MILWAUKEE, Wis. – When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.

Exactly what the Unleash The Beast tour did on Saturday night in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as 10 of the most talented bull riders in the world were forced to miss the opening night of competition inside Fiserv Forum due to travel complications.

Citing some poor weather and drastically delayed flights, the premier series pack was a mere 27 on night one. Yet, after recording 17 (Indianapolis, Indiana) and 20 (Jacksonville, Florida) qualified rides during the tour’s past two opening rounds, respectively, the boys still knew they needed to put on a show for the passionate people of Wisconsin in Round 1.

And they did just that, despite less than 10 riders making the 8 during the opening night of the PBR Milwaukee Presented by Cooper Tires.

Since creating one of North America’s quickest growing professional sports leagues nearly three years ago (the PBR Camping World Team Series), PBR Commissioner, CEO Sean Gleason has dealt with plenty of curve balls over the past 36 months.

Add in some more excitement with Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo (set to take place inside AT&T Stadium May 17 as a unique addition to the 2024 World Finals: Unleash The Beast) and an insane amount of rookie talent coming in and stealing the show and it’s rather apparent this sport has endured an unthinkable number of innovative changes.

So, when the tour had to come up with a way to fairly distribute the outs while creating an opportunity to win some extra cash and spread the bull love around, it was much more of an entertaining exercise than a crisis-ridden fire drill.

Offering up the same amount of tiered cash as a traditional long round, six riders opted into the unique format. And to say they put on a show would be an understatement!

But on a Daylight Savings Time weekend where we’ve sprung forward, to be on time is but a rarity.

“Usually the first round is on Friday and we start about 7:45 p.m.,” Caden Bunch shared.

Given the circumstances, Saturday night’s 6:30 p.m. CST start was a bit odd compared to a typical schedule.

“But the start time, who’s here, doesn’t really matter to us. Just run em’ in there and we’ll take care of the rest.”

Clocks don’t bother cowboys, after all.

They’re merely searching for the 8, and the rest is just a bonus at this point.

“We go to so many different ones, hell, I don’t even know what time it is back home most of the time. I just go off of whatever time it is where I’m at,” Bunch joked.

“We want to put on a show every time. Whether there’s guys missing or not, you want to step up and do your job every time. But the 10 guys who aren’t here, they will get their chance tomorrow and we all have to get ready for that.”

Even the world's top-ranked rider in No. 1 Cassio Dias new the timing was a bit off Saturday.

But he also knew it was time to get back in the ride column. Ever apparent during his first successful shift in a few weeks.

While it was the Australian sensation Brady Fielder who ultimately produced the largest exclamation mark of the night, courtesy of his flashy 90-point dance with Mike’s Motive, rookie Clay Guiton continued to carve out a reputation for himself.

By doing what he does best, of course: Riding bulls.

Having successfully ridden at least one bull now in each of event he’s appeared in since going 0-for-2 during his UTB debut in Chicago two months ago, the kid is definitely settling in on the premier series.

But he also admitted things were a bit off Saturday.

“It doesn’t affect the prep, but it’s a different vibe back here today. There’s only 10 guys missing but it just seems empty back there. So, it does feel a little different,” Guiton shared.

“As far as preparation and doing our job, it’s the same deal. Try not to let it affect me, just focus on doing my part. That’s the only thing that matters, is me and whatever bull I got.”

Going the distance during his opening round showdown against Creek for 84.75 points, the Cherryville, North Carolina, native did his part in ensuring fans enjoyed themselves.

“People came here to see a good bull riding and that’s our job, to stay on,” he said.

“We get paid and they still get to see a good bull riding, so it still worked out for everybody.”

Extending said streak early on Saturday evening, the youngster continues to excel despite being just 18 years old. Thankfully, he’s got a good buddy in John Crimber who’s been there for each and every ride.

RELATED: Guiton and Crimber thriving as friends, competitors on the Unleash The Beast

A friend who’s been putting on quite the show of his own, which most recently included a Round 1 win, tying fellow rookie Caden Bunch for the honors.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Unfortunately, Guiton was involved in a wreck during his bonus round out and will miss the remainder of the competition.

While points weren’t distributed for the extra, six-ride round, there was still some cash up for grabs and an opportunity to impress. Plenty enough for the budding superstar to give it a go!

“I didn’t feel any pressure (to participate). It was just like another practice pen, really. Good bulls and I was just having fun,” Crimber detailed.

“I knew there were some really good bulls in there I stayed on my first one. I won the round, well me and Bunch tied, so I knew I was going to get a good pick.”

A performer in his own right, Crimber understands people paid their hard-earned money to be entertained on Saturday. And between the high-flying Australian going 90 and the sport’s next biggest cowboy doubling down with another sound ride, we think those boxes were checked after all.

And Crimber agreed.

“I feel bad. All of these people came out to watch the best 35 bull riders in the world, you know? We came out here to give them a show, and I think that’s what we did tonight in the extra round.”

With the 2022 World Champion in Daylon Swearingen kicking his campaign into another gear, now 4-for-7 in his last seven after surviving the 8 Saturday during his dance with Sneaky Situation, the race for the 2024 title continues to heat up!

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media