Air Force Reserve Flight to the Lexington: Whitehorse Believes ‘It is always better to give’
By: Justin Felisko
PUEBLO, Colo. – 2018 Rookie of the Year Keyshawn Whitehorse could easily take the next month or so off and relish the best week of his career.
Whitehorse capped off his breakout World Finals by riding 2019 ABBI Classic Champion Chiseled – the No. 2-ranked bull in the world – for an extraordinary 93.25 points on Championship Sunday at the 2020 PBR World Finals.
The new career-high ride for Whitehorse was his third 90-point ride of the World Finals, and it was icing on the cake as he ended the best season of his career with a second-place finish inside AT&T Stadium, netting him $219,500.00.
Whitehorse is healthy following his 3-for-5 performance, and he, therefore, will take his talents to Corpus Christi, Texas, for the PBR Air Force Reserve Cowboys for a Cause event, which the PBR is holding on the USS Lexington aircraft carrier.
Cowboys for a Cause is a five-team invitational featuring 15 cowboys riding to support military members and their families through a new PBR charity initiative, which will benefit multiple charities, including Operation Homefront. PBR and select partners will donate money for every second a rider stays on his bull. Thus, every second counts.
Operation Homefront is a nationally recognized military nonprofit organization providing financial assistance, transitional and permanent housing, and various recurring support services to U.S. military families. PBR will donate money for each second a cowboy stays on his bull, for up to 8 seconds.
“Human nature is to take, take, take, but it is always better to give,” Whitehorse said. “You have to give. We always try to take things from this world, and we have to give back to this world. In anything. Whether it is money, advice or just help for other people, we have to give back. It is not for karma or anything. It is just the way it should be. We can go there, and ride and perform and do what we love, and also go and give back to a great cause.”
The first-of-its-kind event will be broadcast on CBS national television Sunday at 3 p.m. ET or 5 p.m. ET (check local listings). Additionally, CBS Sports Network will air a special preshow for the exhibition event on Friday at 7 p.m. ET. The PBR will announce total charitable donations from the event during the broadcast.
PBR is in the process this week of constructing a bull riding arena on the 872-foot long launch deck on top of the famed aircraft carrier known as “The Blue Ghost,” bringing in 300 tons of dirt and steel and more than 15 miles of copper and fiber optic cables to support the event and television broadcast. Bucking bulls will be brought on board via the ship’s still-functioning aircraft elevator that brought planes up to the flight deck during battle. Aircraft aboard the ship will be used as set pieces off the dirt.
Whitehorse, whose uncle served as a Marine, will be riding for Team Boot Barn, and he will be joining forces with 2012 PRCA champion Cody Teel and 2018 National Finals Rodeo bull riding winner Chase Dougherty.
Whitehorse already has one prestigious team challenge championship under his belt after he rode alongside 2020 World Champion Jose Vitor Leme, six-time PRCA champion Sage Kimzey and Stetson Lawrence for the undefeated Monster Energy Team Challenge champions Team Cooper Tires.
Whitehorse was a role player for Team Cooper Tires, but now he will be one of the top riders for Team Boot Barn following a career-best seventh place finish in the 2020 world standings.
The McCracken Springs, Utah, bull rider went 14-for-42 (33.33%) with three 90-point rides in 15 Unleash The Beast events this year.
Whitehorse won two of the five rounds at the World Finals. Not only did he win the championship round, but also he took home the go-round event buckle in Round 2 with his 91-point effort on Rocky.
“It is worth every point. Rocky has a day and Keyshawn is just perfect the whole time,” two-time World Champion and CBS Sports analyst Justin McBride said. “That bull is just bringing it. If he ever lets his head get picked up that bull brings him to the ground. That is an outstanding ride.”
Whitehorse had never posted a 90-point ride in his career on the premier series until he erupted for three of them in Arlington, Texas.
He followed up his 91-point ride on Rocky by covering Skeeter Peter for 90 points in Round 3.
“He couldn’t have done that no better,” said nine-time World Champion and CBS Sports analyst Ty Murray. “He was reacting exactly off what that bull gave him making perfect counter-movements. I guarantee it was even easier for him tonight, and he has some fire behind him.”
Whitehorse now will head onto the USS Lexington looking for one more 90-point ride for a charitable cause and an unforgettable experience.
Never before has the PBR bucked bulls on a battleship.
“I am excited for that. Hopefully after we ride we can take a cruise on a jet right after,” Whitehorse said with a laugh. “Winner gets a free jet ride, right? That would be pretty cool.”
Whitehorse said this weekend should be a great way to cap off a turbulent year.
“This is going to be a fantastic deal,” he concluded. “It is a great thing on both ends. I am happy to be a part of it because it is a charity and for the experience. Who gets to do that?”
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media
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