Despite Facing Setback, Nashville Rodeo Legends Remain Optimistic For Vegas 

The PBR has numerous tricks up its sleeves to keep the rodeo enthusiasts entertained throughout the year. The organization makes a stellar start with the challenger series and leads through the teams, and Unleash the Beast to finally stop at the PBR finals. While the showcases from the challenger series have kept the fans hooked over the weeks, the team series has had a different hold on the audience.

The 8 teams for the season have battled each other over 2 months of fierceness and excitement to finally face the end. However, while the season had exceptional performances from teams to deliver, it wasn’t the same for the defending champions. As the top teams head for the first-round byes after concluding the regular season, the Stampedes stand will look to overturn events after a disappointing season.

Odds line up for Nashville Stampede

The season was a good start for the Stampede as they defeated the persisting table toppers, Austin Gamblers, to 342.25-88. The defending champions standing worthy of their title had a near-perfect team for the season. The 2018 World Champion Kaique Pacheco, three-time World Champion Silvano Alves, followed by 016 PBR Brazil Champion Dener Barbosa, presided as two-time World Champion Jess Lockwood, Mason Taylor, and Chase Outlaw joined right behind.

Though the team continued the momentum onto a few other matches, the star-studded rooster quietly fell apart one after another. The lead for the team, Pacheco, had minimal participation due to his persisting ankle injury while Barbosa suffered a concussion.

The unwelcomed events continued as Taylor went 0-for-5  having to miss last month due to a groin injury. As for Lockwood, the rider was forced to stay out the entire season due to a pelvis injury in March; reported PBR.com.

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Nearing the end of the season, the adversities followed the team to the very end. Outlaw, who was playing exceptionally for the team succumbed to a broken leg performing at the last leg in Fort Worth. The incident ruled out Outlaw from the contention in Las Vegas. While the circumstances don’t look good for the Stampede, they have witnessed a spark of hope during their latest match.

The rodeo champions hang on to the hope

Nashville Stampede’s victory against the Austin Gamblers wasn’t a top for the team. Heading on to the next one, the rooster pushed down the Carolina Cowboys and then the Texas Rattlers; who currently own the 3rd position. Even after the rest went haywire for the team, the Rattler Days were a glimmer of hope. Over the weekend at Fort Worth, Stampede emerged successful against two of the teams pushing them ahead to 3rd; for the weekend.

Kaiden Loud,  Mason Moody, and Ednelio Almeida, who competed as a rooster for the Rattler Days will head forward; taking the the toughness from 20th to the 2nd at Las Vegas. “I’m just really proud of the boys there,” coach McBride told PBR. “Yeah, I’m glad we got a win. They’ve been hard to come by…to see the future stars and the legendary guys getting it done together on a team and walking down the same path is just really cool for me to watch.”

The Stampede is currently in the seventh position on the table with 11-17. At the Championship Finals, the team will get a chance to go possibly against Kansas City and slowly make their way up from there. Though the situation may seem impossible to some, it won’t be the case for the Stampede after facing a similar situation at the 2022 Championships; where they reigned the victors. The team will have 2 more chances to get a hand on the prize and the rodeo enthusiasts await a thrilling turn.

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