DENVER – As three nights of nonstop action at the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour’s (PWVT) Denver PBR Chute Out at the National Western Stock Show concluded on Wednesday night, Chase Dougherty (Decatur, Texas) captured a career-first, triumphant PWVT win.

The historic event in Denver showcased a unique format for fans. The initial draw featured 90 riders competing in Round 1, which split riders into two groups across the first two nights of competition.

On Monday night, 45 riders each attempted one bull. Round 1 then concluded on Tuesday with the remaining 45 riders who did not compete Monday attempting one bull each.

For Monday’s opening, round Dougherty was paired with Renegade (H-H Bucking Bulls/ Hadley Cattle Co) for a solid 83 points. The score put him in a tie for 10^th place headed into the final night in Denver.

As Round 2 began on Wednesday night, the Top 30 riders from Round 1 readied themselves to each face another bull in hopes of punching their ticket to the championship round. The 15 bull riders with the top combined ride scores following the first two rounds then advanced to the final championship round.

In Round 2, Dougherty was paired with Sam I Am (Heald Pro Bulls/ Clay Struve/ Dakota Rodeo/ Chad Berger), firing out of the chutes for an impressive 81.5 points.

The 24-year-old Arizona Ridge Rider then bested Red River (Ty Rinaldo TZ Bucking Bulls) in the championship round for 88 points to clinch the win.

For his 3-for-3 week, Dougherty leaves Colorado with $19,979.97 and 120.5 Velocity Global points.

Josh Frost (Randlett, Utah) was hot on Dougherty’s heels, capturing second place in Denver for the second year in a row.

The Utah cowboy, cousin to late rodeo legend Lane Frost, conquered Samford (Cooper/ Scruggs Bucking Bulls) in Round 2 for 84.5 points. 

He then set his sights on the championship round and delivered the highest ride score of the night in the same fashion as the 2022 event, turning in 92 points aboard his bovine opponent Montana Jacket (Berg/Coleman/Ogden/ Hart).

Despite the high score, his less than ideal 75-point ride in Round 1 aboard Reality Check (Double S Bull Co/Cervi) kept him just a mere point from taking first place. 

In addition to 94 Velocity Global points, Frost collected a check for $15,444.79 for his 3-for-3 performance.

Despite not making the 8 against his Round 2 opponent Prince Harry (Cooper / Scruggs Bucking Bulls), Dougherty’s fellow Ridge Rider teammate Luciano De Castro (Guzolandia, Brazil) quickly made a comeback aboard Show-Off (Ty Rinaldo TZ Bucking Bulls) in the championship round for 86 points.

Castro’s Tuesday night Round 1 winning ride aboard Montana Jacket (Berg/ Coleman/ Ogden/ Hart) helped secure a strong third-place finish.

The veteran Brazilian leaves the Denver PBR Chute Out with $11,665.48 and 81 Velocity Global points. 

Colorado cowboy Elijah Mora (Wiggins, Colorado) secured a fourth-place finish overall after a setback late Wednesday night.

Despite a commanding ride aboard Juice (Jenkins Cattle / L&M Bucking Bulls) in Round 2 for 88 points, the Austin Gamblers man hit the ground early after a mere 4.04 seconds in his matchup with Bread Basket (TNT Bucking Bulls / Hart Cattle Co) during the final round of the night.

His qualified ride in Round 1 for 82.5 points aboard Deets (Jenkins Cattle Co) combined with his Round 2 efforts, earned him 57 Velocity Global points.

Rounding out the Top 5 at the Denver Coliseum, was Texas Rattlers rider Rafael Jose de Brito (Potirendaba, Brazil).

After sailing through Round 1 earlier in the week aboard Toothless (Jenkins Cattle Co), Brito was paired with Big Pokey (Cooper / Scruggs Bucking Bulls) in Round 2. Launching from the chutes and remaining in complete control, the veteran Brazilian turned in an 86.5-point ride.

The championship round saw a matchup of Brito and Malaki (Jenkins Cattle Co / CIL Cattle) that ended his week abruptly after just 5.57 seconds.

Brito returns home with 42 Velocity Global points for his 2-for-3 weekend.

The talented bull riders of the PWVT will next head to Charleston, West Virginia, for the PBR ZipRecruiter Capital City Classic at the Charleston Civic Center Jan. 13-14. Additionally, in a double-up weekend, the PWVT will also be in Spokane, Washington, for the Spokane Classic on Jan.14 at the Spokane Arena.

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media