Post by twinpinesmt on Apr 21, 2007 22:12:22 GMT -5
On the verge: West Glacier's Hill looks to break through at PBR event in Billings
By JOE KUSEK Billings Gazette
West Glacier's Beau Hill is looking for his first win at the Professional Bull Riders event in Billings this weekend.
Photo by ANDY WATSON/PBR
When not bull riding, Beau Hill prefers more tranquil pursuits.
“We went trout fishing,” he said of one mid-week break in his Professional Bull Riders schedule. “We caught an eight-pounder, 10-pounder and 12-pounder. We threw them all back.”
Hill will be trying to hook something a little larger this weekend at Billings' MetraPark Arena.
He would like nothing better than to reel in his first PBR Built Ford Tough Series event victory.
And one of these weekends, it's going to happen.
There will be the perfect confluence of suitable bulls and the proper talent to match to give Hill what he covets.
The West Glacier bull rider has been close. He was third at Tulsa, Okla., last year and in this break-out PBR season already has finished second at Omaha, Neb.
“I'd like to win one of these deals, but Justin (McBride) is being a little greedy right now,” said Hill with a chuckle.
McBride has won six of the PBR's events this year, including last week's event at Auburn Hills, Mich. The six wins matches a record that McBride already shared with Cody Hart. McBride won six events in 2005 - including the NILE Bullriders Invitational in Billings - while Hart won six in 1999. Both won world titles the same year.
Hill will have another opportunity this weekend in his home state. The NILE Bullriders Invitational is the only PBR top-tier event in Montana. Bozeman and Forsyth will host Challenger Tour events this summer.
“It's always good to be close to home,” said Hill, who at 6-foot-2 is one of the taller PBR competitors. “You can just drive over instead of flying.”
Hill has six top-10 finishes this year and has qualified for the Built Ford Tough Championship round seven times in 15 events. He won the third round at Albuquerque, N.M., with a stellar 90-point ride, the first 90-point ride of his short PBR career. Hill also won the second round at Omaha with an 89-point effort.
Hill is currently ninth in the point standings which determines the PBR world champion.
“I've been healthy and that's a big thing,” Hill said of his season. “I'm more comfortable. Before with rodeo, it was a lot of traveling. Now it's just bull riding every weekend. It didn't take me long to adjust.”
Hill, who turned 28 this past February, is a former two-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier for the PRCA. He opted to make the PBR his full-time career in 2006, had four top-10 finishes and qualified for his first PBR World Finals. Hill finished 44th in the final standings.
“My main goal last year was just to get on tour and make the finals,” said Hill. “And I was able to reach them both ... so that was good.”
However, he managed just one 81.5-point ride at the World Finals in Las Vegas.
“My finals wasn't good at all,” Hill admitted. “That fired me up for the beginning of this year.”
He started strong, placing fifth at the second PBR event in Worcester, Mass. Hill has also finished among the top 10 at Sacramento, Calif.; Atlanta; Tacoma, Wash.; and Albuquerque, N.M. He also placed 14th at Kansas City.
“It takes a little luck with the draw, you need to get the right bulls to win one,” said Hill. “But I'll take second place with these riders and these bulls.”
There have been some additional benefits to making seven championship rounds - more television exposure.
“People are starting to actually recognize me. It's pretty cool,” Hill said of the PBR's widening fan base. “The PBR has a bunch of loyal fans who watch every weekend. It's kind of fun.
“The PBR has been a great place to be. The fans are awesome.
“Things are going good right now, I just want to keep it going.”
By JOE KUSEK Billings Gazette
West Glacier's Beau Hill is looking for his first win at the Professional Bull Riders event in Billings this weekend.
Photo by ANDY WATSON/PBR
When not bull riding, Beau Hill prefers more tranquil pursuits.
“We went trout fishing,” he said of one mid-week break in his Professional Bull Riders schedule. “We caught an eight-pounder, 10-pounder and 12-pounder. We threw them all back.”
Hill will be trying to hook something a little larger this weekend at Billings' MetraPark Arena.
He would like nothing better than to reel in his first PBR Built Ford Tough Series event victory.
And one of these weekends, it's going to happen.
There will be the perfect confluence of suitable bulls and the proper talent to match to give Hill what he covets.
The West Glacier bull rider has been close. He was third at Tulsa, Okla., last year and in this break-out PBR season already has finished second at Omaha, Neb.
“I'd like to win one of these deals, but Justin (McBride) is being a little greedy right now,” said Hill with a chuckle.
McBride has won six of the PBR's events this year, including last week's event at Auburn Hills, Mich. The six wins matches a record that McBride already shared with Cody Hart. McBride won six events in 2005 - including the NILE Bullriders Invitational in Billings - while Hart won six in 1999. Both won world titles the same year.
Hill will have another opportunity this weekend in his home state. The NILE Bullriders Invitational is the only PBR top-tier event in Montana. Bozeman and Forsyth will host Challenger Tour events this summer.
“It's always good to be close to home,” said Hill, who at 6-foot-2 is one of the taller PBR competitors. “You can just drive over instead of flying.”
Hill has six top-10 finishes this year and has qualified for the Built Ford Tough Championship round seven times in 15 events. He won the third round at Albuquerque, N.M., with a stellar 90-point ride, the first 90-point ride of his short PBR career. Hill also won the second round at Omaha with an 89-point effort.
Hill is currently ninth in the point standings which determines the PBR world champion.
“I've been healthy and that's a big thing,” Hill said of his season. “I'm more comfortable. Before with rodeo, it was a lot of traveling. Now it's just bull riding every weekend. It didn't take me long to adjust.”
Hill, who turned 28 this past February, is a former two-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier for the PRCA. He opted to make the PBR his full-time career in 2006, had four top-10 finishes and qualified for his first PBR World Finals. Hill finished 44th in the final standings.
“My main goal last year was just to get on tour and make the finals,” said Hill. “And I was able to reach them both ... so that was good.”
However, he managed just one 81.5-point ride at the World Finals in Las Vegas.
“My finals wasn't good at all,” Hill admitted. “That fired me up for the beginning of this year.”
He started strong, placing fifth at the second PBR event in Worcester, Mass. Hill has also finished among the top 10 at Sacramento, Calif.; Atlanta; Tacoma, Wash.; and Albuquerque, N.M. He also placed 14th at Kansas City.
“It takes a little luck with the draw, you need to get the right bulls to win one,” said Hill. “But I'll take second place with these riders and these bulls.”
There have been some additional benefits to making seven championship rounds - more television exposure.
“People are starting to actually recognize me. It's pretty cool,” Hill said of the PBR's widening fan base. “The PBR has a bunch of loyal fans who watch every weekend. It's kind of fun.
“The PBR has been a great place to be. The fans are awesome.
“Things are going good right now, I just want to keep it going.”