As Championship Sunday begins in Albuquerque the Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Series will end another year at The Pit making it the second longest tour stop in the over 25 year history of the organization. Many of the top 35 bull riders in the world look forward to showcasing their talents each and every year at this very unique venue that is much different than any other stop across the country. After the first two rounds there was much to be enthused about if you were a contestant competing at this year’s event.
The last two nights of competition have left all options wide open as today’s round three and championship round began. After only 14 riders gained scores through the first two days there was still another hole to be filled for the championship round that brings the top 15 bull riders from the event back. That being said, today started a clean slate for those that have not obtained a score so far this weekend. This simply means if you have the highest marked ride of those coming into today without a score then you secure your spot in the Championship round. The cowboys knew what was at stake this afternoon and did not disappoint!
Reese Cates Wins Round Three In Albuquerque
Photo Credit: PBRLive.com
Once the action began earlier this afternoon the talk of the day was of the weekend that reigning and defending PBR World Champion J.B. Mauney has been having. He came into today’s rounds as the overall event leader after winning both the first and second rounds raking up 200 championship points. His stellar performances over the last two days have skyrocketed him back to the number one position in the world standings for 2016. Everyone wanted to see if he could make it a clean sweep this weekend and after the round three action concluded everyone received their answers they were looking for.
Round three was just as tough on the top 35 bull riders in the world as the first two rounds of competition were on them. Many of the best bull riders in the world came into today’s round without a qualified ride on the board knowing they still had a chance to make it the championship round later in the day. After it was all said and done it was only 5 of the 35 bull riders competing that would manage to make qualified rides. That being said no one could match the performance that Reese Cates had while paired up with Sharp/Langston’s Hammer It Again as they worked together to put up a round winning 88.75 point ride.
Cooper Davis Claims Victory In The Championship Round
Photo Credit: PBRLive.com
Once scores were tallied up and we all found out who exactly would be invited back to the championship round where there top 15 bull riders of the event would compete to see who would be champion. The fans inside of the legendary and unique arena known as The Pit were about to witness some of the greatest match-ups of the early 2016 Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough series has had thus far. Once things were said and done those in attendance were left with an undeniable energy that would surely carry on to next year’s event.
After it was all said and done there was just 3 contestants that would manage to make it to the eight second buzzer in this weekend’s championship round. Although there were not many rides all weekend long those that did receive scores set the crowd ablaze with excitedment. Out of the three that covered their bulls in this final round no one could match the try and effort put out by Cooper Davis as he took home the round victory along with the 100 points that went with it after covering Dakota Rodeo / Chad Berger / Clay Struve / H&C Bucking Bulls’ Crossfire for a round winning 91.50 point ride!
Mason Lowe Wins the Ty Murray Invitational Event
Photo Credit: PBRLive.com
Another exciting event is in the books for the 2016 Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Series as the Ty Murray Invitational winds down in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Once the Championship Round started it was quickly apparent that the bovine athletes would once again reign supreme and toss the best bull riders in the world to the unforgiving ground one by one. The 20th annual Ty Murray Invitational event champion was crowned as the crowd inside of The Pit rose to their feet in acceptance.
There was much more excitement to be had after the final bull bucked as the live interview was set to take place to signify the crowning of the event winner. Those fans that were keeping track of the scores knew exactly who they were going to get to hear from. Once the stage was set it would be Mason Lowe who would make the walk across the dirt to the top of the shark cage to the buckle presentation and champion interview. It will be interesting to see if he can continue his hot streak after we come back from Easter break and into Sioux Falls, South Dakota in two weeks!
As this weekend’s event concludes we start to look forward to the return of bull riding action following a weekend off to allow the competitors and employees of the Professional Bull Riders to celebrate the Easter holiday with their families. After the short break the PBR will once again head towards the Midwest as the train rolls into Sioux Falls, South Dakota for the First Premier Bank Card Invitational. The action inside of the Denny Sandford Premier Center will not disappoint as the cowboys will be coming off a week to give them time to nurse their injuries back to health. The Rodeo Round Up will be live from the venue and will be covering all the action as Mike Lee looks to reach his 500th career bull ride!
It is quite easy to follow all the breaking news and excitement with the Rodeo Round Up simply by copying this website into your favorites in your web browser for easy one-click access to event statistics. You can also like and follow us on Facebook here, or by liking and following us on Instagram and/or Twitter at @therodeoroundup. Jason has also made it easy for you to be a part of his interviews by opening up a listener comment line. If you have a question for a certain rodeo star simply call in and leave your name, where you are from, who the question is for and what your question is and he will do his best to get it answered for you during his interviews!
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