Dirteater Rides for Over 90 in Last World Finals During Memorable Round 3
By: Justin Felisko
ARLINGTON, Texas – Ryan Dirteater is amidst his 12th and last PBR World Finals, and the Cherokee Kid will forever remember the incredible Round 3 that took place Saturday night at AT&T Stadium.
2020 World Champion Jose Vitor Leme capped off an electric night of bull riding by winning his first gold buckle with a sensational 95.75-point ride on Woopaa.
The ride was the sixth and final 90-point ride of the night. Saturday was the most 90-point rides in a single round at the PBR World Finals since there were 10 in Round 7 of the 2008 World Finals.
“Six 90s!” Dirteater exclaimed. “I mean, you’re at the best bull riding in the world. It’s expected.”
2008, coincidentally, was Dirteater’s first PBR World Finals. However, he was bucked off in Round 7 that week.
Dirteater would have won Round 3 in Arlington with his 91-point ride on Payin Debts if not for Leme. He will head into Championship Sunday 2-for-3 at the Finals and is sitting in eighth place in the event average.
“I’m happy,” Dirteater said of registering the 16th 90-point ride of his career. “Oh yeah. Here at the PBR World Finals, the biggest bull riding in the world, best bulls, best bull riders. Yeah, that’s special to me. It really is.”
The PBR and its commissioner Sean Gleason honored Dirteater during Round 1 of the World Finals on Thursday.
“I’m going to miss every moment of it,” Dirteater told the crowd inside AT&T Stadium. “It’s been a huge honor to ride with some of the legends, the superstars and the future superstars of the sport. I just want to thank the PBR, the fans and all my great sponsors. Thank y’all very much. It’s been one hell of a ride.”
Sunday will be Dirteater’s final competition before he hangs up his bull rope for good, and he is looking forward to giving PBR fans a few more reasons to cheer before he heads home to Hulbert, Oklahoma, and a relaxing retirement.
Dirteater may just be able to notch another 90-point ride on Sunday when he takes on Big Black in Round 4.
Big Black has been ridden for 90 or more points 13 times at all levels of competition. The 6-year-old bull bucked off Derek Kolbaba, though, in Round 2 in a quick 1.88 seconds.
Fans can watch the conclusion of the 2020 World Finals, and Dirteater’s career, beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network and at 5:15 p.m. ET on RidePass.
“Oh, I’m very appreciative of the fans,” Dirteater concluded. “They’ve been loyal fans to me, to the other riders, and the PBR. I’m just thankful for them throughout my career.”
90-point rides in Round 3 on Saturday night
Jose Vitor Leme (95.75 points on Woopaa)
Ryan Dirteater (91 points on Payin Debts)
Derek Kolbaba (90.75 points on I’m A Secret)
Keyshawn Whitehorse (90 points on Skeeter Peter)
Boudreaux Campbell (90 points on Safety Meeting)
Kyler Oliver (90 points on Chain Smoker)
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media
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