PBR | Texas Rattlers defend home turf, electrify Dickies Arena crowd with win over Freedom

Texas Rattlers: 258.25

Oklahoma Freedom: 0.00

FORT WORTH, Texas – Riding in front of a hometown crowd for the first time during the inaugural 2022 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series season, the Texas Rattlers, presented by Ariat, upset the league No. 2 Oklahoma Freedom 258.25-0 to win bull riding’s version of the Red River Showdown – their fifth consecutive victory.

The Cody Lambert-led team was electric from the moment the first chute gate burst open inside their home Dickies Arena. On the spurs of a Freedom buckoff to open the first, Rattlers’ lead-off rider Cody Jesus (Window Rock, Arizona) was quick to strike, covering Chief (Blake Sharp/Michael Floyd) for a game-best 87.75 points.

The Freedom once again failed to make the eight in the top of the second, opening the door for Texas to pull two bulls ahead. Remaining red-hot, veteran Joao Ricardo Vieira (Itatinga, Brazil) rode Crystalyx (Broken Arrow S Ranch/Sutton Ranch) for 83 points, putting the Rattlers ahead by 170.75 points.

Casey Roberts (Munford, Alabama) was unable to turn the tide for Oklahoma in the top of the third, creating a potential game-winning out for the Rattlers to close the frame. Aussie Brady Fielder (Clermont, Queensland, Australia) burst from the chutes aboard Mr. Right Now (Silent 7/Hilton Bull Co.), but was brought down in a swift 1.35 seconds, keeping Oklahoma’s hopes of a come-from-behind win alive.

With the renewed hope of a win against their Texas rivals, Freedom Captain Eli Vastbinder (Statesville, North Carolina) needed to convert in the top of the fourth to keep them in contention. Matched with Midnight Flyer (Jane Clark/Gene Owen), Vastbinder was sent airborne in 3.11 seconds, handing the victory to Texas.

After a Rattler buckoff in the bottom of the fourth, and a failed attempt by the Freedom in the top of the fifth, Rattlers’ rider and Texas’ own Daniel Keeping (Gorman) was in the closer position, and he capped the game with a strong, 87.5-point ride on Jeremiah (Martinez Bucking Bulls, LLC).

The Rattlers earned their fifth consecutive game win, 258.25-0. The Texas Rattlers, now 11-12 in 2022 PBR Team Series competition, will look to earn their second upset victory of their debut homestand on Saturday, Oct. 8 when they play the league No. 1 Carolina Cowboys (0-1 | 14-9).

The Oklahoma Freedom, who now hold a 13-10 record, will attempt to rebound from the loss when they play the Arizona Ridge Riders (0-1 | 12-10-1) in their second game.

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media

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