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Hayes Wins Round 1 in Nampa

NAMPA, Idaho – Kasey Hayes just wanted to get one bull ridden after going three Built Ford Tough Series events without making the 8-second mark.

Hayes ended his streak of six consecutive buckoffs on Saturday night by riding Cowtown Slinger for 89 points to win Round 1 of the DeWALT Guaranteed Tough Invitational at the Ford Idaho Center.

“I was tired of showing up and going through the motions and not winning,” Hayes said. “That bull cost me about $35-$40,000 thousand when I bucked off him in Albuquerque (last year). I say he cost me, but I cost myself because I fell off at 7 seconds or slapped him.”

Hayes was referring to his previous matchup against Cowtown Slinger at the 2014 Ty Murray Invitational. The Liberal, Kansas, bull rider was bucked off at the 7.29-second mark, and if he had stayed aboard the bovine athlete he would have likely won the event.

Regardless, Hayes came through on the bovine athlete the second time around.

The 29-year-old is now the 21st bull rider in the world after earning 100 points toward the world standings with the round win.

“I was more determined to stay on my bull being as I had been riding so horrible,” Hayes said. “It just felt good to get one rode.”

Nathan Schaper placed second in the round with an 87.25-point ride on Cash Ya Out and earned 60 points toward the world standings.

Schaper moves to No. 10 in the world standings.

Despite not having any of his bull riding equipment due to travel issues, Cooper Davis rode Stuntin Like My Daddy for 86.5 points to place third in the round and earn 50 world points.

Mason Lowe and Douglas Duncan split fourth and fifth place by riding Bootdaddy.com and Buffalo Jump for 86 points, respectively. The two riders, who were competing this weekend in Nampa as alternates, earned 35 points toward the world standings.

The points move Duncan from 33rd in the standings to No. 30 overall – the last position guaranteed for BFTS draws – heading into the final day of action in Nampa.

Hayes will begin Round 2 on Sunday in the driver’s seat at potentially winning his first BFTS event since 2009.

The Jared Allen’s Pro Bull Team rider was congratulated by teammate Tanner Byrne following his Round 1 victory.

“Yahtzee!” Hayes replied. “I feel like a winner again. That is what I am talking about!”

Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko

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