[WVGrandma4Kasey]

Inaugural PBR Tour Event in Chihuahua a Sell Out Success



http://www.pbrnow.com/images/dynimg.cfm?ID=3722&T=0CHIHUAHUA, Mexico (August 27, 2006) - Wiley Petersen (Fort Hall, Idaho) forever etched his name in Professional Bull Riders (PBR) history as the first Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler (BFTS) event champion to be crowned in the nation of Mexico. Adding to the prestige of his Chihuahua Challenge title, Petersen claimed his fourth tour win of 2006 in front of a standing room only crowd as stop #25 rocked the city of Chihuahua's Manuel Bernardo Aguirre Gymnasio on Aug. 26-27. The Chihuahua Challenge was a landmark PBR event, and from full-time police escorts for the bucking bulls to a welcome reception hosted by Governor Jose Reyes Baeza-Terraza and Mayor Juan Blanco-Zaldivar at the Governor’s Palace in Chihuahua, the organization was warmly received by the people of Mexico. The PBR spared no expense to deliver a world class international sporting event to the fans of Mexico, transporting 85 elite PBR bucking bulls from the United States to challenge the greatest bull riders on the planet. Representatives of event partner OCESA, reported that the Chihuahua Challenge represented the first time in approximately 10 years that the Manuel Bernardo Aguirre Gymnasio had recorded a sell out audience.
Summing up his lucrative trip south of the border, Petersen stated, “I’m very happy that I could be the one to win the first event in PBR history to take place in Mexico. The PBR fans are very excited to have us here, and the people of Mexico have given us a wonderful reception. I’m honored to win the Chihuahua Challenge and I hope to come back to this event for years to come.”
Achieving a cumulative score of 252.75 points, Petersen, 27, dominated three electrifying rounds of competition, earning $29,010 for his consistency. Petersen, whose career earnings total $673,786, entered the Built Ford Tough Championship round ranked seventh overall. A solid 85.5 point score aboard Guidry Rodeo Company’s Dippin XS Energy was enough to move his name to the top of the leader board, ultimately edging Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) for the win by just a quarter of one point. Peterson has duplicated a feat he last accomplished in 2003 when he finished the BFTS season with an impressive four tour titles to his credit.
“That’s the first time I’ve drawn Dippin XS Energy, but he was great. I was bucked off actually, and had to grit my teeth and keep riding and scratching to stay on. I have to give credit to God. I’m thankful to win my fourth title of the season and grateful for good health,” said Petersen.
While Petersen engineered the overall title, it was Lee who took top honors in Built Ford Tough Championship Round action with 87 points on Stookesbury, Thorsell, and Owen’s Freightliner. In so doing, the 2004 PBR World Champion overtook Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.) for the number two position in the BFTS world standings. Lee trails world standings leader Guilherme Marchi (Leme, Sao Paulo, Brazil) by 1,155 series points and is in relentless pursuit of a second world title. Just four regular season tour stops remain before the million dollar title of PBR world champion is decided during the Built Ford Tough World Finals, which take place in Las Vegas, Nev. Oct. 27 – Nov. 5, 2006.
For more information on the Chihuahua Challenge or the PBR, please contact 719.471.3008 or visit www.pbrnow.com.

BEHIND THE CHUTES:

Mossy Oak Shoot Out: As the first round winner Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) was eligible to compete for an $85,000 bonus reward in the Mossy Oak Shoot Out. Shivers was unsuccessful against Bad Company Rodeo’s Walk This Way. Consequently the Mossy Oak Shoot Out reward increased to $90,000.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car's "Ride with the Best" Match-up Bonus: As the winner of the Dallas BFTS event, Kasey Hayes (Liberal, Kan.) was eligible for the Enterprise Rent-A-Car "Ride with the Best" bonus money in Chihuahua. On Saturday night, Hayes was unsuccessful in his attempt against Diamond S Bucking Bulls' Sharp Dressed Kid, and $5,000 was awarded to the stock contractor. On Sunday afternoon Hayes again came up short against Herrington Cattle Company’s Chili Pepper, and $5,000 was again awarded to the stock contractor.
Wiley Petersen (Fort Hall, Idaho), by way of his event win in Chihuahua, is eligible at the Greensboro, N.C. event, September 15-16, for the chance to claim the Enterprise Rent-A-Car "Ride with the Best" Match-up Bonus. If the rider covers his eligible bulls during the event, he will receive a $5,000 cash bonus for each successful ride. But, if the bulls launch the cowboy before he can make a qualified ride, the $5,000 bonus will go to that bull's stock contractor instead.

Ford Truck Moment of Truth Bonus: Tater Porter (Kenansville, Fla.) led the event going into the Built Ford Tough Championship Round, however he did not ultimately earn the overall event title. Consequently, he did not claim the Ford Truck Moment of Truth Bonus of $5,000. When the Built Ford Tough Moment of Truth Bonus is claimed the purse returns to $5,000.

Bud Light Short-Go Top Qualifier Award Program: Tater Porter (Kenansville, Fla.) was awarded the Bud Light Short-Go Top Qualifier Award of $2,500 since he was the highest advancing rider to qualify for the Built Ford Tough Championship Round.

Ford Super Duty Challenge: As the event winner, Wiley Petersen (Fort Hall, Idaho) is qualified for a chance to compete at the World Finals, against all other 2006 Built Ford Tough Series event winners, for a 2006 Ford Super Duty Truck. The Ford Super Duty Challenge contestant who finishes the highest in the event aggregate during the 2006 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals will win a brand new Super Duty Truck courtesy of Ford.

Salem National Lease Bull of the Event: Bad Company Rodeo’s Walk This Way took top bull honors of the event and as a part of Salem National Lease's exciting bonus program the bull earned $1,250. The program awards $1,250 to the top bull of the event as determined by the PBR judges.

Cabela's World's Foremost Ride: Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) overtook Travis Briscoe (Edgewood, N.M.) in Phoenix for the lead in the race for the $25,000 Cabela's World's Foremost Ride bonus. The bonus will be awarded to the rider who earns the highest score during the 2006 Built Ford Tough Series season. Shivers posted a 93.75 point score in Phoenix during final round action aboard Taylor Made Bucking Bulls' infamous Smokeless Wardance.
Injury Report:

Robey Condra (Dayton, Texas) – Concussion with loss of consciousness. Probable to compete.
Willy Ropp (Trenton, Mo.) – Lacerated his left ear, sutured in the training room. Bruised rib. Probable to compete.
Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) – Sprained neck. Probable to compete.
Chihuahua Challenge Results:

FIRST ROUND: 1) Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) 89.5 points on Mike Solomon’s Ditto, $2,730; 2) Willy Ropp (Trenton, Mo.) 89 points on Davis/White/DX3’s Chief, $1,950; 3) Robey Condra (Dayton, Texas) 88.75 points on Davis/White/DX3’s Smiley, $1,170; 4/5) Paulo Crimber (Olimpia, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 87.25 points on Guidry Rodeo Company’s Bobby Knight, $624; 4/5) Allan Moraes (Sao Paulo, Brazil) 87.25 points on Martin Baca Bucking Bulls’ Speedy Gonzales, $624;

SECOND ROUND: 1) Tater Porter (Kenansville, Fla.) 88.25 points on Davis/Wilson’s Wildcat Blaine, $2,730; 2/3) Jesse Torkelson (Winfield, Alberta, Canada) 87.25 points on Boyd/Floyd/Paradise Farms’ Hornet, $1,560; 2/3) Shane Proctor (Grand Coulee, Wash.) 87.25 points on Diamond S Bucking Bulls’ Hot Diggity, $1,560; 4) Brian Canter (Randleman, N.C.) 87 points on Boyd/Floyd/Paradise Farms’ Bobby Knight, $780.
BUILT FORD TOUGH CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND: 1) Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) 87 points on Stookesbury/Thorsell/Owen’s FreightLiner, $2,730; 2) Wiley Petersen (Fort Hall, Idaho) 85.5 points on Guidry Rodeo Company’s Dippin XS Energy, $1,950; no other qualified rides.
OVERALL EVENT STANDINGS: 1) Wiley Petersen (Fort Hall, Idaho) 252.75 points, $29,010; 2) Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) 252.5 points, $17,290; 3) Tater Porter (Kenansville, Fla.) 173.5 points, $13,925; 4) Paulo Crimber (Olimpia, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 171.75 points, $6,024;
BUILT FORD TOUGH SERIES POINT STANDINGS: 1) Guilherme Marchi (Leme, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 8,224.5 points; 2) Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas) 7,069.5 points; 3) Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.) 7,022.75 points; 4) Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil) 6,746.25 points; 5) Chris Shivers (Jonesville, La.) 6,334 points; 6) Brian Canter (Randleman, N.C.) 5,968.75 points; 7) Jody Newberry (Ada, Okla.) 5,794.75 points; Wiley Petersen (Fort Hall, Idaho) 5,749.25; 9) Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) 5,213.75 points; 10) Travis Briscoe (Edgewood, N.M.) 5,119 points.