Austin Richardson may be from Dallas, Texas, but he sure has been in the New York groove lately. Plus, the two-time reigning YETI World Champion Bull had his first outs of the year, Mason Taylor returned from injury, and more. Miss a moment of the action this weekend? Here’s what happened around the PBR.

On the Unleash The Beast…

Austin Richardson has been on a hell of a tear lately. Last weekend, he swept all three rounds of competition to take the event win in Albany, New York. This past weekend, he won his career-first PBR Major in New York City to overtake the world No. 1 ranking.

He doesn’t lead by much, though, as previous world No. 1 Cassio Dias won Round 2 (and the championship round!) to earn a whole bunch of points, keeping him just 20 points back of Richardson.

It was also a big weekend for the bovines, as two-time reigning YETI World Champion Bull Ridin Solo made his 2024 debut as he pursues a historic third world title.

After having just nine premier-series outs since last March, Mason Taylor returned from a groin injury with a whole new appreciation for bull riding.

Conner Halverson started his weekend with a bang, winning Round 1 and finishing fifth overall for the best premier series showing of his career.

The Texas Rattlers were on hand to receive their 2023 PBR Teams Championship buckles…

…while Cody Lambert and Chad Blankenship received the Coach and General Manager of the Year Awards, respectively.

Meanwhile, on the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour…

Clay Guiton won Round 1 of PBR Lexington…

…and proceeded to go 3-for-3 to notch the first win of his PBR career.

Feeling right at home, Oregonian Dawson Branton took the victory at the PBR Portland Classic.

In the Touring Pro Division…

Before heading to New York City, Felipe Furlan took on the Stockyards Showcase in Fort Worth, Texas, going 2-for-2 for the event win.

In the WCRA…

Barrel racer Stephanie Fryar won the Stampede at the E to remain in contention to be the second and final victor of the WCRA’s Triple Crown of Rodeo and its $1 million bonus.

Through the lens with BullStockMedia

Check out the best photos from New York City.

Looking ahead

What’s up next on the docket?

The Unleash The Beast continues with the Tractor Supply Co. PBR Chicago in Rosemont, Illinois, on Jan. 12-13 (Jan. 12 at 8:45 p.m. ET on RidePass on Pluto TV; Jan. 13 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS; Jan. 13 at 11 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network).

The Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour heads to Denver, Colorado, for the Denver PBR Chute Out at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 8-10 (each night at 9 p.m. ET on RidePass on Pluto TV); Charleston, West Virginia, for the PBR Charleston, brought to you by Oglebay Resort, on Jan. 12-13 (Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. ET on RidePass on Pluto TV); and Spokane, Washington, for the PBR Spokane on Jan. 13 (10 p.m. ET on RidePass on Pluto TV).

The Touring Pro Division rolls on with the PBR Stockyards Showcase in Fort Worth, Texas, on Jan. 11 (8:30 p.m. ET on RidePass on Pluto TV).

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media