Pacheco Responds in World Standings Race

By: Justin Felisko
September 11, 2016

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Here are three things we learned following Round 2 and the 15/15 Bucking Battle at the PFIWestern.com Invitational Saturday night at JQH Arena.

Pacheco responds with Round 2 victory; injury updates on Davis/Mauney (9-10-16)

Kaique Pacheco was not pleased one bit about being ruled to have slapped Swamp Wreck during Round 1 on Friday night.

Well, the 21-year-old channeled his frustration on Saturday evening. A focused and determined Pacheco rode Wired Child for 86.5 points to win Round 2 and regain the No. 1 ranking in the world standings.

“I was not happy last night because I am positive I didn’t slap,” Pacheco said with the help of Valdiron de Oliveira translating. “I am very happy that I did a good job tonight. I am putting the pressure on.”

Pacheco earned 100 points toward the world standings and was able to overtake previous world No. 1 Cooper Davis after Davis withdrew from the event following a meeting with Dr. Tandy Freeman.

Davis woke up Saturday morning with discomfort in his right shoulder, which he previously separated in Tulsa, Oklahoma, during his get off against Psycho Path two weeks ago. The Jasper, Texas, bull rider met with Dr. Tandy Freeman before Round 2 Saturday and was diagnosed with a possible right clavicle fracture.

Davis is scheduled to get X-rays on Monday.

There is no timetable for Davis’ return at the moment, but Davis did say he would take the necessary time off to make sure he was 100 percent for the 2016 Built Ford Tough World Finals on Nov. 2-6.

“We don’t know yet,” Davis said. “He wouldn’t tell me because he said it could be rest or it could be a lengthy thing. We will see. Heck, I don’t know. We won’t know until Monday. It is just a waiting game. It is a bummer, but, heck, you are going to get hurt in this sport. That is just part of it.”

Pacheco took advantage of the situation with his sixth round win of the season and now leads Davis by 35.33 points in the world standings.

“I had seen this bull buck before and I was ready,” Pacheco said. “I just need to ride bulls. That is what matters.”

Pacheco has drawn Rise and Shine (2-0, BFTS) for Round 3.

Injuries became a theme of the night as two World Champion contenders went down with injuries during the 15/15 Bucking Battle.

Two-time World Champion J.B. Mauney sustained multiple injuries inside the bucking chute preparing to ride Pearl Harbor.

According to Dr. Tandy Freeman, Mauney sustained a concussion, possible jaw fracture, separated and dislocated his left shoulder and stretched an axillary nerve. The injuries occurred when Pearl Harbor rocked the No. 3 ranked bull rider in the world standings forward and then out of the bucking chutes.

Mauney’s face slammed onto the inside edge of the bucking chutes as he was being flung out of the chute.

Freeman has listed Mauney as doubtful for Round 3, but Mauney said following the event he had plans to attempt to ride in Round 3 if he felt OK in the morning.

“Hell, that is what they make tape for,” Mauney said.

It was the second year in a row that Mauney sustained an injury in Springfield with Pearl Harbor inside the bucking chutes.

Last year, Mauney bruised his left leg and ankle, and also sprained his left MCL, when his leg got hung in the slates of the chute as Pearl Harbor jerked forward.

Mauney was bucked off by El Diablo in 4.84 seconds in Round 2 earlier in the evening. The 29-year-old is sitting tied for third in the event standings with Pacheco and has drawn Paradise City Slinger (0-0, BFTS) for Round 3.

Meanwhile, Shane Proctor, who is ninth in the world standings, sustained a concussion when Wicked fell on him in 2.18 seconds. Proctor then sustained a chest laceration and a possible clavicle fracture when Wicked got up and stepped on him.

According to Freeman, Proctor is also doubtful for Round 3.

Aparecido wins 15/15 Bucking Battle

Eduardo Aparecido won his second career 15/15 Bucking Battle with an 88-point ride on Little Red Jacket to earn 150 points toward the world standings.

“The bull was pretty quick,” Aparecido said with the help of Valdiron de Oliveira translating. “On his first spin, he put me to the outside. Once the bull went forward I was able to get back into better position.”

Jess Lockwood placed second with an 86-point ride on Cooper Tires Semper Fi. Lockwood notched 90 points toward the world standings and moved up to seventh in the rankings.

Aparecido previously rode Little Red Jacket for 88.5 points at the Ty Murray Invitational.

The 26-year-old joins Pacheco as the only two riders ranked inside the Top 6 of the world standings not nursing an injury with six regular-season events remaining following Springfield.

Aparecido is 1,261.17 points behind Pacheco in the standings.

“I flex and everything is good right now,” Aparecido said. “My body is in shape and nothing hurts right now.”

Dirteater one up on the field in Springfield

Ryan Dirteater is tied for the PBR lead with two event wins and he is in a strong position to pick up win number three on Sunday afternoon.

Dirteater is the only rider who has gone 2-for-2 in Springfield following his 84.25-point ride on Shattered Dreams in Round 2.

“He was right around the left and that is just you want for a left-hander,” Dirteater said. “He is real solid and I got it done. I was trying my butt off and it worked out.”

Dirteater placed third in the round for 50 world points. The No. 12 rider in the world standings rode Gear Jammer for 84.5 points in Round 1 Friday.

The Hulbert, Oklahoma, bull rider spent this past week going to gym classes at the Cherokee Nation Gym in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Part of his exercise program involved trying to climb across an entire basketball court on his hands.

“I’m going to keep trying to make it all the way,” Dirteater said.

Inside the arena, Dirteater knows it is important to get his first bulls covered during a three-day event.

“Coming into a three-day event, it is a marathon,” Dirteater said. “You have to take your bulls one at a time and make it 8.”

Dirteater is having a career-year and is only 166.66 points out of the Top 10. The 27-year-old’s best finish came in 2014 when he placed 11^th in the world.

There is a good chance the Hulbert, Oklahoma, bull rider will finish inside the Top 10 for the first time in his eight-year BFTS career.

“The fans are behind me 100 percent,” Dirteater said. “I don’t need the spotlight. I am the quiet type.”

INJURY UPDATES

Mason Lowe replaced Davis in the 15/15 Bucking Battle after Guilherme Marchi bruised his right knee when he was struck by No Regrets’ horn in Round 2. According to Freeman, Marchi is probable for Charlotte.

Lowe was bucked off by Hey Jack in 5.53 seconds.

Tanner Byrne sustained a facial laceration in the 15/15 Bucking Battle when he collided heads with Big Cat. Byrne lasted 1.66 seconds in the matchup.

Tyler Harr returned to competition in Round 2 after sustaining a concussion Friday night. Harr rode Gallo Del Ciello for 78.25 points before bucking off his re-ride bull (Gentleman Jim) in 7.87 seconds.

Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko

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