The “Pit” in Albuquerque, New Mexico is a very unique venue that many of the top bull riders in the world get excited about coming to each and every year. That being said, the bull riders are not the only ones that look forward to this stop, each and every year as the announcers, bull fighters and the entire staff that bring the Built Ford Tough Series up and down the road talk about this stop and count down the weeks until they can come back to this fantastic venue.
Ben Jones has gone from virtually being dropped off tour to lighting a fire each and every time he climbs aboard his bucking bull. These last two weeks he has done what he has had to do to guarantee his spot on tour for the year as he has shot all the way up to the number 13 spot in the world. He comes into this weekend as the defending event champion and looking to further his position as he climbs up the leader board chasing another PBR World Finals appearance.
Mike Lee Covers His Bull In Round One
Photo Credit: PBRLive.com
Tonight’s opening ceremonies set the tone for the amount of energy that the fans inside of The Pit in Albuquerque, New Mexico would carry with them the entire evening on this Friday night. After a slow start to round one it would be quickly apparent that the caliber of bucking bulls would give the cowboys all that they could handle and then some tonight. Once the action moved forward it was the tremendous bovine athlete power that would once again reign supreme as the night closed and we looked ahead to tomorrow night’s round two action.
It was an exciting time tonight to see the fans celebrate the return of a few of the greatest bull riders in the world as they made a return to competition following injuries. Brady Sims made his return along with the much anticipated return of Brazilian sensation Alexandre Cardozo. Some may remember the devastating injury the he sustained at the 2015 PBR World Finals. Cardozo made the sold out crowd go silent as he was back boarded out of the arena with many unknown major injuries.
Reigning World Champion J.B. Mauney Wins Round One
Photo Credit: PBRLive.com
When the round finally began to go the bull riders way it would be only a few rides that would give the fans in attendance something to cheer about on a Friday night. North Dakota cowboy Stetson Lawrence would be the first bull rider that would be able to make it to the eight second buzzer at this year’s event in The Pit. After him would be just a few that would be able to accomplish the feat that Lawrence had done before them. That being said, the rides that were completed were absolutely amazing and gave the sold out crowd something to cheer about.
After it was all said and done it would be just a mere ten of the top 35 bull riders in the world that would be able to obtain a qualified ride and bring some much needed points ahead to tomorrow night’s second round of action in New Mexico. After all the excitement was done and the fans made their way out of The Pit it would be your reigning and defending PBR World Champion J.B. Mauney that would take home the early lead by winning the first round on competition. Mauney matched up with Martinez Bucking Bulls, LLC’s Oklahoma Bandit for a solid first round score of 87.50 points!
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