NASHVILLE – Austin Richardson did not think his ride on Medicine Man would be well north of 90 points Sunday at the PBR Ariat Music City Knockout, presented by Cooper Tires.
However, Richardson certainly felt like he was 90 points once he heard his 91.75-point score announced inside Bridgestone Arena.
“That’s why I was just kind of trying to stay cool the whole time and not overreact,” Richardson said. “It didn’t feel like a 90-point bull ride at first.”
The career-best ride, his first 90-point ride on the Unleash The Beast, propelled Richardson to the Round 2 victory and a sixth-place finish in Nashville this weekend.
The 21-year-old is trying to work his way into contention in a crowded Rookie of the Year field that currently features 10 contenders. Richardson was the highest-placing rookie on Sunday afternoon.
“That’s what you want to do, to have consistency each weekend and ride bulls,” Richardson said. “And it helps, for sure, when you can, when you fall off one day, go to the next round and score 91 points and be able to get into the short round.”
High Brow Cat bucked Richardson off in 5.73 seconds in the championship round.
Richardson will head into next weekend’s PBR Tractor Supply Co. Iron Cowboy, presented by Ariat, ranked sixth in the Rookie of the Year race, 217.5 points behind ROY leader Chase Dougherty.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR STANDINGS
No. 1 Chase Dougherty (478.5 points)
No. 2 Rafael Henrique dos Santos (-25 points)
No. 3 Junior Patrik Souza (-81.5 points)
No. 4 Colten Fritzlan (-139 points)
No. 5 Jesse Petri (-142.42 points)
No. 6 Austin Richardson (-217.5 points)
“That’s my goal for the year, is get Rookie of the Year, and of course, win the World Finals event,” Richardson said. “Being Rookie of the Year, that’s the main goal of mine, and I want to be right there in the mix with Chase and Jesse (Petri) and all them Brazilians. I just want to be with them, right there in the mix.
“I’m trying my best, and I work hard every week for it, and that’s what I want.”
DOUGHERTY DEALING WITH RIDING ELBOW INJURY
Dougherty will get an MRI on his left elbow (riding hand) after spraining it Sunday when Hanna Motors Power Dozer bucked him off against a post in 2.06 seconds. Dougherty, who also strained his left hip adductor muscles per Freeman, did say following the event that he expects to be ready for Fort Worth.
Dougherty holds a slim 25-point lead on No. 2 rookie Rafael Henrique dos Santos.
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media