PUEBLO, Colo. — For a man named Kaiden Loud, he’s quite the humble kid.

Part of said approach could involve the idea that he’s merely 18 years old.

Or that he’s now just five events into his first Unleash The Beast campaign.

A bit quiet in the locker room and reserved in the chutes overall, it’s not a surprise that the rookie talent is soaking up as much as he can while continuing to situate himself within the premier series.

It is the biggest bull riding tour in the world after all …

Hanging out with and learning from the likes of Silvano Alves, Kaique Pacheco, Justin McBride and company during his first summer with the Nashville Stampede, he’s been able to pick up some things here and there while letting the legends set the pace.

“I learned a lot from Justin and Silvano,” Loud shared earlier this week

“I got on a lot of practice bulls with them and they helped me fix a few things. They taught me some more things to help me sharpen up my riding.”

Regardless of the setting, listening to and respecting our elders will always be a pillar in life.

Especially in the Western world.

But in the same fashion, one of the most important times in a cowboy’s life is when he starts writing his own journey. Last weekend’s runner-up finish may have been that moment for Loud.

Taking what he’s learned and applying it to his time on the dirt, the youngster is now writing the story, not listening to tall tales.

And last weekend in Albany, New York, he let his riding do the talking.

“It went pretty well and I feel really good about it,” Loud said.

“It makes me want to try even harder and win more and it gives me a boost, definitely.”

Representing the best finish of his budding career, Loud turned in his first 3-for-3 showcase, which included conversions dancing with Boo Ray (86.5 points), Smooth Over It (85.75 points) and Red Scorpion (86.5 points). Securing his first round win during the opening go, albeit tying with Austin Richardson and Braidy Randolph, he went on to record his first short round conversion to date, which was also his first championship round appearance on the season.

While a pair of fortunate matchups in Round 1 and 2 helped the Kaufman, Texas, turn things around, he admitted the most talented bucking bulls in the world have been staying true to their end of the deal.

Ranked No. 39 overall prior to Albany, he was very much on the bubble and in need of some conversions last weekend. After showing some top-tier flashes during the 5-on-5 series, Loud knew he had what it takes to get the job done, so it was simply a matter of time.

“It was a little harder than expected. I started out pretty rough there, didn’t cover too many,” Loud said.

“It was time to ride some bulls either way.”

Admitting the smooth sailing portion of the journey is much more fun after enduring a few bumps in the road, he isn’t looking too far down the highway. He’s enjoying the ride itself.

“I’m focused on the right now,” Loud shared last month in St. Louis, Missouri.

“But I do want to win Rookie of the Year and try to win the World Championship.”

Boiling down the formula as to how he looks past the bright lights of New York City and remains locked in during his first trip to MSG?

“It won’t add any nerves, but it is my first time competing there,” Loud concluded.

“Just cover every bull I get on. I’ll be having fun as long as I’m getting the scores and doing the thing.”

Competing at his first PBR Major this weekend, Loud brings his No. 9 rank back into the Empire State as the young talent looks to roll his success from Albany into a second-straight productive showing in the Northeast.

With the 2024 Unleash The Beast season set to continue in New York City, New York, Friday, Jan. 5, let’s take a look at who’s drawing into the lineup during this weekend’s PBR Monster Energy Buck Off At The Garden, presented by Ariat:

ROUND 1 MATCHUPS

• Dawson Gleaves vs. Rockville

• Vitor Losnake vs. UTZ BesTex Legend

• Conner Halverson vs. UTZ BesTex Smokestack

• Flavio Zivieri vs. Tulsa Time

• Daylon Swearingen vs. Dirty Sancho

• Ednei Caminhas vs. Bandito Bug

• *Keyshawn Whitehorse vs. Centerfold

• Luciano De Castro vs. Yellowknife

• Koltin Hevalow vs. Buffalo Chip

• *Mauricio Gulla Moreira vs. Kodiac

• *Rafael dos Santos vs. Whiplash

• Andrew Alvidrez vs. Cy Young

• *Brady Oleson vs. Mike’s Motive

• Braidy Randolph vs. Flatliner

• Eli Vastbinder vs. Gangster Blues

• Mason Taylor vs. Salty Brindle

• Dalton Kasel vs. The Undertaker

• Paulo Eduardo Rossetto vs. Mr. Excavator

• *Ednelio Almeida vs. Sky’s The Limit

• Joao Lucas Campos vs. Ivy League

• Guilherme Valleiras vs. Punchy Pete

• Lucas Divino vs. Red Scorpion Wingson

• Henrique da Silva vs. Whiskey Trip

• John Crimber vs. Knucklehead

• Jake Morinec vs. Sly

• Boudreaux Campbell vs. Magic Potion

• *Alex Cerqueira vs. Preachers Kid

• *Silvano Alves vs. Problem Child

• Bob Mitchell vs. Black Squirrel

• Briggs Madsen vs. Pneu-Dart’s Rocky Malcoma

• Felipe Furlan vs. Ridin’ Salty

• Jesse Petri vs. Cliff Hanger

• Chanse Switzer vs. Ridin’ Solo

• *Joao Ricardo Vieira vs. Pearl Snapped

• Wyatt Rogers vs. Mahan

• *Kaique Pacheco vs. Exodus

• *Kaiden Loud vs. Copenhagen Wild Smile

• Julio Cesar Marques vs. Lapua

• Caden Bunch vs. Dana White’s Twisted Steel

• Brady Fielder vs. Cutthroat

• *Eduardo Aparecido vs. Smooth Over It

• Cody Jesus vs. Moon Juice

• Sage Steele Kimzey vs. Shew Bubby

• Alan de Souza vs. Hoka Hey

• Austin Richardson vs. Moonlight Party

• Cassio Dias vs. Red Mosquito

* denotes a rematch

OUT BECAUSE OF INJURY/OTHER

• Jose Vitor Leme

• Jess Lockwood

• Nick Tetz

• John Crimber

• Dakota Buttar

• Dener Barbosa

• Chase Outlaw

• Marcus Mast

• Derek Kolbaba

• Colten Fritzlan

• Tate Pollmeier

ROUND 1 REMATCHES Alex Cerqueira vs. Preachers Kid (5.4 seconds in Nashville, Tennessee) Brady Oleson vs. Mike’s Motive (3.05 seconds in Greensboro, North Carolina) Ednelio Almeida vs. Sky’s The Limit (3.27 seconds in Nashville, Tennessee) Eduardo Aparecido vs. Smooth Over It (2.3 seconds in Tucson, Arizona) Joao Ricardo Vieira vs. Pearl Snapped (2.11 seconds in Manchester, New Hampshire; 3.29 seconds in St. Louis, Missouri) Kaiden Loud vs. Copenhagen Wild Smile (2.3 seconds in Johnstown, Pennsylvania) Kaique Pacheco vs. Exodus (2.08 seconds in Sioux Falls, South Dakota) Keyshawn Whitehorse vs. Centerfold (1.91 seconds in Ridgedale, Missouri; 3.3 seconds in Tacoma, Washington) Mauricio Gulla Moreira vs. Kodiac (5.41 seconds in Manchester, New Hampshire) Rafael dos Santos vs. Whiplash (4.18 seconds in Greensboro, North Carolina) Silvano Alves vs. Problem Child (4.6 seconds in Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

CASSIO DIAS BRINGS 73-POINT LEAD INTO NEW YORK CITY Largely speaking to just how dominant the young Brazilian was throughout the first three events of the season, No. 1 Cassio Dias is set to bring a 73-point lead into New York City despite sporting a 1-for-5 effort during his last two appearances. Converting in the first round during the PBR Albany inside MVP Arena, Dias was able to get on the board courtesy of a quality 85.75-point dance with Nighttime Crime. But after suffering a nearly buzzer-beating (7.99-second) attempt in Round 2, dispatched by Black Squirrel in heartbreaking fashion, and less than ideal out in the short round, sent to the dirt courtesy of Charmer, he took home just 14.5 UTB points for his 11th-place finish. With No. 2 Austin Richardson sweeping all three rounds of competition in Albany, Dias’ opening night showdown with Red Mosquito will be quite the important out, scheduled to be the last of 46 attempts Friday night inside Madison Square Garden.

NO. 3 ALAN DE SOUZA, NO. 4 CODY JESUS, NO. 8 SAGE KIMZEY RETURN TO ACTION Missing events in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and Manchester, New Hampshire, earlier this season, as the veteran opted into NFR competition, Sage Steele Kimzey had a chance to compete last weekend in Albany, New York. Dealing with some sickness, he eventually decided to rest up and make sure he was ready for the 2024 calendar year. Entering Friday night’s opening round ranked No. 8 overall (despite competing in just two of five events), the seven-time PRCA World Champion is poised to resume his spicy start to the season during a round 1 showdown against Shew Bubby. Kimzey is far from the only big name returning to action though, as a pair of fellow Top 10-ranked riders in No. 3 Alan de Souza and No. 4 Cody Jesus are expected to be competing within Madison Square Garden. Having participated in just three of five events so far, 30-year-old Souza has only turned in Top 10 performances thus far, now 9-for-10 on the year courtesy of second, third and sixth-place finishes this season. Last competing in Manchester, the Brazilian native returned home for the holiday season, missing the Albany PBR, but the weekend off isn’t much of a concern for one of the industry’s hottest and most consistent riders. In similar fashion, Jesus has only competed in three of five contests so far, albeit finding success in both Tucson, Arizona (fifth place) and Johnstown (second place). Jesus is set to dance with Moon Juice during Round 1, while Souza will go head-to-head with Hoka Hey.

FOLLOW ALONG The three-day, four-round showcase inside New York City’s Madison Square Garden is set to begin Friday, Jan. 5 at 7:45 p.m. EST with Round 1 airing live via RidePass on Pluto TV beginning at 7:30 p.m. EST. Round 2’s slate will begin at 6:45 p.m. EST, with coverage airing live via RidePass on Pluto TV starting at 6:30 p.m. EST. The third round and Championship go are slated to begin Sunday, Jan. 7 at 1:45 p.m. EST.

CBS Sports Network will broadcast all of the action from the final day of PBR Monster Energy Buck Off at the Garden, presented by Ariat, including Round 3 and the championship round, on Sunday, January 7, at 8 p.m. EST

Fans can stay tuned to PBR.com and PBR social media channels throughout the weekend for the latest scores, wrecks, injury updates and beyond as Unleash The Beast prepares to invade New York City during the sixth event of the 2024 season!

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media