PUEBLO, Colo. – Covering his opening night matchup inside MVP Arena during the second out of the night, Kaiden Loud’s second conversion of the season couldn’t have come at a better time.

Entering the fifth event of the 2024 premier series campaign ranked No. 39 overall, Loud was one of several alternates who got the nod Friday night in Albany, New York.

With several of the tour’s Top 35-ranked riders either banged up or using one of their excused absences to extend the holiday break, riders like Ezekiel Mitchell (who just got engaged this week), Andrew Alvidrez and a few other fan favorites got the call despite technically being below the cut line.

Included in that group was Loud, who qualified for his rookie UTB campaign after posting a 4-for-12 record during his first summer working with Nashville Stampede coach Justin McBride.

Battling injury for parts of the season as he continued adjusting to the most talented bucking bovines in the business, he struggled from time to time. But when he’s healthy and has a good matchup, he’s been passing with flying colors.

Storming onto the 5-on-5 scene with a 90-point ride atop Boomerang to put on a show before his team’s hometown crowd at the second-ever Stampede Days, there’s definitely nothing “quiet” about the kids' performances when he meets the requisite 8.

With his three other ride scores from the summer series coming in October, he finished his first season sporting blue and yellow with a 3-for-5 window, including a pair of conversions at Ridge Rider Days (87.5, 88 points) and then a flashy 89.75-point strike aboard Ivy League during the 2023 PBR Camping World Teams Championship.

Big rides seem to be his thing, no doubt.

Coming into Albany with a 1-for-9 record, however, it’s been his consistency that’s ailed him so far this season.

That’s part of becoming a well-rounded professional, though.

Friday night, when he exited the dirt atop the leaderboard, Loud took another step in that direction.

More importantly for his qualification status, he brought home 21 UTB points for his round win, now ranked No. 26 overall after besting Boo Ray for 86.5 points.

Most importantly, for his confidence, it looked like he was loose and having fun out there again. Spending a night in the winner’s circle certainly won’t hurt his mood, either, right?

Sure, he tied Braidy Randolph and Austin Richardson with matching scores to split the victory, but the event-best-tying effort still helped the Kaufman, Texas, native secure his first-ever Unleash the Beast round win!

With Julio Cesar Marques and Wyatt Rogers (who took advantage of a re-ride opportunity) posting matching 86.25-point rides later in the night, Loud and company picked a good night to sneak by for the win as five gentlemen finished with .25 points of the round win.

After all, close margins and last-chance calls are the reason why he was competing in Albany in the first place!

Set to dance with Smooth Over It Saturday night in Round 2, he’ll look to stay hot and punch a ticket to what would be his first short round appearance of the year.

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media