FORT WORTH, Texas – The Texas Rattlers rode unstoppable at their second PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series homestand in Fort Worth, Texas, going a perfect 3-0 in gameplay and dominating Extra Outs to repeat as PBR Rattler Days, presented by Ariat, event winners. They also remain undefeated inside their home, Dickies Arena, now a perfect 6-0 since the league’s inception in 2022.
Sunday afternoon’s games also determined the regular-season Champion and 2023 PBR Teams MVP. After a tight race with the Kansas City Outlaws, the Austin Gamblers repeated as the league’s regular-season No. 1 courtesy of a narrow 0.25-point win against the Missouri Thunder. After a season-long battle with the Outlaws’ Cassio Dias, the Gamblers’ Jose Vitor Leme also repeated as the PBR Teams MVP, edging his main rival by 87 points to win the individual honor.
The Texas Rattlers began their homestand in captivating form, winning bull riding’s Red River Showdown with a shutout victory against the Oklahoma Freedom.
On the opening night of the last event of the 2023 Teams season, the Rattlers outscored the Freedom by 262.75 points. Brady Fielder and Trace Redd delivered early scores, clinching the game win for Texas in the fourth, while Cody Jesus added to the team’s margin of victory in the fifth.
As action continued, the hometown Texas Rattlers continued to ride lights out, trouncing their in-state rivals and league No. 1 Austin Gamblers by two ride scores to improve to a perfect 2-0.
The Rattlers set the tone for the game early and never looked back. Texas pulled to an early lead in the bottom of the first, compliments of an 88.25-point ride from Joao Ricardo Vieira. The Rattlers’ early success, coupled with four consecutive buckoffs by Austin, gave Texas the chance to clinch the game win early in the bottom of the fourth. Delivering for his team, Braidy Randolph covered Centerfold for 83.5 points to cement the upset win.
Austin prevented a shutout in the top of the fifth when closer Leme rode Outlaw for 89.25 points. The Rattlers added one more score to their tally, an 88.5-point score from Brady Oleson atop Smooth Over It, to ultimately defeat their in-state rivals by 171 points, 260.25-89.25.
On Championship Sunday, the Rattlers punctuated their perfect performance inside Dickies Arena with a 95-point win over the league’s reigning Champion Nashville Stampede, 264-169. After a slow start to the game, Texas rode to the victory when they delivered three consecutive scores, with Jesus, Oleson and Randolph all making the whistle.
The Rattlers concluded gameplay as one of two teams with a perfect 3-0 record, forcing Extra Outs against the Kansas City Outlaws.
The Outlaws traveled to Fort Worth with two titles in their sights: a team regular-season Championship and the 2023 Teams MVP honor for their closer, Dias. Kansas City began the regular-season finale three games behind Austin, who traveled to the event having already clinched a first-round bye. To surpass the Gamblers for the No. 1 rank, Kansas City would need to go 3-0, while Austin would need to go 0-3. Austin would need either a victory or a loss by Kansas City to sew up the title for the second straight season.
As gameplay began on Friday, Oct. 6, Kansas City was the first to take to the chutes, squaring off against the Arizona Ridge Riders. Fresh off their event-winning 3-0 effort the weekend prior in Glendale, Arizona, the Outlaws continued to ride lights out, defeating Arizona by two ride scores, 262.5-89.75.
While Kansas City trailed following the first frame, as Nick Tetz delivered Arizona’s lone score of the game, scores from Sandro Batista in the second, Bob Mitchell in the fourth and closer Dias in the fifth delivered them the come-from-behind win. Dias’s 86.75-point score on Skippy also kept his hopes of winning the 2023 PBR Teams MVP title alive, pulling within a then-83.5-points of leader Leme.
After watching Kansas City throttle Arizona by two ride scores, Austin took to the chutes for their showdown against the league’s reigning Champion Nashville Stampede, the very team that upset them in the second round of the 2022 PBR Teams Championship.
Nashville again rode in seemingly unstoppable form, going a near-perfect 4-for-5, to thrash Austin 342.25-88 and upset the Gamblers for the second time this season. Nashville clinched the game win early by beginning the game with three consecutive qualified rides from Chase Outlaw, Mason Moody and Kaiden Loud, matched with three straight buckoffs by Austin.
The game, however, ended in dramatic form. In the fifth frame, after Austin’s closer Leme rode Whiplash for a game-best 88 points, growing his MVP lead back to 171.5 points, he was jerked toward the bull, knocked out, and left motionless on the dirt, ultimately carried out by PBR’s sports medicine team. As the crowd awaited an update on Leme, Nashville’s closer Silvano Alves made history, becoming just the fourth rider in history to deliver 500 qualified rides in premier PBR competition as he topped True Religion for 84.75 points.
RELATED: Silvano Alves becomes fourth rider in history to reach 500 qualified rides
The loss prevented Austin from clinching the regular-season No. 1 title Friday evening in Fort Worth while also keeping Kansas City’s title hopes alive.
On the second night of competition, Kansas City again took to the dirt first, squaring off against their in-state rival Missouri Thunder before Austin’s showdown against the host Rattlers.
Kansas City beat the Thunder in walk-off form by 85 points to clinch a first-round bye in the 2023 PBR Teams Championship this October.
In their five-on-five showdown, Kansas City claimed an early 87.25-point lead in the bottom of the first, compliments of an 87.25-point ride atop Rank Frank by team newcomer Batista. Missouri, however, quickly tied the game in the top of the second, as Briggs Madsen logged a matching 87.25-point effort aboard The Maverick.
The Outlaws retook the lead in the top of the second via an 84.25-point score from 2022 PBR Rookie of the Year Mitchell. With neither team converting in the third or fourth, Missouri closer Kade Madsen delivered in a must-ride position in the top of the fifth, keeping his team’s hopes of victory alive when he covered Electric Avenue for 87.75 points. Via the score, Kansas City trailed by 3.5 points as their closer Dias settled in aboard Pickle Moonshine. Dias easily rode the powerful animal athlete, reaching the requisite 8 for 88.5 points to walk off with the win, 260-175.
The Rattlers’ victory against Austin, during which Leme grew his MVP lead to 172.25 points over Dias, paired with the Outlaws’ win over the Thunder, meant the 2023 regular-season championship would be determined on the final day of the season.
For the third consecutive day, Kansas City played first. They improved to a perfect 3-0 at Rattler Days, presented by Ariat, and remained in the hunt for the regular-season title as they knocked off the Oklahoma Freedom by 89.75 points, 174.75-90. Their win was headlined by key scores from Batista and Dias.
The ride from Dias, an 85.25-point effort aboard Dream Walkin’ in the top of the fifth, allowed him to inch within 87 points of Leme in the Teams MVP race.
Two games later, in what proved to be the closest contest of the event, Austin extinguished Kansas City’s hopes of a come-from-behind title bid, winning the regular-season Championship in consecutive seasons when they beat the league No. 8 Missouri Thunder by a mere 0.25 points. With each team delivering just one score, Rafael dos Santos’ 88.5-point effort on No Cigar for Austin beat out Andy Bohl’s 88.25-point ride atop Little Bit.
While Austin may have cliched the regular-season championship with the win, the game did not determine the Teams MVP race as Leme was uncharacteristically bucked off by Orca. With Kansas City already having advanced to Extra Outs, Dias would have one final opportunity to ride and surpass Leme in come-from-behind form.
As Extra Outs began, Texas earned the first pick, having amassed more points in the aggregate than Kansas City. They elected to pair Trace Redd with Mike’s Motive, while the Outlaws tasked Dias with Nefarious.
The Rattlers’ Redd erupted from the chutes but failed to deliver for his team, brought down in 4.2 seconds. With both the event win and Teams MVP title on the line, Dias nodded aboard Nefarious, but he hit the dirt in 2.21 seconds. The buckoff not only initiated a second round of Extra Outs but also clinched the Teams MVP title for Leme for the second season. Accumulating 1,765.25 points, he finished 87 points ahead of No. 2 Dias.
Extra Outs then featured Texas’s Oleson aboard Smooth Over It and Kansas City’s Leonardo Castro Ferreira atop Knockin Boots. With both riders reaching the 8, it was Oleson’s 88.75-point ride besting Ferreira’s 86-point effort to deliver the PBR Rattler Days, presented by Ariat, win to the home team.
The ride also clinched Oleson the event MVP title at his team’s homestand. He finished 1.5 points ahead of No. 2 Batista, who also went 3-for-3.
The perfect 3-0 weekend led the Texas Rattlers to finish the regular season No. 3 in the league with a 16-12 overall record. Kansas City, who also went 3-0 inside Dickies Arena, concluded the regular season No. 2 with an 18-10 record, trailing the No. 1 Austin Gamblers, who went 1-2 at the event and 19-9 throughout the season, by one game.
PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer replays of all the PBR Camping World Team Series action from Fort Worth, Texas. Check https://pluto.tv/en/live-tv/pbr-ridepass for the latest programming schedule.
The PBR Camping World Team Series next travels to Las Vegas, Nevada, and T-Mobile Arena for the 2023 PBR Teams Championship. Competition begins Friday, Oct. 20, at 7:45 p.m. PDT, Saturday, Oct. 21, at 7:45 p.m. PDT and Sunday, Oct. 22, at 12:45 p.m. PDT.
No. 1 Austin and No. 2 Kansas City both earned first-round byes. They will play the lowest two advancing teams on the second night of the PBR Camping World Teams Series Championship. The matchups for the first round of the progressive elimination tournament inside T-Mobile Arena are:
No. 3 Texas Rattlers vs. No. 8 Missouri Thunder No. 4 Oklahoma Freedom vs. No. 7 Nashville Stampede No. 5 Arizona Ridge Riders vs. No. 6 Carolina Cowboys
Fort Worth Team Standings:
Here are the final Team standings for the Fort Worth PBR Camping World Team Series’ Rattler Days, presented by Ariat:
Texas Rattlers, 3-0-0-875.75
Kansas City Outlaws, 3-0-0-783.25
Nashville Stampede, 2-1-0-685.25
Carolina Cowboys, 1-2-0-439
Arizona Ridge Riders, 1-2-0-344.25
Austin Gamblers, 1-2-0-265.75
Oklahoma Freedom, 1-2-0-176.5
Missouri Thunder, 0-3-0-263.25
PBR Teams Season Standings:
Here are the final Team standings for the regular season after the conclusion of competition for PBR Rattler Days, presented by Ariat, in Fort Worth, Texas:
Austin Gamblers, 19-9-0-4,370.75
Kansas City Outlaws, 18-10-0-5,203.75
Texas Rattlers, 16-12-0-4,859.25
Oklahoma Freedom, 14-14-0-3,270.5
Arizona Ridge Riders, 13-15-0-3,646.5
Carolina Cowboys, 11-17-0-3,812/25
Nashville Stampede, 11-17-0-3,276
Missouri Thunder, 8-20-0-2,436.75
SCORE BULLETINS
Kansas City Outlaws Complete Perfect PBR Camping World Team Series Weekend in Fort Worth, Texas, with One-Ride Score Defeat of the Oklahoma Freedom to Keep Hopes of Regular-Season Championship Alive
Kansas City Outlaws: 174.75 Oklahoma Freedom: 90
The Kansas City Outlaws continued to ride in seemingly unstoppable form Sunday afternoon in Fort Worth, Texas, as the regular season for the 2023 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series wound to a close. The Outlaws defeated the Oklahoma Freedom by one ride score to conclude Rattler Days, presented by Ariat, a perfect 3-0 and keep their hopes of the regular-season title alive.
As the game got underway, several races would be impacted by the fate of the showdown between Kansas City and Oklahoma. Kansas City needed to win the game to remain in contention to be the regular-season Champion, while their closer Cassio Dias (São F. de Sales, Brazil) needed to deliver a score to stay in contention for the 2023 PBR Team MVP title.
As the game began, the Outlaws stumbled in the top of the first. One jump out of the chutes, Kyler Oliver (Roy, Utah) was unseated by Ink Spot (Mason Bucking Bulls), hitting the ground in 2.21 seconds. With the chance to strike first, Oklahoma tasked Alex Cerqueira (Iguatemi, Brazil) with Sky Harbor (Wilks Ranch/Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger). After being put on the clock, Cerqueira nodded confidently, and while he initially appeared centered, he was unseated when the bull changed directions, coming down in 4.84 seconds.
In the second, the Outlaws looked to Leonardo Castro Ferreira (Cassilandia, Brazil) on Devil’s Revenge (Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger/Lucky Blue Crab Bucking Bulls). Unable to answer the call for the team, the Outlaws remained scoreless as Ferreira was sent airborne in 4.33 seconds. In the bottom of the second, the Freedom converted in mammoth form. Grayson Cole (New Ringgold, Pennsylvania) teamed with Sneaky Situation (Dakota Rodeo/ Chad Berger/Lacey Scott/Lucky Blue Crab Bucking Bulls) for a monstrous score, giving his team a crucial 90-point lead. The 8-second effort marked Cole’s second qualified ride for the Freedom and career-first 90-point ride.
Down by one ride score, Sandro Batista (Pedra Preta, Brazil) took to the chutes for Kansas City, paired with Whiskey Trip (Lari Crane/Gene Owen). Following difficulties in the chute, Batista remained in perfect time with his animal athlete opponent en route to the whistle as the crowd erupted in cheer. Marked 89.5 points, Batista pulled Kansas City within 0.5 points of the lead. In the bottom of the third, Oklahoma’s momentum stopped as Coy Pollmeier (Fort Scott, Kansas) was bucked off in a quick 1.99 seconds by Big Bank (Universal Pro Rodeo/Rachel & Dustin Powell).
The top of the fourth pitted 2022 PBR Rookie of the Year Bob Mitchell (Steelville, Missouri) against Punchy Pete (Wentz Bucking Bulls/Gene Owen), unridden in 18 career outs within the PBR. Despite beginning the season in rocky form, bucking off his first eight bulls, Mitchell had regained his top form in recent weeks, entering the showdown having ridden his past three bulls. Mitchell, however, did not have enough to get past Punchy Pete, hitting the ground in 3.22 seconds. The Outlaws quickly threw their challenge flag, believing the bull had fouled himself. Upon review by PBR’s officials, they found no foul, leaving the no score in place and Kansas City without a challenge for the remainder of the game. Oklahoma failed to grow their lead in the penultimate round of outs as Roscoe Jarboe (New Plymouth, Idaho) was tossed in 3.81 seconds by True Religion (M Rafter E/Owens).
As the fifth got underway, the Outlaws found themselves in a must-ride, high-pressure situation. On the line was not only the game win, but also their chance for a come-from-behind surge to be crowned the regular-season Champions and Dias’s bid to be crowned the 2023 PBR Teams MVP. In true Dias form, he easily covered Dream Walkin (Conaway/Ogden/Hart Cattle Co.), awarded 85.25 points. The score propelled the Outlaws to a critical 84.75-point lead. The points also allowed Dias to decimate Jose Vitor Leme’s (Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil) lead in the MVP race from 172.75 points to 87 points.
Oklahoma, however, had one out remaining, still able to win the game in walk-off form. After delivering his team the walk-off win the night prior, closer Caden Bunch (Tahlequah, Oklahoma) was unable to replicate his past successes, tossed in a swift 2.5 seconds by Oilfield Outlaw’s Yellow Feather (Chad Berger/Oilfield Outlaw’s Bucking Bulls). The buckoff cemented the Kansas City victory, as the final scoreboard read 174.75-90.
The win improved Kansas City to 18-10 this season and a perfect 3-0 at PBR Rattler Days, presented by Ariat. They remained in contention for not only the event win, set to enter Extra Outs with the winner of the showdown between the Texas Rattlers and Nashville Stampede later that afternoon, but also still with the chance to be crowned the regular-season Champions. To win the title, Kansas City would need Austin to lose their final game of the season later that afternoon against the league No. 8 Missouri Thunder. Oklahoma concluded the PBR Camping World Team Series event inside Dickies Arena 1-2 and the regular-season 14-14.
Arizona Ridge Riders Hold Off a Late-Game Surge by Carolina to Beat the Cowboys by 1 Point on the Final Day of PBR Camping World Team Series Competition in Fort Worth, Texas
Arizona Ridge Riders: 178.25 Carolina Cowboys: 177.25
On the final afternoon of the regular season for the 2023 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series, the Arizona Ridge Riders held off a late-game surge by the Carolina Cowboys to defeat the Cowboys by 1 point, 178.25-177.25.
The game began with high intensity. Out first was the Ridge Riders’ Chase Dougherty (Stephenville, Texas) aboard Pearl’s Ghost (Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger). While the clock stopped just short of the 8 in the arena, PBR’s officials quickly reviewed the out. Upon close inspection, Dougherty was deemed to have reached the whistle, giving Arizona an early 88.25-point lead. Carolina then looked to Boudreaux Campbell (Crockett, Texas) to start their effort in commanding form. Campbell, however, was hurled to the ground in 3.31 seconds by Concho (Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger/Pronghorn Well Service), denying the Cowboys a score.
Arizona’s momentum continued to roll in the top of the second. Eduardo Aparecido (Gouvelandia, Brazil) covered HomeBru (D&H Cattle Co./Buck Cattle Co.) for a monstrous 90 points, growing Arizona’s lead to 178.25 points. The 90-point ride was Aparecido’s first of the 2023 PBR Teams season and the 15th of his career. In the bottom of the second, Carolina lost its lone challenge of the game. After Trey Kimzey (Strong City, Oklahoma) was tossed in 1.94 seconds by Back Jack (Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger), Head Coach Jerome Davis asked for a review. Upon close inspection, PBR’s judges did not find a foul, with the no score remaining in place.
Arizona logged their first buckoff in the top of the third as Vitor Losnake (Bauru, Brazil) was bested in 3 seconds by Untested (Rafter R Bucking Bulls). Carolina rebounded in the bottom of the middle round of outs. Avenging a buckoff from the championship round of the 2022 PBR World Finals, Josh Frost (Randlett, Utah) rode Juju (Tommy Julian/D&H Cattle Co.) for 86.75 points, pulling Carolina within 91.5 points of the lead.
Arizona then stumbled in the top of the fourth, failing to add to their lead when Leandro Machado (Nova Esperança, Brazil) was whipped to the ground in a hard-fought 5.15 seconds by Time Bomb (Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger/Mark Baker). With the chance to overtake the lead in the bottom of the fourth, it was Carolina’s Daniel Feitosa (Guaraci, Brazil) paired with Sky Bandit (Richardson Land & Cattle Co.). While Feitosa didn’t add points to his team’s total, he was awarded a re-ride as his animal athlete opponent fouled himself, leading to the buckoff.
In the top of the fifth, Arizona closer Jesse Petri (Dublin, Texas) settled in atop Best In Show (Glover Cattle Co./D&H Cattle Co.), keen to avenge a buckoff from the 2023 Unleash The Beast season in Eugene, Oregon. Petri, however, was once again bested by Best In Show, tossed in 4.78 seconds, opening the door for Carolina to win the game in walk-off form. With two outs remaining to close the game, first up was seven-time PRCA champion Sage Steele Kimzey (Strong City, Oklahoma). Erupting from the chutes atop Snap Chatter (Flying S Bucking Bulls/Dozier), Kimzey remained centered atop the swiftly spinning bovine, reaching the whistle as the Championship Sunday crowd in Dickies Arena went wild. While Kimzey delivered a monster ride, marked 90.5 points, his third 90-point ride of the season for the Cowboys, it was not enough to give his team the lead, leaving Carolina still trailing by 1 point.
The game then came down to Dawson Branton (Jefferson, Oregon) atop the team’s re-ride draw, Safety Meeting (Hruby/Kainz/Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger). Branton delivered a gritty effort, and while the qualified ride horn sounded in the arena, the clock had stopped at 6.06 seconds due to a suspected slap. The game-deciding ride was sent to review, and after diligent inspection, Branton was confirmed to have slapped the bull, resulting in no score for Carolina and delivering Arizona the win by 1 point, 178.25-177.25.
When the dust settled, Arizona and Carolina both concluded the regular-season PBR Camping World Team Series event 1-2. Arizona improved to 13-15 on the season, while Carolina slipped to 11-17.
Austin Gamblers Clinch Regular-Season PBR Camping World Team Series Championship with 0.25-Point Victory Against the Missouri Thunder on Final Day of League Action in Fort Worth, Texas
Austin Gamblers: 88.5 Missouri Thunder: 88.25
In what was the closest game of the afternoon, the Austin Gamblers clinched the regular-season PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series Championship with a 0.25-point win against the league No. 8 Missouri Thunder, 88.5-88.25, to improve to an unmatched 19-9 this season.
As the game began, two titles hinged on the game’s outcome. Should Austin win, they would clinch the regular-season PBR Teams Championship, but a loss would cement the title for Kansas City. Also on the line was the 2023 PBR Teams MVP title. A ride from Gamblers closer Jose Vitor Leme (Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil) would clinch him the individual honor for the second consecutive season, but a buckoff from the two-time PBR World Champion would open the door for No. 2 Cassio Dias, 87 points behind, to win the honor in Extra Outs to conclude PBR Rattler Days, presented by Ariat.
The first frame featured Dalton Kasel (Muleshoe, Texas) atop Shivers (D&H Cattle Co./Flinn) for Austin and Marcelo Procopio Pereira (Rinopolis, Brazil) on Big Twist (D&H Cattle Co./Ireland) for Missouri. While Kasel seemed to have made the requisite 8 in the arena, upon review, he was deemed to have bucked off in a heartbreaking 7.79 seconds, resulting in no score for the Gamblers. Missouri was unable to convert in the bottom of the first as Pereira came down in 2.09 seconds.
Austin reclaimed their title-contending form in the top of the second as Rafael dos Santos (Quitman, Georgia) rode No Cigar (D&H Cattle Co./Payson Parker) to give his team an early 88.5-point lead. Missouri, however, was quick to respond. In the very next out, Andy Bohl (St. Cloud, Florida) rode Little Bit (Mason Bucking Bulls) for a crucial 88.25 points to pull the Thunder within 0.25 points of tying the game.
The scoreboard then went unchanged through the third, as Adriano Salgado (Batatais, Brazil) bucked off for Austin and Paulo Eduardo Rosseto (Colorado, Brazil) was tossed for Missouri.
The top of the fourth featured dramatics. While Ramon de Lima (Rio Branco, Brazil) came down before the 8 aboard Hunting Trip (Dozier Cattle Co./Martinez Bucking Bulls), red re-ride flags flew with the notion that the bull hipped himself, resulting in the buckoff. Missouri’s coaches, Ross Coleman and Luke Snyder, however, disagreed and used their challenge. Upon review, PBR’s officials did not find a foul, overturning the in-arena call and resulting in no score for the Gamblers. On the spurs of winning the challenge, Missouri was unable to overtake the lead as Manoelito de Souza Jr. (Itamira, Brazil) came down in 2.37 seconds atop Gangster Time (Classic Jack Cattle/Viducic Bucking Bulls).
The buckoff set up a high-pressure fifth frame. First out was Gamblers closer Leme with the chance to grow his team’s lead and clinch the 2023 PBR Teams MVP race. Paired with Orca (Mason Bucking Bulls), Leme nodded confidently but was whipped to the ground in uncharacteristic form, hitting the dirt in 4.23 seconds. The buckoff opened the door for Missouri to win the game in walk-off form and deliver the regular-season title to its in-state rival Kansas City Outlaws. The final out of the game pitted the Thunder’s Qynn Andersen (Koumala, Queensland, Australia) against UTZ BesTex Smokestack (Blake Sharp/Chris Utz/Carey Brothers). Erupting from the chutes, Andersen was initially centered but was ultimately pulled over the top of the bull’s head, resulting in a 4.57-second buckoff.
The buckoff clinched the 0.25-point win for Austin, 88.5-88.25, as they left the arena the regular-season Champions and concluded PBR Rattler Days, presented by Ariat, with a 1-2 record. For Missouri, they finished the regular season of the 2023 PBR Camping World Team Series with an 8-20 record after going winless during their three games in Fort Worth, Texas.
Texas Rattlers Complete Perfect 3-0 Sweep of PBR Camping World Team Series Homestand in Fort Worth, Texas, with One-Ride Score Defeat of the League’s Reigning Champion Nashville Stampede
Texas Rattlers: 264 Nashville Stampede: 169
The host Texas Rattlers completed a perfect 3-0 sweep of their second PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series homestand Sunday afternoon, defeating the league’s reigning Champion Nashville Stampede by one ride score. Both teams entered the showdown with a perfect 2-0 record.
Nashville began the first frame with Kaiden Loud (Kaufman, Texas) paired with Dirty Sancho (Blake Sharp/Koe Wetzel/High Voltage Cattle). While Loud was initially called for a ride in the arena, upon review, he was deemed to have slapped the bull at the 2.97-second mark, resulting in no score for Nashville. In the bottom of the first, veteran Joao Ricardo Vieira (Itatinga, Brazil) was unable to strike first for Texas, coming down in 4.18 seconds atop Copenhagen Wild Smile (Blake Sharp/Michael Floyd).
As the second began, Nashville earned a re-ride after Honky Tonk (Craig Moore/D&H Cattle/Buck Cattle) fouled himself during his out with Mason Moody (Letcher, South Dakota). Texas remained shut out in the bottom of the second when Brady Fielder (Clermont, Queensland) came down in a heartbreaking 7.34 seconds atop The Show (Young Cattle Co./S Bar 5, LLC).
Searching for their first points of the game, Nashville tasked Lucas Fideles Souza (Barnstable, Massachusetts) with Cold Creek (Carr Pro Rodeo), but he was unable to get past the powerful animal athlete, sent airborne in 2.34 seconds. The bottom of the third was crucial for Texas. Cody Jesus (Window Rock, Arizona) reached the whistle aboard Short Circuit (D&H Cattle/McWhorter) to give the Rattlers an 89.5-point lead.
Nashville was quick to respond. In the top of the fourth, Ednelio Almeida (Cacoal, Brazil) topped Top Shelf (P. Ro Ranch/OK Corralis/Gordon/D&H Cattle) for 83.25 points to propel his team within 6.25 points of tying the game. Before the Rattlers attempted their penultimate bull, Moody climbed aboard Nashville’s re-ride draw, Whatever (Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger/Ken Barnhart). Moody, however, was unable to deliver Nashville their second consecutive score when he was hurled to the dirt inside Dickies Arena in 2.26 seconds. In the bottom of the fourth, Brady Oleson (Blackfoot, Idaho) grew Texas’s lead to 94.5 points as he covered Pickle Moonshine (Shuler Bucking Bulls) with ease for 88.25 points.
The score put the pressure on Nashville closer, three-time PBR World Champion Silvano Alves (Pilar do Sul, Brazil), with the veteran needing to deliver a career-best 94.75-point score in his trip with Mr. Winston (Dakota Rodeo/Mark Baker/Clay Struve/Chad Berger) to keep the league’s reigning Champions’ hopes of a perfect weekend alive. While Alves reached the whistle, completing his flawless 3-for-3 weekend, he was awarded just 85.75 points, 8 points short of the needed total. With the win in hand, Texas turned to Braidy Randolph (Stephenville, Texas) to add to their margin of victory. Bursting from the chutes atop Dr. Campbell (Nancy Haverty/Clay Struve/Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger), Randolph remained in perfect time with the bull, matching him jump-for-jump en route to the 8, awarded 86.25 points.
When the dust settled, Texas won by 95 points, 264-169, after the high-octane game ended with three consecutive Rattler rides. The win improved the Rattlers to a perfect 3-0 at their second annual homestand, also now a perfect 6-0 inside Dickies Arena since the league’s inception in 2022, and 16-12 this season. They advanced to compete in Extra Outs alongside the Kansas City Outlaws to determine the event’s overall winner. Nashville concluded the regular season 2-1 in Fort Worth, with an 11-17 overall record.
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media