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Jesse Replaces Buttar in 15/15 Bucking Battle

By: Justin Felisko
September 19, 2018

Colten Jesse rode Plum Crazy at the Atlantic City Invitational to end a streak of seven consecutive buckoffs. Photo: Andy Watson/BullStockMedia.com.

PUEBLO, Colo. – Leading Rookie of the Year contenders Keyshawn Whitehorse and Colten Jesse will be jockeying for position in this weekend’s 15/15 Bucking Battle in Fairfax, Virginia.

The two riders are separated by only 13.33 points in the Rookie of the Year standings, and Jesse will now be able to also suit up in this weekend’s 15/15 Bucking Battle after No. 12 Dakota Buttar turned out of the event because of the flu.

“I don’t really pay attention to it,” Jesse said of the rookie race. “I will have people text me and say, ‘you are sitting here,’ and ‘you only need this many more points to lead the rookie deal.’ I don’t pay attention to it a whole lot. It is pretty cool me and Keyshawn being one and two right now. I expect that for the rest of the year.”

Jesse – the No. 17 rider in the world – will square off against Millennium’s Buck (3-1, PBR UTB) on Saturday night. Fans can watch the 15/15 Bucking Battle exclusively on CBS national television Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.

Millennium’s Buck is coming off a 2.72-second buckoff of Derek Kolbaba last weekend in Atlantic City, New Jersey, while Jesse arrives in Fairfax fresh off a 1-for-3, 15th-place showing.

The 21-year-old ended a streak of seven consecutive buckoffs by riding Plum Crazy for 85.25 points in Round 1 at Boardwalk Hall.

 
“I had seen that bull before and I knew he was going to be good. He kind of left weird out of there and tried to drop me off in the week. I tried to kick loose and went around.”

Whitehorse has drawn The Hard Stuff (7-2, PBR UTB) for the 15/15 Bucking Battle.

15/15 Bucking Battle Matchups
Keyshawn Whitehorse vs. The Hard Stuff (7-2, PBR UTB)
Colten Jesse vs. Millennium’s Buck (3-1, PBR UTB)
Derek Kolbaba vs. Old Fort Days (7-0, PBR UTB)
Ryan Dirteater vs. Hydrastar Slinger Jr. (41-4, PBR UTB)
Dener Barbosa vs. Slingin Tears (5-0, PBR UTB)
Fabiano Vieira vs. Chain Smoker (2-0, PBR UTB)
Eduardo Aparecido vs. Jaywalker (3-0, PBR UTB)*
Cody Teel vs. Magic Train (41-6, PBR UTB)*
Cooper Davis vs. Catfish John (31-13, PBR UTB)$
Luciano de Castro vs. Muscles & Shovels (6-0, PBR UTB)
Cody Nance vs. Dead Calm (10-6, PBR UTB)
Ramon de Lima vs. Losing My Religion (28-3, PBR UTB)
Jose Vitor Leme vs. Roman (6-1, PBR UTB)
Claudio Montanha Jr. vs. Budakon (6-1, PBR UTB)
Kaique Pacheco vs. Big Black (9-1, PBR UTB)
*Rematch
$Rider has successfully previously ridden the bull

Jesse and fellow Oklahoman Brennon Eldred had previously got on some practice bulls a few days before Atlantic City.

“I went home and did some barrel work and stuff,” Jesse said. “Me and Brennon then went to the practice pen and got on a few practice bulls.”

Jesse said the plan this week before Fairfax is to get back on the drop barrel and to work on “riding a little more aggressive” this weekend.

The 21-year-old is 7-for-34 (20.59 percent) in 13 premier series events. Whitehorse is 12-for-39 (30.77 percent) in 13 events.

Jesse also said that it is fun competing against a friend like Whitehorse in this year’s rookie race. Also in contention is No. 22 Alex Marcilio (-130.83), No. 31 Lonnie West (-298.33), No. 35 Marcos Gloria (-350.83) and No. 36 Brock Radford (-355.83).

“Me and Keyshawn met each other going to bull ridings when we were 15 or 16,” Jesse said. “I have known him for a long time. It is pretty cool to be competing against him.”

Marcilio was the highest-finishing rookie last weekend. He used an 89.5-point ride on Losing My Religion in the championship round last weekend to finish 2-for-3 and in sixth place.

Only four PBR Rookie of the Years in the PBR’s 25-year history have gone on to win a World Championship: Kody LostrohJ.B. MauneySilvano Alves and Jess Lockwood.

Jesse said the Rookie of the Year title is certainly a stepping stone award.

“It is definitely something to shoot for, especially your first year,” Jesse concluded. “I am honestly looking at bigger things, but I am definitely capable of winning the Rookie of the Year and that’s the plan.”

Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko

© 2018 PBR Inc. All rights reserved.

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