Welcome to the Big Leagues
By: Kacie Albert Friday, September 8, 2017 @ 12:23 PM
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Since he was a child, Brock Radford has dreamed of one thing -- qualify for the PBR World Finals.
This weekend he will take the next big step towards accomplishing that goal when he makes his Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) debut in Springfield, Missouri at the PFIWestern.com Invitational, presented by Bass Pro Shops.
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“This is where I want to be, this is where I can really make some points,” Radford said.
“My goal has always been to go to the World Finals, so I am super excited. This is another step towards where I want to be and finish at the end of the year.”
The DeWinton, Alberta rider is currently ranked No.34 in the world, a position that can largely be credited to his summer surge at the PBR Canada Touring Pro Division (TPD) events.
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In late-July, the 22-year-old went on an unprecedented, three-week hot streak, winning each of the four TPD events he entered. Collectively, Radford netted $18,445.85 CAD, 1,340 Canadian points and 271.33 world points.
His winnings not only propelled him atop the Canadian national standings but rocketed him to No.36 in the world standings, knocking at the door of the BFTS.
“I think I went from low 60s, to 50. Then to 40, and now at 36. It’s been good,” Radford said after his fourth win. “I don’t know. I’m just having fun.”
Last weekend, Radford earned his berth onto the BFTS when he crossed into the coveted Top 35 after finishing fourth and earning 12.5 points at the Glen Keeley Memorial Bull Riding.
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“This is what I’ve wanted and this is bonus now sitting in the Top 35 from all the Canadian events,” Radford remarked.
Radford’s first-ever out on the BFTS will be aboard Zorro The Torro in Round 1 of the PFIWestern.com Invitational, presented by Bass Pro Shops.
The Hudgins Bucking Bulls’ bovine is unridden in his five outs across all levels of PBR competition. He has bucked once at the BFTS level, dispatching Cody Rodeo Tyler in 6.25 seconds at March’s event in Little Rock, Arkansas.
“I don’t know much about him,” Radford stated of his draw.
“But I haven’t been really making game plans, I’ve just been getting on whatever, so I’ll go there and ride him jump for jump.”
On Saturday, in the second round, Radford will take on a more familiar foe in Udder Lover.
“I’m pretty excited, I got a good draw in the [second] round. [Udder lover] comes out, fakes right, goes left and I love bulls that go left. So it worked out good.”
And for Radford, the caliber of bulls he is set to face in the Show Me State is one of the elements of competing at his first BFTS event that excites him most.
“They don’t mess around at these,” Radford exclaimed.
“You know you’re getting on something good. That’s one thing I cannot wait for, is getting on some of the best bulls in the world.”
While Radford is accustomed to riding on the big screen, performing stunts for the likes of “Fargo” and “The Revenant,” his first foray onto bull riding’s biggest stage is sure to come with a vast number of new experiences for the rookie.
However, despite this, Radford says his overall approach will remain the same.
“I’m just going to treat it like another event. Game on and it should be good.”
Radford will join Kindersley, Saskatchewan’s Dakota Buttar as the two Canadians set to ride this weekend.
Buttar will face Tan Lines in Round 1 and RebuildTexas.org in Round 2.
His first round draw is a rematch from Round 1 of last weekend’s WinStar World Casino and Resort Invitational in Thackerville, Oklahoma where Buttar went 0-for-2.
The Mike Oakes’ bull won the duo’s first meeting, bucking off Buttar at the 3.08-second mark.
The PFIWestern.com Invitational, presented by Bass Pro Shops at JQH Arena gets underway with Round 1 on Friday, September 8 at 7:45 p.m. CT
Round 2 and the eighth 15/15 Bucking Battle of the season will take place on Saturday, September 9 starting at 6:45 p.m. CT. The action will conclude with Round 3 and the Built Ford Tough Championship round on Sunday, September 10 at 4:45 p.m. CT.
CBS will air the 15/15 Bucking Battle at 2:00 p.m. CT on Sunday, September 10, and Championship Sunday will air on CBS Sports Network on Sunday, September 10 at 5:00 p.m. CT with coverage of Round 3 and the championship round.
PBR LIVE will also stream the entire event in real time. Fans can watch Round 1 exclusively on PBR LIVE beginning at 7:15 p.m. CT on Friday, September 8. The platform will also begin broadcasting at 6:15 p.m. CT on Saturday, September 9 and 1:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, September 10.
PBR LIVE is available at no charge to all fans and media. Visit www.pbrlive.com to view. Fans can also watch all the action live via the PBR LIVE app, available for download now on Google Play and iTunes.