‘It’s every little kid’s dream’

Jones, Dirteater only Natives to make appearance at PBR

ALBUQUERQUE

When Spud Jones rode in his first Professional Bull Riders event at 20 years old, all he wanted to do was have some fun.

Seven years later, little has changed for the Tohatchi, N.M. bull rider who participated in his third PBR Built Ford Tough Series at the 20th Ty Murray Invitational on March 18-20 at the University of New Mexico WisePies Arena.

“Just the bull power has stepped up another notch,” Jones said. “So everything’s the same. The crowd, adrenaline, it’s just about the bulls; they’re changing, they’re bucking more.”

The increase in the power of the PBR beasts was eminent as Jones was thrown off all three of his bulls during the event. Jones was the only Navajo rider invited to the event this year. In previous years, PBR officials were known to invite at least three local bull riders, but have since cut back.

Jones averaged a four-second ride throughout his three tries over the weekend. In his first and second second ride he stayed on for 3.6 seconds and in his final try he lasted three seconds on “Wired Child.”

Jones said while he didn’t a make a ride, he looked forward to competing.

“It’s just a blessing,” he said. “I’m just very fortunate to get on some good bulls here and ride with some good competition. It’s pretty good. I like it. It’s a lot of fun.”
While most of those past local bull riders who have been invited showcased their talent at the PBR level once, Jones has been invited three times.

He said he was first invited in 2009 then in 2011 and again this year. He said the first time was something he looked forward to for some time but never imagined he would return two other times.

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