The Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa once again played host to the Professional Bull Riders as their elite Built Ford Tough Series descended upon the Midwest once again. This weekend’s two day event will draw huge crowds again this year as one of the tightest races in history plays out as we head into the summer break. That being said, this weekend those that are near the bottom need to step up to maintain their presence on tour and those on top need to keep looking back as any slip up could mean that they tumble down the world standings.
The bovine athletes that are here this weekend will not make it easy for any of the top 35 bull riders in the world to have a solid weekend though. In tonight’s round one we saw some of the rankest bucking bulls that we have seen all year in the first round. Many of the names anyone would know as Hy Test, Uncle Tink and Cowtown Slinger were set to make their statements as round one began!
Jorge Valdiviezo Covers His Bull In Round One
Photo Credit: Bull Stock Media / Andy Watson
Tonight the return on the reigning 2-time world champion J.B. Mauney was on everyone’s minds that filled the Wells Fargo Arena to capacity. Although the rides were few and far between as round one concluded earlier tonight there were a handful of riders that would manage to conquer their counterparts as rides were made and scores came in. All in all there would be a total of eleven of the top 35 bull riders in the world that would be able to do just that.
With only eleven putting a score up on the board and this being a two day event the championship round tomorrow afternoon is still wide open. Those that need to make big moves to get within the top 35 in the world standings still have time to make some big moves here in Des Moines. The bull riders on top also need to look in their rear view mirrors to take notice of those behind them as a handful or riders are within striking distance this weekend and withing 500 points of taking over the world number spot from J.B. Mauney.
Ryan Dirteater Takes Home The Round Win Tonight
Photo Credit: Bull Stock Media / Andy Watson
The action down on the arena floor tonight inside of the Wells Fargo Arena gave those fans in attendance a lot to cheer about. The energy throughout the entire facility was felt as the bull riders of the PBR’s Built Ford Tough Series began preparing for what lied ahead of them as round one began. Although there were not many rides those that were made the fans stand up and celebrate with those that were doing just that down on the arena floor after making those qualified rides.
Tonight there was only one man that would be given the title of round one winner of the Des Moines Invitational Presented By Cooper Tires. This young superstar has been around the Built Ford Tough for many years and has fought injury after injury on his way to the top. Tonight the Cherokee Kid surged all the way to the number eight sop in the world standings after winning round one after making a qualified ride aboard Jared Allen Pro Bull Team’s Milky Jones to the tune of 88 big points!
Complete Round One Qualified Ride Recap:
Ryan Dirteater (88.00) Jorge Valdiviezo (87.25)
Rubens Barbosa (85.75) Joao Ricardo Vieira (85.50)
Kasey Hayes (84.50) Valdiron de Oliveira (83.35)
Cooper Davis (83.00) Fraser Babbington (80.50)
Juliano Antonio Da Silva (79.25) Paulo Ferreira Lima (73.00)
Kaique Pacheco (70.50)
The word on the street is this may be the last year that the Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Series comes to the Wells Fargo Arena here in Des Monies, Iowa. The Rodeo Round Up is trying to confirm whether this is in fact true or not. That being said, until we get the official word tomorrow afternoon may just be the last time those in the area will be able to witness bull riding action like this. As of this post there are still tickets available for Championship Sunday so head out and get them to be part of the action live tomorrow afternoon!
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