Canadian Tanner Byrne wins PBR St. Louis Invitational

Canadian Cowboy Vaults to No. 12 in PBR World Standings

 Capping an action-packed two days, Tanner Byrne (Prince Albert, Canada) was perfect in St. Louis to win his first PBR (Professional Bull Riders) elite series event of the 2018 season at The PBR 25^th: Unleash The Beast, St. Louis Invitational, presented by Express Employment Professionals, at Scottrade Center.

Tanner Bryne on Bad Beagle

Byrne, the only rider to go 3-for-3 over the two days, clinched the victory with an 88.75-point ride on Bad Beagle (Phenom Genetics/ Rothe) to win the championship round. The Canadian cowboy earned 475 world points, launching him from No. 36 in the world to No. 12, and collected a paycheck of $34,600. 

Luciano de Castro (Guzolandia, Brazil) finished second over the weekend, taking him from No. 12 to No. 3 in the world standings. The arena erupted as Castro rode Shownuff (Henry Wilson/Walgren Bull Co.) for a career-high 90.25 points in the championship round. Castro earned 370 points toward the world standings and $18,450.

Young gun Keyshawn Whitehorse (The Woodlands, Texas) secured a third-place finish after he covered Gambini (Dakota Rodeo/ Julie Rosen/Clay Struve) in Sunday’s championship round for 88 points. He climbed from No. 27 to No. 17 in the world standings, earning 265 points and $11,250.

2012 PRCA champion Cody Teel (Kountze, Texas) went 2-for-3 to finish in fourth place. Teel rode Seven Dust (Jane Clark/Gene Owen) for 88.5 points in the final round of the weekend. Teel picked up 165 world points and a $8,325 paycheck.

Rounding out the Top 5 was Washington native Derek Kolbaba (Walla Walla, Washington), who led the event after winning Round 1 on Saturday night with an 87.5-point ride aboard Cyclone (Blake Sharp/ Sharp Farms & Cattle/ Rio Rojo Cattle Co, LLC). Kolbaba was bucked off by Uncle Si (Meyeraan Bucking Bulls/Phenom Genetics) in Sunday’s Round 2 and by Pearl Harbor (Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger/Clay Struve/ H&C Bucking Bulls) in the championship round. For the weekend, Kolbaba takes home 110 world points and $7,480.

After dispatching Kolbaba in 2.5 seconds for a 45.5-point bull score, the YETI “Built for the Wild” Bull of the Event was Pearl Harbor. It’s the third time this season the big, black bovine has earned the honor.  ~ PBR Media