PUEBLO, Colo. – In his day-to-day life, 2018 World Champion Kaique Pacheco wears his gold buckle.

But when he’s riding bulls, he wears the buckle he earned for his first Unleash The Beast event win – the Bass Pro Chute Out in St. Louis in February 2015.

Back then, he was a 20-year-old phenom in his first year of living in the United States, about to go on a run and win Rookie of the Year.

Nine years later, Pacheco has infinitely more experience and wisdom but is also dealing with a body that doesn’t always cooperate anymore. Leading the world standings last May, he was forced to doctor out of the 2023 PBR World Finals due to a broken leg. He then had just one out for the Nashville Stampede in the 2023 PBR Camping World Team Series season as he struggled to heal.

Pacheco made his long-awaited return to action in December at the PBR Manchester, where he finished second, but he only made it seven events before the injury bug bit again.

He injured the shoulder of his riding arm in Houston, Texas, in January and was blanked the following weekend in Sacramento, California.

Then came another month on the sidelines.

“It’s really hard for everyone to get hurt and be out for a long time,” Pacheco said. “We all love this sport. Everything we want is to come back and do your job, ride your bulls, and do what we love.”

Pacheco spent his time on the shelf working out daily to rehab his shoulder. By the time last weekend’s Ariat PBR Indianapolis rolled around, he was ready to go.

“I feel good,” Pacheco said. “I don’t feel any pain anymore, and I get on some bulls at home.”

Pacheco’s weekend in Indianapolis wasn’t the ideal performance, but it was better than 0-for-2 looks on paper. In Round 1, he was called for a slap on Shivers at an agonizing 7.67 seconds. In Round 2, he rode Shazam for 79.25 points before accepting a re-ride, when he was bucked off by Whiplash.

“I felt good,” Pacheco said of his Round 1 efforts, “just my bull had a different trip than he usually does. I have to finish a little bit more.”

Currently ranked No. 25 in the Unleash The Beast World Championship standings, Pacheco has some work to do in the two months before the 2024 PBR World Finals on May 9-19 in Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas. This far down the standings is an unfamiliar spot for Pacheco, who, in addition to his world title, has finished No. 2 in the world four times and No. 3 once.

Despite the odds stacking up against him this season, another gold buckle is still the goal.

“Try to come back and make my job,” Pacheco said. “Come back to the running for the world title.”

Pacheco says he’s not even thinking about the standings or where he’d like to be by the time the World Finals are upon us.

“Just try to make my job again and be riding good,” he reiterated. “It’s hard to get hurt and try and come back again.”

Pacheco will look to right the ship and regain some momentum at this weekend’s PBR Milwaukee, presented by Cooper Tires, in Milwaukee on March 9-10. Pacheco will take on Badger in Round 1, which kicks off on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on RidePass on Pluto TV.

In eight events this season, Pacheco has one Top 5 finish and three Top 10s, and he’s 8-for-20 (40%).

But Pacheco has a decade of experience to rely on as he tries to turn things around, and all the injuries lately have given him another major advantage: additional motivation.

“It’s a new fire (in me),” Pacheco said. “Every time we want to come back more strong.”

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media