Oklahoma Freedom: 351

Arizona Ridge Riders: 90.75

FORT WORTH, Texas – After suffering a scoreless defeat on the opening night of PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series competition in Fort Worth, Texas, the league No. 2 Oklahoma Freedom rebounded in commanding form Saturday evening, crushing the Arizona Ridge Riders by three ride scores, 351-90.75.

In the opening frame, Alisson de Souza (Taubate, Brazil) was in the lead off for the Ridge Riders while Captain Eli Vastbinder (Statesville, North Carolina) was out first for the Freedom. Souza, stubbed his toe against Crossover (Shuler Bucking Bulls), bested in a close 7.66 seconds.

Vastbinder triumphed, covering First Down (Platinum Bull Company) for 87.5 points to give the Freedom an early lead.

Following a scoreless second for both teams, Keyshawn Whitehorse (McCracken Spring, Utah) suffered Arizona’s third straight buckoff when he was upended by Lil 2 Train (Jane Clark/Gene Owen) in 4.44 seconds.

In the bottom of the frame, the Freedom tapped newly inked free agent Trevor Reiste (Linden, Iowa). In just his second out for the team, Reiste earned his first qualified ride as a member of the Freedom, besting The Punisher (Jeb Fredericks/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger) for 84.75 points to put Oklahoma ahead by 172.25 ahead of the fourth.

With just two attempts remaining, Vitor Losnake (Bauru, Brazil) was in a must-ride position as he readied to attempt The Right Stuff (Diamond Willow/Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger). Losnake delivered a gritty ride, reaching the requisite 8, however the trip went into an immediate official’s review. After careful scrutiny, Losnake was confirmed to have earned a ride, marked a mammoth 90.75 points.

With Oklahoma’s lead shrunk to 81.5 points, Briggs Madsen (Temonton, Utah) was unable to add to the lead in the bottom of the fourth; however, he was awarded a re-ride due to a chute foul by Hostage (Hale/Wood/Ogden).

In the fifth, the Arizona Ridge Riders had one attempt remaining, while Oklahoma had two.

After skirting defeat the frame prior, Ridge Riders’ closer Luciano De Castro (Guzolandia, Brazil) needed to score to keep the team’s hopes of victory alive. Castro, however, was no match for Brusta (Joe & Nina Webb/Julian/D&H Cattle Co.), sent to the dirt in 5.7 seconds.

With the victory clinched, Derek Kolbaba (Walla Walla, Washington) logged the team’s third ride in four attempts, snapping Soul Train’s (Shuler Bucking Bulls/5S Ranch) 11-0 unridden streak, reaching the whistle for a monstrous 91 points.

The Freedom weren’t done, concluding the game by going an impressive 4-for-5, covering 80% of their bovine athlete opponents, when Madsen rode re-ride opponent Mike’s Effect (Blake Sharp/Michael Floyd/High Voltage Cattle) for 86.75 points.

When the dust settled, the Freedom won by 260.25 points, walloping the Arizona Ridge Riders 351-90.75. The Oklahoma Freedom are now 14-10 in 2022 competition and 1-1 at PBR Rattler Days. They will face the league No. 1 Carolina Cowboys (14-10 | 0-1) in a showdown of titans on Championship Sunday.

The Arizona Ridge Riders backslid to 12-11-1 this season and are 0-2 in Fort Worth. They will look to avoid a shutout on Sunday, October 9 when they face the Nashville Stampede (5-18-1 | 0-2).

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media