It is always exciting for the PBR’s exclusive entertainer Flint Rassmussen when the organization makes its stop in Billings, Montana. This is one tour stop that is extra special to him since he is in front of his hometown crowd and surrounded by many close friends and family members. Tonight was no different and you could feel the energy in the air as he always seems to put out just a little bit more when the action kicks off inside of the Rimrock Auto Arena in Big Sky country!
Last night the top 35 bull riders in the elite Built Ford Tough Series made their way back to this wonderful area for the 21st straight year as the Stanley Performance In Action Presented By Cooper Tires kicked off. This year, as in past years, will continue to be a huge weekend with major moves being made in the world standings after a huge night as round one began. It has been several weeks, and events for that matter, since we have had a handful of rides but during round one the cowboys started to flex their muscles and made it a night worth watching.
Jay Miller Makes A Qualified Ride In Round One
Photo Credit: Bull Stock Media / Andy Watson
Last night round one kicked off and it was apparent from the get go that the bull riders were sick and tired of being thrown to the wayside week after week as the bovine athletes showed their power. Tonight was a bit of a different feel as the rides came one after another which would give these competitors the confidence that they need to carry the action from the first round throughout the remainder of the weekend. Many of the top riders were missing which made room for the young up and coming superstars to make huge moves in the standings which is exactly what they did!
Everyone watching in person or from home on PBR Live.com knew that something very special could happen this weekend and waited patiently until the moment arrived. All eyes were on one match-up in particular as Mike Lee would try to earn his 500th career ride with the only other man to reach that milestone, Guilherme Marchi, pulling his rope in front of the sold out crowd. Unfortunately we will all have to wait until at least round two to witness history once again as Lee bucking off prior to the eight second buzzer.
Stetson Lawrence Comes Out On Top In Round One
Photo Credit: Bull Stock Media / Andy Watson
Once the opening ceremonies concluded it was time to watch one of the most exciting rounds of bull riding action that we have seen so far in the 2016 Built Ford Tough Series season. After many weeks of sub-par outcomes last night’s first round gave the fans exactly what they have been waiting to see, a round where a total of 11 of the top 25 bull riders in the world wound manage to stay atop their bovine counterparts to earn a qualified ride and bring a score with them into tonight’s round two.
Tonight was a round that many of the sport’s up and coming young superstars wound shine and make direct impacts on the world standings. Below you can see the entire list and breakdown of qualified rides but no one could match what a long haired outlaw from North Dakota did on the arena floor. Quickly becoming a fan favorite, Stetson Lawrence managed to come out in the number one position after round one claiming victory with a huge 88.50 point bull ride aboard New West Rodeo’s Long Haired Outlaw.
Complete Round One Qualified Ride Breakdown:
Stetson Lawrence (88.50) Jay Miller (87.25)
Cooper Davis (86.75) Jess Lockwood (86.75)
Gage Gay (86.25) Eduardo Aparecido (86.00)
Kurt Shephard (85.25) Jorge Valdiviezo (83.75)
Tyler Harr (83.50) Tanner Bryne (83.25)
Justin Paton (80.50)
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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