The Baltimore Invitational was a two-day event held, obviously, in Baltimore. It was Pistol Robinson and Jason Bennett who tied for the win in round one after both scored an 89; Robinson on the Anchor Bull Company’s Great White and Bennett on High Test, owned by Sonny Williams.

Brazilian Robson Palermo was the star of the show, winning both the second round and the short go with two 90-plus rides. His round two partner was the same bull that took Robinson to the pay window in round one, Great White. Palermo scored a 90.25. In the Championship Round it was the Robinson/Tedesco/Larry the Cable Guy’s Booger Butt who helped to give Robson his score of 91.50. His performance on that weekend also allowed him to jump to number two in the world standings.  

Three-time Reserve World Champion Guilherme Marchi took over the lead for said world title, and I don’t look for him to relinquish that spot any time soon. Marchi is more focused than ever, and his amazing 82.14 riding percentage proves that point even further.

Travis Briscoe, the redhead who had a grasp on the lead for the world dropped to third after the strong showings of both Palermo and Marchi.

I also must acknowledge the great bull Chicken on a Chain, owned by Robinson/Tedesco/Larry the Cable Guy. Once again he was the high-marked bull of the event, given a score of 46.50. I can’t sing this bulls’ praises enough, and even though he has a bit of a silly name (maybe that’s why he bucks so hard) whenever this handsome bull shows up, look out!

Stop number 11 saw the men move their gear to Kansas City’s Sprint Center in another two-day event. It was before this event that the 2002 World Champion Ednei Caminhas made the surprise announcement that he would retire after this season. This was not an easy decision for Caminhas. “It makes me want to cry, thinking about leaving the sport that I will always love. But,” he added, “I’d rather leave on my own terms than be forced into retirement later on.”

Caminhas will not be sitting around after the season is over. He has found the world of reining horses, and has been competing in this venue when not on the PBR tour. He will pursue this new interest after retirement, and he is happy that this will also allow him to be able to spend more time with his family.

Ironically, a while back a friend of mine who move to Texas mentioned that “Ed” was breaking some colts for her. When asked who “Ed” was, she said that it was the bull rider, Ednei Caminhas. Small world, huh?

Moving back to the Cabela’s Classic, just as he did the week before, Robinson won the first round. He scored an 89.50 on the D & H Cattle Company bull, The Geetus. Brazil’s Valdiron de Oliveira was second with an 88. He rode Shane, owned by Davis/Ravenscroft/Hewkin’s Bigger Man. Fellow countryman Renato Nunes rode Klassic Rewind to an 87.50 to be third. Rafter G Rodeo Company owns Klassis Rewind. Fourth, and right behind Nunes was the returning Brian Herman. He was 87.25 on the The Jaynes Gang/Gaylon Childers bull Simon. It was good to see this blond bull rider back on the tour.

Round one was a tough one for the cowboys. Both Reese Cates and Colby Yates were thrown hard and knocked unconscious, with Cates being taken out on a backboard. Palermo also hit the ground hard, and while he did not lose consciousness, Dr. Tandy Freeman stated that he was the most symptomatic of the three. He chose to not ride on Sunday. Cates and Yates – sounds like a comedy team – both decided to ride in the second round, although it was against Dr. Freeman’s advice. Both these men bucked off.

Fan favorite Mike White won round two when he rode the Page & Teague Bucking Bull Recoil to an 89.75. J.B. Mauney was right on his heels, scoring an 89.50 after riding What I Say, owned by Hebert Bucking Bulls. Three men tied for third with a score of 89.25. Briscoe rode Smash Hit, hauled by Diamond S/ExclusiveGenetics.com, de Oliveira covered the Chad Berger/Larry Ryken bull Live Wire, and Kody Lostroh rode Seminole, owned by Diamond S Bucking Bulls.

Mauney looks to be back on the winning track as he scored a 91.50 in the short go to win that Championship Round. He rode Ricky Bobby, owned by H.D. Page/Bill and Betty Morrison. Briscoe was also proving he’s back in form when he rode the consistent Sports Machine, owned by Page/Buck/Watts. He received a 91.25 score for his efforts. Marchi was third with a 91 after riding The Game, owned by Brandon Gasper Bucking Bulls. Fourth with a solid 90 was Josh Koschel. He rode the Boyd/Floyd Bull Company’s Fender Bender.

Two bulls tied for the high score bull of the event. Crooked Face and Jacobs Pet were awarded a 45.75. Both of these bulls are owned by D & H Cattle Company.

The event standings had Marchi in the lead, with Mauney, Briscoe, Koschel, and de Oliveira rounding out the top five.

The Built Ford Tough World Standings find Marchi still on top. Briscoe had moved back up to second and Palermo dropped down to third. Lostroh is in fourth, with Mauney fifth. But don’t forget, there are still 22 events left before the first weekend of the finals, which leaves a lot of time for many changes to take place. Injuries also play a part, as the inevitable wear and tear on bodies start to become a bigger influence.

In following Adriano Moraes’ retirement tour, he went one for two in Baltimore and two for three in Kansas City. He was also seventh in the event average in K.C., and is 16^th in the Built Ford Tough Series Standings.

This coming weekend there are two events in three days. There is a one-day event in Portland, Oregon, and then a two-dayer in Tacoma, Washington.

Be safe and God Bless,

Viva La Raza,

Barb.