Lockwood Bounces Back From Wreck Against Marquis Metal Works Coriolis Effect
By: Justin Felisko
PUEBLO, Colo. – Two-time World Champion Jess Lockwood does not need to be reminded of how rough his 2021 season has gone so far.
The braces in his mouth from a broken jaw at the season-opener in Ocala, Florida, and the ice pack on his broken free hand following a vicious wreck against Marquis Metal Works Coriolis Effect Friday night are plenty of reminders.
However, an unblemished record against Rising Sun was just one more reason to battle through any pain and fight for the 8-second mark on Saturday night during Round 1 of the PBR Built Ford Tough Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires.
“I have had so much luck on that bull from Chad Berger. I won multiple events, won a round on the World Finals on him. That was definitely the deciding factor,” Lockwood told Kate Harrison on CBS Sports Network. “There is nothing that is going to mess up my riding like a little broke hand, especially my free arm. But with a bull like that, you can get some big points and possibly a round win.”
Lockwood may not have earned the Round 1 win on Saturday night, but he improved to a perfect 5-for-5 aboard Rising Sun, this time riding the 8-year-old bull for 88.25 points and a fourth-place finish.
The 23-year-old previously won Chad Berger’s 2018 Match of Champions and $75,000 aboard Rising Sun in 2018, and he has ridden Rising Sun twice at the PBR World Finals.
Lockwood is competing in only his fourth event this year after breaking his jaw on his first bull ride attempt of the new season on Jan. 16. He was looking to win his first event of 2021 on Friday night in the conclusion of the Del Rio, Texas, event, which was held in Glendale, when Marquis Metal Works Coriolis Effect brutally rocked him forward and sent him crashing to the Gila River Arena floor in 2.17 seconds. (Coriolis Effect was marked a career-best 46 points for his performance.)
Lockwood, who had to clear the PBR’s concussion protocol Saturday before riding, had his free hand wrapped and needed 2016 World Champion Cooper Davis to pull his bull rope. Davis won Round 1 with 90 points on Mr. Winston.
Regardless, Lockwood made sure to make things count on Saturday night to pick up 16 world points and move up to No. 40 in the world standings.
The Volborg, Montana bull rider has drawn Lil Loco (3-0, UTB) for Round 2. Lil Loco bucked off Cody Teel in 2.02 seconds on Saturday night.
And if Lockwood wants another crack at Coriolis Effect (45.10 points per out), he could potentially try to select him in the championship round, as Jeremy Walker and Paradigm Bull Company are going to roll the No. 5 bull in the YETI World Champion Bull race back out on Sunday afternoon.
All the action of Championship Sunday airs on CBS Sports Network at 10 p.m. ET and RidePass at 3:45 p.m. ET.
Lockwood is only 2-for-7 this season so far, but he is thankful his injuries have not been too serious and that he is still able to compete Sunday in Glendale, where he will get another shot to pick up his much-desired first win of 2021.
“I still got my braces on from my broken jaw. That is not fixed yet. I got a broken hand. I got a wrist (injury) going on. But it is all injuries I can ride with,” Lockwood said after chuckling when Harrison brought up his rough start to 2021.
“It is not too bothersome, but I haven’t been riding too good. Me and my dad were talking just after my ride, and he said right there, it all starts with one. So we got the one down, and hopefully, that is all we needed to get on a roll.”
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media