Sims Wins BlueDEF Tour Event in Rochester

ROCHESTER, Ny. – Brady Sims (Holt, Missouri) went 2-for-2 to take the victory in Rochester, New York at Blue Cross Arena on Saturday night. The victory was Sims’ first ever win on the PBR’s (Professional Bull Riders) BlueDEF Tour (BDT).

Sims started the night with a fifth-place finish in Round 1 after an 85-point ride on Slim Ice (Rocking M). The championship round, though, was where Sims was brilliant, capping his weekend with an 87.5-point trip aboard Jacked Up (J Bar W Ranch).

Sims earned 80 points toward the PBR world standings as well as an invitation to the Built Ford Tough Series’ Wrangler Long Live Cowboys Classic in Eugene, Oregon, on Oct. 1-2. Sims was a regular on the BFTS last season and is looking to earn his way back to the Top 35. Winners of each 2016 BlueDEF Tour event will be guaranteed a minimum of one opportunity to compete at a BFTS regular-season event.

Michael Lane (North Tazwell, Virginia) finished in second place when he covered Mishap (Mike Miller Bucking Bulls) for 86 points in the championship round. Lane finished Round 1 in fourth place after tallying 85.5 points on Universal Media’s Brandon’s Pet (Painted Pony Championship Rodeo). Lane earned 50 points toward the world standings.

Third place went to Brandon Davis (Cabot, Arkansas) who rode both his bulls on Saturday night. He first covered Lover Boy (J Bar W Ranch) for 85.5 points in Round 1 before riding Uptown Funk (J Bar W Ranch) for 85 points in the championship round. Davis earned 30 points toward the world standings.

Fourth place went to Sean Willingham (Summerville, Georgia) who won Round 1 with 87 points on Jack’s Sour Mash (Painted Pony Championship Rodeo). With the finish Willingham earned 20 points toward the world standings.

Kurt Shepherd (Atherton, Australia) and Tye Chandler (Stephenville, Texas) finished in fifth and sixth place, earning 15 and 10 points respectively. Shepherd covered Holley Holy (Painted Pony Championship Rodeo) in Round 1 for 86 points, while Chandler put up 84.5 points on Flight Risk(Mike Miller Bucking BUlls), also in Round 1.

The high marked bull of the evening went to Air Bender (Rocking S Ranch/Cornwell Bucking Bulls) who earned 44.5 points during his buck off of Kevin Wickey in the Round 1.

Rochester was the 26^th event of the 2016 BlueDEF Tour. The season will culminate with the 2016 BlueDEF Finals taking place Oct. 29-31 at South Point Arena in Las Vegas. The 2016 BlueDEF Champion, the rider who earns the most world points throughout the 2016 BDT season including the BlueDEF Finals, will receive $50,000 and qualify to compete at the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals Nov. 2-6 down the strip at T-Mobile Arena.

Tune in Wednesday, September 14 at 8 p.m. ET to watch an hour-long highlight show of the action from this week’s event in Rochester on the PBR LIVE app or pbr.com.

The BlueDEF Tour will next be in action on Sept. 12-13 at the Pendleton Roundup in Pendleton, Oregon.

Profesional Bull Riders BlueDEF Tour
Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, New York
Final Results (Round 1-Round 2- Aggregate Score-World Standings Pointes-Earnings)

1.) Brady Sims, 85-87.5-172.5,80,$6,200
2.) Michael Lane, 85.5-86-171.5-50-$4,950
3.) Brandon Davis, 85.5-85-170.5-30-$3,250
4.) Sean Willingham, 87-0-87.00-20-$2,600
5.) Kurt Shepherd, 86-0-86.00-15-$1,740
6.) Tye Chandler, 84.5-0-84.5-10-$560