“I have been trying to simplify things,” Brown stated from the Albuquerque winner’s circle.  “I have been going to each event focusing on that specific one instead of looking forward or back.  I am trying to put whatever I did at past weekends behind me so I can go to the next event and start over.”

In round one, Brown rode the bull, Velvet Elvis, owned by Diamond S Bucking Bulls, for 87.75 points.  He followed that up with an 86.25 point ride on the bull, Cool Whip of Duncan & Evans Bucking Bulls in round two.  Brown finished third place in round three after taking on Boyd/Floyd Bull Company’s bull, Kabookie, for 89 points, giving him a total of 263 points.  He went into the Built Ford Tough Championship Round in third place and chose to ride 2007 PBR World Champion Bull, Chicken on a Chain, owned by Robinson/Tedesco/Larry the Cable Guy/Broken N-N, during the PBR Bull Draft held at intermission.  He tamed the bull for 92.5 points, becoming the only man to ride his bull during the Championship Round.  Brown totaled 355.5 points on four bulls and was the only bull rider to ride every one of his bulls over the three-day event.

“Being one of the world’s best bull riders means you’re supposed to ride the best,” Brown commented.  “That is why I went with World Champion bull Chicken on a Chain in the short-go.”

New Mexico native Travis Briscoe (Edgewood, N.M.) thrilled his home state crowd after finishing second overall, totaling 264.75 points and earning $15,184.  Taking third place was current world no. 1 bull rider Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) who scored 263.75 points and collected a check for $10,301 while Georgia cowboy Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.) finished fourth with 262 points and $6,424.  Rounding out fifth place was Josh Koschel (Greeley, Colo.) who left New Mexico with a total of 259.75 points and added $4,623 to his bank account. 

In the East vs. West rider match-up held during Friday night’s performance, J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) took on top bucking bull, Voodoo Child of Robinson/Beutler/Broken N-N/Hyland/McNeely/Fletcher/Jennings while Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) got on 2007 World Champion bull, Chicken on a Chain (Robinson/Tedesco/Larry the Cable Guy/Broken N-N) per a fan vote held on www.pbrnow.com.  Both riders failed to make the eight-second whistle; therefore, neither took home the $20,000 bonus check.

Albuquerque was stop no. 4 of 9 on the 2009 PBR Bull Team Competition.  Fourteen teams have been formed, each competing for their share of a total tour purse of over $500,000 throughout the 2009 season. The team, Mandan Mafia, took first place and the $10,000 check after totaling 138 points, beating out second place team, Boyd/Floyd Bull Co.com, who ended the event with 136.25 points and a second place check worth $5,000.

The race for PBR’s million dollar world title takes the prestigious BFTS tour to Idaho for stop #17.  The top 40 bull riders in the world will invade Nampa’s Idaho Center for three nights of non-stop action on April 3-5.  The VERSUS network airs PBR events every Saturday and Sunday evening. Be sure to check www.pbrnow.com for upcoming cities, ticket information, and complete broadcast times.

INJURY REPORT:
Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) suffered a bruised thigh and will not compete in next weekend’s event in Nampa.

Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) has a bruised ankle and will receive x-rays for further diagnosis.  He will not compete in Nampa.

Brendon Clark (Morpeth, AUS) suffered a concussion during round two of the Ty Murray Invitational and did not compete in round three.  He is probable for the Nampa Invitational.

Cody Ford (Stanfield, Ore.) suffered a neck injury after bucking off his bull in round two in Albuquerque.  He did not compete in round three and is questionable for Nampa.

Mike White (De Kalb, Texas) sprained his right shoulder.  He is questionable for next weekend’s BFTS event.

BEHIND THE CHUTES:
Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s “Ride with the Best” Bonus:
Due to his round two win at last weekend’s Tacoma Invitational, Team Enterprise rider Brian Canter (Randleman, N.C.) was eligible to compete for the $5,000 Enterprise Rent-A-Car “Ride with the Best” bonus during round one of the Ty Murray Invitational.  Because of his qualified ride on the bull, Carolina Cat, owned by Walton & Wagoner Bucking Bulls, Canter was awarded the $5,000 bonus. 

Due to his round one win at the Ty Murray Invitational, Brian Canter (Randleman, N.C.) was eligible to compete for the $5,000 Enterprise Rent-A-Car “Ride with the Best” bonus during round two.  Because of his qualified ride on the bull, Ft. Worth, owned by Circle T Ranch & Rodeo, he was awarded the $5,000 bonus. 

Due to his round two victory, 2008 PBR World Champion Guilherme Marchi (Leme, SP, Brazil) was eligible for the bonus during round three of the Albuquerque event.  Marchi did not make the eight second whistle on the bull, Standoff; therefore, stock contractor, Murphy Ranch and Rodeo, received the $5,000 bonus check.   

As the winner of round three at the Ty Murray Invitational, Valdiron de Oliveira (Aparecida de Goiania, GO, Brazil) will be eligible for the bonus during round one at the 17th BFTS stop in Nampa, Idaho.

Ford Truck Moment of Truth Bonus:
Travis Briscoe (Edgewood, N.M.) was in the lead going into the Built Ford Tough Championship Round and did not win the Ty Murray Invitational; therefore, he did not collect the $5,000 bonus.  The bonus will grow to $10,000 at the next event in Nampa, Idaho.  The event grows by $5,000 each week if it is not claimed.  Once claimed, it returns to $5,000.

Ford F-150 Challenge:
As the Ty Murray Invitational event winner, Zack Brown (Santa Fe, N.M.) has qualified for a chance to participate as a Ford F-150 Challenge contestant at the 2009 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals, against all other 2009 Built Ford Tough Series event winners who qualify for the Finals.  The Ford F-150 Challenge contestant who finishes the highest in the event aggregate during the 2009 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals will win $50,000 towards the purchase of a brand-new 2009 F-150 truck. 

Salem NationaLease Bull of the Event:
The bull, Apollo, owned by Jones Rodeo Genetics, earned Bull of the Event honors with a score of 46.625 points.  This honor is acknowledged by an award of $1,250 going to the top bull of each event as determined by the PBR judges’ bull score.

High-Marked Ride of the Event:
Event winner Zack Brown (Santa Fe, Texas) recorded the high-marked ride of the Ty Murray Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M., during the Built Ford Tough Championship Round after riding 2007 PBR World Champion bull, Chicken on a Chain, owned by Robinson/Tedesco/Larry the Cable Guy/Broken N-N, for 92.5 points.

Daisy Rookie of the Year Standings:
The 2009 Daisy Rookie of the Year race is going strong and as of the Ty Murray Invitational, Skeeter Kingsolver (Mclouth, Kan.) continues to hold a slight lead over young Aussie Pete Farley (Kempsey, AUS).  A rider is considered a rookie in the year he debuts on the elite Built Ford Tough Series tour.  The Daisy Rookie is determined by the rider who has won the most money during the year at all PBR events including Challenger events, International events, BFTS events, and the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals.

Sandia Resort & Casino presents the Ty Murray Invitational RESULTS
ROUND ONE:   1) Brian Canter (Randleman, N.C.) 90.75 points on Carolina Cat (Walton & Wagoner Bucking Bulls), $7,000; 2) Wiley Petersen (Fort Hall, Idaho) 89.25 points on Stubby (D&H Cattle Company), $5,000; 3) Dustin Elliott (North Platte, Neb.) 89 points on Derringer (Lufkin Ranch & Rodeo/K&K Cattle), $3,000; 4/5/6) Ryan McConnel (Colgate, Okla.) 88.75 points on Foolish Pride (Diamond S Bucking Bulls), $1,333; 4/5/6) Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) 88.75 points on Live Wire (Chad Berger/Clay Struve), $1,333; 4/5/6) Clayton Baethge (Johnson City, Texas) 88.75 points on Scaredy Cat (Chad Berger/Denny Hawks), $1,333.

ROUND TWO:  1) Guilherme Marchi (Leme, SP, Brazil) 90 points on Super Duty (D&H Cattle Company), $2,730; 2) Brian Canter (Randleman, N.C.) 89.75 points on Ft. Worth (Circle T Ranch & Rodeo), $1,950; 3) Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) 89.5 points on Big Coyote (Jeff Robinson Bucking Bulls), $1,170; 4/5) Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.) 88.75 points on Big Iron (Diamond S Bucking Bulls); 4/5) Michael Manes (Conway, Ark.) 88.75 points on Frosty (Circle T Ranch & Rodeo).

ROUND THREE:  1) Valdiron de Oliveira (Aparecida de Goiania, GO, Brazil) 89.5 points on Black Gold (Silverado Rodeo Company), $2,730; 2) Travis Briscoe (Edgewood, N.M.) 89.25 points on Booger Butt (Robinson/Tedesco/Larry the Cable Guy/Broken N-N), $1,950; 3) Zack Brown (Santa Fe, Texas) 89 points on Kabookie (Boyd/Floyd Bull Company), $1,170; 4) Matt Bohon (Cole Camp, Mo.) 88.5 points on MoeBandy.com, (D&H Cattle Co./Moe Bandy); 5) Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) 88 points on Crazy Eyes (Duncan & Evans Bucking Bulls).

BUILT FORD TOUGH CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND:  1) Zack Brown (Santa Fe, Texas) 92.5 points on Chicken on a Chain (Robinson/Tedesco/Larry the Cable Guy/Broken N-N), $2,730.

OVERALL EVENT STANDINGS:  1) Zack Brown (Santa Fe, Texas) 355.5 points, $34,470; 2) Travis Briscoe (Edgewood, N.M.) 264.75 points, $15,184; 3) Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) 263.75 points, $10,301.33; 4) Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.) 262 points, $6,424; 5) Josh Koschel (Greeley, Colo.) 259.75 points, $4,623.

BUILT FORD TOUGH WORLD STANDINGS: (The PBR World Champion is based on total Built Ford Tough Series points earned through the season)

1) Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) 5,847.75 points, $175,467; 2) Guilherme Marchi (Leme, SP, Brazil) 4,922.25 points, $114,457; 3) J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) 4,842 points, $121,047; 4) Wiley Petersen (Fort Hall, Idaho) 4,730.25 points, $77,589; 5) Zack Brown (Santa Fe, Texas) 4,424.25 points, $115,171; 6) Robson Palermo (Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil) 4,186.25 points, $63,755; 7) Renato Nunes (Buritama, SP, Brazil) 4,007.25 points, $76,730; 8) Ryan McConnel (Colgate, Okla.) 3,961.25 points, $64,680; 9) Austin Meier (Kinta, Okla.) 3,750.75 points, $52,240; 10) Ryan Dirteater (Hulbert, Okla.) 3,587.25 points, $104,042.

Don’t miss out on any of the action at the 2009 Built Ford Tough World Finals in Las Vegas, Nev.  The world-class event will take place on Oct. 30-Nov 1 and Nov. 5-8 at the Thomas & Mack Center---get your tickets NOW at 866.PBR.SHOW or unlvtickets.com!

###

About the PBR:
More than 100 million viewers tune in each year to the PBR on FOX, NBC, ESPN, 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 1.7 million live event attendees each year with it multi-tiered event structure which includes the prestigious Built Ford Tough Series, the Copenhagen Bull Riding Challenger Tour, the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Tour, and the Discovery Tour, designed specifically for entry level contestants.  The PBR is headquartered in Pueblo, Colo., with additional offices in Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico.  The PBR prides itself in its 1,000 plus stock contractor relationships and over 1,200 PBR bull riders competing in more than 300 PBR sanctioned competitions in five countries.