PUEBLO, Colo. – Though it was an off weekend for the PBR Team Series, riders certainly weren’t resting on their laurels.

Almost the whole Texas Rattlers roster competed at the Challenger Series event in Ruidoso, New Mexico, which was ultimately won by an Arizona Ridge Rider. And 1,500 miles north in Yakima, Washington, Dawson Branton of the Oklahoma Freedom took the win at the Yakima PBR.

Branton was the only rider to go 2-for-2 in the Evergreen State, riding Blackie Chan for 83.5 points in Round 1 and Whiskey Trip for 79 points in the championship round. His efforts earned him 15 points towards the Challenger Series standings, where he’s ranked No. 11.

Dalton Davis finished second in Yakima thanks to his Round 1 ride on Bucky Chucky for 85.5 points. Bruin Bradshaw placed third, riding Cocoa Puff for 85 points, while Noah Thompson placed fourth with 62 points on Capone.

The win is Branton’s second career victory on the Challenger Series. He previously won the Idaho Coors PBR Classic in Twin Falls, Idaho, in June. Having made his PBR debut in 2021, the only other individual win on his resume is a Touring Pro Division victory at the Redmond PBR in Redmond, Oregon, last August.

Branton has competed in three games for the Freedom – one at the neutral-site event in Anaheim, California, and two at Gambler Days in Austin, Texas – and is still looking for his first qualified ride.

Since the end of August, the Freedom have been on a tear up the Team Series standings. Following a last-place finish at Stampede Days in Nashville, the Freedom have logged a fourth-place finish, a third-place finish, and two event wins, and are now ranked No. 2 overall.

The Freedom will look to continue their climb when the Team Series continues with Rattler Days on Oct. 7-9 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Professional Bull Riders - Yakima PBR Yakima, WA, 2022 -  Event Leaders (Round 1-Round 2-Event Aggregate-Event Points)

1. Dawson Branton, 83.5-79-162.50-15 Points. 2. Dalton Davis [1], 85.5-0-85.50-8 Points. 3. Bruin Bradshaw [2], 85-0-85.00-7 Points. 4. Noah Thompson, 62-0-62.00-4 Points. Bruin Bradshaw [1], 0-0-0.00 Bill Henry, 0-0-0.00 Dalton Davis [2], 0-0-0.00 Conner Halverson, 0-0-0.00 Wyatt Moulton, 0-0-0.00 Dakota Louis, 0-0-0.00 Jace Catlin, 0-0-0.00 Justin Houston, 0-0-0.00 Gabe Jacques, 0-0-0.00 Chance Abrams, 0-0-0.00 Matthew Pakootas, 0-0-0.00