Oklahoma Freedom: 178.5 / Nashville Stampede: 175.5
RIDGEDALE, Mo. – The Oklahoma Freedom made the most of two qualified rides to narrowly edge the Nashville Stampede 178.5-175.5 during the opening night of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series competition in Ridgedale, Missouri, earning their eighth consecutive win.
Kaique Pacheco (Itatiba, Brazil), first out for the Nashville Stampede, went jump-for-jump aboard Black Friday (H-H Bucking Bulls/Hadley Cattle Co) for 87 points.
Chase Outlaw (Hamburg, Arkansas) then looked to start the night off strong for the Freedom but failed to reach the 8, bested by Roll Tide (Blake Sharp/Henry Wilson) in a quick 4.75 seconds.
In the beginning of the second frame, the Stampede’s Joao Henrique Lucas (Bastos, Brazil) conquered Happy Gambler (Sho-Me Rodeo/Austin) for 88.5 points, putting his team two bulls ahead of the Freedom.
Aboard Midnight Flyer (Jane Clark/Gene Owen), who is 9 for 9, Briggs Madsen (Tremonton, Utah) was unable to deliver the first qualified ride for the Freedom, bucked off by the bull in 5.27 seconds.
Next to nod, Thiago Salgado (Navirai, Brazil) looked to add to the Stampede’s lead but was knocked off Norse God (Jane Clark/Gene Owen) in 4.22 seconds.
Needing to step up for the Freedom, Casey Roberts (Minford, Alabama) rose to the occasion aboard familiar opponent Falcon Eddie (Lari Crane/Gene Owen), but his ride was quickly put under official review. After careful inspection, judges gave the thumbs up and a monstrous score of 89.5 points.
As the game hit midway, the Stampede found themselves with opportunity to move two bulls ahead of the Freedom when Matt Triplett (Canton, South Dakota) came out of the chute aboard Hawkeye (Jane Clark/Gene Owen), but he was brought down in 5.55 seconds.
In the Freedom’s fourth frame, down a bull, Eli Vastbinder (Statesville, North Carolina) dominated Chanler’s Dream (Universal Pro Rodeo) for 89 points, giving the Freedom a 3-point lead, 178.5-175.5.
In a must-ride situation, the Stampede looked to unretired Ryan Dirteater (Hurlbert, Oklahoma) to put his team back in the lead. Dirteater, however, was brought down in 6.4 seconds, an outcome challenged by Head Coach McBride due to an equipment malfunction, earning a re-ride opportunity.
Coming in to the weekend with three walk-off rides in Oklahoma City, Derek Kolbaba (Walla Walla, Washington) was unable to convert for the Freedom as his bull stumbled. Head Coach Cord McCoy initially considered pressing the challenge button, but opted to hold off in anticipation of the final out of the game. With one boot broken, Dirteater took the re-ride aboard Uncle Gangster (Pick-It Hammers) in hopes of upsetting the Freedom and ending their winning streak. Unable to hold on, Dirteater could not rise to the occasion and the Freedom won their eighth game in a row.
The Freedom are now 12-8 this season. As competition continues on Saturday night, the Oklahoma Freedom will look to continue their torrid streak when they take on the Austin Gamblers (10-10), while the Nashville Stampede are now 5-14 this season and will play the Missouri Thunder (10-10).
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media