First Half Recap: Lima Rides Cochise in NYC

PUEBLO, Colo. – Now that summer has arrived and we’re that much close to the start of the second half of the Built Ford Tough Series in Nashville, PBR.com wants to take you back and look at the story so far.

Chicago: 36-year-old Brazilian rookie Wallace de Oliveira kicked off the 2016 Built Ford Tough Series by winning the Chicago Invitational. Oliveira capped a perfect 3-for-3 weekend with an 88.25-point ride aboard Cracker Jack in the Built Ford Tough Championship Round. The win was Oliveira’s first of his BFTS career.

“I am very happy because I am riding well this weekend,” Oliveira said with the help of Silvano Alves translating. “I rode all three bulls and the last bull was a good bull. I didn’t know any of the bulls in the short go.”

Oliveira then interrupted Alves and said, “He picked him for me. This is my brother,” before laughing.

Oliveira continued, “I knew I needed points to stay up here. I am very happy to ride on the Built Ford Tough (Series). This is everybody’s dream. This is very difficult to ride, compete and win on the Built Ford Tough. I am very, very happy.”

New York City: In his return to the Built Ford Tough Series, Paulo Lima won the first PBR Major of 2016 after going 4-for-4 and turning in a masterful 90-point ride of Cochise in the Built Ford Tough Championship Round. The ride was his first 90-point ride on the BFTS since 2011 in Milwaukee and earned him an extra $25,000 for covering the Bad Boy Mowers bonus bull.

The PBR Major victory made Lima the No. 1 ranked rider in the world standings for the first time in his career.

“I went to sleep thinking of this bull and I got up this morning thinking about this bull,” Lima said with the help of Robson Palermo translating. “It is funny. We are sharing a room and we were arguing about who was going to get on Cochise in the short go.

“I am really happy and so proud of myself because I took four years off over here and I won this event,” Lima said. “I am really happy.”

New York City 15/15: In the first 15/15 Bucking Battle of 2016, PBR veteran J.W. Harris conquered Like A Boss for 88.75 points to take the bonus round at Madison Square Garden. Harris was one of two riders to turn in qualified rides in the round, the other being Tanner Byrne. The Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, bull rider finished second to Harris with an 84.5-point ride on Heat Seeker.

“Shoot, he was just up and down and made me work for it, but it worked out,” Harris said. “This is momentum. I feel good and I have my mind focused. We will build off that and keep going.”