Post by justapbrfan on Feb 3, 2006 15:53:48 GMT -5
Briscoe serves bold notice
of expectations for season
February 3rd, 2006 by Josh Peter
It’s early to say who’s the best young rider on the PBR tour, but it’s a safe bet to say who’s the boldest. That would be Travis Briscoe, 18, who rides with a white helmet that covers his shock of red hair but lets nothing cover up his confidence.
“I believe that I’ll win the world,’’ Briscoe said during an interview Thursday, “and I’m strong and confident enough to say it.’’
The bold statements started last year when Briscoe got his PBR permit and told people he planned to make it to the World Finals.
Never mind that he was only a high school junior.
Never mind that he was joining the tour in late April.
Never mind that when he finally cracked the top 45, the regular season was almost over.
“A lot of people thought it was cocky of me to be saying,’’ said Briscoe, who lives with his parents in Edgewood, N.M. “But they’re the ones sitting home right now on the living room couch watching me.’’
Sure enough, he made the World Finals – and along the way successfully rode Little Yellow Jacket. Now, seven events into the 2006 season and with the tour making a swing through Florida this weekend, Briscoe is second in the overall standings and making even bolder statements.
He plans to win the 2006 world title and said as much on national TV. Never mind that the World Finals is eight months away.
Never mind that no one under 20 has won the title in the tour’s 12-year history.
Never mind that he’s competing against the likes Chris Shivers, Justin McBride and Adriano Moraes – not to mention Jody Newberry, who leads the season standings.
“This is going to be the year,’’ said Briscoe, who’s being home schooled during his final year of high school. “It’s just in my head and I believe that I’ll win the world. I’m strong and confident enough to say it…I’m confident enough in myself that I will do it.’’
Lest you think Briscoe is cocky, well, maybe he is a tad cocky. He’s also a fervent Christian who credits God for his success — “Some people have weak mindsets, and God’s given me a mindset that’s very positive,’’ he said – and apparently had no plans to declare his goal publicly. Here’s how it happened:
After the Worcester Classic in early January, Briscoe caught a ride to the airport with Randy Bernard, CEO of the PBR. Eventually the conversation turned to goals.
“I told him that I will win the world title, whether it be this year or another year,’’ Briscoe recalled.
The word spread. And after winning his first PBR event Jan. 20 in Fresno, NBC commentator Donna Brothers caught Briscoe by surprise during the post-event interview when she said she’d heard Briscoe planned to win the 2006 world title.
Suddenly Briscoe found himself staring at a TV camera knowing that whatever he said would be broadcast to a national audience. He hesitated for only a moment.
Yes, he replied, he intended to win the world title.
Sooner or later, even the skeptics might have to take him seriously. After all, he’s finished first, sixth and second in the past three events; he’s covered eight of his last nine bulls; and his 93.3-point ride on Mossy Oak Mudslinger in the championship round last weekend was the highest score of the season.
That score put him in position to win the event until moments later Newberry rode Just A Dream for 89.8 points, stole the victory and moved atop the standings. After the Newberry’s ride, TV cameras showed Briscoe wearing what appeared to be a look of disappointment. But Briscoe his expression was one of pain stemming from sore ribs and lingering sinus infection.
“I was upset when I (saw) the video. I was very upset,’’ he said. “All these people back home was thinking I was mad or whatever. And I wasn’t, because I did all I could do and Jody deserves it just as much as I do.
“And it really upset me that they (the TV camermen) were putting me out to look like that. As far as people thinking I’m cocky, that don’t help my image either.’’
Yet if there’s a fine line between cockiness and confidence, Briscoe seems comfortable tightroping it. For instance, while talking about his high expectations, he said he expects to ride every bull.
“That’s the difference between me and the other guys,’’ he said. “I think I should ride them all. I know it’s not humanly possible. But the way I look at it, I should ride them all.’’
When talking about his childhood heroes, he said, “I loved Chris Shivers when I was a little kid. Ty Murray, J.W. Hart. I looked up to all of them. It’s an honor that I’m riding with these guys. But I’m not really scared to ride against them.’’
When asked if he needs more experience to win the title, he replied, “Sure, I’m not as knowledgeable as Adriano Moraes or J.W. But I’m just as talented as them guys or I wouldn’t be riding at this level.’’
But when talking about his hope to influence other young riders on tour by his recent decision to quit drinking alcohol and cursing, Briscoe appears to grasp the difference between what he says and what he does.
“I think actions speak louder than words,’’ he said.
What do you think....Is he cocky or is he confident? I think he's confident but that's just my personal opinion.
of expectations for season
February 3rd, 2006 by Josh Peter
It’s early to say who’s the best young rider on the PBR tour, but it’s a safe bet to say who’s the boldest. That would be Travis Briscoe, 18, who rides with a white helmet that covers his shock of red hair but lets nothing cover up his confidence.
“I believe that I’ll win the world,’’ Briscoe said during an interview Thursday, “and I’m strong and confident enough to say it.’’
The bold statements started last year when Briscoe got his PBR permit and told people he planned to make it to the World Finals.
Never mind that he was only a high school junior.
Never mind that he was joining the tour in late April.
Never mind that when he finally cracked the top 45, the regular season was almost over.
“A lot of people thought it was cocky of me to be saying,’’ said Briscoe, who lives with his parents in Edgewood, N.M. “But they’re the ones sitting home right now on the living room couch watching me.’’
Sure enough, he made the World Finals – and along the way successfully rode Little Yellow Jacket. Now, seven events into the 2006 season and with the tour making a swing through Florida this weekend, Briscoe is second in the overall standings and making even bolder statements.
He plans to win the 2006 world title and said as much on national TV. Never mind that the World Finals is eight months away.
Never mind that no one under 20 has won the title in the tour’s 12-year history.
Never mind that he’s competing against the likes Chris Shivers, Justin McBride and Adriano Moraes – not to mention Jody Newberry, who leads the season standings.
“This is going to be the year,’’ said Briscoe, who’s being home schooled during his final year of high school. “It’s just in my head and I believe that I’ll win the world. I’m strong and confident enough to say it…I’m confident enough in myself that I will do it.’’
Lest you think Briscoe is cocky, well, maybe he is a tad cocky. He’s also a fervent Christian who credits God for his success — “Some people have weak mindsets, and God’s given me a mindset that’s very positive,’’ he said – and apparently had no plans to declare his goal publicly. Here’s how it happened:
After the Worcester Classic in early January, Briscoe caught a ride to the airport with Randy Bernard, CEO of the PBR. Eventually the conversation turned to goals.
“I told him that I will win the world title, whether it be this year or another year,’’ Briscoe recalled.
The word spread. And after winning his first PBR event Jan. 20 in Fresno, NBC commentator Donna Brothers caught Briscoe by surprise during the post-event interview when she said she’d heard Briscoe planned to win the 2006 world title.
Suddenly Briscoe found himself staring at a TV camera knowing that whatever he said would be broadcast to a national audience. He hesitated for only a moment.
Yes, he replied, he intended to win the world title.
Sooner or later, even the skeptics might have to take him seriously. After all, he’s finished first, sixth and second in the past three events; he’s covered eight of his last nine bulls; and his 93.3-point ride on Mossy Oak Mudslinger in the championship round last weekend was the highest score of the season.
That score put him in position to win the event until moments later Newberry rode Just A Dream for 89.8 points, stole the victory and moved atop the standings. After the Newberry’s ride, TV cameras showed Briscoe wearing what appeared to be a look of disappointment. But Briscoe his expression was one of pain stemming from sore ribs and lingering sinus infection.
“I was upset when I (saw) the video. I was very upset,’’ he said. “All these people back home was thinking I was mad or whatever. And I wasn’t, because I did all I could do and Jody deserves it just as much as I do.
“And it really upset me that they (the TV camermen) were putting me out to look like that. As far as people thinking I’m cocky, that don’t help my image either.’’
Yet if there’s a fine line between cockiness and confidence, Briscoe seems comfortable tightroping it. For instance, while talking about his high expectations, he said he expects to ride every bull.
“That’s the difference between me and the other guys,’’ he said. “I think I should ride them all. I know it’s not humanly possible. But the way I look at it, I should ride them all.’’
When talking about his childhood heroes, he said, “I loved Chris Shivers when I was a little kid. Ty Murray, J.W. Hart. I looked up to all of them. It’s an honor that I’m riding with these guys. But I’m not really scared to ride against them.’’
When asked if he needs more experience to win the title, he replied, “Sure, I’m not as knowledgeable as Adriano Moraes or J.W. But I’m just as talented as them guys or I wouldn’t be riding at this level.’’
But when talking about his hope to influence other young riders on tour by his recent decision to quit drinking alcohol and cursing, Briscoe appears to grasp the difference between what he says and what he does.
“I think actions speak louder than words,’’ he said.
What do you think....Is he cocky or is he confident? I think he's confident but that's just my personal opinion.
