Arizona’s Keyshawn Whitehorse walks off Oklahoma Wildcatters to win Round 1 of PBR Pittsburgh in front of sell-out crowd
Ridge Riders defeat Oklahoma Wildcatters, 258-254.5, in fourth rivalry game of the Monster Energy Team Challenge, presented by Camping World.
By Andrew Hatfield
PITTSBURGH – In front of a sold-out PPG Paints Arena for the PBR’s (Professional Bull Riders) debut in the Steel City with the U.S. Border Patrol PBR Pittsburgh, presented by Ariat, Keyshawn Whitehorse (McCraken Spring, Utah) knocked down a clutch ride in the final out to win the opening round and secure a 258 – 254.5 victory for his Arizona Ridge Riders.
With Ridge Riders’ honorary coach and two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers Brett Keisel roaring encouragement from the chutes during the Monster Energy Team Challenge, presented by Camping World, the 2018 PBR Rookie of the Year rode Eyes On Me (Blake Sharp) for 89.75 points to not only walk off the Wildcatters but also secure his third round win of the season.
Whitehorse left PPG Paints Arena with 28 Unleash The Beast points, pushing him to No. 8 in the 2025 gold buckle race, 206.5 points behind No. 1 John Crimber (Decatur, Texas), who is out due to injury.
In addition, with their win in the Monster Energy Team Challenge showcase rivalry game, Arizona moved to 3-1 against their rival Oklahoma Wildcatters.
A three-way tie packed the second spot on the podium as Jose Vitor Leme (Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil), Dawson Branton (Jefferson, Oregon), and Guilherme Valleiras (Pirassununga, Brazil) matched each other in the opening round with 87.5-point rides.
Returning to competition after missing last weekend due to injury, Leme showed no rust, riding Mr. Koolie (Whitney/A Laxy J Rodeo Bulls/Cornwell Bucking Bulls).
Branton matched the two-time PBR World Champion by covering Bomb Diggity (Davis Rodeo Ranch), while Valleiras conquered Big Red Train (Blake Sharp) in Round 1.
All three riders netted 17 Unleash The Beast points, with Leme rising from No. 17 to No. 14 and Branton from No. 32 to No. 28. Valleiras held pat at No. 41 in the Unleash The Beast standings.
Rounding out the Top 5 was Clay Guiton (Cherryville, North Carolina).
Serving as the leadoff rider for the Oklahoma Wildcatters, Guiton topped Bad Intentions (K Bar C Bucking Bulls/TCB Ranch) for 87 points.
The North Carolina cowboy garnered 15 Unleash The Beast points, shooting him from No. 35 to No. 32 in the standings.
Also of note was Daylon Swearingen (Piffard, New York), Round 1’s leadoff rider, who recorded the first-ever PBR qualified ride in Pittsburgh, covering Baldy (Blake Sharp/UB Bucking Company/Huff Bulls) for 86.5 points.
With his historic ride, Swearingen earned 12.5 Unleash The Beast points, pushing him one spot up the standings from No. 27 to No. 26. He is currently tied for seventh in the event heading into championship Saturday.
The U.S. Border Patrol PBR Pittsburgh, presented by Ariat, continues tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 25, at 7:45 p.m. ET with Round 2 and the championship round.
Round 2 and the championship round in Pittsburgh are available LIVE and FREE on PBR’s X account (https://x.com/PBR), RidePass on Pluto TV, PBR’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@pbr), PBR’s mobile app (https://qrco.de/bdtdKp), and PBR’s app on connected TVs, including Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku and Google TV.
PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer re-airs and on-demand replays of PBR Unleash The Beast events and is available on desktops, laptops and mobile devices via www.pluto.tv.
