Thanks
For The Memories! By Barbara Pinnella
Photos by Andy Watson / BullStock Media
It is amazing to think that it was back in 1992 when 20 bull riders got together to begin talks about branching out to form their own organization. Two years later, the first tour of the PBR took place, with Las Vegas being the home of the 1994 Finals at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. In 1999 the Finals moved to the UNLV campus at the Thomas & Mack Center, and in 2016 moved again, this time to the T-Mobile Arena. While the Finals were held in Arlington, Texas last year, they have always been synonymous with Vegas. Each of the three venues gave us a lot to watch; incredible rides and outstanding bulls. But we have now reached the end of an era. 2021, the 28th PBR World Finals, will be the last year that they will be held in Las Vegas. Next spring, they make the move to Fort Worth, Texas. Sad in a way, but with growth comes change. So, let’s look back at just a few of those great Finals moments over the past 26 years in the Entertainment Capitol of the World. WORLD CHAMPIONS We were not yet aware, but that first year the Finals took place back in 1994 was a look to the future of how much influence the great Brazilian bull riders would have in the sport. Adriano Moraes walked out of the MGM Grand Garden Arena as the first PBR World Champion, and that was not to be his only time.
He proved that he did not have to be at the MGM, when he won again in 2001 at Thomas & Mack and, despite severe back spasms, one more time in 2006. Adriano was the oldest rider when he won that last title, and the first three-time World Champion. Another Brazilian was able to secure three World titles. Back-toback wins in 2011 and 2012, and then again in 2014, put Silvano Alves right there with Adriano. When he won his first title, he had only been in the States for a year-and-a-half. On his way to that 2014 victory, he went 6-6 at the Finals. Four greats were able to win two World Championships. In 2003 and 2005, the extremely popular Chris Shivers not only won two years, but also managed to be the first man to do many things in the PBR. He was the first bull rider to hit the $1 million, $2 million, and $3 million mark. He made thirteen 90-point rides in 1998, and during his reign had a then-record score of 96.5 – twice! Justin McBride was the World Champ in 2005 and 2007, and interestingly enough, his final ride in each of those was on the bull, Camo. Luckily for him, in 2005 he only needed to make the eight seconds, since the majority of his ride was spent on the side of the bull. He was much more successful the second time around, posting a score of 92.25. Justin was the first bull rider to win $5 million during his career. In August of last year, he was voted into the Bull
Humps-Horns.com · 16 · November 2021
