight were few and far between but those that did manage to make the eight second buzzer made the sold out crowd erupt in a frenzy that could be felt and heard from every casino and hotel on the legendary Las Vegas Strip. Those cowboys that did last through round one will not get any rest what so ever as the biggest and baddest bucking bulls in the world await them in round two tomorrow night.
Round one was hard on the cowboys and weeded out those that are healthy and on top of their game from those that might still be nursing injuries or are just plain and simple in what we call a mid-season slump. All in all there were a total of 15 that would be able to make a qualified ride and advance to tomorrow’s second night of competition. That being said, there would not be anyone that would be able to match the try that Robson Palermo put out here tonight as he claimed the round win with an 89 point ride. As of right now it does not matter what your score was you just needed one to advance although the higher score you received transmitted to the amount of championship points your earned heading into the summer break!
Complete Qualified Ride Breakdown From Round One Of The Last Cowboy Standing:
Robson Palermo (89.00) Jorge Valdiviezo (88.50)
Lachlan Richardson (88.00) Gage Gay (87.50)
Tyler Harr (86.75) Cooper Davis (86.25)
Rubens Barbosa (86.00) Jay Miller (85.50)
Fraser Babbington (84.50) Emilio Resende (84.50)
Jess Lockwood (84.50) Ryan Dirteater (83.50)
Eduardo Apericido (83.25) Derek Klobaba (83.00)
Kaique Pacheco (79.50)
As we look forward and continue our exclusive coverage from Las Vegas tomorrow afternoon be sure to stay atop of any breaking news and updates that may arise throughout the rest of the weekend. Check back each and every day to see what we have got for you as the PBR’s Last Cowboy Standing and the PRCA’s Helldorado Days Festival and Rodeo draws to a close for another year. Will this fantastic partnership continue on for a few more years? If today was any indication I would have to say it is a very good possibility!
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