PUEBLO, Colo. ― Professional bull rider Luke “Titanium Tough” Snyder will be inducted into the PBR Ring of Honor this October.
The annual PBR Heroes & Legends Celebration will take place Tuesday, Oct. 20, at South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas. The Sharon Shoulders Award, the Brand of Honor and the Jim Shoulders Lifetime Achievement Award will also be presented at this time.
Snyder received the nickname “Titanium Tough” while setting a PBR record of 275 consecutive Built Ford Tough Series events, riding for nine years without missing a single competition. The Missouri native collected 950 outs over 370 events in his 13-year career, notching 28 90-point rides, 19 Top-5 finishes, 45 Top-10 finishes and five event wins.
The 2001 PBR Rookie of the Year and World Finals event winner also sits 13th on the all-time money earners list, winning more than $1.7 million during his career.
The PBR Ring of Honor, the PBR’s equivalent of a Hall of Fame, was created in 1996 to recognize those who have had the most profound impact on the sport of bull riding, both in and out of the arena. The 41 members share a common bond of courage, strength and victory. They have shown their dedication and support while playing a significant role in helping professional bull riding become what it is today. Honorees include the great Jim Shoulders, PBR founding fathers Ty Murray and Cody Lambert, three-time PBR World Champion Adriano Moraes, two-time PBR World Champions Justin McBride & Chris Shivers, and PBR World ChampionsTuff Hedeman, Troy Dunn and Michael Gaffney.
The Ring of Honor is more than a fellowship: Each inductee is presented with a ring handcrafted of diamonds and gold bearing the PBR logo, the recipient’s name and the year he was honored.
The Brand of Honor and the Jim Shoulders Lifetime Achievement Award were each presented for the first time in 2011. The Brand of Honor is awarded to a bull for his exemplary performance throughout his career. This year the award will be given to Chicken on a Chain.
2007 PBR World Champion Bull Chicken on a Chain, owned by four-time PBR Stock Contractor of the Year Jeff Robinson along with comedian Larry the Cable Guy, competed in the PBR from 2005-12. He made 127 outs, was ridden only 31 times for a buckoff percentage of 75.59, and is ranked 58th overall in PBR history. Chicken on a Chain qualified for the PBR World Finals six out of the seven years he competed, earning an average bull score of 44.98. 2010 PBR World Champion Renato Nunes covered the bovine for 95.75 points during the 2008 St. Louis event for the highest combined score of his career.
Texas journalist Brett Hoffman will receive the Jim Shoulders Lifetime Achievement Award that recognizes a non-bull rider who has made a significant contribution to the sport. Hoffman has covered the PBR since its establishment and has always been a great advocate of the sport. He is highly respected by many in the industry with his weekly columns relishing a very loyal following. Hoffman’s articles have significantly increased the coverage of the PBR and greatly broadened its awareness.
Created by the PBR Board of Directors in 2009 to honor women who have made a difference in the life of a bull rider and contributed to the sport, the Sharon Shoulders Award honors its namesake for her support and encouragement of her late husband, Jim Shoulders, the celebrated cowboy and bull rider who was inducted into the PBR Ring of Honor with its first class in 1996. This year, Robyn Gaffney, wife of 1997 PBR World Champion Michael Gaffney, will be honored by the PBR. Robyn has not only been able to balance being a caring and supportive wife, but also achieved her own dream of being a pathologist. Robyn and Michael developed a mutual support system that inspires bull riding wives to this day.
The Heroes & Legends Celebration will officially commence the PBR’s 2015 Built Ford Tough World Finals week. Tickets for the celebration are now available for $150, a savings of $115 from previous years. The package includes tickets to the PBR Heroes & Legends Reception offering complimentary beverages, the PBR Heroes & Legends Celebration and Induction ceremony, followed by the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals Kickoff Party, featuring a concert by Cody Johnson. The packages also include tickets to the Wednesday, Oct. 21 and Thursday, Oct. 22 night pre-parties and PBR World Finals event at the Thomas & Mack Center. Heroes & Legends Celebration tickets can be purchased through PBR Customer Service at 800-732-1727.
For those fans who have already purchased their PBR World Finals event tickets, a Heroes & Legends Celebration Upgrade Package is available for $75 and will provide access to all of the Heroes & Legends Heroes & Legends Celebration festivities. This year’s event will be held in the South Point Showroom. There will be limited seating and is expected to sell out, so get your tickets early if you plan to attend.
South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa is the Official Host Hotel of the PBR Heroes & Legends Celebration. Special room rates and packages, starting at $65 and $115, respectively, are available to fans at South Point by using the code PRO1021. For reservations and information call 866-791-7626.
The 2015 PBR World Finals takes place at the Thomas & Mack Center Oct. 21-21 and begins at 6 p.m., on Wednesday through Saturday and at 1 p.m., on Sunday. Tickets start at $26 and are also available now through the Thomas & Mack Center box office, www.UNLVTickets.com, and by telephone at (866) PBR-SHOW.
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