Bull riding history was rewritten today as Chris Shivers (Jonesville, LA) became the first Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) World Champion to earn the Built Ford Tough Million-Dollar Bonus presented by Bud Light. The $2.7 million BFTS World Finals, presented by Las Vegas culminated after four days and five intense go rounds of competition with Shivers defeating closest opponent, Justin McBride (Elk City, OK) by a narrow margin in the final round of action. Millions of viewers watched the compelling world title race unfold live on NBC, while a capacity crowd of 16,500 witnessed the drama live.

Shivers and McBride battled back and forth during the Finals as they have through the course of the 2003 season with a mere 665 points separating them going into the fourth go round. After McBride twisted Cripple Creek Slick Willy of Terry Williams' for 90 points and a tie for third in the fourth round, Shivers rallied to post 89 points aboard Tar Baby belonging to RBL Rodeo Bulls. Shivers and McBride both qualified for the final and fifth go round by placing among the top fifteen, but unaware of the margin separating them, it was unclear to both who would be a millionaire at the end of the day. The suspense escalated as the duo went neck in neck to attempt their final bulls.

Shivers, who failed to ride High Tide of Beutler and Sons Rodeo Company in the finals, stated during the post event press conference, "I thought when my head hit the ground in the short go that I'd lost the million. This has been the longest year of my life, every week's a test and there's 28 events to determine the World Champion so you have to go at it with effort at every one of them."

Having faced the ultimate challenge, both mentally and physically, Shivers hasn't decided where he'll spend his million. Shivers finished the season with $1,202,478 in earnings, while McBride's season dollars totaled $281,606. Of the points margin through the competition, Shivers and McBride both conceded that they knew it was a heated race but didn't keep a constant tally. Stated Shivers, "there's so much more to worry about before you start counting points so you've just got to stay clear."

Consistently mastering four of the five bulls run under him in the four day competition, newcomer Jody Newberry (Ada, OK) secured the prestigious title of BFTS World Finals event champion as well as PBR Rookie of the Year. Newberry clinched both titles in the finals when he mastered Berger, Teague and Taupin's 2002 and 2003 Bull of the Year, Little Yellow Jacket for the go round win. In the past four years, Little Yellow Jacket has an impressive record of having been ridden only nine out of fifty-nine outs, to an outstanding average score of 92.5. Newberry's 94.5 was the high mark of the event and the rookie left Vegas $265,566 dollars richer.

Fourth go round honors were shared by J.W. Hart (Gainesville, TX) and Jensen, UT cowboy Tony Mendes who topped Roy Carter's Slim Shady and Lovelace's Little White Soldier respectively to earn $18,500 each.

BEHIND THE CHUTES

HEALTHSOUTH SPORTS MEDICINE INJURY REPORT:
Sean Willingham (Summerville, GA) - Separated right shoulder.

Corey Navarre (Weatherford, OK) - Strained lower back.

Cody Whitney (Asher, OK) - Bruised lower back.

Brian Herman (Victoria, TX) - Broken left wrist on free arm, out for 6-8 weeks.

Ross Johnson (Alvord, TX) - Complex laceration to his arm.

Chad Lucas (Wister, OK) - Sprained right hand, riding hand.

Mike Collins (Adair, OK) - Right hip pointer, will compete.

Brent Vincent (Sulpher, LA) - Strained neck.

Paulo Crimber (Olimpia, Sao Paulo Brazil) - Torn right groin.

Vince Stanton (Weiser, ID) - Groin and neck strain.

Jim Sharp (Stephenville, TX) - Bruised rotator cuff on free arm.

Billy Robinson (Galax, VA) - Separated shoulder.

Ednei Caminhas (P. Alves, Sao Paulo, Brazil) - Right groin strain, left knee ACL tear.

Mike White (DeKalb, TX) - Right forearm strain.

Chris Shivers (Jonesville, LA) - Left shoulder sprain, right hip strain.

Justin McBride (Elk City, OK) - Cracked rib.

Emotional tributes to bull riding legends Cody Custer, Aaron Semas, and Myrtis Dightman took place during the World Finals. Semas and Custer, founders and fellow Board members of the PBR paved the way for the PBR's current success, while Dightman, a champion in his own right, paved the way for younger talent as well.

Stock Contractor of the Year honors as determined by a vote of the top 45 bull riders in the world were bestowed on D & H Cattle Company (Ardmore, OK) for the third consecutive year.

Colorado based stock contractor Glen Southwick's Neon Nights earned Bull of the Finals honors and $12,500, while Herrington's Blueberry Wine earned $7,500 for second. Slingblade another Herrington bull rounded out the top three for a $5,000 bonus. Among other stock contractor bonus money dispersed were the awards for the most money won on bulls prior to the World Finals. Herrington Cattle Company's Maximus gained the top spot and a $12,500 bonus, while Coyote Ugly and Western Wishes were second and third earning $7,500 and $5,000 respectively.

Built Ford Tough Series Venue of the Year honors went to the Tuff Hedeman Championship Challenge in Fort Worth, TX, while Cheyenne Frontier Days earned U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Challenger Tour Venue of the Year by a vote of the top 45. The 2003 Bull of the Year as voted upon by the top 45 bull riders in the world was earned for the second consecutive year by Berger, Teague and Taupin's electric Little Yellow Jacket. Rounding out the top five bulls of 2003 were Roy Carter's Kid Rock in second followed by Pandora's Box owned by Terry Williams, Mossy Oak Mudslinger of D & H Cattle Company's, and Slingblade belonging Herrington Cattle Company. The top five bulls received bonus dollars of $20,000, $12,000, $9,000, $6,000 and $3,000 in that order. For more information please contact Bonnie Wheatley, PR Department at 719.471.3008, ext. 3116 or visit www.pbrnow.com.

FOURTH ROUND: T1) J.W. Hart (Gainesville, TX) 90.5 points Roy Carter Bucking Bulls' Slim Shady, Tony Mendes (Jensen, UT) 90.5 points on Lovelace & Carr's Little White Soldier; T3) Luke Snyder (Raymore, MO) 90 points on Don Kish Bucking Bulls' McNasty, Justin McBride (Elk City, OK) 90 points on Terry Williams Bucking Bulls' Cripple Creek Slick, Owen Washburn (Lordsburg, NM) 90 points on Harrington Cattle Co.'s Hells Bells; T6) Chris Shivers (Jonesville, LA) 89 points on RBL Rodeo Bulls' Tar Baby, Corey Navarre (Weatherford, OK) 89 points on RBL Rodeo Bulls' Dippity Doo; T8) Dave Samsel (Stephenville, TX) 88.5 points on Big Bend/Flying 5's Mr. Hyde, Jason Legler (Eaton, CO) 88.5 points on Davis/Teague Bucking Bulls LLC's Black Jack; 10) Reuben Geleynse (Winchester, ON) 88 points on Harrington Cattle Co.'s Maximum.

SHORT ROUND: 1) Jody Newberry (Ada, OK) 94.5 points on Berger/Taupin/Teague's Little Yellow Jacket; T2) Sevi Torturo (Williston, FL) 92.5 points on Roy Carter Bucking Bull's Kid Rock, Cory Melton ( Keithville, LA) 92.5 points on Don Kish Bucking Bulls' Wild Side.

FINAL WORLD FINALS EVENT STANDINGS: 1) Jody Newberry (Ada, OK) 357 points, $265,566.66; 2) Cory Melton (Keithville, LA) 270 points; $170,566.66; 3) Sevi Torturo (Williston, FL) 268 points, $108,566.66; 4) Greg Potter (Whitt, TX) 266.5 points, $78,583.33; 5) Luke Snyder (Raymore, MO) 265.5 points, $59,500; 6) Dave Samsel (Stephenville, TX) 261.5 points, $39,250; 7) Ross Johnson (Alvord, TX) 247.5 points, $28,500; 8) Wiley Petersen (Ft. Hall, ID) 247.5 points, $32,266.67; 9) Justin McBride (Elk City, OK) 182.5 points, $50,500; 10) Chris Shivers (Jonesville, LA) 178.5 points, $23,000.

BUILT FORD TOUGH SERIES FINAL POINT STANDINGS: 1) Chris Shivers (Jonesville, LA) 8,455.5; 2) Justin McBride (Elk City, OK) 7,866.5; 3) Wiley Petersen (Fort Hall, ID) 7,149; 4) Mike White (De Kalb, TX) 7,007.5; 5) Owen Washburn (Lordsburg, NM) 6,527; 6) Mike Lee (Paradise, TX) 6,382; 7) Jody Newberry (Ada, OK) 5,090; 8) Cory Melton (Keithville, LA) 5,060; 9) Tony Mendes (Jensen, Utah) 4,989; 10) J.W. Hart (Marietta, OK) 4,857.