Bounty bulls pay big during Friday night PBR

By Fischer Genau EDITORIAL INTERN

Editor’s note: Outlaw Partners is the publisher of Explore Big Sky and is the producer of Big Sky PBR.

Night two of the Big Sky PBR kicked off in style on Friday with Montana State University’s rodeo team galloping into the arena to one of the loudest cheers of the night and kicking up a storm of dust. However, the evening  ended on an even higher note. After two hours of bucking bulls, mutton bustin’, the Murdoch’s dance-off contest and antics between announcer Matt West and entertainer Flint Rasmussen, two cowboys faced off on two bounty bull rides for a dramatic finale.

Luciano de Castro and Brady Fielder both notched scores of 89.5 on their first rides, giving them the chance to ride the bounty bull and win $20,000. Fielder won the coin toss, earning him his choice of bull, but in a display of sportsmanship he deferred to de Castro who chose two-time national champion Ridin’ Solo, leaving Fielder to ride veteran bull, Viper.

Dark had settled over Big Sky, with stadium lights competing with an almost-full moon illuminating the dirt and snot trailing from the bovines as the two riders tried to keep their seat. Both Fielder and de Castro went the distance, lasting eight seconds astride the leaping, spinning and bucking 1,500-pound athletes.

“I’m really thankful to get two bulls rode tonight and win a bit of money. There’s no better place to do it than right here,” Fielder, the 24-year-old from Queensland, Australia, told EBS after his ride. “I’ve got to say it’s the best event of the year.”

De Castro, a decorated bull rider from Sao Paulo, Brazil, had reconstructive knee surgery after sustaining an injury in the 2021 Big Sky PBR, and told EBS, “I’m very happy, I’m glad to have gotten another chance.” 

The riders were supposed to split the $20,000 bounty bull purse if they both went the distance, but it would turn out to be an auspicious night for the two of them. After Fielder leapt from Viper, Outlaw Partners, event co-producer, announced they would contribute another $10,000 to each so both Fielder and de Castro walked away with a purse of $20,000.

De Castro heads into the final night of Big Sky PBR at the top of leaderboard, and he told EBS he intends to go for the win.

MSU honored

Montana State University was celebrated Friday. When the gates opened at 5:30 p.m., the first entrants to the Big Sky Events Arena were greeted by MSU football team players and members of the school’s spirit squad. Later, the football team, led by Bobcat mascot Champ, rushed into the arena to pump up the crowd as the letters “MSU” exploded into flames on the dirt. Before the night was over, two checks for $21,375 were awarded to the Chute Boss Club and Bobcat Collective from the calcutta auction.

“It’s just awesome the support [the rodeo team] gets from everyone,” said Kyle Whitaker, coach of MSU’s rodeo team.

Last rodeo

When announcer Matt West asked the crowd how many people were at their first rodeo, hundreds of hands went up and voices responded. For one important player at the rodeo however, it would be their last. Bucking bull Viper ended his six-year rodeo career Friday night with a memorable performance, earning 42.5 out of 50 possible points as Brady Fielder rode him on his way to a $20,000 paycheck.

“[Viper] earned the right to finish his ride right here in Big Sky,” said Cord McCord, PBR stock contractor and Viper’s owner.

It was a special moment for his rider too. 

“It feels amazing to be the last one to ever ride that bull and to get a score,” Fielder told EBS.

There was plenty of action for the other riders on Friday too. PBR rookie Hagen Braswell was knocked out during Thursday night’s competition, losing consciousness for several seconds in the arena, but he tied into another bull Friday night and held on for four seconds before Scary Larry sent him flying to the dirt.

“As long as you can keep a strong mind about it, you can do about anything,” Braswell told EBS after his ride.

The 18-year-old from Texas went through concussion protocol before being cleared Friday, and although he said the weekend didn’t go how he wanted it to, he’s excited to return to Big Sky.

“Big Sky’s been pretty dang cool,” Braswell said. “I’ve never been up here before and I’m ready to come back.”

Friday’s cowboys began 0-for-12 until Trey Benton III’s ride on the bull Candy Cane. The crowd, ready to see success, roared for Trey’s 87.5-point ride, a score that earned him third place on the leaderboard at the end of the night.

“I let one get by me last night, and I didn’t want to let it happen again,” Benton told EBS.

Benton left the arena to a storm of applause from his fellow riders. This is Benton’s first time on the PBR circuit after years spent with the PRCA Rodeo, and he said it felt good to “show out for them.”

Though it was Viper’s last rodeo, over 40 bulls ride again on Saturday, the third, and final night of Big Sky PBR as cowboys get their last chance to compete at the 10-time Event of the Year, and the finale to Big Sky’s Biggest Week.