Guilherme Marchi Wins BFTS At Grand Rapids

Guilherme Marchi Wins His First 2006 BFTS Event
By Sheila Totten
After two tough days of bull riding it was Brazil's Guilherme Marchi who was all smiles at the U.S.Army Reserve Classic in Grand Rapids,MI.He was so happy he did a pretty nice dance after his winning ride. Looks like Paolo started something as Guilherme has been added to the dancing riders. Watch out Rockettes!
I have to say something right here .I think Craig Hummer is great! He is so very natural and fits in so well. He reminds me a bit of Roach Hedeman, and I truly enjoy listening to Craig. With Craig and now Leah back teaming up with Justin McKee and Michael Gaffney I think the PBR has a really cool team of broadcasters now.
Before the event began Leah spoke with Sean Willingham who says he feels as if he belongs in the top five and can win the world.Sean is a great guy and I remember an incident when he was injured during an OKC event and we were all in the lounge after the event and Leah thought I would get Sean to blush if I asked him about his injury.So there I went.Sean was as technical as Tandy and not embarrassed at all though having a background as a medical technician neither was I. I think he knew the game was afoot and beat us out at the pass.He's one cool dude!
In round one  Guilherme  drew Curtis Mendell's Can Rock and made a great ride as the bull first hopped and skipped out of the chute before spinning to the right into Marchi's hand with lots of power and action. Guilherme remained in total control and scored 88  while the bull scored 43.50.In round two he drew Copperhead Slinger who went to the right into Guilherme's hand in a very fast spin that flattened out . The score was 84  while the bull scored 42. Marchi entered the short go in second place with 172 points.He drew Sports Machine in the short go who started to the right into Marchi's hand then reversed to the left. Once again the broadcast crew  said  there was a question of a slap but the judges did not call it  and Marchi scored 90.50 while the bull scored 44.75. It looked to me on all the replays that it was close but no cigar. Marchi had 262.50 on three head  and won the event .He told Leah He is riding with confidence and is healthy and looks forward to the Finals. They got a great camera shot of his beautiful wife and adorable daughter who looked thrilled with Guilherme's win.
In round one it was Mark Lopes who led the field with a great 90.25 ride aboard Berger /Ryken's Scardy Cat who had lots of  kick, rear and drop. The bull spun to the right with lots of elevation then reversed back left and scored 45. Lopes faced Kid Rooster in the Mossy Oak Shoot Out who spun to the right into Lopes hand and had Lopes off in 3.1 seconds.
The first ride shown was our hometown rider Cory Rasch Who drew Freightliner who took two turns out to the left away from Cory's hand and had Cory down in 3.5. The only consolation is that Cory looks healthy and we sure need him to stay that way.He's a future champion in the making. Guilherme's 88 point ride landed him in second place in the round followed closely by Robey Condra with 87.75 aboard Chris Benedict's Bankwalker. Robey first drew Stubby,another bull I had never heard of before  who was totally wild with no timing at all. He faked right then headed for the fence where he hipped himself then faked right then faked left with no kick  and just a loping gait. It was so bad that the judges did not even score  the ride and Robey was given the reride aboard Bankwalker. That was a great ride and I think it was worth more appoints but I don't work for the PBR as a judge. Bankwalker spun to the right into Robey's hand with lots of kick and energy while Robey remained centered while riding aggressively . The bull scored 43.50.
Tater Porter and Justin McBride tied for 4/5 with 86.50. Tater made a good strong ride aboard  Antony Bontrager's Artic Cat  who spun to the right away from Tater's hand with good action in a drifting spin with lots of kick.The bull scored 43.
Justin drew one of my favorite Nevada Berger bulls Caramel Corn who spun fast to the right into Justin's hand with lots of power while Justin remained in control.Got to love those Berger bulls! Caramel Corn scored 42.75.
It was good to see Mike White back riding and he was 6th in the round with 86 points aboard Rivet head who spun to the left away from Mike's hand  in a fast traveling spin that earned a bull score of 42.75.
In round two it was J.B. Mauney aboard one of the  sons of Tony Sharp's great bull Hammer, Diamond  K's Jack Hammer who scored 43.75  while the ride scored 88.75. J.B. Won the round with a strong ride  as the bull  spun to the left into J.B.'s hand.
Paolo Crimber was second in the round just one point behind at 87.75 aboard  Curtis Mendell's Can Rock who spun to the left away from Paolo's hand.The bull had good action with lots of rear and drop and lots of high rear end elevation.His style reminds me of Lufkin Ranch and Rodeo's Zorro.The bull score was 43.75.
Brendon Clark finished third in the round with 87 points aboard  Chumley/Katich's Blind Date (43.25) but this was one of nearly twenty rides not shown.Dan Henricks was fourth in the round with 86.25 aboard Chad Berger/Larry Ryken's Rockin Robin (43)  who spun to the right away from Dan's hand in a fast spin. It was 'singing Colby Yates'  who finished fifth with 86 aboard Stress Test (42.50)  who spun to the left into Colby's hand with good action.
 Mark Lopes led the  average going into the short go with 174.50 and would get to ride the Page and Teague bull Super Duty.It was  Rocky McDonald who  took top honors in the round with a great ride aboard Berger/Ryken/Loe's  P. S. Deuces Wild(44.00) for 91  points as the bull spun to the left away from Rocky's hand while Rocky spurred high and remained in total control. Rocky had turned down a reride that was only scored  at 51 and I would wager the what ifs ran through his head after the event .Possibly it would have been McDonald who won the event if he had taken and made a good reride. Rocky finished fourth  in the average.
Guilherme Marchi's ride aboard  Page/Teague/Buck's Sports Machine earned him second place in the round and the event title .
Number two man in the standings Sean Willingham was third in the round with 90 aboard  P&T's Black Smoke (44.25) who went into a fast spin to the left away from Sean's hand while Sean made the ride look easy. Another great one under his belt.  Sean was second in the average.
Tater Porter made the only other qualified ride in the round with 89 points aboard Boogerman(44.00) who took two leaps out then spun left then leaped forward then circled left into Tater's hand while belly kicking. Tater was third in the average.
Mark Lopes ended up fifth in the average as Super Duty spun hard to the right into Mark's hand and had him right off.
This was the only event Guilherme Marchi has won this season but the man is over 1600 points ahead in first place in the standings presently. Reminds me of Mike lee's Championship year.
Brian Canter  sprained his left knee and is probable for Reading while J.W. Hart aggravated his herniated disc and is questionable .Knowing J.W. he'll probably bite the bullet and ride. Beau Hill sprained his thumb and is not riding.Do not feel that this is silly compared to other injuries .Anyone who has ever sprained or dislocated a thumb can tell you it is excruciating pain and every movement of your hand  can bring tears to your eyes.Been there  and done that more than once!