Post by CThrash13 on Oct 13, 2008 18:31:08 GMT -5
There isn't much to say that hasn't already been said this season, but I'm going to throw out a few observations anyway.
Rider Thoughts
The World Finals will be here in a few weeks, and the intensity is definitely starting to pick up for the guys on the "bubble." Numerous riders stepped up this past weekend with their backs against the wall. Brian Herman and Kolt Donaldson did enough to pretty much lock up their spot in Vegas, and Ryan McConnell moved into the top 45 as well. The guys usually try hard week to week, but you could see a little extra this past weekend.
The "Ednei Caminhas race to Vegas" watch continued as the 2002 World Champ moved up to 11th in the BFTS standings but only 46th in the qualifier standings. The situation just keeps getting crazier by the week, but if he rides a couple bulls this weekend, he should move into the top 45. Either way, we should see him there regardless because of the injuries to certain riders already inside the top 45. There will more than likely be a few alternates at least.
How great was it to see Brian Canter back in action in Columbus? He nearly made the ride the first night before struggling a little more the second night. Nonetheless, he seemed to be in very good spirits, and I expect him to make an impact sooner rather than later. After getting another tuneup in Uncasville this upcoming weekend, he might be prepared to make some noise in Vegas. After such a nasty wreck, however, it was just positive to see him back.
It's also time to give Dustin Elliot a little credit. Elliot has quietly gone about his way this season, and after his tie for second in Columbus, he moved up to number nine in the BFTS standings. His riding style is as good as anyone in the PBR, and it's time for the mainstream to start giving him his due. There is a reason he is a former PRCA World Champion.
On the other side of things, what in the world has happened to Sean Willingham? It's surprising to see him ranked outside the top 10, and his last couple months have been pretty mediocre. In fact, he has ridden one bull in his past five events which is almost unheard of for one of the most talented riders in the sport. Hopefully he will have a solid showing at The Finals and get some momentum going for 2009. He is a top-five guy for sure.
Bull Thoughts
I would like to start by sending my apologies to Spit Fire and his owner. I completely overlooked him when doing my PBR Bull of the Year rankings, and it was a mistake. After seeing his last couple trips, I'd put him right behind Troubador. Troubador has still been the most consistent and best all season, but Spit Fire is coming on strong.
Don't forget about Bones either. The 39.25 trip in Kansas City earlier this year will probably take him out of the running in 2008, but keep an eye out for him next season. His last three trips have been as rank as any, and if Justin McBride would have held on this past weekend, the score would have been 95ish.
It's worth throwing a shoutout to Ricky Bobby as well. He was in my top five the last time I did a ranking, and he is still there. He doesn't have any 46-point scores, but his only score under 45 this season was a 44.75 in Des Moines. That's 11 outs with only one score under 45, and if that isn't worthy of getting him into the top five, I don't know what is.
Blizzard isn't a short-round caliber bull, and I'll just leave it at that. His last out over 44.25 was over a year ago, and when guys to do ride him, the scores aren't going to be anything to write home about.
The other disappointing bull from Columbus was Gnash. He was rated 44.25, and that was VERY generous. If that out would have happened during a long-go round, the score would have been 41 or 42 points. If he had any chance of finishing in the top five before the event this past weekend, that out took him out of the discussion altogether.
The Final Say
It's crazy to think the World Finals are only a few weeks away, but I'm definitely ready to see the world's best riders go against the world's best bulls for seven rounds plus a short-go round. This weekend's event in Uncasville will ultimately decide which riders will be heading to Vegas, and I'm sure the effort will be even better than it was this past weekend. Things are heading up, so stay tuned!
If you have anything to add, please leave a comment in the topic. As always, the more discussion the merrier! Thanks for reading, and be on the lookout for my matchups for Uncasville later in the week.
Rider Thoughts
The World Finals will be here in a few weeks, and the intensity is definitely starting to pick up for the guys on the "bubble." Numerous riders stepped up this past weekend with their backs against the wall. Brian Herman and Kolt Donaldson did enough to pretty much lock up their spot in Vegas, and Ryan McConnell moved into the top 45 as well. The guys usually try hard week to week, but you could see a little extra this past weekend.
The "Ednei Caminhas race to Vegas" watch continued as the 2002 World Champ moved up to 11th in the BFTS standings but only 46th in the qualifier standings. The situation just keeps getting crazier by the week, but if he rides a couple bulls this weekend, he should move into the top 45. Either way, we should see him there regardless because of the injuries to certain riders already inside the top 45. There will more than likely be a few alternates at least.
How great was it to see Brian Canter back in action in Columbus? He nearly made the ride the first night before struggling a little more the second night. Nonetheless, he seemed to be in very good spirits, and I expect him to make an impact sooner rather than later. After getting another tuneup in Uncasville this upcoming weekend, he might be prepared to make some noise in Vegas. After such a nasty wreck, however, it was just positive to see him back.
It's also time to give Dustin Elliot a little credit. Elliot has quietly gone about his way this season, and after his tie for second in Columbus, he moved up to number nine in the BFTS standings. His riding style is as good as anyone in the PBR, and it's time for the mainstream to start giving him his due. There is a reason he is a former PRCA World Champion.
On the other side of things, what in the world has happened to Sean Willingham? It's surprising to see him ranked outside the top 10, and his last couple months have been pretty mediocre. In fact, he has ridden one bull in his past five events which is almost unheard of for one of the most talented riders in the sport. Hopefully he will have a solid showing at The Finals and get some momentum going for 2009. He is a top-five guy for sure.
Bull Thoughts
I would like to start by sending my apologies to Spit Fire and his owner. I completely overlooked him when doing my PBR Bull of the Year rankings, and it was a mistake. After seeing his last couple trips, I'd put him right behind Troubador. Troubador has still been the most consistent and best all season, but Spit Fire is coming on strong.
Don't forget about Bones either. The 39.25 trip in Kansas City earlier this year will probably take him out of the running in 2008, but keep an eye out for him next season. His last three trips have been as rank as any, and if Justin McBride would have held on this past weekend, the score would have been 95ish.
It's worth throwing a shoutout to Ricky Bobby as well. He was in my top five the last time I did a ranking, and he is still there. He doesn't have any 46-point scores, but his only score under 45 this season was a 44.75 in Des Moines. That's 11 outs with only one score under 45, and if that isn't worthy of getting him into the top five, I don't know what is.
Blizzard isn't a short-round caliber bull, and I'll just leave it at that. His last out over 44.25 was over a year ago, and when guys to do ride him, the scores aren't going to be anything to write home about.
The other disappointing bull from Columbus was Gnash. He was rated 44.25, and that was VERY generous. If that out would have happened during a long-go round, the score would have been 41 or 42 points. If he had any chance of finishing in the top five before the event this past weekend, that out took him out of the discussion altogether.
The Final Say
It's crazy to think the World Finals are only a few weeks away, but I'm definitely ready to see the world's best riders go against the world's best bulls for seven rounds plus a short-go round. This weekend's event in Uncasville will ultimately decide which riders will be heading to Vegas, and I'm sure the effort will be even better than it was this past weekend. Things are heading up, so stay tuned!
If you have anything to add, please leave a comment in the topic. As always, the more discussion the merrier! Thanks for reading, and be on the lookout for my matchups for Uncasville later in the week.