The PBR Challenger Series was an event introduced to provide another base for the bull-riding icons as it ran adjacent to the Team Series. Both of the events hosted by the organization have remained successful in captivating the rodeo community across the world with performances worth marveling at. However, with the year-end approaching, the Challenger Series has marked its end over the week, crowing its champion for the year.

The Challenger Series hosted by PBR is designed to accommodate 60 events across 27 states standing from June to November. As the event ran its course this year, the community witnessed the newer and veteran riders in the limelight alike. Nonetheless, as the crowd filled in the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa on Thursday, just one of these reigned victorious to clinch the title; but it wasn’t a simple one.

Champions battle for final title

As the Challenger Series Finale took off on the evening of Thursday, there were two names on the speculated winner’s list; Nashville Stampede’s ?Alan de Souza and the 18-year-old, rookie, John Crimber. Entering the evening, John Crimber had 7 season titles to his name with 2 90-point rides while Alan had a 76.33-point advantage; reports PBR.com

Marking the beginning of the event, John Crimber took a strong lead over the table topper. John went for round 1 atop Huckleberry and earned himself an 89-point ride; moving ahead of Souza with 48.33. The round however wasn’t a kind one for Souza. The rider was demounted atop Blown Away 6.29 seconds in; throwing him off the lead and champion round.

The title could now be Crimber’s if he managed to emerge victorious atop Baby Huey. However, the rising icon was bested by the animal athlete at 4.3 seconds. Crimber’s round 2 performance not only cost him the final title but also slipped him to the 4th position. With Crimber’s fall, the 2023 Challenger Series Champion title was Alan de Souza’s to claim.

Nonetheless, the two’s rivalry wasn’t the end of the evening. While both Crimber and Souza failed to emerge to the top, the night’s victory was earned a Texas Rattlers’ very own.

Bull riding community witnesses stellar performances

Following the top two contender’s battle, the night still held the event’s title open for the best of the evening. It was Texas Rattlers’ Eli Vastbinder who thoroughly shined for the title. The 32-year-old veteran, rode atop It?s Cherry for a strong start. Eli matched the strides of the beast for a complete 8 seconds to score 83 points. His second round atop Trump Train earned him the victory with the night’s best, 90-point ride.

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Eli was followed by Bob Mitchell and Sandro Batista with 169.50 and 164.50 respectively. On the night’s standings, Crimber placed fourth while Alan was off the list. Though it wasn’t exactly a perfect night for the two, both the riders earned a berth to the bull-riding community’s esteemed event; 2024 PBR Unleash The Beast. The contending berth holders against the two include Ednei Caminhas, Dakota Buttar, and Conner Halverson.

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