Texas Rattlers: 89 / Arizona Ridge Riders: 87.75
RIDGEDALE, Mo. – The Texas Rattlers made the best of one strong qualified ride to upset the Arizona Ridge Riders 89-87.75 during the opening night of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series’ Thunder Days in Ridgedale, Missouri.
For the second time this season, Daniel Keeping (Gorman, Texas) remained in the lead-off spot for the Texas Rattlers. However, bovine opponent Wasted Nights (Hale Cattle Co) took a quick turn and Keeping was brought down in 6.7 seconds.
As the first out for the Arizona Ridge Riders, Luciano De Castro (Guzolandia, Brazil) faced Big Black (K-C Bucking Bulls/Joe & Nina Webb), who he had ridden successfully twice before. Castro remained perfect on the bull, but with a free arm in question, Texas Rattlers Head Coach Cody Lambert challenged the ride.
After review, it was ruled a qualified ride for 87.75 points.
Meanwhile, the Rattlers looked to 47-year-old Ednei Caminhas (Indaiatuba, Brazil), who was matched with Mike’s Motive (Blake Sharp/High Voltage/Wetzel/Knott), but was bucked off in 1.71 seconds.
With Head Coach Paulo Crimber offering supportive words to Chase Dougherty (Decatur, Texas), the previously injured rider was unable to add to the Rattlers’ early lead, bucked off Lips (Jenkins Cattle Co.) in 4.8 seconds.
With both teams blanked in the second frame, veteran Joao Ricardo Vieira (Itatinga, Brazil) was ready to score first for the Rattlers, while Vitor Losnake (Bauru, Brazil) was the fourth out for the Ridge Riders. Vieira was unable to reach the 8, bucked off Problem Child (TCB Ranch/K-C Bucking Bulls) in 4.24 seconds. From veteran to young gun, Losnake settled aboard Do Dat Eddie (Universal Pro Rodeo/Rachel & Dustin Powell) but was also brought down in 2.63 seconds.
The scoreboard remained unchanged with the Ridge Riders up one bull as the game reached midway.
Needing their first score, the Rattlers’ Braidy Randolph (Jonestown, Pennsylvania) rode wildly spinning Baptism By Fire (BMC Bucking Bulls/Jenkins Cattle Co.) for the whistle, putting the Rattlers on the board and into the lead with 89 points.
With the pressure on in the fourth frame, Eduardo Aparecido (Gouvelandia, Brazil) came out of the chutes atop Rockville (Blake Sharp/Koe Wetzel/Giovanni/Morris) but a red flag was immediately thrown as the bull hit the chutes, offering a re-ride.
As the last out for the Rattlers, Rafael Jose de Brito (Potirendaba, Brazil) had the opportunity to put his team two bulls ahead, but was unable to improve the lead, bucked off Back Yard Boogie (OG Cattle Co/D-W Productions) at 2.95 seconds.
Two outs remained for the Ridge Riders -- Mauricio Gulla Moreira (Gaviao Peixoto, Brazil) and Aparecido’s re-ride -- but both riders failed to make the 8, and the Rattlers squeezed by 89-87.75. The Texas Rattlers are now 8-12 and will look to continue their momentum Saturday night when they play the Kansas City Outlaws (8-12). The Arizona Ridge Riders, who slipped to 11-8 in the season, will look to earn their first win of the weekend when they play the Carolina Cowboys (13-7).
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media