Ruger Piva Wins Reno Rumble
By: Mandi McCary
January 12, 2019
Ruger Piva won the Reno Rumble by going 3-for-3. Photo: Josh Homer/BullStockMedia.com.
RENO, Nev. – In front of a sold-out crowd Saturday night in northern Nevada, Ruger Piva (Challis, Idaho) went a perfect 3-for-3 to win the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Velocity Tour’s Reno Rumble.
Following a Round 1 win on Friday night, the Idaho native recorded an 83.5-point ride aboard Hummer (Circle P Rodeo) in Saturday’s Round 2. As the gate swung open in the championship round, Piva fired out of the chutes determined to make the 8 aboard Counting Cards (Flying U/ Cindy Rosser). He recorded an 85.5-point score as the crowd inside the Reno Events Center erupted. The win earned him 207.5 world points and a $6,100 paycheck.
In addition to winning the Reno event, Piva has also earned an invite to the upcoming Unleash The Beast Express Ranches Invitational in Oklahoma City on February 1-2.
Taylor Toves (Stephenville, Texas) finished second, collecting a paycheck for $4,100 along with 100 world points. He rode to the runner-up finish compliments of his 83.5-point ride aboard Pape’s Moonshine (Howell Rodeo Company) in Round 2 and 83.5 points on Johnny Sack (Cindy Rosser/ Flying C Livestock) in the championship round.
Third place went to Australian cowboy Kurt Shephard (Atherton, Australia) who rode Ringeye (Mann Creek Buckin Bulls) in Round 2 for 86.5 points. Later in the championship round, Shephard conquered Powerstoke (Julio Moreno/Dallas Schott) for 85.5 points. For his efforts he collected $2,170 and 72.5 world points.
Brazilian Cristiano Figueredo (Sapucaia do Norte, Mina Gerais, Brazil) finished fourth, backed by a 72-point effort on Fat Albert (Circle P Rodeo Co) in the opening round of the Reno Rumble’s final night. After an 87.5-point ride aboard Mortimer (Julio Moreno/ Dallas Schott) for the highest score in the championship round, Figuerdo leaves Reno with $2,400 and 20 world points.
Rounding out the Top 5 was veteran rider Cody Campbell (Summerville, Oregon), who recorded an energetic 85-point ride in Round 2 aboard Little Red Corvette (Flying U/ Cindy Rosser). His matchup against Bringin Trouble (Flying U/ Cindy Rosser) did indeed bring him trouble in the championship round, but despite being dispatched he collected $1,640 and 52.5 world points for his efforts.
Bad Brad, a bovine athlete owned by Humpz & Hornz, took home the top spot among the bulls for the evening. He received a 44.5-point bull score after firing out of the chutes and dispatching Joe Frost (Randlett, Utah) in 5.03 seconds.
The Velocity Tour next travels to Portland, Oregon, for the Portland Classic, on January 19.
Velocity Tour Event Results
Reno Rumble – Reno Events Center – Reno, Nevada
Name, Round 1-Round 2-Event Aggregate-Event Points
1. Ruger Piva, 88-83.5-85.5-257.00-207.5 Points.
2. Taylor Toves, 87.5-83.5-83.5-254.50-100 Points.
3. Kurt Shephard, 76.5-86.5-85.5-248.50-72.5 Points.
4. Cristiano Figueredo, 87-72-87.5-246.50-20 Points.
5. Cody Campbell, 88-85-0-173.00-52.5 Points.
6. Luis Blanco, 79.5-87-0-166.50-60 Points.
7. Joe Frost, 85.5-80.5-0-166.00-2.5 Points.
(tie). Andrew Alvidrez, 81-85-0-166.00-2.5 Points.
9. Dalan Duncan, 81.5-81-0-162.50
10. Kache Moosman, 81-80-0-161.00
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