The Professional Bull Riders' (PBR) Nassau Open, stop number 21 on the Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler (BFTS), concluded tonight from Nassau Coliseum. In just the ninth tour event of his stellar young career it took Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) just 24 seconds of bone jarring work to catapult from rookie anonymity to stardom at the most elite level in the professional bull riding industry. Undaunted by the challenge of facing the toughest bulls in the world, Lostroh capitalized on the opportunity to compete among the greatest 45 bull riding athletes in the world, clinching the Nassau Open event title and pocketing an impressive $79,470 in the process.
Lostroh, who will not turn 20 until September, had accumulated $27,045 in PBR career dollars prior to the Nassau Open. The rookie teamed up with Lufkin Ranch and Rodeo's Black Bart for 89.5 points to secure the top spot in opening round action. As the competition progressed, Lostroh gained momentum earning the prestigious Mossy Oak Shoot Out bonus of $35,000 in a fateful match up against bounty bull Thunder River owned by Frontier Rodeo. "When I rode the Mossy Oak Shoot Out bonus bull for that much money, I was thinking that things couldn't get much better, but obviously they did. During the U.S. Army Invitational in Colorado Springs a few weeks ago I came off just shy of winning the bonus there. That made me pretty mad and I told myself that when I had another chance at that bonus, I wouldn't buck off."
Lostroh's determination continued through round two as he successfully mastered Paradise Farms Rodeo Genetics' Black Jack for 89 points and once again a go round victory. During Built Ford Tough Championship Round action it was veteran Greg Potter of Queensland, Australia who turned up the heat, edging Lostroh by a slim half point margin. While Lostroh settled for second place in the Nassau Open finals, it was not mathematically possible for Potter to overcome the point spread and overtake the lead. While Lostroh was in command of the event as the highest ranked qualifier to the championship round, nine of the 15 finalists had a legitimate chance at surpassing him. Maintaining his composure, however, Lostroh sealed the deal with a crucial short round ride aboard Paradise Farms Rodeo Genetics' Coffee Time, earning 89 points and a total on three bulls of 267.5.
Of the first tour win of his promising young career, Lostroh stated, "This is the experience of a lifetime. To have this happen so soon since I've come on the tour is amazing. It's natural for people to doubt the abilities of newcomers, so for me to come out and win one feels like I've proven something. I feel like I've been riding with confidence because riding at this level has always been my ultimate goal. Winning the Mossy Oak Shoot Out and then riding my short round bull to win this much money is great." Lostroh is currently 23rd in the BFTS point standings and with four top ten event finishes this season, has earnings totaling $99,504.
Potter emerged after two compelling days of bull riding action in the second position with a total on two bulls of 176.5 points, while newcomer Edgar Oliveira of Brazil, rounded out the top three.
In the race for the PBR Built Ford Tough World Championship, Guilherme Marchi of Brazil gained ground, moving to within 782 points of world standings leader Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.). However, neither of the top two contenders in the heated race for the PBR gold buckle qualified for the championship go round, representing just the fourth time this season that McBride has been absent from the final round roster of a BFTS event.
For more information please contact the Professional Bull Riders at 719.471.3008 or visit www.pbrnow.com.
BEHIND THE CHUTES:
Enterprise Ride with the Best Bonus: As the Heart of the West Ford Invitational event champion in Nampa, Idaho on April 22-23, Tater Porter (Kenansville, Fla.) was eligible to compete for the Enterprise Ride with the Best bonus money in Uniondale. Porter was successful in his attempt to cover his first go round bull and earned $5,000.
Ford Truck Moment of Truth Bonus: Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) led the event going into the Built Ford Tough Championship Round, as well as ultimately earning the overall event title. Consequently he received this week's $10,000 Ford Truck Moment of Truth Bonus. When the Built Ford Tough Moment of Truth Bonus is claimed the purse returns to $5,000.
Bud Light Short Go Top Qualifiers Bonus: Edgar Oliveira (Keller, Texas) was awarded the Bud Light Short Go Top Qualifier award of $2,500 since he advanced to the Built Ford Tough Championship Round in the second position and participates in the program by wearing the Bud Light patch.
Mossy Oak Shoot Out: As the first round victor Lostroh was awarded the opportunity to compete for the Mossy Oak Shoot Out bonus money. When he dominated the designated Mossy Oak Shoot Out bonus bull Thunder River, owned by Frontier Rodeo Company, Lostroh captured the lucrative Mossy Oak Shoot Out Bonus reward of $35,000.
Salem National Lease Bull of the Event: Big Show, owned by Paradise Farms Rodeo Genetics, captured top bull honors of this event. As a part of Salem National Lease's exciting bonus programs, Big Show earned the Salem National Lease Bull of the Event bonus and $1,250. The program awards $1,250 to the top bull of the event as determined by the PBR judges.
INJURY REPORT:
J.W. Hart (Gainesville, Texas) ' Laceration to left side of head, competing.
Dave Samsel (Stephenville, Texas) ' Laceration to mouth, transported to area hospital for treatment.
The Nassau Open Built Ford Tough Series Event Results:
FIRST ROUND: 1) Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) 89.5 points on Lufkin Ranch & Rodeo's Black Bart, $2,730; 2) Edgar Oliveira (Keller, Texas) 88 points on Roy Carter Bucking Bulls' Cling & Jerk, $1,950; 3/5) Dave Samsel (Stephenville, Texas) 87 points on Jeff Robinson's Boogie Shoes, $806; 3/5) Rob Bell (Water Valley, Alberta) 87 points on Paradise Farms Rodeo Genetics' Washout, $806; 3/5) Ross Coleman (Redmond, Ore.) 87 points on Robinson/Reed's Barbosa, $806;
SECOND ROUND: 1) Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) 89 points on Paradise Farms Rodeo Genetics' Black Jack, $2,730; 2/3) Troy Dunn (Queensland, Australia) 88 points on Paradise Farms Rodeo Genetics' Scare D Cat, $1,560; 2/3) Jody Newberry (Ada, Okla.) 88 points on Wally Barnette's Midwest Swing, $1,560; 4) Bowdy Peach (Mooreland, Okla.) 87.5 points on Carter/Cahill's Hugh Hefner, $780;
BUILT FORD TOUGH CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND: 1) Greg Potter (Queensland, Australia) 89.5 points on Paradise Farms Rodeo Genetics' DiMaggio, $2,730; 2) Kody Lostroh Longmont, Colo.) 89 points on Paradise Farms Rodeo Genetics' Coffee Time, $1,950; two qualified rides.
OVERALL EVENT STANDINGS: 1) Kody Lostroh Longmont, Colo.) 267.5 points, $79,470; 2) Greg Potter (Queensland, Australia) 176.5 points, $17,628; 3) Edgar Oliveira (Keller, Texas) 175 points, $13,288; 4) Troy Dunn (Queensland, Australia) 174.5 points, $7,194;
BUILT FORD TOUGH SERIES POINT STANDINGS: Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) 7,270.5 points; 2) Guilherme Marchi (Leme, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 6,488.5 points; 3) Jody Newberry (Ada, Okla.) 5,168 points; 4) Tony Mendes (Jensen, Utah) 4,939 points; 5) Greg Potter (Queensland, Australia) 4,836 points; 6) Ross Coleman (Redmond, Ore.) 4,673 points; 7) Wiley Petersen (Fort Hall, Idaho) 4,200 points; 8) Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) 4,045 points; 9) Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 3,879.5 points; 10) Matt Bohon (Cole Camp, Mo.) 3,618 points.