This Colorado superstar grew up riding horses, and it wasn't long before he was ready for a new challenge. At age 7, his mom signed him up for the steer riding at the Boulder County Fair. Kody: "I wasn't scared at all. I rode my calf easy - I just let go before the whistle. It was the most fun thing I'd ever done, and I wanted to keep doing it."
Kody says his riding began to click at age 11, when he switched his riding hand to his left. He dominated his age division in rodeos, and his winning ways continued throughout his teens. He won the national title in bull riding with the Little Britches Rodeo Association in 2003; the bull riding title with the Colorado State High School Rodeo Association in 2002, 2003, and 2004; and Reserve Championship honors with the National High School Rodeo Association in 2003.
Kody shot to the top of the 2005 PBR Rookie of the Year race in May when he won the Nassau Open in Uniondale, N.Y. He continued his hot streak winning the Johnsonville Brats Invitational in Fort Lauderdale, F.L., on his 20th birthday. The Colorado cowboy showed that consistency was the key for his 2008 season and found himself finishing the year in the top 5. Kody used that finish as momentum for the 2009 season where he has never been out of the Top 5 in the World Standings and has already taken event titles in Fresno, Calif., Anaheim, Calif., and Nampa, Idaho.
More info about Kody: On PBRNow.com | On TeamPBR.com
Bio courtesy of PBR; Image courtesy of BullStockMedia.com
Guilherme took the 2008 season by storm and after taking on the best bulls in the world, he took the lead in points at the beginning of the year and never gave it up. In 2008, Guilherme rode his way to five event wins, fifteen top 5 finishes, and nineteen top 10 finishes. He also broke the record for most scored rides in a single season by riding 74 bulls, finishing the season with a 75% riding percentage.
The Brazilian wonder began his bull riding career ten years ago and broke onto the PBR scene in 2004. After finishing runner-up to the World Champion for three years in a row, Guilherme was determined to not let it happen again. He left the 2008 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals with the ultimate title -- the 2008 PBR World Championship and the $1,000,000 bonus. He also won the 2008 Copenhagen Bull Riding 90-Point Club Bonus with 13 90-point rides. One of the most consistent riders in PBR history, Guilherme has logged a career riding percentage of over 60%; has competed in 150 events, winning 12 of them; and has scored 36 90-point plus rides.
More info about Guilherme: On PBRNow.com | On TeamPBR.com
Bio courtesy of PBR; Image courtesy of BullStockMedia.com
Valdiron grew up on a ranch where he rode steers and horses as a young man. At the encouragement of his brother, Paulo, he started taking on a different type of animal -- bulls -- at the age of 18.
Valdiron burst onto the PBR scene in 2007 and quickly became a regular member of the Brazilian contingency known as the "Killer Bs." He was part of the Brazilian team that took home the inaugural World Cup in June 2007 in Australia. He followed that up by riding on the Built Ford Tough Series where he has collected two event wins in 2008. He is continuing that consistency into 2009 by riding almost 60% of his bulls.
He suffered his worst injury in Glendale, Arizona in June 2007 when he sustained a concussion and stayed seven days at a local hospital before returning home.
More info about Valdiron: On PBRNow.com
Bio courtesy of PBR; Image courtesy of BullStockMedia.com
With the support of his father, Robson taught himself how to ride bulls by watching videos and television, and when he was 15 years old he started his career. For several years, Robson worked his way up through the ranks of rodeo in Brazil and has collected motorcycles, cars, and trucks on his path to being crowned the 2005 Brazilian Bull Riding Champion.
He claims qualifying for the 2006 Built Ford Tough World Finals presented by Wrangler as a rookie is one of his proudest accomplishments in the PBR. 2007 marked Palermo's first full season competing on the elite Built Ford Tough series and he rode his way to two BFTS event wins. He continued his winning ways in 2008, claiming two BFTS event titles and finished the season strong by riding seven out of eight bulls at the 2008 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals and claiming the coveted event title and a check worth $250,000.
More info about Robson: On PBRNow.com
Bio courtesy of PBR; Image courtesy of BullStockMedia.com
Although injured for much of 2007, Chris still qualified for the 2007 PBR Finals. His best finish during the 2007 BFTS season was a second place finish at the Express Classic in July in Tulsa, Okla. So far in 2008, injuries have plagued him once again; however, he managed to add another event title to his resume by taking the Tacoma Invitational in Tacoma, Wash. The two-time World Champion has qualified for ten PBR World Finals and although was recovering from neck surgery at the end of the 2008 season, headed to the bright lights of Las Vegas for an eleventh time.
Other history-making highlights include the first PBR bull rider to win more than $300,000 in prize money in one year (1998); the first PBR bull rider to reach the $1 million mark (2001), the $2 million mark (2003), and the $3 million mark (2006); the first PBR bull rider to register 13 90-point rides in one season (1998); the highest marked ride in PBR history (a 96.5 point ride), a score he has recorded not only once, but twice; and the first bull rider to win three consecutive Bud Light Cup events (2000).
More info about Chris: On PBRNow.com | On TeamPBR.com
Bio courtesy of PBR; Image courtesy of BullStockMedia.com
Born into a family of professional bull riders, it was just a matter of time for this Oklahoma cowboy to follow in their footsteps. Austin: "My dad, my grandpa and my cousin rode. So, when I was 2, I got on my first sheep. I rode a few calves and then moved onto steers. I always liked riding steers more than calves because they have more of a set pattern and they don't run off as much." From the ranks of junior and high school rodeos, Austin dominated the competition. He became the Reserve Bull Riding Champion for the Oklahoma High School Rodeo Association in 2002.
Known for his grit and determination, Austin's philosophy on bull riding is the same he applies to every sport. Austin: "It doesn't matter what I'm doing, I never go at anything half-hearted. If I'm playing football, I always want to hit as hard as I could. If I'm playing baseball, I want to hit as hard as I could. So, when it comes to bull riding, I'm going to try until I hit the ground."
In his rookie season, this Oklahoma cowboy took the PBR by storm and has continued to showcase his bull riding skills on the elite built Ford Tough Series. His 2008 season was one his best yet with Austin logging five top 10 finishes and winning the first-ever PBR Team Shootout with his cousin and fellow bull-rider, L.J. Jenkins.
More info about Austin: On PBRNow.com | On TeamPBR.com
Bio courtesy of PBR; Image courtesy of BullStockMedia.com
Since winning his first championship on a calf at the age of 8, L.J. has been undaunted by the competition. LJ: "I grew up near PBR bull riders Matt Bohon and Luke Snyder. I looked up to them, but they didn't pay attention to me. My brother was their age, and they just thought of me as the 'younger brother'.
However, it didn't take long for fellow bull riders to take notice of this New Mexico cowboy when he burst on the PBR scene on the day he turned 18. LJ: "I bought my permit on my birthday and won first place at the PBR event in Gillette [Wyo.] that night. It was sweet 'cause all of the top guys were there. It helped boost my confidence." Since then the high school senior has done nothing but show his winning style.
In 2006, LJ etched his name in the PBR record books by ending the season as the 2006 Built Ford Tough World Finals Event Champion. Jenkins covered three tough bulls - Red One, Sir Patrick and Black Smoke - for 90+ rides and brought home a $288,567 paycheck from Vegas. As a result, the New Mexico native was honored by New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson who announced Nov. 22, 2006 as "L.J. Jenkins Day" throughout the state.
More info about LJ: On PBRNow.com
Bio courtesy of PBR; Image courtesy of BullStockMedia.com
You might call it fate that Dustin and his brother stumbled upon his father's gear bag. Dustin: "My dad didn't tell us he rode bulls, but once we found his gear bag he was the one who helped us get our start and helped teach my brother and I how to ride," states the Oregon native.
As a teen, Dustin looked up to PBR rider Clint Branger. Dustin: "Clint rode fundamentally perfect." Through Elliott's own technique he captured the state rodeo title in bull riding his senior year and went on to earn a rodeo scholarship at Chadron State College in Nebraska.
Dustin, the 2004 PRCA World Champion, emerged on the Built Ford Tough Series regular season in 2007 with enough time to compete in five regular season events and qualify for the 2007 PBR World Finals. In 2008, he not only managed to maintain his position on the elite series, but finished the year as one of the top riders in the world.
More info about Dustin: On PBRNow.com
Bio courtesy of PBR; Image courtesy of BullStockMedia.com
At his first BFTS event in Grand Rapids, Mich., Travis faced an unforeseen obstacle before entering the arena. Travis: "The airline lost my bags so I had to hunt down a vest, chaps, glove, and bull rope. Fortunately, I had used Chris Shivers' bull rope before, and I knew it felt good. So, Chris let me borrow it again." The challenge didn't faze the then-rookie who finished third place overall, covering all three bulls and clearing nearly $11,000.
As a four-time qualifier for the PBR World Finals, Travis has collected five career event wins including the 2009 Genuity Invitational in Des Moines, Ia. He says his most memorable ride to date came aboard three-time Bull of the Year Little Yellow Jacket of Berger/Teague and Taupin Bucking Bulls in Columbus in October 2005. Travis: "I had watched that bull buck on TV for years and always wanted to ride him because I knew he would fit my riding style. I was 92 on him. I'm just glad I got to ride him before he retired."
More info about Travis: On PBRNow.com | Personal Web Site
Bio courtesy of PBR; Image courtesy of BullStockMedia.com
The 2007 season will be remembered as a special one for Luke. At the Mohegan Sun Invitational in Uncasville, Conn., Luke etched his name in the PBR record books by riding in his 198th consecutive BFTS event and continued his streak into the 2009 season. Since earning his PBR card in 2001, Snyder has yet to miss an event. That includes riding with many ailments including a broken face, leg and torn knee ligaments.
Luke celebrated yet another career highlight as he became the 18th millionaire in PBR history. He crossed the $1 million mark at the Express Classic in Oklahoma City, held on February 13-15 where he was one of only two men to ride all four of his bulls over the three-day competition. Luke: "This is a testament to the PBR for making it possible for us bull riders to win that much money doing what we love. "It's an honor to be on the same list as greats such as Justin McBride, Ross Coleman, and Ty Murray."
The 26-year-old Missouri native was the 2001 PBR Rookie of the Year as well as the 2001 PBR World Finals Event Champion. Snyder, a nine-year PBR veteran, has three BFTS event wins and has shown consistency throughout his nine-year career, not only through event attendance, but also through his riding. Luke has never had fewer than three Top-10 finishes per season and has qualified for the PBR World Finals every single season in his career.
More info about Luke: On PBRNow.com | On TeamPBR.com
Bio courtesy of PBR; Image courtesy of BullStockMedia.com
Mike grew up around livestock and climbed on his first steer at age 10. Throughout his teens, he moved up the ranks from junior to senior bulls and competed in high school rodeos. Mike's riding talent was evident at a young age -- he qualified for the National High School Rodeo two years and was offered rodeo scholarships from several colleges. Lee turned down every offer and went pro when he turned 18.
Mike: "As a rookie, I learned to ride jump for jump - one bull at a time, and, I tried to stay focused on what God's path was for me." This mild-mannered Texan etched his name in the history books as the first rider to simultaneously earn the Built Ford Tough World Finals event title and the Built Ford Tough Million Dollar World Championship in 2004.
The PBR Champ has continued to prove why he has a world title listed on his resume by continuously challenging the world's best on the elite Built Ford Tough Series. In 2008, he added another two event titles to his resume and also won over $100,000 after taking the bull riding title at the Calgary Stampede against not only the top PBR riders, but the best PRCA bull riders in the world.
More info about Mike: On PBRNow.com | Personal Web Site
Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, Rocky lived there until sixth grade before moving to the United States. He began his riding career at age 15. Rocky: "My brother rode bareback horses, and I had a cousin who rode so I thought I'd try it. The first time I rode I got my head slammed into the chute, and I didn't ride again for quite a while. But, the second time I rode was at a rodeo. I won second place and $600. I thought this is a pretty easy way to make money."
Throughout his teens, Rocky rode in high school and junior rodeos. It was during this time, he suffered several of the most serious injuries of his career. Rocky: "At one high school rodeo, I fell off, and a bull stepped on my head. I was out nine months, and I started wearing a helmet after that. Another time a bull stepped on my chest, and it damaged my liver and kidneys. I was out for five months from that."
Rocky remains close to his Mexican roots. Rocky: "I have family that's still living there, and I also have a rodeo business in Mexico. We sell roping steers, bull ropes, and other equipment. So, I generally go there several times a weekHe has also found much success down there as he claimed the title of PBR Mexico National Champion not just once, but twice in 2006 and 2008.
More info about Rocky: On PBRNow.com
2002 PBR World Champion Ednei started riding bulls when he was 17 after his friends encouraged him to try it. After winning the Brazilian championship in 1998, Ednei moved to the United States. In 2000, he became a fixture on the PBR scene after riding in his first event.
He says his greatest bull riding accomplishment was capturing the 2002 PBR World Championship title. One of Ednei's other memorable moments was his 94.5-point ride on Herrington Cattle Company's famous bull Dillinger at the 2000 World Finals, which was Ednei's first PBR World Finals.
Not only is Ednei one of the veterans of the PBR Brazilian powerhouses, he's also one of the few that identify with crossing the $1 million mark. In nine seasons, he has over sixty top 10 finishes and has five event wins to his name.
More info about Ednei: On PBRNow.com | Personal Web Site
