PUEBLO, Colo. – With the second season of PBR Camping World Team Series action in the books and exciting plans for year three looming, it’s starting to feel like there isn’t much of an offseason in PBR.
Which is great for dedicated bull riding fans around the world, tour sponsors and venue partners throughout North America.
Year-round, top-tier events require the best bucking bulls in the world, another win for the talented stock contractors that care for the most talented animal athletes in the industry.
But as we see some of the world’s best talents sidelined year in and year out, it can be quite the taxing experience for riders and their bodies.
So, despite putting together a perfect 3-for-3 showcase in Tucson, Arizona, during the premier series tour’s 2024 season debut en route to producing a fifth-place finish, Cody Jesus opted into spending some time with family while regaining his health.
“Coming out of Las Vegas, I took a break before Tucson a little bit to heal up,” Jesus shared.
“Then after Tucson I was rodeoing a little bit and was a little bit sore, so I figured a whole month off would be good and I would be ready for the new season. I almost felt like I got the normal PBR break.”
Missing out on last weekend’s action in St. Louis, Jesus watched on from the comfort of his home. It’s not that he didn’t want to ride bulls. It’s that he wants to ride bulls for a long time still, and to be in good shape by the time the spring slate rolls around.
With a No. 7 overall finish during the 2022 UTB season, the endgame for guys like Jesus is 100% a world title, so it only makes sense that he wanted to get as close to the 100% mark as he could, with his eyes on the ultimate prize.
Seeing the Window Rock, Arizona, native struggle throughout the 2023 calendar year with a variety of injuries, he turned in a No. 56 rank at season’s end after missing World Finals for the first time since 2020. Unfortunately for Jesus, his health continued to plague him throughout his second season with the Texas Rattlers, limited to just a 5-for-10 record on the slate.
Instead of forcing it, he trusted the process. His process.
“I haven’t changed a whole lot. I’ve just been getting on practice bulls at home, so that kind of kept me prepped and tuned up,” he added.
“It just feels like the month off really let my groin heal and my body heal the way it should and I feel great now.”
Originally selected No. 7 overall by the Carolina Cowboys in the inaugural PBR Teams Draft, he was traded to the Texas Rattlers alongside Joao Ricardo Vieira as part of a blockbuster deal in exchange for Daylon Swearingen and Mason Taylor.
In a competitive league, top to bottom, like the PBR Camping World Team Series, each of those eight owners want the glory and the associated prizes with winning it all inside T-Mobile Arena.
In chasing the largest gold buckle in the world, several front offices have executed big moves in either strengthening their squads or relinquishing underperforming talent at the time for a better shot to win now.
Some may say Jesus fit the bill to be shopped at a certain point, just 17-for-39 over the course of two seasons, despite being regarded as an organizational talent.
Availability is the best ability after all …
But it’s flashes like his electric conversion aboard Watch Out Friday night that remind Cody Lambert and company exactly why they went, and stayed, all-in on their cowboy.
Not only did the ride earn him a Round 1 win, but it represented the highest mark of the 2024 Unleash The Beast season thus far.
“It feels great to get the win tonight. My buddy Chad Drury, we’ve been talking and he owns that bull, so it felt great to ride a friend’s bull and win the round on him.”
Extending his perfect start to the season, now 4-for-4, yet just getting started inside 1st Summit Arena.
“I’m just going to keep having fun and whatever I draw is what I have to ride,” Jesus concluded.
“Have to keep it that way.”
Jesus is slated to dance with Black As Coal during the final out of Saturday’s Round 2.
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media
