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Kacie Albert | PBR
MILL SPRING, N.C. – In front of a raucous crowd Saturday evening in Mill Spring, North Carolina, Keyshawn Whitehorse (McCracken Spring, Utah) showed up and showed out, going 2-for-3 at Tryon International to win the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Challenger Series’ PBR Tryon.
While Whitehorse, who rides for the Arizona Ridge Riders in the separate PBR Teams league, was bucked off in Round 1, tossed by Velvet Revolver (Blake Sharp/Henry Wilson) in 4.52 seconds, he was quick to rebound on Championship Saturday.
Whitehorse first converted in Round 2, besting Wolverine (Cornwell Bucking Bulls) for 84 points to punch his ticket to the championship round.
The veteran contender was then tasked with Eyes On Me (Lucas Manning Bucking Bulls) in the final round. Bursting from the chutes, Whitehorse remained in perfect time with the powerful animal athlete, matching him jump-for-jump en route to the requisite 8. Awarded an event-best 89 points, the qualified ride clinched both the round and event win for Whitehorse.
The golden finish earned Whitehorse 216 Challenger Global points in the race to be crowned the 2024 PBR Challenger Series Champion this October.
Cody McCandless (Derry, Pennsylvania) parlayed a 2-for-3 showing into a second-place finish.
McCandless was one of three riders to convert in Round 1, teaming with Redneck Rumble (Dave Martin/Mike Miller Bucking Bulls) for 79.5 points. However, his momentum was quickly ended, bucked off by Bossed Up (Blake Sharp/Henry Wilson) in 2.44 seconds in Round 2.
The young Pennsylvanian rebounded in the championship round, besting BLACKTOOTH (Blake Sharp/Henry Wilson/Michael Floyd) for 83.5 points.
The silver showing garnered McCandless 137 Challenger Global points.
Third was Michael Lane (Tazewell, Virginia), collecting 95 Challenger Global points.
Lane’s event began in heart-breaking form as he was bested by Bucking Bill (Lucas Manning Bucking Bulls) in a close 7.88 seconds in Round 1, and Rip Tide (Davis Rodeo Ranch) in a close 7.04 seconds in Round 2.
Determined to cover at Tryon International, Lane capped his outing in the Tar Heel State with and 87-point ride atop Pneu Dart’s Gold Standard (Mike Miller Bucking Bulls) in the championship round.
Rounding out the Top 5, and tying for fourth, was Dustin Herman (Dudley Shoals, North Carolina) and the Oklahoma Wildcatters’ Clay Guiton (Cherryville, North Carolina).
Herman won Round 1 via his 85.5-point ride on Ice Box (Lucas Manning Bucking Bulls), while Guiton dominated Round 2, besting Freakin Wicked (Davis Rodeo Ranch/Ed & Cindy Fogle) for a matching 85.5 points.
Each rider earned 75 Challenger Global points.
