The Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) was the Premier Series tour name of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) competitions from 2003 through 2017.
The BFTS kicked off its tour on November 16, 2002, with the Mohegan Sun Invitational in Uncasville, Connecticut. The majority of the series was televised on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN). Six of the series events were broadcast on NBC. Telemundo broadcast two events. The first run of the series was held in 29 cities. [1] The BFTS featured the world's top 45 riders at each event throughout the season. [2] The 45 riders who earned the most money at all PBR-sanctioned events qualified to compete at the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. [3] If a rider failed to maintain his ranking by not earning enough money, he could be replaced by another rider from the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Challenger Tour who earned more money. [2]
In 2003, Bud Light was replaced by Ford Trucks as the PBR Premier Series' title sponsor, but Las Vegas was kept as the presenting sponsor, thus the Bud Light Cup Series presented by Las Vegas became the Built Ford Tough Series presented by Las Vegas. This was also the first season in the PBR where the World Champion received a $1 million bonus. [4] [5] The 2003 Built Ford Tough World Finals was the last in which there were five rounds, in which all riders rode in the first four rounds and the top 15 rode in the Championship Round.[ citation needed ]
Some BFTS events would be broadcast on Telemundo through the 2006 season, and some BFTS events would be broadcast on NBC through the 2012 season.
In 2004, the Wrangler jeans company replaced Las Vegas as the Built Ford Tough Series' title sponsor, thus it was now known as the Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler. That same year, the PBR introduced an enhanced scoring system to the World Finals to make sure the champion is not determined prior to the event. First, 5,500 potential points were available, that ensured any of the top ten riders headed to the event had a chance to win the title. The first place competitor in a round scored 400 points. The second place competitor scored 350 points. Riders placing between third and 10 were awarded points on an incremental scale down to 15. And riders also received the points they earned for a qualified ride. [6]
The PBR returned to having some three-day regular season events, after having stopped from 1996 to 2003.
There were now eight rounds in the PBR World Finals divided into two weekends. The first three rounds took place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, and the final five took place at the Thomas and Mack Center. All of the riders competed in the first seven rounds. The top 15 riders advanced to the Championship Round. The rider who won the World Finals received 2,500 BFTS points and $250,000. Second place received 2,250 points. And the riders placing between 3rd and 10th received points on an incremental scale down to 250.[ citation needed ]
In 2005, a change was made to the tour. Wherein upon the conclusion of every fifth event on the series, the five lowest ranked riders were sent down to the Challenger Tour. It was based on money earned. Then the top five Challenger Tour riders were sent up to the BFTS. This shifting ensured the best riders competed at the right levels of competition. The Challenger Tour was used as a means as providing talent to the BFTS. Additionally, BFTS riders could freely compete in the Challenger Tour and the Hump n' Horns Tour events assuming no conflicts would occur. BFTS riders might have done this because money earned at lower level tours also counted towards reaching the desired top-ranked 45 riders standings. [7]
Following the 2006 BFTS event in Grand Rapids, Michigan, OLN's name was changed to Versus. Also that year, the PBR began producing events in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Australia. Starting with the 2006 PBR World Finals, the top contestant from each of the international tours was invited to compete at the first three rounds of the PBR World Finals along the with the top 45 money-earners who qualified for the event. If any of the international invitees succeeded in finishing among the top 15 riders based on total points after the first three rounds, they were invited to compete for the rest of the World Finals. If they were not among the top fifteen, they were eliminated from the rest of the event.[ citation needed ]
Also, beginning with this season, rides were now scored with a quarter-point system (as opposed to whole points or half points in previous seasons, a system which was first tested at the 2004 and 2005 PBR World Finals), which remains in place to this day.
From 2006 through 2008, the last few regular-season BFTS events were broadcast on Fox.
In 2007, the Built Ford Tough Series practiced the "First to Fail" format, where the order of the top 5 riders going into the Championship Round of the event was reversed, meaning the leader would ride first and the 5th-place rider would ride last. This format proved unpopular with fans and the Championship Round was reverted to its original format in 2008.[ citation needed ]
From 2004 through 2007, the first three rounds of the PBR World Finals took place at Mandalay Bay Events Center, but in 2008 and 2009 all eight rounds now took place at the Thomas and Mack Center.[ citation needed ]
In 2009, Wrangler was dropped as the Built Ford Tough Series' presenting sponsor. However, the tour did not pick up a new presenting sponsor, thus it was now known simply as the Built Ford Tough Series. Also, after the first five events of the BFTS this season, the number of riders on the tour was cut from 45 to 40. Qualifying for the PBR World Finals was now based on the top 40 money earners.[ citation needed ]
The PBR World Finals' format changed to the one used in 1995 where all contestants rode in the first five rounds, then the top 15 advanced to the Championship Round. Starting with the 2010 World Finals, the top rider from each of the PBR's international tours was invited to compete at the event's first two rounds along with the top 40 money-earners who qualified for the event. If any of the international invitees was among the top 15 riders based on total points after two rounds, they were invited to compete at the rest of the World Finals. If they were not among the top 15, they were eliminated from the competition. The rider who won the World Finals event received 2,500 BFTS points and $250,000. Second place received 2,250 points. The riders placing between 3rd and 10th received points on an incremental scale down to 250. [8]
In 2012, the BFTS was now primarily televised on CBS Sports Network. Some events were also televised on NBC Sports Network (formerly Versus, before changing to NBC Sports Network at the start of 2012). [9] After the first five events of the BFTS season, the number of riders on the tour was cut from 40 to 35. Also, qualification for the PBR World Finals was now determined by the top 35 point earners. Previously, from 2009 to 2011 qualifying for the World Finals was based on the top 40 money earners.[ citation needed ]
2012 was the year in which the 15/15 Bucking Battle was introduced. At select regular-season BFTS events after the conclusion of the first round, the top 15 riders at the time of the event were randomly matched up against 15 of the rankest bulls in the PBR for an opportunity to win additional points. The 15/15 Bucking Battles were broadcast on CBS.[ citation needed ]
The BFTS regular-season events and the World Finals were now televised entirely on CBS Sports Network, while the 15/15 Bucking Battles were broadcast on CBS.
In 2014, the BFTS was then known as the nationally televised elite tour of the PBR. At that time, the tour was composed of the world's top 35 bull riders facing down the world's toughest bulls. The tour made 27 stops in 19 states that year. It opened with its first event at the Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. It concluded in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the PBR BFTS World Finals. The PBR BFTS World Finals were bull riding's richest and it awarded almost $2.3 million that year if the $1 million bonus to the world champion is counted as well as the $10,000 belt buckle. [10]
In 2014, the BFTS followed these rules. The PBR BFTS World Champion was the bull rider who accumulated the most points while competing in events in the regular season and in the world finals event. The BFTS used the point system to be certain the most consistent rider became the World Champion Bull Rider. Points were earned at each event for a rider's finish in each round and in the event. First place received 100 points. Second place received 90 points. Remaining riders between third and 10th place received points on an incremental scale. [11]
Each BFTS event contained a round with 35 bull rides. For a two-day event, the 35 bull riders competed in Rounds 1 and 2. The top 15 scores advanced to the BFTS Championship Round. The event winner was the rider with the highest combined score from all three rounds. The winner received 300 points. The second place finisher received 270 points. Riders placing between third and 10th received points in an incremental scale down to 30. [12]
For a three-day event, the 35 bull riders competed in Rounds 1, 2, and 3. The top 15 scores advanced to the BFTS Championship Round. The event winner was the rider with the highest combined score from all four rounds. The winner received 400 points. The second place finisher received 260 points. Riders placing between third and 10th received points in an incremental scale down to 40. [13]
In 2004, the PBR introduced an enhanced scoring system to the BFTS World Finals to make sure the champion is not determined prior to the event. These rules were still followed until 2015, when they were slightly modified by removing qualified ride scores from World Standings points totals. First, 5,500 potential points were available, that ensured any of the top ten riders heading to the event had a chance to win the title. The first place competitor in a round scored 400 points. The second place competitor scored 350 points. Riders placing between third and 10 were awarded points on an incremental scale down to 15. And riders also received the points they earned for a qualified ride. [14]
There were six rounds in the PBR World Finals. All of the riders competed in the first five rounds. The top 15 riders advanced to the Championship Round. The rider who won the Finals event received 2,500 BFTS points and $250,000. Second place received 2,250 points. And the riders placing between 3rd and 10th received points on an incremental scale down to 250. [15]
Riders could qualify for the PBR BFTS World Finals in several ways. One way was by competing in BFTS events throughout the season. They could also compete in the Touring Pro Division and international events. Countries where they could compete are Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. [16]
For 2015 and beyond, the PBR modified the PBR BFTS points system. The BFTS World Champion Bull Rider is the one who accumulated the most world points during the regular season and the World Finals combined. Prior to 2015, the points system was focused on making sure the most consistent rider became the World Champion. However, the PBR's founders have always desired the bull rider who wins consistently be the one who wins the most events; thus, the championship. So starting in 2015, a new points system went into effect. The change affected all of the PBR's tours, the 15/15 Bucking Battle, and the international tours in Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. Qualified ride scores were no longer included in the World Standings point totals. They were, however, used to determine placements in event rounds and event aggregates, and to determine both event and World Standings. [17]
Each BFTS event contained a round with 35 bull rides. For a two-day event, the 35 bull riders would compete in Round 1 and 2. The top 15 scores advanced to the BFTS Championship Round. The event winner was the rider with the highest combined score from all three rounds. For a three-day event, the 35 bull riders will completed in Rounds 1, 2, and 3. The top 15 scores advanced to the BFTS Championship Round. The event winner was the rider with the highest combined score from all three rounds. [18]
There were four events on the BFTS that were considered major events. They were New York City, New York; Arlington, Texas; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Nashville, Tennessee. Major events offered competition in different formats, bonus bulls, and more prize money. These major events were broadcast on CBS. Together, these four major events composed the PBR Grand Slam Series. [19]
The 15/15 Bucking Battles were offered at some PBR BFTS events. This type of event matched the top 15 bull riders in the PBR against the top 15 bulls at the event. The matching was random. There was a separate purse for this event. Points were earned at the rate of 1 and 1/2 times the round points. Points did not factor into the winner but did count toward the World Standings. The winner was the bull rider with the highest ride score. [20]
Qualifying for the PBR BFTS World Finals was based on points. Points could be earned on all of the PBR's tours: Built Ford Tough Series, Velocity Tour, Touring Pro Division and the International tours. International tours included Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. The top 35 ranked riders in the World Standings according to points earned competed at the World Finals. The Velocity Tour year-end champion, the top three highest-ranked finishers at the Velocity Tour Finals, and the highest-ranked finishing international invitee representing one of PBR's four international circuits at the Velocity Tour Finals received wild-card berths to the World Finals. [21]
The 2015 BFTS World Finals concluded in Las Vegas, Nevada. It awarded almost $2.2 million. This included the $1 million bonus to the World Champion. The World Champion also received a $10,000 championship belt buckle. [22] This was the 17th and final time the PBR World Finals would take place at the Thomas & Mack Center.
In 2016, the PBR World Finals moved to T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip. [23] [24]
Christopher Lee Shivers is an American former professional rodeo cowboy who specialized in bull riding, and competed on the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) circuit. He turned pro in 1997, and won the PBR world championship in 2000 and 2003.
The Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) is an international professional bull riding organization headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, United States. It is the largest bull riding league in the world, sanctioning hundreds of events every year in the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Australia. Over 800 bull riders from said countries, as well as others hold PBR memberships.
Justin Travis McBride is an American former professional rodeo cowboy who specialized in bull riding. In his career, he competed on the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) circuit. He was a two-time PBR World Champion, has a record 32 career PBR Premier Series event wins, and was the first professional bull rider to earn more than $5 million in the course of his career.
James BurtonMauney is an American former professional rodeo cowboy who specialized in bull riding. At the very beginning of his career, he rode in both the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) and Championship Bull Riding (CBR) circuits, before deciding to ride full-time in the PBR in early 2006. He won the PBR Rookie of the Year title that same year and was a top contestant in said organization for several years, eventually winning the PBR world championship in 2013 and 2015. During the last few years of his career, he competed full-time in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). He is considered one of the greatest bull riders of his generation.
Guilherme Antônio Marchi is a Brazilian former professional rodeo cowboy who specialized in bull riding, and competed in the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) circuit. He was the 2008 PBR World Champion.
Luke Snyder is an American former professional rodeo cowboy who specialized in bull riding, and competed in the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) circuit. He was the 2001 PBR Rookie of the Year, and the 2001 PBR World Finals event champion. Since 2022, he has been the co-head coach of the Missouri Thunder during the PBR Team Series season.
Championship Bull Riding, Inc. (CBR) was a professional bull riding organization that was based in Weatherford, Texas, United States.
Kody Lostroh is an American former professional rodeo cowboy who specialized in bull riding. He was the 2009 Professional Bull Riders (PBR) world champion.
The Bud Light Cup Series (BLC) was the first tour and in its first year was the only tour of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR). When other tours were created, it became the major league tour of the PBR.
Bushwacker #13/6 was an American bucking bull. He competed in the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) circuit and was a three-time PBR World Champion Bull, winning the title in 2011, 2013, and 2014. His three titles match the record established a decade earlier by Little Yellow Jacket from 2002 to 2004. He was awarded the PBR Brand of Honor in 2016. He has been referred to as the "Michael Jordan of Bulls." In 2014, PBR co-founder and Director of Livestock Cody Lambert compared Bushwacker to the likes of Secretariat and Seabiscuit. He was inducted into the Class of 2020 in the Bull Riding Hall of Fame.
Chicken on a Chain #CC was an American bucking bull. He competed in the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) circuit and won the 2007 PBR World Champion Bull title. In 2015, he was awarded the PBR Brand of Honor. He bucked for seven years, a total of 127 times; 33 of those times he was ridden at all levels. Chicken on a Chain finished his career with 130 outs. He holds a career average of 45 points per out and "arguably became the most popular bucking bull in PBR history". At the time he was active he was the only bucking bull in PBR history with more than 100 outs and an average career score of 45 or higher. Today, Chicken on a Chain is still considered one of the most popular bucking bulls. An article published on the PBR website on December 15, 2016, put him on the list "PBR Tough 10: Baddest Buckers."
Mudslinger #790 (1997–2012) was an American bucking bull. He was the 2006 Professional Bull Riders (PBR) World Champion Bull. He began his bucking career at age three. His owners retired him after the 2006 season ended, while he was still in his peak. He died in 2012 when he was almost 15 years old. His owners buried him on their ranch. In 2017, the PBR honored him with the Brand of Honor.
Bonner Bolton is an American fashion model and former professional rodeo cowboy who specialized in bull riding. He won the 2007 world championship for the now-defunct Championship Bull Riding (CBR) organization. He also competed in the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) circuits. He placed fourth at the PBR World Finals in 2015. He performed as a stunt double for Scott Eastwood in the movie The Longest Ride, being the only one of four doubles who managed to make a virtually eight-second ride on the PBR top ranked bull Rango for an ending scene. His bull riding career was cut short by a neck injury sustained during a dismount from a bull he had just finished making an eight-second ride on at a PBR Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) event in January 2016. He sustained a break to his C-2 vertebra. Bolton was temporarily paralyzed, but made a full recovery. The parent company, IMG, of the PBR made an offer to contract him as a fashion model in May 2016. Bolton now works steadily as a fashion model.
Bruiser #32Y was an American bucking bull. He is the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) World Champion Bull for 2016, 2017, and 2018. He is one of only two bucking bulls to win the title in three consecutive years. He is also the 2017 Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) Bucking Bull of the Year. Bruiser and Bodacious are the only bulls to win both titles and they also did it in the same year: Bruiser did it in 2017 and Bodacious in 1995. Bruiser is the PRCA Reserve Bucking Bull of the Year in 2015. Bruiser tied for the PBR title in 2016 with two other bulls, and the tiebreaker went to him. Bruiser won the 2017 PBR title in a close race against Pearl Harbor. Bruiser won the title outright in 2018. Bruiser is also the American Bucking Bull (ABBI) Classic Final winner in 2015. He also won several other notable titles. SweetPro's Bruiser was retired from competition in 2021 at the age of ten. He died at age 11 on May 17, 2022.
Shepherd Hills Tested #20U was an American bucking bull. He was the 2013 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Bucking Bull of the Year. Tested bucked on the PRCA and Professional Bull Riders (PBR) circuits from 2011-2014. His first title was the 2012 American Bucking Bull (ABBI) Classic World Champion. He went on to win the 2012 PRCA Bull of the Finals title at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) later that same year. In 2013, he won the PRCA Bucking Bull of the Year title and was also the PBR Reserve World Champion Bull. In his last year bucking, he repeated as the 2014 PBR Reserve World Champion Bull. In 84 times out of the bucking chute over a four years period, Tested only allowed cowboys four qualified rides, two rides by two-time World Champion J.B. Mauney and two rides by Kasey Hayes. His owners retired him after the 2014 season. He died from injuries sustained in an accident on April 14, 2017.
James William Harris, known as J.W. Harris is an American former professional rodeo cowboy who specialized in bull riding. He competed on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), Championship Bull Riding (CBR), and Professional Bull Riders (PBR) circuits. He won the PRCA bull riding world championship four times at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). Harris is the first bull rider since Don Gay to win four PRCA world bull riding titles. He is also the first since Gay to win three of them consecutively. Harris was also the 2014 PBR Rookie of the Year. In 2022, he was inducted into the Bull Riding Hall of Fame.
The Unleash the Beast Series (UTB) is the Premier Series of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR). Monster Beverage Corporation is the current series sponsor for the premiership since 2018. From its founding in 1994 through 2002, it was sponsored by Anheuser-Busch (Bud Light Cup Series), and Ford Motor Company (Built Ford Tough Series) from 2003 through 2017. The UTB series was televised on CBS Sports Network from January 2018 through May 2024. It has been televised on TUDN and streamed on Vix Premium, both in Spanish, since 2024. As of November 2024, it is available for free on the PBR's YouTube Channel, RidePass on Pluto TV and the PBR's mobile app. The top 40 riders and top bulls compete at each event. It culminates at the PBR Unleash the Beast World Finals at the end of the regular season. The UTB series includes 24 events across the United States each year. Pyrotechnics, pulsating music, and special effects open each event. UTB events range from one to three days, with all 40 riders competing in the long rounds, then the top 12 returning to the Championship Round to determine the event winner.
Jess Lockwood is an American professional rodeo cowboy who specializes in bull riding. He competed in the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) circuit from 2015 to 2024. He was the PBR Rookie of the Year in 2016. On November 5, 2017, he became the youngest PBR World Champion. He won his second PBR world championship on November 10, 2019; becoming the youngest bull rider to win two PBR world championships. As of 2025, he competes full-time in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).
Spotted Demon #35 is an American retired bucking bull. In his career, he competed in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and Professional Bull Riders (PBR) circuits. He was the 2018 PRCA Bull of the Year, as well as the 2018 Bull of the National Finals Rodeo (NFR).
Rango #718 was an American bucking bull who competed at the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) circuit. He was a three-time PBR Built Ford Tough Worlds Finals qualifier. He was also the star bull of the 2015 film The Longest Ride and has a credit in the movie.
