by: Cesar Diaz, Photos by Cesar Rivera
New York, NY – On Sunday, the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) successfully completed their New York return for the eighth consecutive year as they kicked off their 2014 PBR Built Ford Tough Series season from Madison Square Garden.
From Jan. 3-5, bull riding fans celebrated the New Year by being part of the PBR’s 500th regular-season event dubbed, “Monster Energy Buck off at the Garden.” Photographer Daniel Budasoff was on hand to witness the dramatic conclusion to three-day event. As reported on PBR.com:
J.B. Mauney continues to rewrite the PBR record books. Reigning PBR World Champion J.B. Mauney and Brazilian rider Fabiano Vieira both accumulated 347.5 points to share the Built Ford Tough Series Monster Energy Buck Off at the Garden victory.
After splitting the win in New York this weekend with Vieira, Mauney has now won four regular-season Built Ford Tough Series events in a row and a total of five events, including the 2013 Built Ford Tough World Finals.
Mauney went 4-for-4 at the Monster Energy Buck Off at the Garden to come from three points down to tie Vieira with 347.5 points when he won the Built Ford Tough Championship Round with 89.5 points on Jack Daniel’s Winter Jack.
Dating back to last October, he has now ridden 15 bulls in a row, which ties the all-time mark previously set in 1998 by Terry Don West.
On Saturday night, the second round of the Professional Bull Riders Monster Energy Buck off at the Garden took place. Photographer Cesar Rivera was there live to cover the action as bull rider Fabiano Vieira escaped the Garden with the overall lead.
Cesar’s photos is our way of honoring the bulls who compete in the PBR. As stated on PBR.com, ”The PBR has, through its 20-year history, taken the position that there are two great athletesin every 8-second ride. The bulls are treated with as much respect as the human athletes who ride them. A portion of PBR’s Animal Welfare Policy summarizes the great respect that everyone associated with the organization shares for our animal athletes.”
