Built Ford Tough Series
Event Highlights
FOR USE AS DESIRED
12/29/2005 Contact:
Bonnie Wheatley
PR Department
719.471.3008, ext. 3134
bonnie@pbrnow.com or
www.pbrnow.com The Professional Bull Riders'
Minneapolis Invitational
in Minneapolis, MN
part of the
Built Ford Tough Series
presented by Wrangler
Dec. 30-31
Event Notes
The second stop on the 2006 Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler rocks into action as the Minneapolis Invitational hits Minneapolis, Minn., Dec. 30 - 31, 2005 at 8 p.m. each evening. Buck into the New Year with the Professional Bull Riders' (PBR) as the fastest growing sport in America kicks into high gear with an electrifying new season of wild rides and high impact wrecks.
2005 defending Professional Bull Riders' (PBR) World Champion Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) is conspicuously absent from the Minneapolis Invitational contestant roster. No PBR World Champion in the organization's history has successfully earned back to back championships and there is a determined pack hot on McBride's heels. McBride expects to curb his schedule in 2006 and has the option of attending select tour events according to PBR regulations. McBride might slow his pace but stated, "My expectations are the same as ever, but I achieved my main goal that I have had since I was a little kid of being the PBR World Champion, and I may feel less pressure this year. I don't want to do anything average or second rate, but this year I'm going to have fun riding bulls." He was however quick to add, "Nothing comes easy riding bulls though." The undisputed champion has PBR career earnings of $2,835,249.
OLN will air the event on Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. EST. and on Sunday, Jan. 1 also at 8 p.m. EST. Visit
www.pbrnow.com/media/tv/ to view the complete broadcast schedule.
Tickets range from $20 to $100 and are available at the Target Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.com or by calling 651.989.5151 to charge by phone.
Former Minneapolis Invitational event champions: 2003 - Owen Washburn
Mike Collins (Adair, Okla.) - Collins has been out of competition since the 2005 World Finals as the result of a groin injury. Renato Nunes Da Rosa (Buritama, Sao Paulo, BZ) - Nunes Da Rosa has been out of competition since the 2005 World Finals as the result of a rib contusions. Tater Porter (Kenansville, Fla.) - Porter has been out of competition since the 2005 World Finals as the result of a fractured ribs and a ankle injury.
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Event Promotions
Date: Date: Saturday, December 31, 2005 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. - PBR visits Western Store
Two-time PBR World Champion Chris Shivers & former PBR Rookie of the Year Luke Snyder will be signing autographs from 1 to 2:30 pm at The Western Store located at 9242 Hudson Blvd. North in Lake Elmo, Minn. Please call 651.379.3800 for additional details.
Date: Date: Saturday, December 31, 2005 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Dickies DuraBullfighter Autograph Session
Head to Mills Fleet Farm located at 17070 Kendrick Avenue in Lakeville, Minn. and join Dickies and Dickies DuraBullfighter Dennis Johnson for an autograph session and fan meet and greet. Participate in the Dickies DuraBullfighter Challenge while you're there!
Date: Date: Saturday, December 31, 2005 from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. - Official U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company PBR After-Party New Year's Eve Bash
Ring in 2006 with the PBR at the Marriott City Center located at 30 South 7th Street in Minneapolis. Don't miss the hottest New Year's Eve party in town immediately following the 8 p.m. performance! The U.S. SMOKELESS TOBACCO COMPANYS OFFICIAL PBR AFTER-PARTY will feature great promotions by Jack Daniels, USSTC, and Bud Light. PBR announcer Brandon Bates will emcee the festivities which include give-a-ways compliments of Ford Trucks, Rocky Boots and Team PBR. There will also be live music by Sunny Ledfurd and an autograph session featuring PBR sensations Brendon Clark and Jake McIntyre who will be signing autographs on behalf of Bud Light. Cory Rasch will be signing on behalf of Jack Daniel's and Ross Coleman will sign on behalf of U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company. Fans must be 21 or older and present a valid ID. Tickets can be purchased for $40 at the door.
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Top 5 Rider Notes
#1 Adriano Moraes (Cachoeira Paulista SP, BZ) - Moraes hopes to ring in the New Year with his second consecutive event title of the 2006 season in Minneapolis, Minn. The two-time PBR World Champ (1994 & 2001) led the regular season standings through the course of 2004 and from all appearances was poised to capture an unprecedented third PBR world title that season, but was overcome by a heartbreaking margin by Mike Lee (Decatur, Texas). On the thresh hold of what many insiders consider to be retirement age in the sport of bull riding, Moraes is in hot pursuit of a third gold buckle. The veteran cites adaptability and experience among the key components of his current success, "I have to pay attention to my "new" old body." The Uncasville title is proof that this Brazilian sensation is at the top of his mental game and riding with the expertise and understanding that deliver PBR world titles. Moraes has drawn Berger & Ryken's Rockin Robin in round one. The bull has been ridden three out of three attempts on the tour to an average score of 86.6 points and should be no match for Moraes.
#2 Wiley Petersen (Fort Hall, ID) - Petersen, 26, finished 2005 ranked 11th in the BFTS point standings earning $81,879 in the process. When the dust settled in Uncasville, Conn. and the curtain closed on stop number one for 2006, Petersen had ridden four out of four bulls for a pristine 100% riding percentage. Petersen iced his flawless riding with $13,769 in PBR bucks to bring his lifetime earnings to $521,888. Petersen faces Crafty Jack of Rich and Lily Bumbaca's in round one. The bull is new to PBR action and consequently the outcome of this match up is tough to predict.
#3 Guilherme Marchi (Leme, SP, BZ) - Marchi made a staunch bid for the million in 2005 and ultimately finished the year ranked no. 2 in the BFTS point standings. The 2005 World Finals event winner stated that he would return in 2006 with his sites set on a PBR world championship. Marchi's 66.3% riding percentage was the highest among the top five bull riders in the world last season and he covered an impressive 53 of the 80 bulls attempted. His virtually flawless riding style delivered tour championships in Kansas City, Mo. and Greenville, S.C. and he spurred his way to 12 top five finishes on the tour last season. His momentum carried over from 2005 to the 2006 season opener where he covered three of the four bulls attempted to finish in third for $11,736. Marchi will face Paradise Farms Rodeo Genetics' Bo Kat in round one. While this duo has yet to go head to head, Bo Kat is 0 for nine on the tour having turfed all previous contenders in his tour career.
#4 Jody Newberry (Ada, OK) - Newberry, 25, finished 2005 with 9,362 series points on his way to third in the world and $174,527. Newberry is a former World Finals event winner (2003) and achieved 2003 PBR Rookie of the Year honors. Newberry lists among his most memorable rides his match-up against the legendary Little Yellow Jacket at the 2003 World Finals, which yielded a 94.5 point score and earned him the Lane Frost/Brent Thurman award for the highest scored ride at the Finals. Newberry finished sixth in the aggregate at the recent World Finals. In round one he will challenge Berger & Ryken's bull Bond, James Bond. In 7 career BFTS outs Bond, James Bond has been covered only one time.
#5 J.W. Hart (Overbrook, OK) - Hart has said that he won't quit until he wears the number one crown in professional bull riding. $1,259,405 in PBR career earnings haven't satisfied the PBR's "Ironman," who has competed on the tour for 12 consecutive years, qualified for every PBR World Finals held to date, and set the record for the most consecutive events attended - 197. Hart rode three out of four bulls in Uncasville on his way to a fifth place finish. Hart, who has battled nagging groin injuries for the past few seasons, ended 2005 ranked number 23 in the BFTS point standings but has higher aspirations in 2006. The Ironman has drawn Bumbaca's Pepper Popper in round one, a bull that is new to the tour.
