Lawrence Wins Round 1 in Billings

BILLINGS, Mont. – It was a night for the young guns as 27-year-old Stetson Lawrence came away the winner of Round 1 of the Stanley Performance In Action Invitational Friday night at Rimrock Auto Arena.

Lawrence’s 88.5-point ride on Long Haired Outlaw was enough to take the round and 100 points toward the world standings. The win was his first Built Ford Tough Series round win of the season and moved him to No. 19^th in the world standings.

BlueDEF Tour invite Jay Miller came in second after an 87.25-point ride on Bobby Sox. Miller, who received an invitation to Billings after winning last week’s BlueDEF Tour event in Milwaukee earned 60 world points. Miller is currently 39^th in the world standings, but is just 25 points outside of the Top 35.

18-year-old rookie, and Montana native, Jess Lockwood started his weekend strong by riding Mi Vida Loca for 86.75 points to finish third in the round. The Volborg, Montana, bull rider secured 45 points in the world standings and has at least one qualified ride in his first three BFTS events.

Cooper Davis tied with Lockwood for third and pocketed 45 world points as well. Davis’ 86.75-point ride on The Hulk was the first of the night and set the pace for the riders.

Gage Gay continued to pick up points by taking fifth place after his 86.25-point trip aboard Liquid Fire. Gage earned 30 points toward the world standings for placing in the round and continues his point streak dating back to Sioux Falls earlier this month.

Brazilian Eduardo Aparecido pocketed 15 points in the world standings courtesy of his sixth-place finish courtesy of an 86-point ride on Must Be Nice. Aparecido is currently No. 10 in the world standings.

Australian Kurt Shepard rounded out the Top 7 with an 85.25-point ride on Set ‘em up Joe. He earned five points toward the world standings for his effort.

The world’s best bull riders will return Saturday night for Round 2 of the Stanley Performance In Action Invitational starting at 7 p.m. MT. Immediately following Round 2, the Top 15 riders and bulls will face off in the sixth 15/15 Bucking Battle of the season.

PBR Digital Editor Kristian Limas contributed to this report. 

Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Series
Stanley Performance in Action Invitational, presented By Cooper Tires
Rimrock Auto Arena, Billings, Montana
Event Leaders (Round 1-Round 2-Round 3-Round 4-Event Aggregate-Event Points)

1. Stetson Lawrence, 88.5-0-0-0-88.50-100 Points.
2. Jay Miller, 87.25-0-0-0-87.25-60 Points.
3. Cooper Davis, 86.75-0-0-0-86.75-45 Points.
(tie). Jess Lockwood, 86.75-0-0-0-86.75-45 Points.
5. Gage Gay, 86.25-0-0-0-86.25-30 Points.
6. Eduardo Aparecido, 86-0-0-0-86.00-15 Points.
7. Kurt Shephard, 85.25-0-0-0-85.25-5 Points.
8. Jorge Valdiviezo, 83.75-0-0-0-83.75
9. Tyler Harr, 83.5-0-0-0-83.50
10. Tanner Byrne, 83.25-0-0-0-83.25
11. Justin Paton, 80.5-0-0-0-80.50
Fabiano Vieira, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Paulo Ferreira Lima, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Joao Ricardo Vieira, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Shane Proctor, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Wallace Vieira de Oliveira, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Ryan Dirteater, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Mike Lee, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Kaique Pacheco, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Robson Palermo, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Mason Lowe, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Derek Kolbaba, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Lachlan Richardson, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Valdiron de Oliveira, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Nevada Newman, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Silvano Alves, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Rubens Barbosa, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Guilherme Marchi, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Aaron Roy, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Kasey Hayes, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Stormy Wing, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Cody Nance, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Juliano Antonio Da Silva, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Fraser Babbington, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Reese Cates, 0-0-0-0-0.00
Douglas Duncan, 0-0-0-0-0.00