As the top 35 bull riders in the world made their way to New York, they came in with the confidence that had been a missing link over the last few weeks of competition. That all changed as the tides changed back towards the riders after a fantastic event concluded in Austin, Texas last weekend. That is just what these cowboys needed to help them through the final push of the 2017 Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Series season. With just five events to go before the World Finals in Las Vegas many of the top bull riders are doing what they can to nurse their injuries to be able to make a run at the world title that stares theme right in the face.
Once of those that has nagging injuries is the young gun that won the event just one week ago, Jess Lockwood. It has been widely talked about that the true extent of his injuries are unknown but many question his logic in coming back to action so quickly after being knocked out and carried out of the arena two weeks ago. He responded to those critics by simply saying you can not compete for a world title sitting at home. He followed up that statement by dominating the event last weekend putting him within 85 points out of the top spot in the world as the number two man coming into this weekend’s event!
Derek Kolbaba Takes Home The Top Score In Round One
Photo Credit: Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media
Once the lights shined at full force after the opening ceremonies were concluded it was time to begin the Buck Off The Island event presented by Cooper Tires. Including this event, there are only five tour stops left before the field is set for the 2017 PBR World Finals and the tense feeling inside of the arena could not only be felt down in the locker room area but throughout the entire arena as well. For those bull riders that are either sitting on the bubble or just outside of the top 35 in the world standings it is do or die time and every knows it. Those contestants here this weekend were hoping to continue the good fortune that was shown to them in Austin, Texas a week ago and put forth their best efforts in order to earn some world title race points here in New York.
That being said, the bull power here this weekend would not be for the faint of heart with some of the toughest bulls on the east coast converging upon the Veterans Memorial Coliseum to give the 35 bull riders pairing up with them all that they could handle. Once round one was in the books there would be a total of 16 of the 35 riders that would manage to make it to the eight second buzzer and carry over a score into tomorrow afternoon’s second round of qualifying action. Even though the action was hot and heavy there could be only one that would stand atop the shark cage claiming 100 world title race points and the round win. Tonight, that would be Derek Kolbaba who would manage to put up a solid 87.25 point bull ride aboard Bar 3D Bucking Bulls/JQH Bucking Bulls’ Loan Shark heading into the second round of action as the man to beat tomorrow afternoon. At the end of the day tomorrow only those with the top 15 combined scores will be invited to partake in the Championship Round where we will name another 2017 event winner from Uniondale, New York!
Complete List Of Round One Qualified Rides:
Derek Kolbaba (87.25) Eduardo Aparecido (86.50)
Stetson Lawrence (85.50) Brennon Eldred (85.25)
Jordan Hansen (85.25) Ramon de Lima (85.00)
Chase Outlaw (84.75) Luciano De Castro (84.25)
Dener Barbosa (83.25) Stormy Wing (82.75)
Guiherme Marchi (82.00) Brock Radford (81.75)
Emilio Resende (81.25) Claudio Montanha Jr. (72.75)
Luis Blanco (72.50) Kaique Pacheco (71.75) 
Another round is in the books and the 2017 Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Series continues to near the end and the top 35 bull riders in the world are making it one of the best seasons yet. Along with one of the tightest races in the history of the organization there is also another world title race that needs to be watched very closely. Coming into tonight’s round there was less than 200 points difference between the top four bull riders in the world and a solid mix of thoughts as to who should be crowned world champion bucking bull. Heading into tomorrow the point difference looks much the same with a few changes in the standings which should make tomorrow afternoon’s Championship Sunday performance one that you will not want to miss!
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