PBR | Eli Vastbinder secures Oklahoma Freedom victory over Austin Gamblers at Dakota Community Bank & Trust PBR Bull Riding Challenge Event

BISMARCK, N.D. – History was made tonight in Bismarck, ND, when bull riders joined teams to compete in five-on-five bull riding games in four preseason matchups in the PBR Team Series – a new league of eight bull riding teams from across the country competing for a national championship.

The preseason for the inaugural PBR Team Series season got underway at Bismarck Event Center, with high-scoring rides in each game this evening.

The league’s two preseason exhibition events in June do not affect the PBR Team Series championship race and standings – a 10-event regular season that begins July 25 with neutral site games in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and culminates in the championship tournament in November. Night two of Dakota Community Bank & Trust PBR Bull Riding Challenge continues Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET, available to fans LIVE on Pluto TV (channel 720).

Oklahoma Freedom: 260 points
Austin Gamblers: 172 points

Following an Austin Gamblers buckoff to open Game 2 of Day 1 of the Dakota Community Bank & Trust PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Bull Riding, the Oklahoma Freedom’s Briggs Madsen (Tremonton, Utah) lit up the Bismarck Event Center with 83.5 points aboard Soup In A Group (Wilks Ranch/Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger). Kyle McDaniel (Fort Worth, Texas) then conquered Skeeter Peter (Dakota Rodeo/Mark Baker/Clay Struve/Chad Berger) to bring the Freedom an additional 89 points. Alex Marcilio (Macaubal, Brazil) got the Gamblers on the board in covering PBR World Finals bovine athlete Gambini (Julie Rosen/Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger) for 85.50 points. Halfway through Game 2, Conner Halverson (Gordon, Nebraska) received a re-ride aboard Dennis the Menace (Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger) but couldn’t convert for the Gamblers. Blake Smith (Abbey, Saskatchewan, Canada) gave the Gamblers hope in earning 86.5 points against Dagger (Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger) to put the Gamblers a half-point behind the Freedom. However, 2021 Rookie of the Year Eli Vastbinder (Statesville, North Carolina) would secure the Freedom’s 260-172 victory with an 87.50-point ride aboard Off Campus (Dakota Rodeo/Brian & Ashley Pintar/Clay Struve/Chad Berger).

“It’s such an honor to be here to compete, to be a part of Oklahoma Freedom,” Oklahoma Freedom Coach Cord McCoy said. “Our team has come together, and it feels like a brotherhood now that we’re on the same team. To watch those guys pull for each other, cheer for each other, and tonight, celebrate with each other, has been pretty cool. We just got a taste of it tonight. I think everybody is excited for the season.”

“I’m pumped about this whole Team Series; I’m pumped about my team,” Eli Vastbinder said following the victory. “Everybody is feeding off of each other. I’m looking forward to the season.”

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