Ezekiel Mitchell Knows Where He’s Been, Where He’s Headed in 2024

By: James Youness

LOS ANGELES – It’s not always palm trees, sunshine and surf’s up in California.

But after getting back in the ride column Friday night inside Crypto.com Arena, Ezekiel Mitchell was soaking up all of the good vibes he could as he rode himself out of a five-out premier series buckoff streak.

Which doesn’t sound that bad all things considered.

But when you factor in the idea that he was a mere 1-for-11 coming into Friday night’s opening round in Los Angeles, with his first conversion coming 77 days ago in Albany, New York, it was more than a welcome site for the talented 26-year-old.

“I feel like I’m not really far off where I left the last time I was in Albany,” Mitchell shared.

“I rode a very hard bull to ride that not many guys get along with.”

Letting the past be and instead focusing on today, Mitchell returned to the chutes with a vengeance after posting an 0-for-2 showcase during his return to premier series action last weekend in Salt Lake City.

“I had to go back down and it was a bad reality check,” he admitted.

“I didn’t handle it too well at first and whenever I just felt like I didn’t feel like being there anymore I was able to kick it back in gear and get back here.”

Able to secure his spot back on Unleash The Beast following a flashy first-place finish in Greensville, North Carolina, a few weekends back, he’s done thinking about the slow start …

… and busy turning the page to see what 2024 really has in store for him.

 
Instantly skyrocketed to the top of the event leaderboard, Mitchell celebrated before the crowd.

As much as the dance seemed to ignite the crowd, the celebration was much more a sigh of relief than an outward expression. But it capped off Mitchell’s spicy start to the weekend nonetheless, as he advanced to a perfect 1-for-1 at the Michelob ULTRA PBR Los Angeles, presented by Ariat.

Scored a commanding 87 points during his 8-second dance with Little Tex, the conversion earned him 16.5 UTB points en route to boosting him up four spots up the standings.

Entering the 12th event of the season ranked No. 51 overall and with the tour’s next series of cuts looming following the western showdown, there couldn’t have been a better time to snap the streak.

Though one would argue anytime a rider exits the dirt 1. healthy and 2. with a favorable ride score, it still tends to mean a little more after a rough stretch.

“Last weekend wasn’t the weekend I wanted, and you have those,” Mitchell said.

“Today is what I expected myself to do last weekend. I’m not surprised or happy. These can be long weekends, but I’ve already forgotten about the rest and I’m ready to get on the next one.”

Spotted dancing through the hallways on his way to introductions, some would say the Cali vibes soaked Mitchell up. While it wasn’t his spirited approach which earned him the productive night, none would argue that it hurt his odds by any means.

One of the tour’s biggest jesters and mood-setters when he wants to be, it wasn’t 30 minutes later that the Rockdale, Texas, native locked in and donned his game face.

Those who know “Blue” know he takes this sport seriously.

Folks who have grown to love “Blue” expect this much out of him, if not more.

But as for the man himself? He knows where he’s been and exactly where he’s headed.

“The message (while he was competing on the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour) was that I’ve been to five PBR World Finals and that I don’t have a doubt in my mind that I’ll make it six,” he said.

“At the end of the day, I feel like I’m a top-tier bull rider who hasn’t been a top-tier bull rider in his career, so now’s the moment. Now’s the time. I ain’t getting any younger. I am getting better looking. Aging like fine wine, but now we’re just rolling and I’m happy to be here.”

While two-time World Champion Jose Vitor Leme snuck past his Austin Gamblers teammate later in the opening round, eventually joined by the world’s top-ranked bull rider in No. 1 Cassio Dias, Mitchell was still able to secure a third-place tie (alongside No. 4 John Crimber) during the opening round of his second event back on the big tour.

A building block for Saturday afternoon. But more importantly, a potential new foundation for Mitchell to build upon as he looks to punch another ticket to the season-culminating 2024 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast.

While Mitchell wasn’t able to cover either of opponents on championship Saturday, he ended the weekend ranked No. 45 overall.

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media

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