FORT WORTH, Texas – Just one day before taking to the dirt at the Michelob ULTRA PBR Houston, the Texas Rattlers announced Brady Oleson as their new assistant coach.

Oleson, who retired five months ago due to neck fusion surgery, was a member of the squad that won the 2023 PBR Camping World Team Series Championship.

Now, his role is a little different. He was on the back of the chutes in Houston in a leadership position during the Monster Energy Team Challenge, presented by Camping World.

“I hope to contribute to the example that they’ve been to me, giving back to me when I was hurt,” Oleson told Kate Harrison. “Now it’s my turn to kind of bring back to them just that same friendship from a coach’s standpoint this time.”

When asked if he was to credit for his team’s performance to cap off Round 1, Oleson chuckled.

“No. I haven’t rode any bulls tonight, so it’s not me,” he said.

Oleson may not have been riding bulls, but something was working for the Rattlers. They downed the 2024 PBR Teams Champion Austin Gamblers, 350.25-172.25, in the first installment of the Texas Cup in 2025.

The Monster Energy Team Challenge, presented by Camping World, is the latest addition to the Unleash The Beast schedule, bringing a taste of Teams into the individual season we all know and love.

All but two regular-season UTB events in 2025 will feature a PBR Teams rivalry game baked into Round 1. For those 15 weekends, the final 12 outs of the opening round will be a 6-on-6 game, with all outs counting both towards the UTB event and the game results.

The Rattlers will take on the Gamblers two more times during the UTB season, which could be good news for the boys in snakeskin: they’re 8-6 all-time against their in-state rival.

“It’s really an opportunity just to get back together,” Rattlers head coach Cody Lambert told Harrison. “And almost to practice what we’re going to do during the regular Teams season, but at the same time, it really has a lot of meaning to it. Brady Fielder right here is riding for a World Championship and a million dollars. Everything about riding great helps the rest of the team. It helps all the other guys that are riding with him because of the example that he is, because of the way he approaches it with a love for the game.”

Indeed, Fielder led off for the Rattlers with 88.25 points on Lap Dancer. The 2024 Great 8 award winner for his 70% riding percentage last season, Fielder is ranked No. 3 in the UTB standings.

“That was a really good ride,” Lambert said. “That bull was tough. Fielder is always in the right spot, and he makes them look like they’re bucking right under him.”

The Rattlers next got a score from Daniel Keeping, who rode Whiskey Business for 87.25 points. Callum Miller converted on re-ride bull Tijuana Two-Step for 87.75 points against his former squad, and Braidy Randolph put the game out of reach with 87 points on Down Payment.

“It’s just good getting on good bulls again and being here at this level,” Miller told Harrison after the win. “It gives you an opportunity to rise to the top, and you’ve got to capitalize on it.”

The Gamblers could not follow their 2024 Teams Championship with a victory but got on the board thanks to 2018 World Champion Kaique Pacheco (84.5 points on Feeds Red River) and Lucas Divino (87.75 points on Mike’s Motive).

The Gamblers were missing their MVP, two-time World Champion Jose Vitor Leme, who was sidelined with a rib injury. However, Leme followed the action from home, joining the live chat on the PBR’s YouTube channel and commenting that Divino’s ride should’ve been 90 points.

Unfortunately for Austin, a 90-point ride – and even an additional ride from Leme – wouldn’t have been enough to put them over the top. They shockingly didn’t get contributions from new additions Sage Steele Kimzey and Dener Barbosa, though plenty of opportunities remain for the Gamblers to regain bragging rights. The two squads will next face off at the PBR Albuquerque Ty Murray Invitational on March 28.

For now, though, the Texas Rattlers hold the title of best team in Texas, and their coaches couldn’t be prouder.

“They’re riding for a living, and that’s what they do, and I’m really proud of the way they’re professionals, and they love their job, and they love the hard stuff,” Lambert said.

When put on the spot for his thoughts, Oleson kept it short and sweet.

“I think the riding of these guys speaks for itself.”

While the team bull riding is done for the weekend, don’t miss Round 2 and the championship round from Houston on Jan. 18. Action begins at 9 p.m. ET on X, YouTube, RidePass, and the PBR app.

Photo courtesy of Todd Brewer/Bull Stock Media