The Huntsville Item, Huntsville, TX

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January 7, 2010

Brazilian bull riders look to return to top in 2010

Brett Hoffman

Two years ago, Brazilian riders dominated the Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Series.

Guilherme Marchi, who lives near Dallas, won the world title, and Robson Palermo won the average at the World Finals in Las Vegas. During the 2008 regular season, a Brazilian shared or won titles at 12 of 32 tour stops.

Last year, the Brazilians were not quite as dominant. Marchi finished third in the Ford Series world standings behind the winner, Colorado cowboy Kody Lostroh. North Carolina’s J.B. Mauney won the World Finals average and finished second in the world-title race.

But Brazilians could dominate again in 2010. Marchi won the season opener on Nov. 22 in Duluth, Ga. When the tour cranked up again in Baltimore last weekend, Valdiron de Oliveira paced the field and pocketed $27,515. Marchi finished second and Palermo came in fourth.

In the world standings, Marchi is ranked first with 1,545.5 points, Palermo is second with 1,209.75, and de Oliveira is third with 1,078.5.

This weekend, the PBR’s top riders also are scheduled to compete at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

The tour also will stop in Texas next month. The Dickies Iron Cowboy Invitational is scheduled for Feb. 20 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. For ticket information, visit www.pbrnow.com.



Loaded with talent — This weekend’s Texas Circuit Finals in Waco will be a stampede of talent.

According to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the regional finale, which is scheduled Thursday through Saturday at the Heart O’ Texas Coliseum, has 34 competitors who qualified for either the 2009 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas or last year’s National Finals Steer Roping in Guthrie, Okla.

And when you add in Fred Whitfield, Allen Bach, Mickey Gee and Stran Smith — none of whom made it to the Wrangler NFR last year — the field accounts for 35 world championships.

The field includes seven-time world all-around champion Trevor Brazile of Decatur, who will partner with 2005 World Champion heeler Patrick Smith in team roping. Eight-time world champion heeler Rich Skelton and four-time world champion heeler Allen Bach also are entered.

The tie-down roping field includes seven-time world champion Whitfield and 2008 World Champion Stran Smith, plus 2009 NFR average champion Tuf Cooper of Decatur.

France native Evan Jayne, who lives in the Huntsville area, qualified in bareback riding. Cody Ziober of Huntsville also has qualified in bareback riding. Britt Walters of Huntsville made the cut in steer wrestling.

The steer roping field includes two-time world champion Scott Snedecor and 2009 NFSR average champion Bryce Davis.

The winners in each event (except steer roping) will advance to the April Dodge National Circuit Finals in Pocatello, Idaho.

The majority of the Texas Circuit Finals contestants also will compete in the Fort Worth Stock Show’s traditional PRCA rodeo (Jan. 22-Feb. 7). For information, call (817) 877-2420 or visit fwssr.com.

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