PORTLAND, Ore. – As the extraordinary animal athletes of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) showcased their remarkable agility Saturday night and only six cowboys recorded qualified rides, home-state rider Dawson Branton (Jefferson, Oregon) clinched the event win at the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour’s (PWVT) PBR Portland Classic.

Branton, one of only two men to successfully go 2-for-2 in Oregon, was paired with Gringo (Big Bend/ Flying Five) in Round 1 of the night, firing out of the chutes for an impressive 87 points.

The 22-year-old Oregonian was then able to confidently match Cherry Bomb’s (Julio Moreno Bucking Bulls) energy for 86.5 points in the championship round. Watching in anticipation as the last rider of the night bucked off, Branton’s announced win sent fans inside Moda Center into a celebratory roar.

For his perfect night, Branton heads home to Jefferson with 115.5 points and is now ranked No. 2 in the Velocity Global standings.

Brazilian cowboy Leonardo Castro Ferreira (Cassilandia, Brazil) was hot on Branton’s heels in Portland, capturing second place overall – a mere 6.5 points behind in the aggregate.

Ferreira was paired with Blacksmith (Wentz Bucking Bulls/ King Rodeo) in Round 1 for 79 points. The 19-year-old decided to keep the less-than-ideal score despite being offered a re-ride in an effort to ensure he punched his ticket into the championship round.

Setting his sights on the final round, he recorded an 88-point score for his ride aboard Don Juan (Legacy Pro Rodeo) to temporarily claim the lead until he was ousted by Branton.

Ferreira collected 84 Velocity Global points for his 2-for-2 effort and is now ranked No. 4.

Rookie Eric Novoa (Vacaville), at only the second event of his PBR career, bested his Round 1 opponent Tigger (Diamond Bar Cattle) for 87.5 points.

The 18-year-old then faltered as Angel’s Landing (Legacy Pro Rodeo) launched him to the ground after 3.68 seconds in the championship round.

Novoa is now ranked No. 6 in the standings after earning 64 Velocity Global points for his third-place finish.

Dalton Davis (Yakima, Washington) earned a qualified ride in Round 1 aboard Mr. T (NS Cattle Co) for an 88.5-point score. Despite an early departure from his bovine matchup Grey Eagle (Legacy Pro Rodeo) after just 4.9 seconds in the championship round, Davis secured a fourth-place finish.

The Washington cowboy earned 38.5 Velocity Global Points in Portland to climb to No. 9 in the standings.

Quincey McDonald (Ava, Missouri) held on strong to finish within the Top 5 at the PBR Portland Classic inside the home of the Trailblazers.

With a determined look, McDonald launched from the chutes in Round 1 aboard First String (Hawkins Bucking Bulls) for a resounding 85.5 points.

The championship round did not go as planned for the Missouri cowboy as Buckeye (Legacy Pro Rodeo) defeated him in a quick 1.31 seconds.

His efforts netted him 33 Velocity Global points and a spot inside the Top 15 at No. 12.

The talented bull riders of the PWVT will next head to Denver, Colorado, for a special weekday event at the Denver PBR Chute Out at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 8-10.

PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour (PWVT) – PBR Portland Classic Moda Center – Portland, Oregon Name, Round 1-Round 2-Event Aggregate-Event Points

• 1. Dawson Branton, 87-86.5-173.50-115.5 Points.

• 2. Leonardo Castro Ferreira, 79-88-167.00-84 Points.

• 3. Eric Novoa, 87.5-0-87.50-64 Points.

• 4. Dalton Davis, 87-0-87.00-38.5 Points.

• 5. Quincey McDonald, 85.5-0-85.50-33 Points.

• 6. Edgardo Figueroa, 81-0-81.00-27 Points.

• Dalton Rudman, 0-0-0.00

• Bill Henry, 0-0-0.00

• Trent Nugent, 0-0-0.00

• Joe Alejos, 0-0-0.00

• Kyle Eaton, 0-0-0.00

• Colt Robinson, 0-0-0.00

• Jace Catlin, 0-0-0.00

• Cole Trivette, 0-0-0.00

• Jesse Borland, 0-0-0.00

• Matt Hennelly, 0-0-0.00

• Douglas Franco, 0-0-0.00

• Caylan Biddy, 0-0-0.00

• Max Castro, 0-0-0.00

• Eli Necochea, 0-0-0.00

• Dalton Shepard, 0-0-0.00

• Bub Steele, 0-0-0.00

• Anthony Bonifer, 0-0-0.00

• Qynn Andersen, 0-0-0.00

• Luis Tinoco, 0-0-0.00

• Wyatt Moulton, 0-0-0.00

• Adilson Junior, 0-0-0.00

• Logan Jones, 0-0-0.00

• Chance Abrams, 0-0-0.00

• Trevor West, 0-0-0.00

• Trace Redd, 0-0-0.00

• Dally Sears, 0-0-0.00

• Beau Southern, 0-0-0.00