PUEBLO, Colo. – The first bull from American Bucking Bull Inc. (ABBI) and Professional Bull Riders Inc. (PBR) turnkey bull ownership program, Back Seat Buckers (BSB), has qualified for the PBR’s 2014 Built Ford Tough World Finals taking place at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Oct. 22-26.
Shaft (E-J/ Mike White Bucking Bulls) was part of the inaugural class of Back Seat Buckers bulls in 2012 and will be headed to Las Vegas to go head-to-head against the world’s top bull riders.
“Having a bull selected to buck at the most prestigious bull riding competition in the world is an honor and the dream of every stock contractor,” owner Excell LaFayette Jr., said. “My partner Mike White has done an outstanding job of entering Shaft in ABBI Classic/PBR events which has helped him reach his full potential. Since Shaft graduated from the BSB program, we have brought him along slowly and have given him a lot of time and attention. It is great to see that our method is paying off.”
Executive Director of ABBI Dan Meihak said, “We are excited for Excell as well as the Back Seat Buckers program. It really validates what we’re trying to do with BSB.”
The Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) is the most elite PBR competition for both man and bovine; it is also extremely difficult for any athlete to make it to the much-heralded PBR World Finals in Las Vegas. Four-year-old Shaft got the nod from PBR Livestock Director Cody Lambert to become the first graduate of the program to ever receive this distinction.
“We are proud to own a bull like Shaft,” LaFayette said. “The fact that he has gone up against some of the best bull riders in the world and has remained unridden at this level is a great accomplishment. The fact that Cody Lambert sees worth in our bull is a huge compliment in itself, and we are excited to see what happens next.”
Shaft turned in a strong performance at the Battle at the Beau presented by Kawasaki in Biloxi, Mississippi, bucking off Jordan Hupp in just more than 3 seconds, which helped seal his spot in Las Vegas. As a Futurity competitor, Shaft finished fourth in the 2012 Back Seat Buckers World Finals winning $20,000.
The PBR World Finals begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday- Saturday, Oct. 22-25 and at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26. Tickets are available now through the Thomas & Mack Center box office, www.UNLVTickets.com, and by telephone at (866) PBR-SHOW.
CBS Sports Network will broadcast every round live at 9 p.m. ET Oct. 22-25 and at 4 p.m. ET on Oct. 26. For more information on the PBR World Finals, please visit http://www.pbr.com/en/world-finals.aspx.
The 2014 Back Seat Buckers World Finals will be held during the ABBI World Finals later this month in Las Vegas, at both the South Point Arena and Thomas & Mack Center. The animal draft for the 2015 Back Seat Buckers athletes will take place in March, spots are on sale now. Visit BackSeatBuckers.com for more information.
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