Anaheim, CA – PBR took over the Honda Center in Anaheim for a three-day weekend of The Camping World Team Series. The opening night featured four head-to-head matchups with eight teams of five riders each. The series will continue across the nation before wrapping up in Las Vegas with the PBR Teams Championship, October 24–26.

The first team to score was the New York Mavericks. Mason Taylor delivered a qualified ride worth 86.75 points, followed by teammate Leonardo Castro with 85.75.

The Missouri Thunder answered back when Maverick Smith posted an 86.25. Bordeaux Campbell matched the effort, conquering UB Smooth for another 86.25 after a gritty 8-second ride.

For the Florida Freedom, Thiago Salgado rode Whoa for 84.25. Teammate Derek Kolbaba, riding for the Carolina Cowboys, faced July. After a challenge review confirmed he had not touched the bull, his qualified ride was scored at 87.25. Florida’s Johnny Timber then fired up the crowd with 88.50 points on Rafiki, clinching Game 2 for the Freedom.w

Game 3 featured the Texas Rattlers against the Nashville Stampede. Brady Fielder opened for Texas with 85.25 on Cutting Edge Sugar Daddy. Nashville’s Anderson de Oliveira challenged his ride on Stryker, but the review clocked him at 7.98 seconds—just shy of the buzzer—drawing loud boos from the crowd. Only one Texas rider managed a winning ride, giving the Rattlers the edge.

The Austin Gamblers, riding a five-game win streak, showed why they’re the team to beat. Henrique da Silva put up 82 points on Lock N Load, followed by Sage Steele Kinsey’s 88.75 on Hermes, who was making his PBR debut. Oklahoma’s Josh Frost responded with 82.75 on Judgment Fat, but the Gamblers held firm. Andrei Scoparo added 77 on Unhinged, keeping the Gamblers on track despite the modest score.

Momentum stayed with Austin after a string of challenges, including Dalton Kassel’s fall at 5.75 seconds, which resulted in a granted re-ride. José Vítor Leme then delivered a powerful 89.75 on Landman after an overturned “touch” challenge. Callum Miller sealed the win with 87.75.

The final game pitted the Arizona Ridge Riders against the Kansas City Outlaws. Arizona’s Everton Natan de Silva opened with 73.75 on Ezra the Great but declined a re-ride. Kansas City’s Julio César Marques wowed fans with 83.75 on I’m Him, punctuating his ride with a celebratory backflip. Dalton Krantz (86.5) and Murilo Henrique de Oliveira (86.5) stretched the Outlaws’ lead.

The Ridge Riders fought back. Riquelme Santos, making his California debut, scored 85 on Blue Nerve. Keyshawn WhiteHorse added 86.5 on Red Popcorn after a successful challenge, swinging momentum back to Arizona. When Kansas City’s Heitor Santos Ferreira was bucked off S’mores, Arizona had the chance to chase perfection. They called for a re-ride, but their last rider fell short, leaving the Ridge Riders with the victory—though not the flawless win they had hoped for.

Article: Lauren Rodriguez

Photos: Nancy Lares