McBride Captures Fifth Built Ford Tough Series Event Title of 2005

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Photo: Andy Watson Mike Collins is tossed through the air at the Albuquerque PBR. Click here to see more of Andy's Photos

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (April 3, 2005) - Fans of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) witnessed an intense battle during three grueling rounds of action as the hotly contested Ty Murray Invitational presented by Sandia Casino concluded. The event was the 17th stop on the elite 31-city Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) presented by Wrangler and took place at Tingley Coliseum, April 1-3. The relentless veteran bull rider Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) continues to set a scorching pace for his competition, having extended his lead in the BFTS point standings and secured his fifth BFTS event title of the season. McBride's fifth coup of 2005 puts him solidly in contention to break 1999 PBR World Champion Cody Hart's record of six tour titles in a single season, which was also set in 1999. McBride split top honors with rookie sensation Jake McIntyre (Zolfo Springs, Fla.), who earned the second tour title of his PBR career. The dynamic duo were rewarded to the tune of $26,200 and 23,271 in PBR bucks, respectively.

McBride and McIntyre entered the Built Ford Tough Championship Round in a dead heat for the top spot, having earned aggregate scores of 261 points on three bulls. Greg Potter (Queensland, Australia), however, took command of final round action when he posted an electrifying 92.5 point score aboard Roy Carter Bucking Bulls' Kid Rock. The seemingly effortless performance by Potter represented only the fourth time in the Kid Rock's stellar BFTS career that he has been conquered. However, following Potter's ride, a masterful display by the fiercest bucking bulls in the business ensued, as one by one the remaining Built Ford Tough Championship round contenders hit the dirt. While Potter stole the show in the short round it was nonetheless mathematically impossible for him to eclipse the leaders. The co-championship was sealed when the last man with a title shot, third place qualifier Sean Willingham, lasted just 4.1 seconds aboard D&H Cattle Company's bull Best Shot. In his tenth BFTS tour appearance of the 2005 season, McIntyre consistently placed in each of the three preliminary go rounds, while McBride finished in the money in round one as well as splitting second and third place money in round three, with a flawless effort aboard Paradise Farms Rodeo Genetics' bull Villain.

Said McBride of the win, "It feels cool to win this event. It is a tough three days of competition with great bulls, and of course Ty Murray's name is stamped on it." The Ty Murray Invitational represents McBride's third BFTS event co-championship this season; he shared both the Worcester, Mass. and the Jacksonville, Fla. titles, as well as capturing top honors at the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Classic held in St. Louis, Mo., and the Heart of the West Ford Invitational Held in Reno, Nev.

During his post-event interview McIntyre stated, "This is a good event with great bulls. It's special to me to win this event because it's Ty Murray's event. I've always looked up to him, ever since I was a little kid." In only the third tour event of his career the unflappable McIntyre spurred his way to top honors at the Atlanta Open, which took place in February. While McIntyre is still a new face on the tour he has certainly ridden his way out of anonymity, proving that he intends to remain seated among the top bull riders in the world.

Continued McIntyre, "I feel like I'm coming around having ridden three of the four bulls I drew here, I just wish I had ridden Blueberry Wine. He's difficult to ride because he's a small bull, but twice as strong as any other bull I've ever been on and he's really, really fast." McIntyre lasted a heartbreaking 6.5 seconds on Herrington Cattle Company's Blueberry Wine, coming off just shy of the requisite eight seconds.

Guilherme Marchi topped Herrington Cattle Company's bull Hells Bells during second round action en route to achieving his 13th consecutive bull ride in 2005 tour competition. His streak came to a sudden halt however during Sunday's third round when D&H Cattle Company's Tater Tot unseated the Brazilian sensation. Marchi, who has earned approximately $95,023 since February 19, opened the door in Albuquerque for McBride, who extended his lead for the PBR gold buckle to 903 BFTS points over Marchi.

For more information please contact the Professional Bull Riders at 719.471.3008 or visit www.pbrnow.com.

BEHIND THE CHUTES:

Enterprise Ride with the Best Bonus: As the Oh Boy! Oberto Invitational event champion in Tacoma on March 19-20, Fabricio Alves (Fort Worth, Texas) was eligible to compete for the Enterprise Ride with the Best bonus money in Albuquerque. Alves was unsuccessful in each attempt to cover second and third go round bulls, and consequently did not earn the cash incentive.

Ford Truck Moment of Truth Bonus: McBride and McIntyre were tied for the lead of the event going into the Built Ford Tough Championship Round and consequently they split the $5,000 Ford Truck Moment of Truth Bonus as co-champions of the Ty Murray Invitational. When the Built Ford Tough Moment of Truth Bonus is claimed the purse returns to $5,000.

Bud Light Short Go Top Qualifiers Bonus: McBride was awarded the Bud Light Short Go Top Qualifier award of $2,500 according to official PBR tie-breaking procedures since he advanced to the Built Ford Tough Championship Round in a tie for the top spot and participates in the program by wearing the Bud Light patch.

Mossy Oak Shoot Out: J.W. Hart (Overbrook, Okla.) was awarded the opportunity to compete in the round one Mossy Oak Shoot Out since Dunn and Shivers each declined for fear of aggravating injuries. Hart, however, failed in his attempt aboard Mossy Oak Shoot Out bonus bull French Fry, owned by D&H Cattle Company.

Ross Coleman (Redmond, Ore.) was awarded the opportunity to compete in the round two Mossy Oak Shoot Out however failed in his attempt aboard Dobber, owned by D&H Cattle Company. Consequently, the Mossy Oak Shoot Out Bonus increases to $15,000.

Salem National Lease Bull of the Event: Mossy Oak Mudslinger, owned by Page and Teague Bucking Bulls LLC, captured top bull honors of this event. As a part of Salem National Lease's exciting bonus programs, Mossy Oak Mudslinger earned the Salem National Lease Bull of the Event bonus and $1,250. The program awards $1,250 to the top bull of the event as determined by the PBR judges.

Salem National Lease High Marked Ride: Greg Potter (Queensland, Australia) was awarded the Salem National Lease High Marked Ride award of $500 as a result of achieving the high score of the Ty Murray Invitational.

INJURY REPORT:

Brian Herman (Victoria, Texas) - Injured his left groin and did not compete on Sunday. He is probable for Billings.

Bowdy Peach (Mooreland, Okla.) - Injured the wrist of his riding hand, probable for Billings.

Craig Sasse (St. Peter, Ill.) - Was transported to the University of N.M. Hospital for further observation. He suffered a posterior hip dislocation and has an acetabular rim fracture. He is in stable condition but will need surgery and will be out of competition for at least 6 months.

Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) - Shivers further aggravated his injured free arm on Saturday night. He did not ride on Sunday. Will have bone scan and x-rays this week which will determine status to compete, he is currently questionable for Billings.

Owen Washburn (Lordsburg, N.M.) – Received a laceration to his left ear when the bull stepped on it. He will compete in Billings.

Cody Whitney (Asher, Okla.) – Suffered a concussion on Saturday and did not compete on Sunday. He is probable for Billings.

The PBR Ty Murray Invitational Built Ford Tough Series Preliminary Event Results:

FIRST ROUND: 1/2) Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) 89 points on D&H Cattle Company's Big Deal, $2,340; 1/2) Troy Dunn (Queensland, Australia) 89 points on Owen Washburn's Silver, $2,340; 3/4) J.W. Hart (Gainesville, Texas) 87.5 points on Morris/Carpenter's Ticks & Chiggers, $975; 3/4) Jake McIntyre (Zolfo Springs, Fla.) 87.5 points on Bruce & Butcher Bucking Bulls' Cherokee Fiddler, $975;

SECOND ROUND: 1) Ross Coleman (Redmond, Ore.) 89 points on Teague Bucking Bulls' Honkey Cat, $2,730; 2/3) Cory McFadden (Coleman, Texas) 88 points on Paradise Farms Rodeo Genetics' Missfire, $1,560; 2/3) Bowdy Peach (Mooreland, Okla.) 88 points on D&H Cattle Company's Stretch, $1,560; 4) Keith Roquemore (Laytonville, Calif.) 87 points on Davis/White's Chief, $780;

THIRD ROUND: 1) Brendon Clark (Morpeth, New South Wales, Australia) 90 points on Cordell & Loudamy's Rage, $2,730; 2/3) Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) 89.5 points Paradise Farms Rodeo Genetics' Villain, $1,560; 2/3) Keith Roquemore (Laytonville, Calif.) 89.5 points on Rice Ranch's Rodeo Attitude, $1,560; 4/5) Steven Shelley (Natural Dam, Ark.) 88 points on Cordell & Loudamy's Blue Jack, $624; 4/5) Ross Coleman (Redmond, Ore.) 88 points on Rice Ranch's Stretcher, $624;

BUILT FORD TOUGH CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND: 1) Greg Potter (Queensland, Australia) 92.5 points on Roy Carter Bucking Bulls' Kid Rock, $2,730; one qualified ride.

OVERALL EVENT STANDINGS: 1/2) Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) 261 points, $26,200; 1/2) Jake McIntyre (Zolfo Springs, Fla.) 261 points, $23,271; 3) Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.) 254 points, $9,163; 4) Greg Potter (Queensland, Australia) 180 points, 13,973;

BUILT FORD TOUGH SERIES POINT STANDINGS: 1) Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) 6,253.5 points; 2) Guilherme Marchi (Leme, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 5,350.5 points; 3) Jody Newberry (Ada, Okla.) 4,460 points; 4) Tony Mendes (Jensen, Utah) 4,307.5 points; 5) Greg Potter (Queensland, Australia) 3,948.5 points; 6) Ross Coleman (Redmond, Ore.) 3,708 points; 7) Wiley Petersen (Fort Hall, Idaho) 3,598 points; 8) Rogerio Ferreira (Keller, Texas) 3,449.5 points; 9) Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) 3,311 points; 10) Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.) 2,981 points.