Thanks for the Memories

By Barbara Pinnella

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.

Adriano Moraes

Photo by Andy Watson / BullStock Media

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 Riding Hall of Fame, and his many fans can still enjoy him as one of the television color commentators for the PBR.

When the first note of Bad to the Bone would hit, the crowd went wild, knowing they would get to see fan favorite J.B. Mauney. Plagued by injuries, but known for picking the baddest of the bad whenever he had the opportunity, Mauney won his two titles in 2013 (and was also event champion that year as well as in 2009), and 2015.

He posted a score of 92.75, and he didn’t even need to ride to win his second World title! He had already clinched the Championship. PBR fans were missing him this year, as he made the decision to try to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo, but hopefully we see him back ‘home.’

Then of course, there is the youngest bull rider to win two World titles, Jess Lockwood. He picked up his wins in 2017 and 2019. Unfortunately, it does not look as if he will make it to the Finals this year. He has sustained many injuries this season, and has not competed since May.

While all the other World Champions have certainly earned many accolades, Guilherme Marchi has to stand alone in his victory. He was second three years in a row, in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Finally, his perseverance paid off, and he won the gold buckle in 2008. More than win, he dominated the entire year.

GREAT RIDES

The highest-scored rides at the Finals are distinguished by the person receiving the Lane Frost/Brent Thurman Award.

J.B.’s six highest-scored rides at the Finals, puts him ahead of anyone else. He posted his best in 2014 at Thomas & Mack, when he rode the Jeff Robinson Bucking Bull Percolator to a 94-point score. He always shined in the Finals, also riding Copperhead Slinger, Crosswired, Black Pearl, Smackdown, and most recently the afore-mentioned ride on Bruiser in 2015.

Shivers made three rides that were the highest in the Finals. They occurred in 1999, 2001, and an incredible 12 years later, in 2012. Two of his scores were particularly impressive; the one in 1999 when he paired up with Trick or Treat of Western Rodeos, Inc. for a whopping 96, and two years later, when he bested that after his ride on Dillinger, owned by Herrington Cattle Co., earned him a 96.50 – to date, the highest score to be posted at the Finals!

Photo by Andy Watson / BullStock Media

Three-time World Champ Adriano had two Finals rides that were the best. In 1996 he covered Western Trails’ Shotgun Red to a 93.50, and struck again in 2006 after his ride on Here’s Your Sign, owned by Frontier/Teague Bucking Bulls got him a score of 93. Shivers’ 96 on Trick or Treat was matched that year, 1999, by Terry Don West. He covered Promise Land, a bull who was owned by Terry Williams Bucking Bulls.

The latest Vegas recipient of the Lane Frost/ Brent Thurman Award is Rubens Barbosa. In 2019 he scored a big 95.75 with Chiseled, a bull owned by Flynn/D&H Cattle Co.

BULL STARS

Over the years there have always been great bulls. The main difference now, is that there are so many more of them. The Brand of Honor was started in 2011 to give recognition to the great bulls of the sport, and the first recipient was Little Yellow Jacket. Four times this Berger/ Teague/Taupin star helped earn his riders the Lane Frost/Brent Thurman Award. And he was the World Champion Bucking Bull three years in a row; 2002, 2003, and 2004. How is that for consistency?

Michael Gaffney rides Little Yellow Jacket for 96.5 points in Nampa, ID (2004)

Photo by Andy Watson / BullStock Media

In 2000 and 2001 it was Dillinger who was World Champion Bucking Bull, and was also given the BoH, the same bull that Shivers paired up with for his 96.50 score in 2001. In 2013 it was another Herrington bull, Red Wolf, to be honored with this award. He carried both Troy Dunn in 1997 and Cody Custer the following year to that Lane Frost/Brent Thurman Award.

In 2004 Mossy Oak Mudslinger and Mike Lee teamed up for a score of 93.75 to give Lee the Frost/Thurman Award. The other bulls to earn this recognition are the World Champion Bucking Bull in 2008 and 2010 Bones, 2007 World Champion Bucking Bull Chicken on a Chain, Bushwacker (who was the Champion Bucking Bull in 2011, 2013, and 2014), Pearl Harbor, and Bodacious.

J.B. Mauney broke Bushwacker’s streak of 42 consecutive buckoffs with a 95.25 ride in Tulsa, OK (2013)

Photo by Andy Watson / BullStock Media

In four trips to the PBR Finals, and 12 outs, the very tough Voodoo Child, owned by Robinson/Beutler/McNeely, went unridden.

In a Finals career that went from 2000-2005, there was the little but mighty Blueberry Wine, owned by Herrington Cattle Co., who was also unridden at all of his five Finals. Often not taken seriously due to his size, Blueberry Wine proved to be just too quick for most of those who tried him.

In closing, to all of the bullfighters who protect the bull riders, the medical staff who are always right there to do whatever is needed, the stock contractors who bring their great bulls, everyone involved in PR, the production staff, and all those who travel up and down the road to ensure the product that the PBR puts out there is first class, thank you!! It has been a great ride in Vegas for all these years, and we wish you the best of luck in your new venue.