LAS VEGAS – Just moments after the No. 8 Nashville Stampede completed their shocking upset win over the third-ranked Oklahoma Freedom, Arizona Ridge Riders Technical Coach Paulo Crimber entered Nashville’s locker room and shook hands with every member of the team.
“It means a lot because we’re competing out there, but back here, we’re family,” Crimber said. “We spend more time with each other sometimes than we spend with our families, and everybody has each other’s back.”
Coming full circle, two members of the Carolina Cowboys walked by during a postgame interview, shook Crimber’s hand while congratulating his squad, and continued. While good karma and a good handshake have always been a part of the PBR’s 30-year history, it’s appreciated even more as the league and its riders continue to grow the game by launching the Team Series format.
Just six months ago, the Ridge Riders had some fun ideas, a flashy logo, and the opportunity to compete in the inaugural campaign. As night one of the three-day finale inside Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena concluded, the organization had earned a second-round berth while continuing to buy into its established championship culture.
“I think it’s just the camaraderie and the union you create. Everybody has each other’s back; don’t matter what the situation is,” Crimber continued. “They ride; they’re stronger. They buck off; they’re stronger. That’s really important. I think that’s what brings us to where we’re at today.”
After boasting the highest team riding percentage (40.7%) during the regular season yet entering the season-ending competition as the No. 5 seed with a 14-13-1 record, the Ridge Riders were due a break eventually.
The free pass wouldn’t come Friday night, though, as Arizona had to grind to earn its first playoff win Friday. Capturing the first-round matchup by a mere .25 points thanks to an early-game qualified ride from Eduardo Aparecido, the Ridge Riders narrowly avoided the Last Chance Game.
“We’re all on the same mission with the same goal in mind,” said Ridge Riders team manager Colby Yates. “For us, it’s very simple. We assembled this team for a specific reason. Each one of their physical and mental characteristics make up this dynamic team that is just really hard to beat. They’re just so tough.”
Tough, indeed, but tough guys get bucked off bulls every night. The consistency from Aparecido and company has fueled Yates to continue believing in his squad.
“When Eduardo is on the back of the chute, I have a calming over me,” Yates said. “This sport is pretty nerve-racking for me, Paulo too. I’m so stressed out, but every time Eduardo gets on, I have this calm because I’m so confident in his ability.”
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While he and Crimber, his coaching partner and steady veteran, have together endured decades worth of experience around the circuit, they understand the importance of having family within the tour.
For a young gun like Ross Freeman, it didn’t take long to notice how special this group could be.
“It was the family atmosphere that we have as Ridge Riders. We don’t just consider ourselves teammates. We’re brothers,” Freeman said. “Everybody on the team has everybody else’s back, and you can really feel the energy behind the chutes. No matter what the outcome of the game is, you still know everybody is there, everybody put out their best, everybody understands that and feels that way, and they have support like no other. It’s hard to leave an atmosphere like that.”
With leaders like Aparecido regularly stepping up and leading by example, it’s hard to ignore.
After going 12-for-21 (57.1%) during the regular season and bringing the fifth-best individual ride percentage (minimum 12 rides logged), Aparecido recorded the first successful postseason outing in Ridge Riders history en route to helping his team advance to Saturday’s competition.
“I know that when he gets up there, ‘Okay, there’s our one. There’s one right there, for sure. We’re good. We just need to make sure everyone else does their deal.’ It’s a great feeling,” Yates said.
Regardless of how he makes Yates feel, it was a jam-packed Las Vegas crowd that erupted with approval after the veteran recorded his 88-point ride aboard High Country Hitman in the fourth out of the night.
After seeing the Missouri Thunder’s Adriano Salgado kick the matchup off with an 87.75-point effort, Aparecido remained calm, tying his thoughts back to why he was competing in Las Vegas to begin with: family.
“As Paulo mentioned, when I ride a bull, it’s not just for me; it’s for my family,” Aparecido said. “It’s not just for me; it’s for my teammates, so I asked God to bless me, and I really do it for my family.”
Besting his bovine athlete and outscoring Salgado’s ride by a close .25 points, it was just another day for the 32-year-old. Tomorrow will be the same when the Ridge Riders take on the No. 2 Texas Rattlers (11 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network).
Saturday Draws: Alisson de Souza (ARR) vs. Crossover Joao Ricardo Vieira (TR) vs. Cliff Hanger Eduardo Aparecido (ARR) vs. Black Tie Cody Jesus (TR) vs. Chief Vitor Losnake (ARR) vs. Mike's Effect Rafael Jose de Brito (TR) vs. Tested's Viper Keyshawn Whitehorse (ARR) vs. Cold Creek Brady Oleson (TR) vs. Kid Knapper Luciano de Castro (ARR) vs. War Dress Daniel Keeping (TR) vs. Napoleon
“I’ll just keep doing the same work that I do always,” Aparecido said. “I know my teammates will do the same. We’ll just keep working, come here tomorrow and have some great rides.”
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media