Matt Austin Wins PRCA's Xtreme Bull Title

Bullnanza-Reno,Nevado. The Xtreme Bulls Finals
Matt Austin( Wills Point,TX.),the hottest rider in rodeo right now won Bullnanza-Reno/PRCA's Xtreme Bulls National Championship with 352 points on four head. Matt , a very humble 23 year old always strives to do his best each ride reminding me of a young Tuff Hedeman ;always aiming for first place. Matt said he was lucky to have drawn great bulls and thanked the Lord for his win.
Matt has a chance to do something no bull rider has ever done. He holds the Xtreme Bulls National Championship and sits in the lead for the CBR World Championship(Jackson,MS. Nov. 18-19) and the PRCA World Championship(WNFR,December).He has broken Terry Don West's 2003 record of $211,879 single season earnings.Matt's record can only grow as he sits presently at $222,397 with events to go. Will we have a true Bull Riding Triple Crown Winner this year. I hope so.
It was an exciting three day event with great bulls and the top fifty riders in the PRCA. Four time World Champion Bull Rider and CBR President Tuff Hedeman was the stock coordinator while eight time World Champion  Donny Gay was there to sign autographs and do the TV commentary. Among the many champions assembled were PRCA 2001  World Champion Cody Hancock and CBR reigning World Championship Austin Meier.
In round one Matt rode Kish's Short Barrell for 85 points.The bull faked right, into Matt's hand then spun to the left away from it; jumping out of the spin and bucking straight. Matt exhibited total control. In round two he drew Kish's Tuff Target ; making another great ride as the bull spun to the right into Matt's hand with lots of power,kick and fast action; reversing left . Matt was picture perfect , scoring 91.He scored 86 in round three as the bull took one long leap out of the chute, stumbled then went into a low , drifting spin to the right while covering lots of ground .Matt never bobbled at all.
After three rounds Matt was a half point behind Kankakee's Mike Moore; the first Xtreme Bulls Champion. Mike had tied Matt in round two with his own 91 point ride aboard Kish's Loose Cannon who faked right then spun fast left  with lots of high kick and action. It was down to the wire and the fans were on the edge of their seats.Matt made a great ride aboard Growney's Main Man in the Coors Championship round.The bull took three leaps out then spun to the left away from Matt's hand with such power that  he stumbledand then bucked straight with lots of elevation,high kicks and action; going nearly vertical. Matt scored 90.Mike drew the Robertson/Wilson bull Spider Man , a small bull who spun fast to the left into Mike's hand. Matt ran out to congratulate Mike but the judges signaled no score as Mike slapped the bull at 4.9 which was caught on camera.
Cord McCoy(Tupelo,Oklahoma) was second in the average  with 337.5 on four bulls ; qualifyingCord for his first NFR. Zeb Lanham(Sweet,Idaho) was third.Round Two and Round Three will be on ESPN 2 on Nov.4th.
Julio Moreno suffered torn tendons and ligaments in his left ankle when his paint horse was knocked down by River Side.The horse pinned Julio momentarily and it was scary as the bull came right at them again.Thanks to great bullfighters both Julio and his horse are fine.Julio finished the night and was replaced by Reno Rosser on Saturday. Reno of Flying U Rodeo Company told me they had been offered one million dollars for Reindeer Dippin,their great bull.
Also injured in the event was bullfighter Frank Newsome who broke his arm Saturday but finished the event in a cast.He is currently in Vegas with Julio working the PBR Finals
Jake Littlefield had the high point ride of the event when he won round one aboard Rough N Ready with a 95 point ride.The little bull went into a fast spin to the left away from Jake's hand with lots of kick,rear and drop.This is a record score for Xtreme Bulls finals and ties the seasonal high score record.Wesley Silcox made a great ride in round one aboard Kish's Main Man for 92.The bull took two leaps out then spun left away from Wesley's hand with great action.Wesley was picture perfect and later told me the bull felt really good underneath him. Matt Austin and Mike Moore split round two and Jarrod Ford won round three with 91.5 as the bull also spun to the left away from Jarrod's hand with rear , drop and action.
It was a great event with nail biting excitement thanks to the great pen of bulls put together by Tuff Hedeman.Thanks to Shayla Givens and A.G. Meyers of the Lazy E for inviting us and my warm regards to the members of the IHO and  vendors they brought with them to the Silver Legacy Concourse. Also regards to my new Paiute friends Debbie and Eileen Dale .Thanks to PRCA Fly Thomas for the help he gave my partner , photographer Teri Lann; and to his assistant Robby Freeman who is the great grandson of the first  Caddo to ever hold office in Louisiana-Sheriff of Caddo County.
Now its on to the CBR's final event of the season in Beaumont,TX on Nov.11-12 and then to their Finals in Jackson,MS on Nov.18-19.Hope to see many of you there.