The PBR's one day event in San Antonio,TX was a little different from normal as they instituted "the draft" at this event. Personally,I don't see it making the riders ride any better nor do any better. I have never been a fan of the draft and from people I know who have been at events I have heard that they were bored during the actual draft picks. I can't see the purpose of it as if you claim you have the best riders and the best bulls why do you have to keep looking for ways to enhance the performance. I guess the new owners have yet to learn that bull riding fans come to see bull riding period. What will attract new fans is simply the excitement engendered by the action of the event.Oh well,what do I know?After all I have only been around rodeo and bull riding most of my life and have reported on it for over ten years .
As the event began it was all bulls as Brian Herman ,Jared Farley, Robson Palermo bucked off of their bulls. Travis Brisco looked good as he rode Grey Dog for 89.25 as the bull went around to the left bottom into his hand with lots of kick and twist getting Travis out of shape at the end of the ride when he nearly lost his feet.
Renato Nunes and Clayton Williams weren't so fortunate as they both hit the dust early. Rocky McDonald looked like he was in pain after he rode Sharp Shooter for 86 points when the bull went to the right into his hand.
McKennon Wimberley bucked off of Sharp Dressed Kid but Mike Lee made a good ride aboard Smiley who went around to the left into Mike's hand but nearly stopped and went flat.Mike scored 87 which might have been a little high as Smiley didn't have the best trip.
Nick Landreneau rode The Rookie for 87.25 as the bull went around to the left and then jumped out of the spin.Ednei Caminhas followed after two more riders bucked off wi
It was good to see Dan Henricks back but Skat Jacket got the best of him.Last time I saw Dan was in the CBR.
World's current number one Guilherme Marchi rode Devil Dog for 87.50 as the bull went around to the right. he was followed by Sean Willingham aboard Spotted Frog who had good timing as he went around to the left away from Sean's hand.Sean scored 83.75.
Ross Coleman was awarded a re ride as Political Weapon just loped along the chutes while belly kicking. Unfortunately his re ride bull El Gato was power packed and bucked Ross off right out of the chute which is very unusual for Ross. Ross is one of the best.
Wiley Petersen rode Harlan Robertson's Black Mamba for 88 points as the bull went around to the right away from Wiley's hand after taking two big leaps out of the chute.Wiley stayed centered in perfect position.
The rides were few and far in between and the excuses for so few riders making qualified rides on a draft event sounded inanae.When are they going to learn that the fans are tired of excuses ? Ned Cross made a great ride aboard Cool Whip for 88.75 as the bull went around to the left into his hand then reversed right away but Ned handled it and remained in perfect position while spurring the bull who was kicking high. As good as the bull bucked I would have thought Ned deserved at least an 89.75 to a 90.
Lufkin Ranch and Rodeo's Derringer showed that he sure can buck like his daddy Zorro as he had Cord McCoy off early. Derringer took two leaps out with rear and drop then faked left and went around to the right with high kicks like his daddy. I am really hot on this bull. It seems as if most of Zorro's offspring are turning out great.Congrats to Chuck Griffith.
After Ned's ride there were 7 buck-offs in a row. The J B Mauney rode Wild Life for 90 as the bull took two leaps in place then faked left and went around to the right away from JB's hand.
Austin Meier scored 86.50 as his bull took two leaps forward then went around to the left into Austin's hand with drift.
Valdiron de Oliveira rode Mastermind as the bull made a real fast spin around to the leftaway from his hand.The ride looked great but the score was only 86.50 and the fans weren't happy.
Three riders got called back to the short go as there were only 12 qualified rides in the first round.Of the three Bryan Richardson and Dustin Hall both bucked off while Jared Farley rode Black Gold who went around to the left into his hand with a lot of speed and action.He scored 89 which was a little stingy.
Sean Willingham became the first rider to ride two as he scored 87.50 on Bonafide who was around to the left away from Sean's hand,giving him the lead with 171.75.
Valdiron rode Lightning McQueen whom he chose in the draft for 89.50 and he took over the lead with 176 on two.The bull was around to the right into Valdiron's hand and Valdiron spurred him well.
Zorro had his usual trip as he bucked Nick Landreneau off .Just love that bull!
Guilherme Marchi lucked out as Buckeye nearly had him off but turned back and picked him up.The bull took three leaps out then bucked straight before turning back to the right.He had lots of travel and his leaps had all fours off the ground but Guilherme only scored 87.25 which gave him 174.25 on two.The fans were upset but the bull took too long before going around to the right and Guilherme was out of shape more than once.
Lil' Slim had a really bad trip with Ednei Caminhas as the took two leaps out made one turn left then jumped out of it and just ran. Looks like a broke bull. Maybe he'll make a barrel racer ! Ednei's re ride was Medicine Man who was around to the left away from Ednei's hand.Ednei slapped at 6.1.
The win went to Valdiron de Oliveira and was his second win of the season. Adriano Moraes did the translating for Valdiron as Leah Garcia interviewed them.
