Australia, PBR Brazil, PBR Canada, and PBR Mexico at the upcoming Built Ford Tough World Finals presented by Wrangler, which take place Oct. 27 through Nov. 5, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nev. For the first time in PBR history, top bull riders from PBR affiliate organizations have earned a trip to the Built Ford Tough World Finals without competing almost exclusively in the United States. One contender from each of the PBR's international tours is entitled to compete during the first weekend of PBR World Finals action, taking place at Mandalay Bay Events Center, Oct. 27-29. Should that contestant earn enough money to rank among the top 45 in the PBR Qualifier Standings upon conclusion of the first three go rounds, he will also be eligible to compete in the fourth through seventh performances, Nov. 2-5 at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The qualifiers are Heath Shrimp riding for PBR Australia, Ademir Candido da Silva from PBR Brazil, Scott Schiffner riding for PBR Canada, and Mario Galindo representing PBR Mexico.
Shrimp, 27, hails from Leyburn, Queensland in Australia. He edged Tim Wilson (Orange, New South Wales) for the lead in PBR Australia's standings during the final weekend of the season. Shrimp is a five-time qualifier to the Australian bull riding finals, but is making his first trip to the PBR World Finals.
Ademir Candido da Silva, 33, will represent PBR Brazil. His 2006 PBR earnings total $16,069 and his hometown is Terra Boa, Paraná, Brazil. Ademir began riding professionally in 1995 and is very proud to represent his country and the PBR Brazil tour at the PBR World Finals. When he is not riding bulls he enjoys riding horses on his ranch, which he purchased with bull riding earnings.
Scott Schiffner from Strathmore, Alberta took top honors in PBR Canada's year end standings with $36,667 in season earnings. Schiffner, 26, earned the 2006 Prince Albert PBR Rocky Cup Championship, and is a former Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) and Canadian Pro Rodeo Association (CPRA) Champion (2001). He also earned the $50,000 bonus during the 2001 Calgary Stampede and represented Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Mario Galindo will ride on behalf of PBR Mexico. Galindo calls Saltillo, Mexico home. He is 29 and earned $5,436 in international PBR career earnings to earn his way to the World Finals.
About PBR:
More than 100 million viewers tune in each year to the PBR on FOX, NBC, VERSUS and on a host of foreign networks across the globe. With approximately 500 hours of prime time programming annually PBR ranks among the most prolific sports on air, in addition to attracting over one and one half million live event attendees each year with its multi-tiered event structure which includes the marquee Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler, the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Challenger Tour, the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Tour, and the Discovery Tour, designed specifically for entry level contestants. The PBR's governing board of directors is comprised of renowned bull riders who have developed the event into a stand alone sport which is experiencing unprecedented growth in global popularity. The PBR is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., and has over 1,200 PBR bull riders compete in more than 300 PBR sanctioned competitions in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico.
For additional information on the Professional Bull Riders, Inc., please visit www.pbrnow.com or call 719.471.3008.
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