Arizona Ridge Riders Reflect on Year Two Ahead of UTB Kickoff in Tucson Nov. 10
By James Youness
PUEBLO, Colo. – There’s something to be said about losing with grace.
While Arizona Ridge Riders’ Technical Coach Paulo Crimber would’ve preferred to end the weekend in the winner’s circle, he’s remained humble, and thankful, for the guys he’s been surrounded by during the second season of 5-on-5 competition.
“I couldn’t be prouder,” Crimber shared after the confetti had fallen and he congratulated fellow coach Cody Lambert and friends.
“I have to give thanks and the glory to God because we couldn’t have done it without his permission.”
A line that typically would’ve been shared by Lambert or someone of the championship-capturing squad.
But after being blessed with a second-straight year competing on Championship Sunday inside T-Mobile Arena, Crimber couldn’t help but to show love for his riders.
Having defeated the Carolina Cowboys on Friday night (344-265.5) and later besting the Kansas City Outlaws on Saturday (160.25-86.75), Arizona found itself competing on day three once again.
With Nick Tetz serving as the team’s lead-off rider for a majority of the season (albeit navigating PBR Canada competition and injuries of his own), the team turned to another of its talented riders to get things started on Championship Sunday.
“That Semifinals game, Chase (Dougherty) thought he had the whistle, but it was too short. We could’ve played off that a little bit, because when we start with a score, it’s a different atmosphere,” Crimber shared.
“He’s sore, he’s hurting from last night. He was a stud just to get on and I tip my hat to him because he’s a champ for what he did this weekend. We couldn’t have asked for any better.”
Getting banged up earlier in the weekend after getting tied up during a dismount attempt, Dougherty wasn’t exactly at 100% as the weekend progressed. But that didn’t stop him from giving his all.
Eventually dumped to the dirt in a heartbreaking 7.70 seconds, Dougherty was the first of five to come up short, as the Texas Rattlers went on to capture the game, 175.25-0.
“The rest of them came to be something in the chutes or change of direction,” Crimber added.
“We always trust God for the results and his will, and I think that’s the way it was, but we have to accept that.”
Forced to immediately shift gears and compete within the tournament’s Third Place Game just minutes after seeing their championship aspirations disappear into thin air, Arizona was met with an opportunity to build character and go out with a bang.
And that’s just what they did.
Going 4-for-5 en route to claiming bronze, the Ridge Riders posted a convincing 344.75-0 victory over the Missouri Thunder.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the team coming back from a loss in that Third Place Game … changing sides with a hurry and then to ride four bulls out of five … that was a big deal,” Crimber added.
Putting an exclamation point on his productive weekend (3-for-4 overall), veteran Eduardo Aparecido improved to 7-for-8 all-time in PBR Teams playoff competition, courtesy of a quality 87-point journey aboard Lapua. Ending his second year of PBR Teams action tied with Vitor Losnake for the team’s best record, the 33-year-old has played a huge role in the team’s continued success.
“Eddy is the best rider on tour right now, in my opinion. I’ve never doubted him one minute. I know every time he went down, at the beginning of the season, 10-straight or whatever it was, I know it was always something happening here or there you know, but I’m probably the person who believes in him the most because I’ve always been a big fan and he always delivers. This is where he rides every time.”
A talented rider, but one of many dedicated individuals inside Arizona’s clubhouse who has put the team over himself. An important aspect of the Ridge Riders’ season.
“It’s just been so amazing. The camaraderie and the bonding. The caring and the love for each other, the respect and trust we have: that’s real,” Crimber said.
“It doesn’t matter where we went, we were together in the bad times and together in the great times. I think that’s what makes us so special.”
Following up the team’s runner-up finish during the inaugural postseason gauntlet with a third-place ranking during the 2023 iteration, the Ridge Riders became the league’s first and only team in PBR Teams history to produce a pair of Top 3 finishes within two postseason events.
“What we did this weekend, we kind of wrote history, so it’s going to help this team so much individually, within the Teams bit, whatever path they chose to take, and I think that’s going to be tremendous,” Crimber offered.
“That’s going to be a good watching.”
The second season of 5-on-5 action may be in the books, but that doesn’t mean Crimber is taking off his coaching hat.
Set to attend this weekend’s Unleash The Beast season kickoff event Nov. 10-11 as the premier series begins its 2024 campaign, he’ll be present in Tucson, Arizona, to watch a few of his Ridge Riders get their individual seasons started.
And, well, to support an up-and-coming kid, who’s primed to make his UTB debut on Friday night.
One he’s taken under his wing over the past 18 years. (While raising him.)
His name? 18-year-old John Crimber.
Perhaps you’ve heard of him?
View this post on Instagram
As to whether there’s a pathway to getting the talented youngster within Arizona’s locker room for good? (after watching the 2023 postseason unravel beside his father and team).
“We will have to wait to see how the league is determining things for next year,” Crimber shared, looking ahead.
“Without a doubt we’d like to try (to make a move) because that’s where he wants to be and that’s where he’s at (right now). He knows all of the guys here and I think that he would fit in just right. He would make this team even more special than it is right now.”
While the Ridge Riders, and bull riding fans around the world, will have to wait to see where the budding superstar ultimately calls home within the PBR Camping World Team Series, they’ll be able to get a glimpse of what’s to come as soon as Friday night, as Crimber prepares to compete alongside Chase Dougherty during PBR Tucson.
Arizona fans can stay tuned to future Unleash The Beast and Pendleton Velocity Whisky Tour event draws, with team stars in Keyshawn Whitehorse, Vitor Losnake, Nick Tetz and company set to compete in the coming weeks as the winter slate quickly approaches.
All PBR fans can stay tuned to PBR.com and PBR social media channels throughout the week as the organization prepares to Unleash The Beast!
Photo courtesy of Josh Homer/Bull Stock Media
© 2023 PBR Inc. All rights reserved.