Whitehorse Learns from Team USA and Converts in Bismarck
By: Justin Felisko
June 16, 2018
Keyshawn Whitehorse sits in second place after Round 1 of the the Dakota Community Bank Touring Pro Division. Photo: Christopher Thompson/BullStockMedia.com.
BISMARCK, N.D. – Keyshawn Whitehorse came sprinting into the Bismarck Event Center on Friday night in a mad rush.
Whitehorse had only arrived in Bismarck about an hour before the event started following an 18-hour drive from Texas, and the leading contender for PBR Rookie of the Year had thought the Dakota Community Bank Touring Pro Division started at 8 p.m.
However, Chad Berger’s annual event was slated for a 7:30 p.m. start, and Whitehorse was scheduled to be the third rider out in the first section.
Whitehorse normally has a rigid pre-event stretching routine, and he takes his time mentally preparing.
That was just about all thrown out the window on Friday, but even a mishap in scheduling wasn’t going to throw off the surging No. 14 rider in the world standings.
Whitehorse, who made the trip with Taylor Toves, Tye Chandler and Ricky Aguiar, was able to ride Heart Attack for 39 points, accepted his re-ride and connected for 88 points on Gangster Can Do.
“I was grabbing my crap and putting it on,” Whitehorse said. “I didn’t really get to stretch. By the time I got on that one, my legs were freaking tight.”
Whitehorse finished Round 1 tied for second place with Brennon Eldred and Cody Teel. He takes on Sledge Hamma (11-2, All levels) in Round 2 on Saturday night.
“He has a very bright future and he was prepared for this moment,” said RidePass analyst Colby Yates. “You see this bull kick out, wiggle, hop and skip, and he wiggles again. Then he comes left and he had it away from his hand. To ride a bull like that is very impressive.”
Fans can watch the Dakota Community Bank TPD event, as well as the conclusion of Chad Berger’s $100,000 Match of Champions, beginning at 8:15 p.m. ET on RidePass.
Whitehorse is attempting to win a second consecutive event and has ridden six of his last 10 bulls at all levels of competition.
The McCracken Springs, Utah, native won the 15th annual J.W. Hart PBR Challenge two weeks ago in Decatur, Texas, before heading to Sydney, Australia, as an alternate for Team USA at the Global Cup.
“I came back from Australia (on a) 17-hour flight,” Whitehorse said. “Monday I was too tired to do anything. Tuesday I was still tired trying to catch up. Wednesday I worked out in the morning and got on practice bulls. Then I left for another 18-hour drive.”
Whitehorse did not receive the opportunity to ride for the Americans Down Under, but he made the most of the trip and filled his mental notebook with loads of information.
Even when he isn’t nodding his head at a bull riding event, you can find Whitehorse inside the locker room, on the back of the bucking chutes or around the arena taking mental notes.
Every little detail is important to Whitehorse.
“A lot of things were taken from that past weekend, but I feel like in essence it was a lot of long-term things instead of short term,” Whitehorse said. “It was a lot of long-term knowledge. Being able to know and being around. I am a very observant person. I want to ask questions, but a lot of times you don’t have to, especially when you are around those guys.”
Whitehorse leads Alex Marcilio by 298.33 points in the Rookie of the Year race.
He concluded the first half 12-for-33 (36.36 percent) on the 25th PBR: Unleash The Beast and is 24-for-55 (43.64 percent) at all levels of competition.
So what exactly did he learn from Team USA?
“That is a secret,” Whitehorse concluded with a smile. “You can’t tell everyone your secrets.”
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
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