BUSHWACKER AND JENKINS TO MEET IN REMATCH (4-9-2014)
BILLINGS, Mont. ― For the second time in three weeks, L.J. Jenkins is matched up with Bushwacker.
The two-time World Champion Bull is competing for the fourth week in a row – a career high – and once again is the featured out in the 15/15 Bucking Battle, this time in Billings, Mont.
Jenkins has been on Bushwacker twice before to no avail.
The 26-year-old drew him in Fresno, Calif., and lasted all of 1.45 seconds due in large part to an injured right shoulder. Jenkins is hoping for better results this week at the Rimrock Auto Arena on Friday night.
This will be Bushwacker’s seventh outing this year.
He’s been ridden just one time since October 2009 and that came last August when J.B. Mauney made the whistle for 95.25 points to snap the reigning World Champion Bull’s all-time mark of 42 consecutive buckoffs at Built Ford Tough Series events.
Bushwacker, whose career average score is 46.284 points in 58 BFTS outs, has now bucked off another 13 consecutive riders, 12 on the BFTS.
Earlier this year, owner Julio Moreno announced that he will retire Bushwacker at the end of the 2014 season. Longtime PBR Livestock Director Cody Lambert and others have referred to Bushwacker as the greatest bucking bull of all-time.
The 15/15 can be seen Saturday afternoon on CBS at 12:30 p.m. ET.
In the event of any injuries in Round 1 of the BFTS event or aggravated injuries from recent weeks, the top four alternates for the 15/15 will be Robson Palermo, Tanner Byrne, Markus Mariluch and Kasey Hayes.
Currently, the lone rider from the Top 15 of the world standings not competing in the 15/15 is J.B. Mauney.
Mauney is out for the second week in a row with an injury to his left riding hand and wrist. The reigning World Champion is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Wednesday and will then be further evaluated by Dr. Tandy Freeman.
Mauney has indicated that the swelling in his hand and wrist has subsided, but the injured area is still sore. He is being examined for possible ligament damage.
Also out of competition this week are Billy Robinson and Chase Outlaw.
Like Mauney, both are missing their second consecutive BFTS event.
Robinson, who is out with a groin injury, is expected to return next week, in Des Moines, Iowa, while Outlaw remains week-to-week with a sprained pelvis and strained groin.
Claudio Crisostomo is returning to competition after missing several weeks following surgery on his fractured collarbone and Pistol Robinsonwill be in the Billings draw as an alternate after dealing with a left wrist injury that has bothered him for more than a month.
Follow Keith Ryan Cartwright on Twitter @PBR_KRC.