Pitts Steps Over Fugate to take lead in CBR Horizon Series Tour

BAYTOWN, Texas - April 23, 2017 - PRLog -- Driving 2,500 miles to compete in the CBR Baytown Horizon Series bull riding, Florida cowboy John Pitts rode two bulls to win both rounds of the Baytown Youth Fair Horizon Series bull riding that came with a championship buckle and a check for #2,056.32, on a cool crisp Saturday night at the Baytown, Texas rodeo arena.

"This was the 7th year for the Baytown Fair & Rodeo to host a CBR Horizon Series, each year we try our best to bring the best bulls and bull riders that are available to benefit the Baytown Youth. I was fortunate when I was young to have the Baytown Youth Fair as a place to show animals and producing the CBR here is my way to give back to a great organization that taught me a lot growing up, but the biggest thing is seeing the Fair Association continue to grow and succeed so that more young people can have the same opportunities that we had," said Rankin.

But more important than the Baytown buckle, the rookie bull rider stole the lead of the CBR Horizon Series tour from Denton Fugate who has been in the number one position of the CBR's qualifying series tour since January.

"I just take it one bull at a time, I try not to think about it to keep the pressure off, it's all reaction and jump for jump," said the rider who has been riding bulls professionally less than two years," said Pitts.

Cowboys from eleven states provided the 58 quality outs, but in the end, Pitts was one of only two riders to hear the 8 second whistle twice during the two hour performance. The young rookie rider from Panama City, Florida won both rounds of the event scoring 87 in round one on 138 Crackerjack (Hudgins Bucking bulls).  Pitts drew last and was matched with L33 Tamale from the Ludtke bull team. Pitts would score 89 .5 on L33, a bull who has made two appearances on the CBR's Road to Cheyenne tour.

"He was tough, he had a lot of drop and it was like falling straight down off a building with each jump," said an elated Pitts who also thanked his sponsors JC Knapp and 814 Sand, Inc.

"We had an outstanding set of bull riders this year that tried hard and we raised the bar, they rode 10 in the long round and managed to ride two in the short round, but the bull power was incredible and a few guys rode right to the whistle, said event producer Chris Rankin.

Fending off sixteen guys who have been on the Road to Cheyenne televised tour, the rookie persevered despite the rank bulls loaded in every chute in Baytown. Pitts, admittedly having his eye on the $20,000 bonus check that comes with the Horizon Series end of the year Championship, had this to say about his win.

"I have been about 4000 miles a week because I live so far away from most of the event, I am dedicated and focused on winning the Horizon Series," said Pitts.

Adding 176.5 points to his Horizon Series tally which puts him ahead of Denton Fugate by two bulls in the year end standings and only one Horizon Series event left on the CBR's schedule.

"I thank God I got two down and am healthy and I am ready to move on to the next one on Friday night in Del Rio, Texas," said a humbled Pitt's after riding his second bull on a night that produced only 12  qualified rides from 58 outs.

Produced by the televised CBR Road to Cheyenne production manager, Chris Rankin of Normangee, the Baytown CBR Horizon Series was the place to be on a Saturday night in Southeast Texas with bull riding action followed by a Jon Wolf and Zane Williams Band concert.

"What I really like about the Horizon series is we see an unknown young bull rider like Ezekiel Mitchell of Baytown that show up and make and outstanding bull ride and contend with the hottest guys on tour and hang with them," said event producer Chris Rankin.

The Baytown Bull team competition was won by former CBR Stock Contractor of the Year, Billy Jones of Moscow, Texas. With two Wrangler National Finals Rodeo bulls on his trailer, Jones relies heavily on bulls that he knows they can ride when selecting bull teams to compete, but tonight with the temperature dropping and the bulls feeling a break from the southeast Texas heat, only one was ridden.

"I thought he would ride him," said Jones of US Army veteran Juan Alonzo's 86 points on 235 Bandit.

"I was bucked off and had to hustle, I said to myself, not to tonight," laughed the always good spirited rider who consistency sits inside the top ten year after year on the CBR Road to Cheyenne tour.

Rankin, lining up buckers from three former stock contractors of the year, as well as several bulls who are in contention for CBR Bull of the Year, had bull power to rival any competition in the country.

"Thanks to my family and friends who came out and helped us and the fair board for giving us the opportunity, it was a pretty awesome event", said Rankin immediately following the awards presentation.

Photo left to right: Trenton Seelye, buckle sponsor, John Pitts, event champion, Steve Watkins Custom Leather sponsor, Chris Rankin, producer.

Baytown Horizon Series Results

1, John Pitts, Panama, City, Florida,176.5,$3,841.32. 2, Elijah Mora, Blanchard, OK, 168, $1,984.92. 3, Juan Alonzo, Weslaco, TX , 86, $1,532.72. 4, JT Moore, Alvin, TX, 86,$1,009.12. 5, Ezekiel Mitchell, Baytown, TX, 84, $661.64. 6, Andrew Alvidrez, Seminole, TX, 84, $395.08.

Bull Team Results

1, Billy Jones, Moscow Texas, 276.60, $10,000. 2, Hudgins Bucking Bulls, 275.90, $6,000. 3, Ludtke Bucking Bulls, 274.99, $5,000. 4, Harris Bucking Bulls, 274.37, $3,000.

For more information follow CBR on http://www.cbrbull.com/