OMAHA- At PBR’s Unleash the Beast in Omaha over the past weekend, professional bull rider Chase Dougherty was met with a familiar face— that of Detroit Lean.
23-year-old Dougherty and the 43rd ranked bull in the world first met in Oklahoma City, Okla. for PBR’s Express Ranches Invitational. Dougherty was handed Detroit Lean in the championship round after the riders ahead of him picked the bulls they wanted prior to his choice.
In Oklahoma City, Dougherty, not only had a qualified ride, but had the best ride out of everyone in the invitational at 91.25. For Dougherty, it was just another ride.
“What was the emotion? I don’t know, ” Dougherty said. “I was just trying to ride bulls, just trying to do my job, support my family.”
Dougherty’s final tally of 176.25 in Oklahoma City on April 17th was enough to grab third place, and now in Omaha these two foes faced off again—this time by choice.
In the previous two rounds, the riders were given bulls based on luck of the draw, literally. In the championship round, though, Dougherty and the other riders were given a pool of bulls to select from. When it was Dougherty’s turn, he chose Detroit Lean and the rematch was etched in stone.
This time around, Detroit Lean would even the score out between the two within the first few seconds. Right out of the gate, the bull whips around the corner and Dougherty’s free hand grazes the beast and stops the timer.
Dougherty’s championship ride in Omaha would place the rider in 7th and that is where Dougherty would finish after the day’s end. Dougherty, now looks to move up the standings before returning to Nebraska on October 22nd and 23rd for PBR “Cooper Tires Take the Money and Ride” in Lincoln, Ne. at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
