Schaper impresses Robinson with victory
By: Staff reports January 29, 2014@ 08:45:00 AM
When the 23-year-old won his first career Built Ford Tough Series event this past weekend in Oklahoma City, Robinson was the first rider out on the dirt to congratulate the Grassy Butte, N.D., native.
“Awe shoot,” Robinson said. “That’s just as good as me winning.”
The two have been rooming together since last season.
They regularly workout and train together while they’re on the road and did so this past weekend.
“Nathan puts as much into this as anybody,” said Robinson, who’s widely regarded among the top riders for how conditioned he’s kept himself despite being the senior member of the locker room. “There (isn’t) anybody out here that works out and puts as much effort into riding bulls as (Schaper) does and I’m tickled to death to see him do good.”
RELATED: Billy Robinson sets great example for young riders
The win moved Schaper to sixth in the world standings. It’s the highest he’s been ranked since making his BFTS debut in 2010.
He had to gut-out a tougher-than-expected 8-second ride on Percolator in the Built Ford Tough Championship Round to secure the win at the Express Employment Professionals Invitational.
“That says it all,” Robinson said of Schaper’s gritty effort on Sunday afternoon at Chesapeake Energy Arena. “If anybody sets back and watches that right there, that’s what it takes. What he put into tonight, that’s what you (have) to do to be a bull rider.
“What you put into it is what you get out of it.”
Follow Keith Ryan Cartwright on Twitter @PBR_KRC.
CORD AND JET MCCOY TO BE ON THE AMAZING RACE FOR 3rd TIME (1-28-2014)
FORT WORTH, Texas ― Cord McCoy, 33, and his older brother Jet, 34, are hoping the third time is the charm on “The Amazing Race.” The brothers, who have affectionately become known as “the cowboys,” will take part in the 24th season of the long-standing, hit CBS series.
The McCoy’s previously took part in seasons 16 and 18.
They famously finished second in their first race around the world and didn’t fare quite as well their second time around the globe. However, in their cast profile Cord said, “You can spend the money or lose your trophies, but the experiences that Jet and I are gonna have, you can’t take them away.”
Cord McCoy attempts to ride Pure Smoke during 2012 Built Ford Tough Series in Anaheim, Calif. Photo by Matt Breneman / BullStockMedia.com.
Since their first two stints on the show, Cord has since retired from professional bull riding. He and his wife Sara now raise bucking bulls and riding horses on their Oklahoma ranch.
When asked what his biggest mistake was in previous seasons, he replied, “Losing.”
Cord resides in Tupelo, Okla., while Jet lives in nearby Ada.
According to a profile posted on CBS’ official site for the show, Cord hopes to travel to Spain because “it’s where the first cattle, horses and cowboys come from.”
“The Amazing Race All-Star Edition” makes its season premiere on Sunday, Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. ET. The show, which has earned nine Emmys for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program, is hosted by Phil Keoghan and last fall averaged 10.03 million viewers.
Despite having twice starred on one of the biggest series’ on television, Cord admitted that people might be surprised to learn he and Sara “still don’t have a TV.”
Follow Keith Ryan Cartwright on Twitter @PBR_KRC.
INDUCTED INTO MISSOURI SPORTS HALL OF FAME (1-27-2014)
FORT WORTH, Texas ― The Western world has always done a great job of honoring its own, but as Flint Rasmussen said, “It’s kind of like inside baseball when it’s just us. A rodeo hall of fame, I hate to say it, is amongst friends.”
Recently retired PBR fan favorite Luke Snyder was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday along with the likes of Willie McGee (St. Louis Cardinals), Ed Podolak (Kansas City Chiefs) and other Missouri sports greats and legends from the Show Me State.
“I’m proud for myself to be in there,” said Snyder, who is the first cowboy to be enshrined, “but, more than anything, I’m proud to be the guy that brings the PBR and the Western sports in general into a hall of fame outside of our small community and brings it into a bigger spotlight.
“My whole goal is to (help take) this sport to its highest potential, which is limitless in my eyes. Any little thing I can do to help is what makes me proud.”
Throughout his career, Snyder was more than a bull rider.
Yes, he was the 2001 Rookie of the Year – the same year he won the World Finals event title – was the Last Cowboy Standing in 2011 and earned in excess of $1.7 million dollars during a career in which he set an unprecedented record of competing in 275 consecutive Built Ford Tough Series events.
However, his tireless work promoting the sport and the PBR brand, as well those of his sponsors, is what he will carry with him well into the next chapter of his life.
Rasmussen spoke of Snyder last Friday on his daily radio show “Western Sports Roundup,” which airs on RURAL RADIO SiriusXM 80 at 6 p.m. ET.
“Justin McBride is good for business. J.B. Mauney is good for business. Luke Snyder is good for business,” said Rasmussen, who noted the induction committee for the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame saw the same in the 31-year-old as well. “They think he’s good for business too.”
RELATED: Luke Snyder learns he will be inducted into Missouri Sports Hall of Fame
“I wouldn’t be in there if it wasn’t for the PBR because the PBR is the reason I’m going in there,” Snyder said. “I want to spotlight them as much as I can because they paved the way for me to go here.”
Snyder was introduced Sunday night by his father-in-law, Johnny Morris, and PBR Executive Chairman and CEO Jim Haworth.
Morris, the founder and owner of Bass Pro Shops, was inducted as an outdoorsman in 1997.
Haworth is also a Missouri native.
“They looked beyond baseball, basketball, football and that kind of thing and looked at a cowboy,” Rasmussen said. “What that says is Luke Snyder must have made a difference.”
Snyder said his heroes have always been cowboys, but growing up 30 minutes outside of Kansas City in the small town of Raymore, he was a George Brett fan.
As a youngster he met Brett – the Royals great was inducted in 1994 – a few times.
“I just like the way he handled himself and what a great athlete he was,” said Snyder, who is honored to be named alongside the likes of Brett and other great athletes his home state of Missouri.
Follow Keith Ryan Cartwright on Twitter @PBR_KRC.
INJURY UPDATES FROM OKLAHOMA CITY (1-26-2014)
OKLAHOMA CITY ― Kody Lostroh did not compete on Sunday afternoon in Round 3 due to his left wrist/hand injury. According to Dr. Tandy Freeman, he is questionable for next week’s BFTS event in Sacramento, Calif.
Eduardo Aparecido bruised the left elbow and shoulder of his riding arm when he hit the chute gate during his third-round attempt on 10-X. He declined a re-ride option, but competed in the championship round.
L.J. Jenkins strained his left hip adductor (groin) during his ride in the championship round on Who Dey. He is probable for Sacramento.
Emilio Resende sustained a left hip pointer injury in Round 2 on Saturday night when he was hit by a horn after being thrown from Redneck. He did not compete in the 15/15 Bucking Battle or third round on Sunday afternoon. He is listed as probable for next week, in Sacramento, Calif.
On Friday night, Freeman reported a trio of injuries including:
Claudio Crisostomo bruised his left jaw when he was hit by a horn as he was thrown from his first round bull (Margy Time).
Cody Nance continued competing with a left hip pointer sustained when he was stepped on while he was hung up after being thrown from his first round bull (JT X2). He also continued after bruising his left (riding) hand in the 15/15 Bucking Battle on Saturday night, while Marco Eguchi went on to win the 15/15 despite suffering a sprained left ankle when he was also stepped on after being hung up Still Doin Time in Round 1.
Prior to the event, Freeman reported a laundry list of riders competing this weekend with various injuries.
Ryan Dirteater competed with a torn posterior cruciate ligament graft in his reconstructed left knee, Jory Markiss rode with a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and Pozzobon competed with a strained right hip adductor (groin muscle).
Valdiron de Oliveira rode with a bruised left elbow and forearm on his riding arm.
Chase Outlaw competed with a torn ligament in his left elbow on his riding arm and an aggravation of his right free-arm shoulder sprain/strain (posterior capsule, rotator cuff) sustained last summer.
Douglas Duncan rode with a sprained left riding hand and Ben Jones is riding with an aggravation of a sprained little finger on his right riding hand.
Follow Keith Ryan Cartwright on Twitter @PBR_KRC.
BUSHWACKER DISCUSSED ON ESPN’S MIKE & MIKE (1-24-2014)
PUEBLO, Colo. ― The recent news of Bushwacker’s retirement is making waves across various media outlets this week and earlier today the two-time World Champion Bull was a subject of discussion on ESPN’s Mike & Mike.
Show hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic talked about Bushwacker’s plans for post-retirement and about the sport of bull riding. However, it was up to Golic to explain to Greenberg the different between bull fighting and bull riding.
Golic then went on to say that he had seen and heard about Bushwacker, who was compared to Michael Jordan.
“I’ve seen pieces on the bull and seen what he has done,” Golic said. “He is a terror throwing guys. … These guys get in there and try to ride him for 8 seconds.”
Bushwacker makes his season-debut this weekend during in the 15/15 Bucking Battle against reigning World Champion J.B. Mauney at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. The battle will air on CBS Sunday at noon.
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
2004 WORLD CHAMPION ON TOP OF EARLY STANDINGS (1-24-2014)
OKLAHOMA CITY ― Mike Lee enters this weekend’s three-day Built Ford Tough Series event in Oklahoma City as the No. 1 bull rider in the world.
It’s the first time in several years that Lee, a Billings, Mont., native, who now lives in Decatur, Texas, has been atop the world standings. Lee moved there Tuesday afternoon when last week’s Touring Pro Division results were updated. The 30-year-old was second at an event in Denver and also competed at a nearby event in Pueblo, Colo., before making his way to Duluth, Ga., for last week’s BFTS event.
TPD results are reflected in the standings on Tuesday following the completion of the event.
Fabiano Vieira had been the No. 1 ranked rider following the first three BFTS events.
“He’s (Vieira) riding good,” said J.B. Mauney. “He’s hot.”
Fabiano Vieira rides King David for 80.5 points during the second round of the 2014 Duluth Built Ford Tough Series event. Photo by Andy Watson / BullStockMedia.com.
With Lee in first place, Vieira is now in second and trails the 2004 World Champion by 147.38 points. Mauney, Guilherme Marchi and Stormy Wing, who won the Denver event, round out the Top 5 in the current standings.
Although everyone aspires to be in the No. 1 position, Mauney proved a year ago that as long as you’re in contention down the stretch a rider still has a chance to win the title. He was ranked 10th in the world coming out of the summer break, before he made the most historic come-from-behind run at winning a world title in PBR history.
“As long as I’m in the Top 5 – up there – I’m good to go,” Mauney said. “There’s enough time.”
Follow Keith Ryan Cartwright on Twitter @PBR_KRC.
THE MAN PULLING MAUNEY’S BULL ROPE (1-23-2014)
FORT WORTH, Texas ― J.B. Mauney didn’t come by having Stormy Wingpull his bull rope when he’s in the bucking chute just by chance. To hear Wing, who takes his role seriously and has been known to ward off other would-be rope pullers, it’s as much about how it’s done as who does it.
“A lot of guys get up on that rope and they pull it hard and fast,” Wing said. “With (those) bulls moving around in there like that, if you pull hard and fast it has a chance of your rope moving on their back. He knows and I know that when you pull (those) bull ropes you just pull them slow and steady.”
He added, “That and the words of wisdom we give each other, I guess. I don’t know.”
RELATED: J.B. Mauney showing flashes of Lane Frost
Like baseball players, bull riders can be superstitious in addition to militantly following a personalized routine in the moments leading up to climbing into the chute as well as the procedure once they’re sitting on a bull’s back.
“We started that out last year and he won a world title,” Wing said. “He’s a dear friend of mine and I like to see him do good just as much as I do good. It worked. He told me he didn’t want to change it and I didn’t want to change it either, so I’ll do it every time. It’s my role. I get over there and do it and, like I said, I love him like a brother. I have a deep love for him.
“I feed off of him and he opened my eyes last year,” continued Wing, who’s riding at a career-best 55.56 percent at Built Ford Tough Series events and is ranked fifth in the world standings. “I can be there too and I’m kind of showing it right now. Whenever you ride with champions you are a champion.”
Follow Keith Ryan Cartwright on Twitter @PBR_KRC.
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