Reigning PBR World Champion Earns Third Built Ford Tough Series Title of 2006
Lee Surpasses $2 Million in PBR Career Earnings
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (October 14, 2006) - 2005 Professional Bull Riders’ (PBR) World Champion Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) earned his second consecutive Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler event title of 2006 in high style. McBride topped Frontier and Teague Bucking Bulls’ 2005 PBR World Champion Bull, Big Bucks, for 93 points to capture the Rocky Boots Invitational title. The bull was previously unridden in 26 prior career BFTS outs. Nationwide Arena hosted the final regular season PBR event on Oct. 13-14. Next stop for the 45 top ranked bull riders in the world is the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals presented by Wrangler in Las Vegas, Nev., Oct. 27 – Nov. 5.
The Rocky Boots Invitational airs on VERSUS (formerly OLN) on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 8 p.m., Eastern. Please visit http://www.pbrnow.com/media/tv/ for the complete broadcast schedule.
McBride’s third tour title of 2006 helped him move from sixth to fifth place in the current PBR World Standings. He trails top ranked Guilherme Marchi (Leme, Sao Paulo, Brazil) by 2,902.25 points. Marchi leads the world standings by 1,679.5 series points over current runner-up Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.). 1,842 points separate Marchi from third place contender Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas). With 6,500 points on the line during the World Finals, each man is a serious threat for the world title, not to mention Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil) in fourth.
Understandably thrilled with the win, McBride said, “I drew Big Bucks twice last season and didn’t feel like I even warmed him up either time, so this is very exciting. There’s a reason that he earned the title of world champion bull last year and why he’s one of the top contenders this year. He kicks so hard and is so powerful. I’m excited that guys like Tom Teague and Jerry Nelson bring such great athletes to the PBR and that the bull business is exploding like it is.”
McBride entered the Built Ford Tough Championship round in second place, trailing Lee by three quarters of one point. Brian Canter (Randleman, N.C.) took command with 260.5 cumulative points following an outstanding 91.75 point effort against Page and Teague Bucking Bulls’ Here’s Your Sign. Canter ultimately settled for reserve honors after McBride’s electrifying match up against Big Bucks, which yielded an aggregate score of 268.25 points. The ride aboard Big Bucks was McBride’s 50th score of 90 points or better during his career to date.
After two consecutive event wins, McBride, 27, is riding a serious wave of momentum into the PBR World Finals. Just two weeks ago he became the second man in PBR history to shatter the $3 million milestone in career earnings. He is the second highest ranked money earning bull rider of all time behind two time PBR World Champion Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.), and boasts $3,057,754 in PBR earnings.
2004 PBR World Champion Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) split fourth and fifth overall. He topped the preliminary go round and subsequently tamed Boyd, Floyd, and Paradise Farms’ Big Show to earn $15,000 in the Mossy Oak Shootout. His weekend earnings put him well over the $2 million mark in PBR earnings with $2,017,026.
Of the milestone and the chance at a second world title, Lee said, “I feel very thankful to cross the earnings hurdle and blessed to have done well in Columbus. I’m excited to get to the World Finals and put my heart into riding well there.”
For more information on The Rocky Boots Invitational or the PBR, please contact 719.471.3008 or visit www.pbrnow.com.
BEHIND THE CHUTES:
Mossy Oak Shoot Out: As the first round winner Lee was eligible to compete for a $15,000 bonus in the Mossy Oak Shoot Out. Lee competed in the Mossy Oak Shoot Out held at the conclusion of the first round and successfully rode Boyd, Floyd, and Paradise Farms’ Big Show to earn the $15,000.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car's "Ride with the Best" Match-up Bonus: As the winner of the Reading, Pa. BFTS event, Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) was eligible for the Enterprise Rent-A-Car "Ride with the Best" bonus money in Columbus. On Friday night, McBride was successful in his attempt against Frontier & Teague Bucking Bulls’ Shock the Monkey and was awarded the $5,000. On Saturday night McBride was successful against Frontier Rodeo Company’s Crooked Tooth and was again awarded the $5,000.
Ford Truck Moment of Truth Bonus: Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) led the event going into the Built Ford Tough Championship Round but did not ultimately earn the overall event title. Consequently, he did not claim the $15,000 Ford Truck Moment of Truth Bonus. When the Built Ford Tough Moment of Truth Bonus is claimed the purse returns to $5,000.
Bud Light Short-Go Top Qualifier Award Program: Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) was awarded the Bud Light Short-Go Top Qualifier Award of $2,500 since he was the highest advancing rider to qualify for the Built Ford Tough Championship Round.
Ford Super Duty Challenge: As the event winner, Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) is qualified for a chance to compete at the World Finals, against all other 2006 Built Ford Tough Series event winners, for a 2006 Ford Super Duty Truck. The Ford Super Duty Challenge contestant who finishes the highest in the event aggregate during the 2006 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals will win a brand new Super Duty Truck courtesy of Ford.
Salem National Lease Bull of the Event: Frontier, Teague and Ron White’s Scene of the Crash took top bull honors of the event and as a part of Salem National Lease's exciting bonus program the bull earned $1,250. The program awards $1,250 to the top bull of the event as determined by the PBR judges.
Cabela's World's Foremost Ride: Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) overtook Travis Briscoe (Edgewood, N.M.) in Phoenix for the lead in the race for the $25,000 Cabela's World's Foremost Ride bonus. The bonus will be awarded to the rider who earns the highest score during the 2006 Built Ford Tough Series season. Shivers posted a 93.75 point score in Phoenix during final round action aboard Taylor Made Bucking Bulls' infamous Smokeless Wardance.
Injury Report:
Brian Herman (Victoria, Texas) – Diagnosed by the Sportsmedicine staff with a broken neck. Surgery scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 17. The initial injury occurred at a bull riding event prior to Columbus, Ohio. Herman will be out for at least three months and additional details will be released as they become available.
Rocky Boots Invitational Results:
FIRST ROUND: 1) Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) 89.25 points on Page & Teague Bucking Bulls’ Rattler, $2,730; 2) J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.) 87 points on Chad Berger/Winston Loe’s Gold Bell Wine, $1,950; 3) Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) 86 points on Frontier & Teague Bucking Bulls’ Shock the Monkey, $1,170; 4) Brian Canter (Randleman, N.C.) 85 points on Frontier Rodeo Company’s Freedom, $780;
SECOND ROUND: 1) Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) 89.25 points on Frontier Rodeo Company’s Crooked Tooth, $2,730; 2) Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.) 89 points on Page & Teague Bucking Bulls’ Wild One, $1,950; 3) Mike White (De Kalb, Texas) 88 points on Chad Berger/Clay Struvic’s Kamo Kat, $1,170; 4/5) Dustin Hall (Springfield, Mo.) 87.5 points on Powder River Rodeo Company’s Snakebite, $624; 4/5) Paulo Crimber (Olimpia, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 87.5 points on Chad Berger/Larry Ryken’s Rockin Robin, $624;
BUILT FORD TOUGH CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND: 1) Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) 93 points on Frontier & Teague Bucking Bulls’ Big Bucks, $2,730; 2) Brian Canter (Randleman, N.C.) 91.75 points on Page & Teague Bucking Bulls’ Here’s Your Sign, $1,950; 3) Mike White (De Kalb, Texas) 90.75 points on Boyd/Floyd/Paradise Farms’ Hot Licks, $1,170; 4) J.B. Mauney (Moorseville, N.C.) 89 points on Cordell & Loudamy’s Uncle Charlie, $780;
OVERALL EVENT STANDINGS: 1) Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) 268.25 points, $43,423; 2) Brian Canter (Randleman, N.C.) 260.5 points, $16,023; 3) Paulo Crimber (Olimpia, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 175 points, $15,184; 3) Mike White (De Kalb, Texas) 178.75 points, $11,133; 4/5) J.B. Mauney (Moorseville, N.C.) 176 points, $7,898; 4/5) Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) 176 points, $25,417;
BUILT FORD TOUGH SERIES POINT STANDINGS: 1) Guilherme Marchi (Leme, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 9,977 points; 2) Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.) 8,297.5 points; 3) Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) 8,135 points; 4) Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 7,102.25 points; 5) Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) 7,074.75 points; 6) Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) 6,890.5 points; 7) Brian Canter (Randleman, N.C.) 6,815.25 points; 8) Wiley Petersen (Fort Hall, Idaho) 6,350.25; 9) Jody Newberry (Ada, Okla.) 5,981.5 points; 10) Ross Coleman (Molalla, Ore.) 5,610.5.
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