As some of you know, I rode bulls professionally for eight years. I made a living – but it was a very poor living. Back in those days, a world champion did not earn much more than $20,000 per year. Times have changed. Today’s world champion may win as much as a million dollars during the season – and receive a million dollar bonus at the end of the season.
Deanna and I have attended the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Finals since 2018. The last few years, we have been joined by Deanna’s sister, Debbie, and her husband, Ron. We always have a great time – no matter where we are. We love to stay at the very historic Stockyards Hotel in Fort Worth. Less than one block from the hotel is the very historic Cowtown Coliseum.
The Elimination and Redemption rounds of the PBR Finals are held in Cowtown Coliseum. The final two rounds are held in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. In the past, we have attended the final rounds at AT&T Stadium. Since we love the historic stockyards area of Fort Worth, we decided to change things up this year. We decided to watch the Elimination Rounds at Cowboy Coliseum. We will watch the final rounds from home on television.
At this point, the top rider for the event (not the world) is Jose Vitor Leme from Brazil. He was the 2020 and 2021 World Champion bull rider. In my mind, he is the best there has ever been. In number two position for the event is Clay Guiton who is a 19-year-old rookie from North Carolina. Leme and Guiton have ridden four out of four bulls. Sitting third for the event (not the world) is Kaden Loud, who is a 20-year-old from Texas. Loud has ridden three out of four bulls.
The top four contenders for the 2025 World Champion title are Dalton Kasel, Brady Fielder, John Crimber and Sage Kimzey. Dalton has been a favorite of mine since he came on the scene six years ago. This may be his year! Brady Fielder is a 25-year-old bull rider from Australia. He has had a great year, and is very much in the running for a World Championship. John Crimber was runner up to the world title last year. Many expected he would win the world this year – but he has been riding with a broken collarbone. Veteran bull rider Sage Kimzey is also riding with an injury.
At last Sunday’s Elimination Round, it was determined that Man Hater would be Bucking Bull of the Year for the second year in a row. This bull is an amazing athlete! As shown in the bottom picture above, he can buck almost straight up and down vertically. He has been ridden a few times – always for over 90 points.
Quote Worth Re-Quoting
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.” ~ George Bernard Shaw