Built Ford Tough Series
The Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) is the "major league" tour of the PBR competitions. It is a 30-city event series culminating in the PBR World Finals every year in Las Vegas, Nevada. The top 45 riders of the PBR compete in the BFTS with the rankings determined by points and money won. Only the top 45 riders in the points standings can achieve seeded positions on the tour, while riders below that standard may need to ride on one of the PBR's minor league tours in order to earn his way back onto the BFTS tour. However, the PBR's World Finals will only invite the top 45 riders based on the money they earned. In terms of the top 45 riders (in points), only the top 35 can actually stay on tour, while positions 36-45 can get cut from the tour after every 5 events, making way for any new entries or alternates.
There is a special rule called the World Champion's Exemption, where any former PBR World Champion can compete in any 5 events he chooses (and they don't have to be consecutive), except for the PBR Finals (he still has to earn his way there). He can then stay on tour if he accrues enough points; if not, he'll have to earn his way back on via the lower tours. Before 2007, this rule allowed former champs to compete in as many or few events they chose, with the only stipulation being that they still had to qualify for the PBR finals like everyone else. (The old rule was implemented in 2000.)
This tour was called the Bud Light Cup (BLC) tour until 2003. It started off with 8 events in its inaugural season of 1994, increasing the number of cities visited over the years, with 28 starting in 1999, and increased to 30 in 2005. There will reportedly be 34 BFTS events in 2009, including the World Finals in Las Vegas.
Top 45 PBR riders
- In order, based on points. Current as of November 10, 2008.
This list is courtesy of the PBR Official Website.
- Guilherme Marchi
- J.B. Mauney
- Valdiron de Oliveira
- Renato Nunes
- Kody Lostroh
- Robson Palermo
- Chris Shivers
- Mike Lee
- Ross Coleman
- Wiley Petersen
- Reese Cates
- L.J. Jenkins
- Zack Brown
- Dustin Elliott
- Mike White
- Ednei Caminhas
- Sean Willingham
- Travis Briscoe
- Kasey Hayes
- Colby Yates
- Brendan Clark
- Justin McBride
- Luke Snyder
- Adriano Moraes
- Brian Canter
- Nick Landreneau
- Pistol Robinson
- Austin Meier
- Josh Koschel
- McKennon Wimberly
- Cord McCoy
- Dustin Hall
- Paulo Crimber
- Aaron Roy
- Ned Cross
- Clayton Williams
- Bryan Richardson
- Jared Farley
- Harve Stewart
- Brian Herman
- Matt Bohon
- Shane Proctor
- Billy Robinson
- Kolt Donaldson
- Clayton Foltyn
External links
- Rodeo
- Ford
- Sports in Las Vegas, Nevada