The AlphaTrade National Champion title was awarded to McBride for being the number one ranked man at the end of the 2007 Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler (BFTS) regular season. McBride led North Carolina's young gun, J.B. Mauney (Mooresville) by more than 2,000 points entering the Rocky Boots Invitational, an amount which Mauney could not overcome in Columbus, therefore McBride had secured the title last weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah. His AlphaTrade National Champion bonus and the AlphaTrade Bounty Bull bonus for making the 8 second whistle on Scene of the Crash added another $200,000 to McBride's season earnings. Over the past several weeks, PBR fans selected Scene of the Crash as the AlphaTrade Bounty Bull.
"Anytime you get the chance to get on one of the rankest bulls in the world, it just doesn't get any better than that," said McBride upon claiming the richest ride in bull riding history. "Scene of the Crash just never lets up. He came out tonight and did exactly what I expected."
McBride has virtually re-written bull riding history this season. He won eight events this year, two more than the previous record held by 1999 PBR World Champion, Cody Hart (Gainesville, Texas) and himself during the 2005 season. He has the most career event wins with 30, and he has already claimed 150% more money during the season than he did when he claimed his first PBR World Championship in 2005, even before this event's windfall.
Now with the richest bull ride ever under his belt all he has left to do is earn $2 million this season to change history yet again. The possibility is within his reach with the $3.2 million PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals presented by Wrangler just two weeks away. Each round pays the winner $20,000 while the PBR World Finals average winner will walk away with $225,000. The cool $1 million PBR World Champion bonus would seal the deal. With all that money still available, McBride could conceivably make and surpass the $2 million mark.
"All of the front runners are healthy enough (heading into the PBR World Finals)," said McBride. "But I'm ready for the challenge to win my second (PBR World) title."
Following the conclusion of the Rocky Boots Invitational there are only four men who have a realistic shot at the 2007 PBR World Championship. McBride leads the pack of men with 11,505.25 BFTS points. Mauney has steadily been McBride's biggest foe all season and remains in second place with 9,777.25 points. However, it's Brazilian sensation, Guilherme Marchi (Leme, Sao Paulo) who has completed the season with several strong finishes. Marchi repeated his performance of last weekend, placing second in the Rocky Boots Invitational with 260.5 points. He heads into the PBR World Finals with 9,257.25 BFTS points. The final man who has a chance to claim the PBR World Championship is Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.). He has 6,597.5 points but trails McBride by 4,907.75 points. Willingham will have to put on his best performance ever at the PBR World Finals to overcome McBride's lead.
While it was McBride who dominated the excitement in Columbus, "Mighty" Mike White (De Kalb, Texas) walked away with his second event win of the season, claiming the Rocky Boots Invitational title. After severely bruising his right arm on Friday night. White was overhead saying, "Why yes I'm riding (Saturday night) and I'm going to win the event."
He certainly made good on that promise when he scored 263.25 points on three bulls and earned $28,058 in PBR bucks. White has earned more than $1.2 million during his lucrative bull riding career.
"I love this place (Columbus)," said White. "It's always been a great event for me." In fact, last year White needed $10,000 to qualify for the 2006 PBR World Finals and claimed enough prize money in Columbus to make the qualification. This year, he was already qualified for the Finals but was able to pick up his 11th career event victory.
"I appreciate all the fans that come out every weekend to support us," finished White. "I also want to thank Rocky Boots for the sponsorship to make this sport possible. We are looking forward to another successful World Finals."
White was in third place at the start of the Built Ford Tough Championship Round but claimed the event victory when he rode Berger Bucking Bulls' Bad Medicine for 90.75 points. When neither event leader Kasey Hayes (Liberal, Kan.) nor second place, Paulo Crimber (Olimpia, Sao Paulo, Brazil) made qualified rides in the Championship Round, the title was White's.
Guilhereme Marchi trailed White by only one-half point but could not overcome the deficit when he rode Frontier & Teague Bucking Bulls' Red Light for 88.5 points in the Championship Round. Marchi finished the event in second place with 260.5 points. He added $19,778 to his PBR earnings. Matt Bohon (Cole Camp, Mo.) finished in third place with 252.25 points and earned $9,420 for his performance.
Two long-time fan favorites needed strong event finishes to qualify for the PBR World Finals during the Rocky Boots Invitational. Brian "Pee Wee" Herman (Victoria, Texas) was in need of an event victory to secure his spot in Las Vegas. Although a strong performance during the second round earned him 86 points aboard Chad Berger/Larry Ryken's Full Loaded, he failed to earn the PBR bucks to make his trip to the Finals possible.
For 13 years, PBR's "Ironman" J.W. Hart (Overbrook, Okla.) has been a fixture at the PBR World Finals but his streak was broken tonight in Columbus. Hart needed to finish in the top three of the event standings for his trip to Las Vegas but after failing to ride either of his preliminary round bulls he fell short of the finish line. Hart will still attend the Finals as an honored PBR ambassador.
During the Rocky Boots Invitational, Dickies DuraBullfighter, Dennis Johnson announced his retirement. "Dennis Johnson is a true champion, true lifesaver, and true friend," said PBR in-arena announcer, Brandon Bates. "He's dedicated 11 years of his life as a Dickies DuraBullfighter and we thank him." Johnson stated that he is planning to pursue other goals in his life.
The Mandalay Bay Events Center and the Thomas & Mack Center will welcome the best of the best in professional bull riding October 26-28 and November 1-4 for the PBR's 2007 Built Ford Tough World Finals presented by Wrangler. Only one man can become the 2007 PBR World Champion. The last man standing will also claim the cool $1 million bonus that accompanies the title. Stay tuned to www.pbrnow.com for the complete list of PBR World Finals Qualifiers.
Injury Report:
Mike White (DeKalb, Texas)-White suffered a bruised right forearm. He is competing.
Billy Robinson (Galax, Va.)-Robinson sustained a bruised right arm (free arm). He is competing.
Steven Shelley (Natural Dam, Ark.)-Shelley sustained a broken jaw but is competing.
BEHIND THE CHUTES:
Enterprise Rent-A-Car's "Ride with the Best" Bonus:
As the winner of the Salt Lake City, Utah BFTS event, Brendon Clark (Morpeth, NSW, Australia) was eligible for the Enterprise Rent-A-Car "Ride with the Best" bonus money in Columbus. Clark was successful in the first round aboard Thorsell Bucking Bulls' Superman, thus claiming the $5,000 bonus. In the second round, Clark was unsuccessful aboard D&H/Accomazzo's Mud Duck, thus the stock contractor was awarded the $5,000 bonus. As the Rocky Boots Invitational event winner, Mike White (De Kalb, Texas) will be eligible for the bonus at the first event of the 2008 BFTS season in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Ford Truck Moment of Truth Bonus:
Kasey Hayes (Liberal, Kan.) led the event going into the Built Ford Tough Championship Round but did not claim the Rocky Boots Invitational event title; therefore he did not claim the $25,000 Ford Truck Moment of Truth bonus. The bonus will grow to $30,000 for the first event of the 2008 BFTS season in Cincinnati, Ohio. The bonus grows by $5,000 each week if it is not claimed. Once claimed, it returns to $5,000.
Ford Super Duty Challenge:
As the Rocky Boots Invitational event winner Mike White (De Kalb, Texas) has qualified for a chance to compete at the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals, against all other 2007 Built Ford Tough Series event winners, for $50,000 toward the purchase of a 2008 Ford Super Duty Truck. The Ford Super Duty Challenge contestant who finishes the highest in the event aggregate during the 2007 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals will win the Ford Super Duty Challenge.
Bully Dog Short Go Top Qualifier:
Kasey Hayes (Liberal, Kan.) was awarded $2,500 for being the bull rider with the highest cumulative score (i.e. highest in the event average) going into the Built Ford Tough Championship Round and for properly displaying the Top Qualifier Patch.
Salem NationaLease Bull of the Event:
Chicken on a Chain owned by Robinson/Tedesco/Larry the Cable Guy was the high marked bull of the event with a score of 47.25 points, and was awarded $1,250 as a part of Salem NationaLease's exciting bonus program. The program awards $1,250 to the top bull of the event as determined by the PBR judges' bull scores.
Cabela's World's Foremost Ride:
J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) recorded the highest marked ride of the event when he topped Chad Berger/Ryken/Larson's Copperhead Slinger for 91 points during the Built Ford Tough Championship Round of the Rocky Boots Invitational. In doing so, he earned a $1,000 bonus.
The rider who achieves the highest score at each BFTS regular season event during the 2007 BFTS regular season excluding the PBR World Finals receives a bonus of $1,000 for the event. The PBR athlete who achieves the highest marked qualifying ride during the entire 2007 BFTS regular season, excluding the PBR World Finals event will receive $25,000, while second and third place finishers will be awarded $10,000 and $5,000, respectively. The bull rider that achieves the highest marked ride through the course of the entire 2007 PBR BFTS World Finals will earn an additional $10,000.
Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) will claim the Cabela's World's Foremost Ride bonus of $25,000 with his 93.25 point performance in Tulsa.
AlphaTrade National Champion Standings:
A new bonus program offered by AlphaTrade will present the 2007 Built Ford Tough Series regular season champion, defined by PBR rules to be the rider with the highest BFTS points total at the end of the regular season, with $50,000 and the opportunity to win up to $200,000. Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) was crowned the first AlphaTrade National Champion and claimed the entire $200,000 bonus.
Rocky Boots Invitational Event Results:
ROUND ONE: 1) Billy Robinson (Galax, Va.) 88.5 points on Frontier Rodeo Company's Skywalker, $2,730; 2/3) Cody Hart (Gainesville, Texas) 88 points on Frontier/Teague Bucking Bulls' Dodgin Calls, $1,560; 2/3) Kasey Hayes (Liberal, Kan.) 88 points on Frontier/Teague Bucking Bulls' Chain Reaction, $1,560; 4) Cory Melton (Keithville, La.) 87.25 points on Shad Smith's Blue Duck, $780; 5) Guilherme Marchi (Leme, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 87 points on Frontier Rodeo Company's Fire-Flame, $468.
ROUND TWO: 1) Kasey Hayes (Liberal, Kan.) 87.5 points on Hicks/Hale/McCraken's Cheap Trick, $2,730; 2) Paulo Crimber (Olimpia, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 87.25 points on Shad Smith's Blue Duck, $1,950; 3) J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) 86.5 points on Hicks/Hale/McCraken's Full Circle, $1,170; 4/5) Travis Briscoe (Edgewood, N.M.) 86.25 points on Page & Teague Bucking Bulls' Honky Donky, $624; 4/5) Robson Palermo (Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil) 86.25 points on David Day's Totally Twisted, $624.
BUILT FORD TOUGH CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND: 1) J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) 91 points on Chad Berger's Copperhead Slinger, $2,730; 2) Mike White (De Kalb, Texas) 90.75 points on Berger Bucking Bulls' Bad Medicine, $1,950; 3) Guilherme Marchi (Leme, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 88.5 points of Frontier & Teague Bucking Bulls' Red Light, $1,170; 4) Matt Bohon (Cole Camp, Mo.) 86.25 points on Frontier & Teague Bucking Bulls' Just A Dream, $780; 5) Zack Brown (Santa Fe, Texas) 80 points on Frontier & Teague Bucking Bulls' Invisible Touch, $468.
OVERALL EVENT: 1) Mike White (De Kalb, Texas) 263.25 points, $28,058.40; 2) Guilherme Marchi (Leme, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 260.5 points, $19.778.40; 3) Matt Bohon (Cole Camp, Mo.) 252.25 points, $9,420.40; 4) J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) 177.5 points, $10,440.40; 5) Kasey Hayes (Liberal, Kan.) 175.5 points, $11,140.
BUILT FORD TOUGH WORLD STANDINGS: (The PBR World Champion is determined based on total points earned through the season)
1) Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) 11,505.25 points, $687,175.65; 2) J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) 9,777.25 points, $446,481.75; 3) Guilherme Marchi (Leme, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 9,257.25 points, $267,257.24; 4) Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.) 6,597.5 points, $148,127; 5) Paulo Crimber (Olimpia, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 6,532.5 points, $107,937.75; 6) Robson Palermo (Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil) 6,413.5 points, $167,773.66; 7) Wiley Petersen (Fort Hall, Idaho) 6,324 points, $133,185.37; 8) Matt Bohon (Cole Camp, Mo.) 6,312.5 points, $143,450.17; 9) Kasey Hayes (Liberal, Kan.) 5,470 points, $264,018.31; 10) Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 5,359 points, $41,726.40.
About PBR:
More than 100 million viewers tune in each year to the PBR on FOX, NBC, VERSUS and on a host of foreign networks across the globe. With approximately 500 hours of prime time programming annually PBR ranks among the most prolific sports on air, in addition to attracting over one and one half million live event attendees each year with its multi-tiered event structure which includes the marquee Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler, the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Challenger Tour, the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Tour, and the Discovery Tour, designed specifically for entry level contestants. The PBR's governing board of directors is comprised of renowned bull riders who have developed the event into a stand alone sport which is experiencing unprecedented growth in global popularity. The PBR is headquartered in Pueblo, Colo., and has over 1,200 PBR bull riders compete in more than 300 PBR sanctioned competitions in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico.
For more information about the PBR, please visit www.pbrnow.com or call the PBR World Headquarters at 719 242 2800.