International Duo Dominates the Anaheim Open

MEDIA CONTACT: Bonnie Wheatley PR Department 719.242.2800, ext. 3134 office bonnie@pbrnow.com

Photo: Andy Watson Greg Potter in the championship round of the Anaheim Built Ford Tough Series PBR. Click here to see more of Andy's Photos

ANAHEIM , Calif. (February 13, 2005) - Arrowhead Pond hosted the Professional Bull Riders' (PBR) Anaheim Open tonight, as the tenth stop on the 31-city Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler (BFTS) bucked into the record books. A dynamic bull riding duo shared center stage following the hotly contested Anaheim Open event. 1994 and 2001 PBR World Champion Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira Paulista, Sao Paulo Brazil) and Australian bull riding sensation Greg Potter (Queensland, Australia) shared top honors, each recording cumulative scores of 266 points on three bulls. The Anaheim Open represented the seventh event of the season for Moraes, who underwent surgery on November 17 to reattach the torn bicep of his riding (left) arm. The prestigious Anaheim Open featured the top 45 bull riders in the industry gunning for the ultimate crown – the million dollar PBR Built Ford Tough World Championship. The PBR tour packed a double punch this weekend, traveling from Fresno on Friday night to Anaheim on Saturday, February 12 and Sunday, February 13.

As the top qualifier to the Built Ford Tough Championship Round, Moraes was next to nod following the electrifying 91.5 point performance posted by the defending 2004 Anaheim Open champion, Potter. Moraes then matched moves with Don Kish Bucking Bulls' Savage for 88.5 points, which was enough to deliver co-championship honors. Moraes topped Paradise Farms Rodeo Genetics' bull Here We Go for 88.5 points in round one, and followed up with an 89 point second place finish in round two aboard Cordell and Loudamy's Happy Jack. Potter finished fourth behind Moraes in round one with 87 points on Cordell and Loudamy's Blue Jack, and proceeded to split fourth and fifth place honors in round two with fellow Australian, Jared Farley, of Kempsey, New South Wales.

Of his final round ride aboard Cordell and Loudamy's Uncle Charlie, Potter said, "He's been around for a while. I think Cory McFadden had him a year or two ago in the finals when he won the Challenger Tour event in Pueblo. He went out there about two jumps with me and then around to the right." Continued Potter, "He was not that easy to get by actually because he was real strong and when he turned back to the right he kind of back upped and it made things harder, but it all worked out for the best." Potter was one of four men to cover all three of his bulls and split the co-championship handily with Moraes by a five point margin over third place finisher and hometown favorite, Zack Brown of Chino Hills, Calif. Brown, whose commute to the Anaheim Open was a convenient half hour jaunt, was thrilled to have friends and family on hand to celebrate the win. Of the added pressure to win on his home turf Brown said, "I managed to stay pretty confident. I try to go to each event with a positive attitude."

The Anaheim Open signified the first PBR event championship of the season for Moraes, who will turn 35 in April. The win boosted the bull riding veteran's PBR career earnings to an impressive $1,699,350. Moraes, who injured his riding arm on October 24 during the second go round of the 2004 Built Ford Tough World Finals, spent the early part of the 2005 season traveling between his part-time Keller, Texas residence and his ranch in Brazil following his surgery.

Potter on the other hand chalked up his first season title of 2005 in January at the Worcester Classic, where ironically he also tied for top honors, that time with Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.). Potter, who turns 34 in July, has achieved a riding percentage on the tour this season of 62% and has PBR career earnings totaling $548,358.

Despite his absence from the Anaheim Open contestant roster due to injuries sustained during last weekend's BFTS event held in Tampa, Fla., McBride retains his lead in the BFTS point standings with 3,042.5 BFTS points. McBride has chalked up an impressive five top five BFTS finishes to date in 2005 and has season earnings totaling $82,313 and PBR career earnings of $1,387,930. Jensen, Utah cowboy Tony Mendes moved to second place in the world standings, just 322.5 points behind McBride, as a result of his fourth place finish at the Anaheim Open.

Reindeer Dippin, owned by Flying U Rodeo Company, captured top bull honors of this event. Finishing in the runner-up position for top bull honors was Don Kish Bucking Bulls' Ugly.

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

BEHIND THE CHUTES:

Ross Johnson (Alvord, Texas) captured top honors in round one with an impressive 90.5 point score aboard Canyon State Livestock's Hair Trigger and was awarded the opportunity to compete in the Mossy Oak Shoot Out bonus round. Johnson was unsuccessful in his attempt to cover Canyon State Livestock Inc.'s Lying Eyes, consequently the bonus money increases to $15,000.

Enterprise Ride with the Best Bonus: As the Table Mountain Casino Invitational event champion in Fresno, Calif. on February 11, Troy Dunn Queensland, Australia) was eligible to compete for the Enterprise Ride with the Best bonus money in Anaheim. Dunn was unsuccessful in his attempt to cover his first go round draw, however scored 86.5 points in round two aboard Canyon State Livestock's What Rules and consequently earned the $5,000 bonus reward.

Ford Truck Moment of Truth Bonus: Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira Paulista, Sao Paulo Brazil) led the event going into the Built Ford Tough Championship Round on his way to successfully capturing the event co-title. Consequently, Moraes captured the lucrative Ford Truck Moment of Truth bonus reward worth $5,000. When the Built Ford Tough Moment of Truth Bonus is claimed the purse returns to $5,000.

Bud Light Short Go Top Qualifiers Bonus: Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira Paulista, Sao Paulo Brazil) was awarded the Bud Light Short Go Top Qualifier award of $2,500 since he advanced to the Built Ford Tough Championship Round in the top spot and participates in the program by wearing the Bud Light patch.

INJURY REPORT:

Gilbert Carrillo (Stephenville, Texas) – Torn ligaments in right thumb, doubtful for Jacksonville.

Ross Coleman (Redmond, Ore.) – Stitches over left eye, competing.

Cody Whitney (Asher, Okla.) – Probable rib fractures, doubtful for Jacksonville.

The Anaheim Open Built Ford Tough Series Event Results:

FIRST ROUND: 1) Ross Johnson (Alvord, Texas) 90.5 points on Canyon State Livestock's Hair Trigger, $2,730; 2) Tater Porter (Kenansville, Fla.) 90 points on Canyon State Livestock's Forty Below, $1,950; 3) Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 88.5 points on Paradise Farms Rodeo Genetics' Here We Go, $1,170; 4) Greg Potter (Queensland, Australia) 87 points on Cordell & Loudamy's Blue Jack, $780.

SECOND ROUND: 1) Ednei Caminhas (P. Alves, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 90.5 points on Art Watson's Chino, $2,730; 2) Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 89 points on Cordell and Loudamy's Happy Jack, $1,950; 3) Brian Herman (Victoria, Texas) 88.5 points on Don Kish Bucking Bulls' Heart of Gold, $1,170; 4/5) Jared Farley (Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia) 87.5 points on Cordell and Loudamy's Blue Jack, $624; 4/5) Greg Potter (Queensland, Australia) 87.5 points on Canyon State Livestock's Forty Below, $624;

BUILT FORD TOUGH CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND: 1) Greg Potter (Queensland, Australia) 91.5 points on Cordell and Loudamy's Uncle Charlie, $2,730; 2) Tony Mendes (Jensen, Utah) 90 points on Don Kish Bucking Bulls' Cash, $1,950; 3/4) Zack Brown (Chino Hills, Calif.) 88.5 points on Paradise Farms Rodeo Genetics' Slim Shady, $975; 3/4) Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 88.5 points on Don Kish Bucking Bulls' Savage, $975;

OVERALL EVENT STANDINGS: 1/2) Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 266 points, $31,138; 1/2) Greg Potter (Queensland, Australia) 266 points, $23,677; 3) Zack Brown (Chino Hills, Calif.) 261 points, $10,060; 4) Tony Mendes (Jensen, Utah) 257 points, $7,643;

BUILT FORD TOUGH SERIES POINT STANDINGS: 1) Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) 3,042.5 points; 2) Tony Mendes (Jensen, Utah) 2,720 points; 3) Greg Potter (Queensland, Australia) 2,475 points; 4) Jody Newberry (Ada, Okla.) 2,427.5 points; 5) Guilherme Marchi (Leme, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 2,279 points; 6) Rogerio Ferreira (Keller, Texas) 2,212.5 points; 7) Cody Whitney (Asher, Okla.) 1,960.5 points; 8) Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) 1,861.5 points; 9) Ross Johnson (Alvord, Texas) 1,722 points; 10) Ednei Caminhas (P. Alves, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 1,721 points.