TRYON, N.C. – As the inaugural preseason for the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series continued in Tryon, North Carolina, at the Tryon Chute Out, the world’s best bull riders showed up and showed out in fiercely contended games all evening long. With the night’s competition headlined by a much-anticipated home-state debut for the Carolina Cowboys, the North Carolina-based outfit was unable to prevail, dealt the franchise’s first loss when they were shut out by the Oklahoma Freedom.

Elsewhere in the league, the Arizona Ridge Riders rebounded from a dismal showing in Bismarck, North Dakota, logging their first win in beating the Nashville Stampede. The Austin Gamblers remain on the hunt for their first victory, bested by the Missouri Thunder Friday night inside the Tryon International Equestrian Center. In the third game of the event, the Texas Rattlers beat the Kansas City Outlaws to earn the team’s second consecutive preseason win. 

The PBR Tryon Chute Out Team Series Preseason Event continues Saturday, June 25 at 7 p.m. ET. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at ETix.com or Tryon.com or at the Tryon International Equestrian Center Box Office.

PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer re-airs and on-demand replays of all the action. PBR RidePass is available on desktops, laptops, and mobile devices via www.pluto.tv. Tune to channel 720 for the latest programming schedule.

Oklahoma Freedom: 173.00
Carolina Cowboys: 0.00

As the PBR Tryon Chute Out Preseason Event wound to a close, fans were treated to the game the whole night built towards. The Carolina Cowboys were competing on home soil for the first time, squaring off against the Oklahoma Freedom. However, despite a valiant effort, the Cowboys suffered a heartbreaking shutout defeat, 173-0, against their visiting opponents. After the first three riders competed for each team, the Oklahoma Freedom had surged to a commanding lead. Dawson Branton (Jefferson, Oregon) delivered in the team’s first out of the night, riding Axel Surgeon (Halpain Bucking Bulls) for 86.75 points, while North Carolina resident Eli Vastbinder (Statesville, North Carolina) added 86.25 points when he covered Blessed (Nothin’ But Try Ranch/Diggers Bucking Bulls). Needing a score, Lane Nobles (West, Texas) readied to climb atop Yukon Jack (Triple C/Barrett Bucking Stock). While Nobles eclipsed the 8-second mark, the clock was stopped a mere 0.87 seconds into the trip. With the out then under review, Nobles was determined to have slapped the bull, triggering the early clock stoppage. As a result, the Carolina Cowboys suffered the team’s first loss. When action continues Saturday night, the Carolina Cowboys will look to reverse their fortunes against the Nashville Stampede, while the Oklahoma Freedom will look for their second victory of the event against the Arizona Ridge Riders.

“I felt like we had the best five riders in Bismarck, and they kind of switched the team up a little bit this week, and to get a win on night one, it’s pretty exciting,” said Oklahoma Freedom Head Coach Cord McCoy. “We’re ready to get the season started, about to get some more guys healthy, and our crew is doing good. They’re swinging, and if we can stay healthy, we’re ready to start the season.”