WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Carolina Cowboys made their hometown debut with a bang Friday evening, registering a commanding game win as the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series’ Cowboy Days got underway in Winston-Salem, North Carolina inside LJVM Coliseum.

Going head-to-head against the Missouri Thunder, the Cowboys won their fifth consecutive game, riding three of their five bulls to hand the Thunder a scoreless 261.5-0 defeat. Improving to 9-5 on the season, the Cowboys also rose to No. 2 in the current league standings.

Following Friday evening’s games, there is a new No. 1-ranked team in the PBR Team Series. The Arizona Ridge Riders defeated the Texas Rattlers, presented by Ariat, by one ride score, 258.25-169, and rose from No. 2 to No. 1 in the league rankings. Now 10-4 on the season, they overtook the Austin Gamblers, who backslid to No. 3.

The Gamblers’ fall down the standings came on the spurs of an 86.25-235.5 loss to the Kansas City Outlaws during the opening game of PBR Cowboy Days.

In a game headlined by the fifth 90-point ride in PBR Team Series history, the Oklahoma Freedom defeated the Nashville Stampede 261-0. The monstrous 90.25-point score was delivered by third-round draft pick Chase Outlaw as the team’s lead-off rider.

PBR Cowboy Days continues Saturday, September 10 at 6:45 p.m. ET. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the LJVM Coliseum Box Office or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727.

The Carolina Cowboys will also hold a daily, free-to-attend, family-friendly fan festival at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, featuring racing activations, musical performances, cowboy church, local vendors and more. 

On Saturday, August 10, the festival will open at 2:00 p.m. The marquee programming will feature a classic car show as curated by American stock car racing personality and long-time Richard Childress Racing staffer Chocolate Myers, and the musical stylings of Elvie Shane.

PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer replays of all the PBR Team Series action from Winston-Salem. Check https://pluto.tv/en/live-tv/pbr-ridepass for the latest programming schedule.

Arizona Ridge Riders: 258.25

Texas Rattlers: 169

In a game that came down to the final out, the Arizona Ridge Riders narrowly defeated the Texas Rattlers, presented by Ariat, by one ride score on the opening night of PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series competition in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, overtaking the No. 1 rank in the league standings.

Riding at the top of the frame, Alisson de Souza (Taubate, Brazil) was first up for the Ridge Riders. Setting an early tone for his team, Souza conquered Oreo (Dustin Denning) for 85.25 points to give Arizona an early lead.

The Rattlers were unable to respond as Joao Ricardo Vieira (Itatinga, Brazil) was brought down in a swift 1.88 seconds by Napoleon (Sho-Me Rodeo).

The Ridge Riders remained electric in the top of the second as Eduardo Aparecido (Gouvelandia. Brazil) expanded his team’s lead to 171 points courtesy of his 85.75-point ride aboard Sundance (Tex Brothers Ranch/5S Bucking Bulls).

The Rattlers again failed to make the 8, remaining scoreless as 2002 PBR World Champion Ednei Caminhas (Indaiatuba, Brazil) bucked off Chief Wahoo (Mike Miller Bucking Bulls) in 4.7 seconds.

The third frame of the game, however, featured a shift in momentum. Ridge Riders’ Sandro Batista (Pedra Preta, Brazil) was ruled to have bucked off Bottom’s Up (TCB Ranch/K-C Bucking Bulls) in a heart-breaking 7.78 seconds, while the Rattlers put their first points on the board when Braidy Randolph (Jonestown, Pennsylvania) rode Tator (Sho-Me Rodeo) for 84.25 points.

Compliments of the ride, the scoreboard read a 171-84.25 Ridge Riders lead as the fourth got underway.

Keyshawn Whitehorse (McCracken Spring, Utah) began the frame with a bang, delivering a game-best 87.25-point ride atop The Sauce Too (Blake Sharp/Henry Wilson) to give the Ridge Riders an augmented 174-point lead.

In a must-ride position, Cody Jesus (Window Rock, Arizona) was next up for the Rattlers. Answering the call, Jesus rode War Child (Tex Brothers Ranch) for 84.75 points to keep his team in the hunt for the win.

The game then came down to the fifth, with Luciano De Castro (Guzolandia, Brazil) out first for the Ridge Riders, and Brady Fielder (Clermont, Queensland, Australia) in the closing position for the Rattlers.

Despite being put on the clock, Castro erupted from the chutes atop Mule Train (Martinez/Porter Cattle Co.) with a mere seven seconds remaining before he’d be disqualified. Castro, however, fell short of the whistle, unable to clinch the win for his team.

With the chance to complete the team’s come-from-behind march to victory, Fielder climbed aboard the unridden Buffalo Heifer (Lucas Manning Bucking Bulls).

With the crowd brought to the edge of its seat, Fielder hit the dirt in a swift 1.52 seconds, delivering the 258.25-169 victory to the Ridge Riders.

The Arizona Ridge Riders, who are now 10-4 in game play, overtook the No. 1 position in the league courtesy of the victory.

When PBR Team Series competition in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, continues Saturday, September 10, they will look to remain perfect when they take on the host Carolina Cowboys. The Texas Rattlers, who slipped to 4-10, will try to right their momentum when they play the Kansas City Outlaws.

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media