(PBR release)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As the sold-out crowd inside of Golden 1 Center roared, Brazilian phenom Joao Ricardo Vieira (Itatinga, Brazil) was the only man to record a qualified ride in the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Unleash The Beast (UTB) 15/15 Bucking Battle at Saturday night’s Wrangler Long Live Cowboys Classic in Sacramento.
Dubbed “Mr. California” for his 2019 victories in both Sacramento and at the PBR’s prestigious Iron Cowboy event in Los Angeles, Vieira won the 15/15 Bucking Battle courtesy of a monstrous 92-point ride aboard Foghorn Leghorn (Dakota Rodeo/ Chad Berger/ Clay Struve/ WSM Auctioneers).
Vieira’s special round victory launched the 35-year-old to the No. 1 spot in the world standings ahead of now No. 2 Jess Lockwood (Volborg, Montana) by 25.5 points.
His efforts earned him 50 world points and a check for $21,000.
Earlier in the night, North Dakota cowboy, Stetson Lawrence (Williston, North Dakota) conquered The Tickler (Dakota Rodeo- Chad Berger/ Clay Struve/ Ken Barnhard) to win Round 2 with an 88-point ride score.
“I dug deep into myself and got a little mad at myself for my lack of performance and not trying my hardest,” said Lawrence. “It all had to do with me and nothing else. (The round win) adds to the confidence there and builds momentum going into tomorrow and the rest of the year more than anything to just get the ball rolling in the right direction, and I’m glad I finally turned it around.”
Moving from No. 115 in the world standings to No. 44, the Team USA Wolves rider for the 2020 WinStar World Casino and Resort PBR Global Cup USA, presented by Monster Energy, collected a $3,580 check and 20 world points.
Montana rookie rider Jake Lockwood (Volborg, Montana) finished second in Saturday night’s opening round, the second premier series event of his career. The young gun and brother to the reigning 2019 World Champion made the 8 aboard Soup in a Group (Dakota Rodeo/ Chad Berger/ Clay Struve/ Wilks Ranch). His 87.25-point score earned him $2,750 and 10 world points.
The younger Lockwood arrived in Sacramento at No. 26 in the world and now sits in the No.24 spot headed into the final day in Sacramento.
Fellow Montana rider, Matt Triplett (Columbia Falls, Montana) tied with Brazilian veteran Eduardo Aparecido (Gouvelandia, Brazil) for third in Round 2 after both recorded identical 87- point rides.
Triplett bested Kilroy (Shuler/ D&H Cattle Co.) while Aparecido made the whistle aboard Hou’s Bad News (Bridwell Pro Rodeos).
Both riders earned $1,650 and 8.5 world points. Triplett moved one spot from No. 11 to No. 10 in the world while Aparecido jumped three spots from No. 16 to No. 13.
Rounding out the Round 2 Top 5 was 2012 PRCA World Champion Cody Teel (Kountze, Texas). The Texan cowboy rode Hummer’s Gold (Culp Bucking Bulls/ Zapata/Mendes) for 86.25 points. His efforts earned him $850 dollars, 7 world points and moved him from No. 102 in the world to No. 78.
The best bull riders in the world will return to Golden 1 Center on Sunday, Jan. 26 for Round 3 and the championship round of the Wrangler Long Live Cowboys Classic.
PBR Unleash The Beast
15/15 Bucking Battle
Golden 1 Center – Sacramento, California
1. João Ricardo Vieira, 92-92.00-50 Points.
Jess Lockwood, 0-0.00
Kaique Pacheco, 0-0.00
Daylon Swearingen, 0-0.00
Jose Vitor Leme, 0-0.00
Colten Jesse, 0-0.00
Mason Taylor, 0-0.00
Matt Triplett, 0-0.00
Derek Kolbaba, 0-0.00
Eduardo Aparecido, 0-0.00
Aaron Kleier, 0-0.00
Bradley Brittain, 0-0.00
Claudio Montanha Jr., 0-0.00
Brady Sims, 0-0.00
Taylor Toves, 0-0.00
PBR Unleash The Beast - Wrangler Long Live Cowboys Classic
Golden 1 Center -Sacramento, California
Event Leaders (Round 1-Round 2-Round 3-Event Aggregate-Event Points)
1. Jose Vitor Leme, 88-84.75-0-0-172.75-22.5 Points.
2. Stetson Lawrence, 0-88-0-0-88.00-20 Points.
3. Daylon Swearingen, 85.75-85.75-0-0-171.50-11.5 Points.
4. Jess Lockwood, 87.75-0-0-0-87.75-10 Points.
(tie). Jake Lockwood, 0-87.25-0-0-87.25-10 Points.
6. Claudio Montanha Jr., 87.5-0-0-0-87.50-9 Points.
7. Matt Triplett, 0-87-0-0-87.00-8.5 Points.
(tie). Eduardo Aparecido, 0-87-0-0-87.00-8.5 Points.
9. Leandro Machado, 86.5-0-0-0-86.50-8 Points.
10. Ezekiel Mitchell, 86-83.5-0-0-169.50-7 Points.
(tie). Cody Teel, 0-86.25-0-0-86.25-7 Points.
12. Lucas Divino, 0-85.75-0-0-85.75-5.5 Points.
13. Junio Quaresima, 85-0-0-0-85.00-5 Points.
14. Colten Jesse, 0-85.25-0-0-85.25-4 Points.
(tie). Bradley Brittain, 82-0-0-0-82.00-4 Points.
(tie). Marco Eguchi, 75.5-84.25-0-0-159.75-4 Points.
17. Alisson De Souza, 0-84.75-0-0-84.75-2.5 Points.
18. Fabiano Vieira, 70-0-0-0-70.00-2 Points.
19. Mason Taylor, 0-83.75-0-0-83.75
João Ricardo Vieira, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Kaique Pacheco, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Dener Barbosa, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Derek Kolbaba, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Aaron Kleier, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Brady Sims, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Taylor Toves, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Brady Fielder, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Ramon de Lima, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Shay Marks, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Lawson Nobbs, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Cody Jesus, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Silvano Alves, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Luciano De Castro, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Gage Gay, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Brennon Eldred, 0-0-0-0-0.00
