Sell Out Crowd Treated to Thrilling PBR Action During the Laughlin Invitational
Repeat Rewards and Big Bonus Bucks during the Laughlin Invitational
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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (September 19, 2004) - LAUGHLIN , Nev. (September 18, 2004) – Rookie sensation Zack Brown (Chino Hills, Calif.) is quickly establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with by the elite 45 bull riders in the world currently competing on the Professional Bull Riders' (PBR) Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) presented by Wrangler. Stop number 25 on the BFTS concluded on Saturday, September 18th from Laughlin after two nights of intense action. Brown dominated Mike Solomon's bull Repeat during the Built Ford Tough championship round, an ironic scenario summed up by Brown who stated, "the bull Repeat let me repeat." Of his trip aboard Repeat in the final dramatic moments of the Laughlin Invitational, Brown explained, "the bull had real good timing, which is what I needed. Greg Potter had him in the finals last weekend in Reno, so I knew a little bit about him. Most bulls have a pattern, but I try not to count on it too much."
One thing PBR fans can count on is seeing more of Zack Brown's face in the PBR spotlight. With $97,307 in PBR dollars in the bank to date in 2004, $37,880 of which he earned in Laughlin, Brown has a lock on ninth place in the current Built Ford Tough World Finals Qualifier standings and leads the PBR Rookie of the Year standings by a commanding $46,903 margin. While Brown failed to place in the money during either of the two preliminary go rounds in Laughlin, his consistency paid off when a cumulative score of 170.5 on two bulls placed him in the third position as the Built Ford Tough championship go round got underway. A blistering 89 point score in the finals sealed the deal for Brown, whose 259.5 total on three head cinched the Laughlin Invitational title by a four point margin over runner-up Mark Ward (North Platte, Neb.). Brown, who was the third from the final man on the short go roster to compete, waited anxiously while Mike White (Dekalb, Texas) unsuccessfully challenged Butler & El Charro's bull Lightning. The next and last man to go was event leader Sean Willingham who failed in his attempt to tame the infamous bucking bull Reindeer Dippin', owned by Flying U Rodeo Company. Two-time PBR World Champion Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira Pualista, Sao Paulo Brazil) qualified for the championship round to finish fifth with an aggregate score of 172 points, while Mike Lee (Paradise, Texas) was noticeably absent from among the final fifteen. Lee currently trails PBR powerhouse and current world standings leader, Moraes by 1,769 points. With two regular season events remaining before the PBR World Finals hit Las Vegas on October 22nd through 31st, BFTS points are an increasingly coveted item among the top bull riders in the world as they fun for a million dollar world championship.
As selected by the event judges, the top bull honors were awarded to Munson Cattle Company's bull Panda and the bull Lightning, owned in partnership by Butler and El Charro. The two bulls shared the elite top bull honors this week.
PBR commentary during the Outdoor Life Network's (OLN) broadcast of the Laughlin Invitational is brought to fans by the capable team of Leah Garcia, Brett Haber, Ty Murray, and Justin McKee. Over 100 million viewers tune in each year to the PBR on NBC, OLN and in Spanish on Telemundo. With over 450 hours of prime time programming annually PBR ranks among the most prolific sports on air, in addition to attracting over one million live event attendees each year with its multi-tiered event structure. The PBR's founding members and governing board of directors is comprised of celebrated bull riders of the past and present who have developed bull riding into a stand alone sport which is experiencing unprecedented growth in global popularity. The PBR is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., and has over 600 athletes competing in more than 100 PBR sanctioned competitions.
For more information please contact Bonnie Wheatley, PR Department at 719.471.3008, ext. 3134 or visit www.pbrnow.com.
BEHIND THE CHUTES:
Mossy Oak Shoot Out: The prestigious Mossy Oak Shoot Out was claimed when Aussie sensation Brendon Clark earned a chance to compete in the Mossy Oak Shoot Out after winning the preliminary go round. Clark then conquered Curtis Mendell's bull Tombstone to earn $40,000 in bonus money sponsored by Mossy Oak Brand Camo during the Laughlin Invitational. When the bonus is claimed, the purse returns to $5,000, which will be the case for next weekend's Grand Rapids event.
Enterprise Ride with the Best Bonus: As the PBR Reno event champion, Zack Brown (Chino Hills, Calif.) was eligible for the "Enterprise Ride with the Best" $5,000 go round bonuses. Brown earned a total of $10,000 after successful attempts in both go rounds of competition.
As the Laughlin Invitational event champion, Zack Brown is eligible for the "Enterprise Ride with the Best" bonus at the Grand Rapids Invitational. If Brown successfully covers either of his preliminary go round bulls, he will earn an additional $5,000 per ride sponsored by Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Ford Truck Moment of Truth Bonus: Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.) led the event going into the Built Ford Tough Championship Round, however did not successfully capture the over-all event championship and consequently the substantial Ford Truck Moment of Truth bonus grows to $20,000.
Bud Light Short Go Top Qualifiers Bonus: Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.) received the Bud Light Short Go top qualifier award since he advanced to the Built Ford Tough Championship Round in the top spot and participates in the program by wearing the Bud Light patch.
INJURY REPORT:
Tony Mendes (Asher, Okla.) – Broken bone in hand, competing.
Allan Moraes (Sao Paulo, Brazil) – Tore postier cruciate ligament (PCL) in right knee and will be out for approximately four weeks.
Mark Ward (North Platte, Neb.) – Dislocated right shoulder, questionable for Grand Rapids.
The Laughlin Invitational Event Results:
FIRST ROUND: 1) Brendon Clark (Morpeth, New South Wales, Australia) 90 points on Rice Ranch's Mr. Harrison, $2,730; 2) Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.) 89.5 points on Butler/El Charro's Lightning, $1,950; 3) Mike White (Dekalb, Texas) 87 points on Mike Solomon's Night Train, $1,170; 4/8) Rob Bell (Water Valley, Alberta, Canada) 85.5 points on Honeycutt & Sons' Mr. Biscuits, $390; 4/8) Brent Vincent (Sulphur, La.) 85.5 points on Gene Owen Bucking Bulls' Cold Cash, $390; 4/8) Bart Jackson (Greenwood, Miss.) 85.5 points on Munson/Davis's Jumpin' Jack Flash, $390; 4/8) Paulo Crimber (Olimpia, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 85.5 points on Bo Davis Bucking Bulls' Red Baron, $390; 4/8) Guilherme Marchi (Jacarei, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 85.5 points on Ron Wiseman Bucking Bulls' Arizona, $390; SECOND ROUND: 1) Dave Samsel (Stephenville, Texas) 88 points on Salt River Rodeo Bulls' Master Mind, $2,730; 2/3) Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.) 87.5 points on Honeycutt & Sons' Mr. Biscuits, $1,560; 2/3) Mike White (Dekalb, Texas) 87.5 points on Ron Wiseman Bucking Bulls' Gator, $1,560; 4/5) Gilbert Carrillo (Stephenville, Texas) 86.5 points on Darrin Jewell's Without Warning, $624; 4/5) Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) 86.5 points on Salt River Rodeo Bulls' Forty Below, $624;
BUILT FORD TOUGH CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND: 1) Zack Brown (Chino Hills, Calif.) 89 points on Mike Solomon's Repeat, $2,730; 2) Mark Ward (North Platte, Neb.) 88 points on Ronnie Roach Bucking Bulls' Stitch, $1,950; 3) Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira Pualista, Sao Paulo Brazil) 86 points on Simpson & Thornton's Sheep Dip, $1,170; no other qualified rides;
OVERALL EVENT STANDINGS: 1) Zack Brown (Chino Hills, Calif.) 259.5 points, $37,880; 2) Mark Ward (North Platte, Neb.) 255.5 points, $14,600; 3) Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.) 177 points, $13,510; 4) Mike White (Dekalb, Texas) 174.5 points, $7,130;
BUILT FORD TOUGH SERIES POINT STANDINGS: 1) Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira Pualista, Sao Paulo Brazil) 8,786 points; 2) Mike Lee (Paradise, Texas) 7,017 points; 3) Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) 6,914 points; 4) Mike White (De Kalb, Texas) 5,775.5 points; 5) Brendon Clark (Morpeth, New South Wales, Australia) 4,948.5 points
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