PUEBLO, Colo – For nearly three decades, the PBR has made it a priority to partner the best bulls in the business with the world’s most elite cowboy talent. However, very few animal athletes have managed to capture three World Championship titles in PBR history.
While the likes of present-day champions Ridin Solo (2022) and Woopaa (2021) have a shot to one day join these standouts, they’ll need to string together a few more seasons at the top of the charts.
As PBR.com continues to celebrate YETI Bull Week, we’re flipping through the history books in revisiting the three legends who were able to accomplish the prized accolade.
SWEETPRO’S BRUISER
SweetPro’s Bruiser represents the most recent bull to attain the revered status after being named World Champion for three-consecutive years in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Continuously setting the bar and regularly exceeding it, excellence came in the form Bruiser as the athlete dominated the scoreboard in stunning fashion. Only the second-ever to record three championship titles in a row (no spoilers!), the bull went 60-17 on the premier series and 104-29 overall.
Having propelled riders to a 90-point score or higher 25 times, Bruiser also was able to put up impressive scores on the bovine scoring side. Two times in his career was he marked a personal-best 47.5 points at all levels of competition.
The first came during his inaugural championship season in Guymon, Oklahoma, in 2016 when he bucked off Douglas Duncan in 2.87 seconds.
Replicating the score two years later during the Ak-Chin Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires, 15/15 Bucking Battle, Bruiser managed a second 47.5-point outing. In a sign that he was ready to win a third world title, Bruiser took down 2016 World Finals event winner, and current Nashville Stampede rider, Ryan Dirteater in 6.67 seconds.
Bruiser is the latest bovine to win three PBR World Championship titles, but a few bulls before him paved the way to bucking bull success.
BUSHWACKER
The legendary Bushwacker was a bull to be reckoned with in the 2010s.
The three-time champion will forever be known for his record-streak of 42 buckoffs in a row and rivalry with two-time World Champion J.B. Mauney, who ended the streak with a 95.25-point ride in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2013.
Bushwacker, who won his first world title in 2011, would go on to win his second championship following his out with Mauney. He then capped his storied career with a third championship in 2014 before heading off to enjoy retirement.
The legendary bovine ended his career with 64 buckoffs in 66 outs on the premier series. Overall, he defeated 84 of his 87 opponents since his first out in 2009.
Bushwacker’s highest bull score of his career was a 48.5-point outing during the 2011 PBR World Finals, Bushwacker bucked off now Oklahoma Freedom head coach Cord McCoy in 3.39 seconds.
Julio Moreno’s legendary bovine has rightfully carved his place into the tablets of PBR history.
LITTLE YELLOW JACKET
One of the founding pillars of PBR greatness, Little Yellow Jacket partnered with some of the sport’s most talented riders, showcasing a legendary run in the early-to-mid-2000s alongside current PBR Team Series head coaches Michael Gaffney (Austin Gamblers) and Ross Coleman (Missouri Thunder).
Gaffney, the 1997 World Champion, teamed up with the competitive bull in Nampa, Idaho, in 2004 to match what was then the PBR record for the highest ride score ever recorded.
The 96.5-point outing was a dream combination between two of the world’s best and still ranks among the PBR’s top-scored rides to date.
Little Yellow Jacket was the first three-time champ in PBR history, winning all three of his titles consecutively (2002-2004).
YETI Bull Week continues as the world’s rankest bulls and most talented riders head to Winston-Salem, North Carolina this weekend for Cowboy Days. The action at LVJM Coliseum begins Friday night at 7:45 p.m. ET on RidePass on Pluto TV.
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media