Willingham stated in Portland that he intends to be a frequent visitor to the PBR winner's circle. The veteran stayed true to his intentions by performing consistently through the course of each preliminary go round. While scores of 81.25, 85.75, and 85 points in rounds one through three, did not place in the money, they did enable Willingham to advance to the championship round ranked third overall behind Jason Bennett (Honeygrove, Texas) and Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas), which meant he would face Paradise Farms Rodeo Genetics' Jeopardy.

"I'd seen Jeopardy and had wanted to have him for a long time. He had a solid trip and turned back to the right and stayed in it. I managed to get a few spur licks in at the end and was happy to have made a good ride." Willingham is gearing up for more post-championship interviews as the season progresses, and is thrilled with his two wins to date. "I'm healthy this year which is a major improvement. I've had injuries in the past that interfered, but this season I haven't been dealing with that as much. I tore my groin earlier this year but I'm healed up. I get sore after I ride, but when I go home and rest those muscles for a few days they improve right away."

Matt Bohon (Cole Camp, Mo.) set the pace during final round action, posting a scorching 90.25 points aboard Page and Teague Bucking Bulls' Lil' Stinger. However, as one of the nine qualifiers who made it back with two scores versus three, it was mathematically impossible for Bohon to overtake the leaders. There was no guesswork involved for Willingham, who handled Jeopardy with ease, becoming the third man to make a qualified ride in the final round and the only man to ride all four of his bulls during the event.

The PBR Express Personnel Invitational win propelled Willingham, who finished last season ranked 14th overall, from the familiar 14th position to 10th in the elite PBR BFTS world standings. Willingham, who turns 25 this year, has upped his riding percentage to 55.56% and has career earnings totaling $358,380. The Georgia native ventured into the sport of bull riding at age 15 and attended Western Texas College on a rodeo scholarship before joining the PBR. He qualified for the PBR World Finals consecutively from 2003 to 2005 and is destined for a fourth trip to Las Vegas, Nev. in October.

Despite recent injuries to both his groin and left hand (riding hand), two-time PBR World Champion Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil) is relentlessly pursuing his third PBR World Championship. Moraes overtook Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) for the number one spot in the PBR's BFTS point standings following last weekend's St. Louis BFTS event. Moraes is currently riding 72.5% of his bulls and has season earnings totaling $114,349 and career earnings quickly approaching the $2 million mark at $1,973,868. The bull riding legend finished fifth overall in Reno and leads the BFTS point standings by 859.25 points over Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) who earned the reserve championship title this weekend.

The BFTS makes uninterrupted stops from now through the end of April, promising bull riding fans one of the most intense and grueling races in national sports to decide who will wear the million dollar PBR crown. For more information on the PBR Reno-Tahoe Invitational or the PBR please contact 719.471.3008 or visit www.pbrnow.com.

BEHIND THE CHUTES:

Mossy Oak Shoot Out: Shivers was eligible to compete in the Mossy Oak Shoot Out by virtue of his first round victory. Shivers cashed in for $25,000 when he conquered Paradise Farms Rodeo Genetics' Bo Kat to earn the Mossy Oak Shoot Out reward. According to PBR statistics, Bo Kat was previously unridden in tour action. When the Mossy Oak Shoot Out reward is claimed, the bonus returns to $5,000. Jason Bennett (Honeygrove, Texas) competed in the Mossy Oak Shoot Out following round two, however came up short in his attempts against Paradise Farms Rodeo Genetics' Pale Face. Consequently, the Mossy Oak Shoot Out bonus increased from $5,000 to $10,000.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Ride with the Best Bonus: As the winner of the Portland BFTS event, Dustin Hall was eligible for the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Ride With The Best bonus money in Reno. Hall earned $10,000 in bonus money after making two qualified rides. Beginning in 2006, Enterprise Rent-A-Car will not only award $5,000 to the cowboy if he rides, but the bulls also have a chance to win the $5,000 bounty, which goes to the stock contractor if his bull launches the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Ride With The Best bull rider.

Ford Truck Moment of Truth Bonus: Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) led the event going into the Built Ford Tough Championship Round, but did not ultimately earn the overall event title. Consequently, the Ford Truck Moment of Truth Bonus increases to $10,000. When the Built Ford Tough Moment of Truth Bonus is claimed the purse returns to $5,000.

Bud Light Short Go Top Qualifiers Bonus: Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) was awarded the Bud Light Short Go Top Qualifier award of $2,500 since he was the highest advancing rider to qualify for the Built Ford Tough Championship Round that participates in the program by wearing the Bud Light patch.

Ford Super Duty Challenge: As the event winner Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.) is qualified for a chance to compete at the World Finals, against all other 2006 Built Ford Tough Series event winners, for a 2006 Ford Super Duty Truck. The Ford Super Duty Invitational contestant that finishes the highest in the event aggregate during the 2006 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals will win a brand new Super Duty Truck courtesy of Ford.

Salem National Lease Bull of the Event: Diamond G Rodeos' White Magic took top bull honors of the event and as a part of Salem National Lease's exciting bonus programs the bull earned $1,250. The program awards $1,250 to the top bull of the event as determined by the PBR judges.

Cabela's World's Foremost Ride: Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) overtook Travis Briscoe (Edgewood, N.M.) in Phoenix for the lead in the race for the $25,000 Cabela's World's Foremost Ride bonus. The bonus will be awarded to the rider who earns the highest score during the 2006 Built Ford Tough Series season. Shivers posted a 93.75 point score in Phoenix during final round action aboard Taylor Made Bucking Bulls' infamous Smokeless Wardance.

Reno-Tahoe Invitational American Bucking Bull, Inc. Classic Event Results:

1) Ravenscroft/Brown's Spitshine, 91.5 point score, 26 series points, $6,143; 2/3) Don and Janelle Kish's God's Gift, 90 point score, 24 series points, $3,072; 2/3) D&H Cattle Company/Johnny Allen's Hit and Run, 90 point score, 24 series points, $3,072.

INJURY REPORT:

Ross Coleman (Redmond, Ore.) ' Broken rib, competing.

Brian Herman (Victoria, Texas) ' Bruised calf, did not compete in round three, probable for Kansas City.

Josh Koschel (Loveland, Colo.) ' Broken thumb on riding hand, questionable for Kansas City.

Rob Smets (Shamrock, Texas) ' Smets sustained a broken vertebra in his neck during the Friday night performance in Reno. He was evaluated and released from Washoe Medical Center. He is scheduled to undergo further evaluation by Dr. Andrew Dossett in Dallas on Monday. He is out of action for a minimum of 6-12 weeks.

PBR Reno-Tahoe Invitational Results:

FIRST ROUND: 1) Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) 90.75 points on Davis/White/PMS's Smiley, $2,730; 2) Colby Yates (Ft. Worth, Texas) 88.75 points on Bad Company Rodeo's Bad Company, $1,950; 3) Sevi Torturo (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 88.5 points on Davis/White/PMS's Chief, $1,170; 4/5) Brian Canter (Randleman, N.C.) 87 points on Russell Rodeo Company's Money Maker, $624; 4/5) Shawn Waite (Redmond, Ore.) 87 points on Mike Solomon's Ditto, $624.

SECOND ROUND: 1) Jason Bennett (Honeygrove, Texas) 90 points on Diamond G Rodeo's Whirlygig, $2,730; 2) Edgard Oliveira (Sao Paulo, Brazil) 89.75 points on D&H/Buck's Stray Kitty, $1,950; 3) Colby Yates (Ft. Worth, Texas) 88.75 points on Diamond G Rodeo's Charmed I'm Sure, $1,170; 4) Brian Canter (Randleman, N.C.) 88 points on Page & Teague Bucking Bulls' Nacho, $780;

THIRD ROUND: 1) Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) 87.5 points on Berger Bucking Bulls' Caramel Corn, $2,730; 2) Matt Bohon (Cole Camp, Mo.) 87.25 points on Ryan McClure's Hypnotic, $1,950; 3) Ross Coleman (Redmond, Ore.) 87 points on Diamond G Rodeos' Whompin Willow, $1,170; 4/5) Jason Bennett (Honeygrove, Texas) 86.25 points on Flying U/Moreno Bucking Bulls' Hangin Tree, $624; 4/5) Luke Snyder (Raymore, Mo.) 86.25 points on Paradise Farms Rodeo Genetics' Minimus, $624;

BUILT FORD TOUGH CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND: 1) Matt Bohon (Cole Camp, Mo.) 90.25 points on Page & Teague Bucking Bulls' Lil' Stinger, $2,730; 2) Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.) 88.5 points on Paradise Farms Rodeo Genetics' Jeopardy, $1,950; 3) Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 86.25 points on Page & Teague Bucking Bulls' Western Wishes, $1,170;

OVERALL EVENT STANDINGS: 1) Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.) 340.5 points, $28,295; 2) Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) 259.5 points, $16,250; 3) Jason Bennett (Honeygrove, Texas) 259.25 points, $14,354; 4) Matt Bohon (Cole Camp, Mo.) 167.75 points, $10,730;

BUILT FORD TOUGH SERIES POINT STANDINGS: 1) Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 5,429.25 points; 2) Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) 4,570 points; 3) Guilherme Marchi (Leme, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 4,542.25 points; 4) Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) 4,431.25 points; 5) Travis Briscoe (Edgewood, N.M.) 4,207.75 points; 6) Ross Coleman (Redmond, Ore.) 4,000.75 points; 7) Jody Newberry (Ada, Okla.) 3,808.75 points; 8) Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) 3,645 points; 9) Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.) 3,623.5 points; 10) Jared Farley (Kempsey NSW, Australia) 3,295.5 points.