ARLINGTON, Texas ― After placing second the past two years inArlington, Texas, Austin Meier successfullyclaimed the sought-after Dickies Iron Cowboy IV title in front of30,000 fans at Cowboys Stadium on Saturday night.
The 2013 season had seen Meier cut from the PBR Built Ford ToughSeries, forcing him to battle his way back on the Touring ProDivision. Fortunately, the Oklahoman made his way back to IronCowboy for the fourth consecutive year as a result of his Top 8finish last season.
"It's kind of like living in a mansion and moving into a shack,"Meier said. "I'm happy to be back in the mansion."
After three rounds, Meier faced his cousin, L.J.Jenkins, in the final round before being crowned IronCowboy IV. Jenkins was only a half-second away from claiming thetitle himself. The pair grew up riding with one another, and eventeamed up for the 2008 PBR Team Shootout on ESPN2, which they wenton to win it.
"It's kind of like living in a mansion and movinginto a shack. I'm happy to be back in the mansion."
In the final round, Jenkins lasted just 2.17 seconds onAsteroid (Circle T Ranch & Rodeo), while Meiermanaged to remain atop Bushwacker (Julio MorenoBucking Bulls) for 2.67 seconds for the victory.
"Once you make it to that Bushwacker/Asteroid round, it's areally big relief," Meier said. "By that point you know you've gota good chunk of money in your pocket. At the same time you stillwant to win. It was just a matter of chance that L.J. bucked off asplit second before I did. Those are both rank bulls and by nomeans did either of us ride 'em to get the check."
In the battle of the World Champion Bulls, Bushwacker came outon top over Asteroid as he earned a bull score of 47.5 out of apossible 50. Asteroid was two points shy of the top bull scorecoming in at 45.5 points.
This was the first meeting of the two World Champion Bulls inthe 2013 season, after Asteroid ended last year earning aquarter-point more than Bushwacker at the PBR World Finals on hisway to being named 2012 PBR World Champion Bull. Bushwacker seemsdetermined to change that this season.
Meier had a chance to double his winnings by attempting MonsterEnergy Money Bull Shepherd Hills Tested, butkissed the extra $50,000 goodbye right as the chute opened.
The BFTS will travel to top-ranked rider Shane Proctor's homestate of Washington next weekend for the Tacoma Invitational at theTacoma Dome in Tacoma, Wash. on March 9-10. Bull riding begins at6:50 p.m. on Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets areavailable at Ticketmaster.com and bytelephone at (800) 745-3000.
The BFTS is televised every week on CBS, CBS Sports Network andnetworks around the world. BFTS telecasts are produced for the PBRunder a multi-year agreement with David Neal Productions, a LosAngeles-based production company led by 34-time Emmy® Award winnerand Peabody Award winner David Neal, who serves as executiveproducer.
Arlington is the ninth of 26 stops in 18 states on the BuiltFord Tough Series. The season will conclude at the Built Ford ToughWorld Finals in Las Vegas on Oct. 23-27. The PBR World Championwill receive the coveted championship buckle, a $1 million bonusand a new pickup truck from Ford, the title sponsor of the BuiltFord Tough Series.