Whitehorse takes lead with 90.15 ride in Round 2 at Ty Murray Invitational

By Lee Begaye
Special to the Times

ALBUQUERQUE

Keyshawn Whitehorse has put himself in position to win his first Ty Murray Invitational.

On Saturday night, he delivered a 90.15-point ride in Round 2 of the annual event and now leads the aggregate race at the three-day competition inside The Pit in Albuquerque.

The Navajo rider from McCracken Spring, Utah, sits atop the standings with a two-round total of 179.55 after finishing sixth in the opening round.

Whitehorse covered Magic Hunter, a bull with a 48% buck-off rate, and used the smooth ride to take control of the leaderboard.

“The bull is half the points that you get, the dance partner you draw,” Whitehorse said of the bovine owned by Martinez Bucking Bulls LLC. “You have to stay in timing with him and don’t have a fight with the bull but make sure everything goes smoothly.”

He added, “I feel pretty confident and optimistic in getting a score. The bull is a good bull, and he fits me perfectly. The bull from Round 1 didn’t have too many outs, but I knew he bucked very hard. I’m prepared for this.”

The energy inside The Pit built during introductions and carried into Whitehorse’s ride, with a strong showing from Navajo fans.

“I always want to ride my best, but knowing the Navajo Nation is here, this event is close to home, I don’t want to disappoint,” Whitehorse said. “My family is in the front row, so it’s special for me.”

Cole Brewer, the reigning Indian National Finals Rodeo champion, continued to struggle, posting his second straight no-score after lasting 3.58 seconds on Jane Clark/Gene Owen’s Always Been Crazy. Brewer requested a challenge following the ride but was not awarded a re-ride.

He will have one final chance in Round 3 against Farris Cattle/Gig Schott Rodeo’s Lieutenant Dan, a bull carrying a 93% buck-off rate in 26 outs. Whitehorse faces a similarly difficult draw in the next round with Freightliner Fever, a bull owned by Tim Cody/Hilton Bull Co. that has yet to be ridden through eight outs in seven events.

Brady Fielder sits just behind Whitehorse with an aggregate score of 178.95, keeping pressure on the leaderboard heading into Sunday’s round. Fielder is set to ride Good Riddance, a Blake Shark/Hanks bull with a 73% buck-off rate in 36 outs.

Eight riders have recorded scores through two rounds, setting up a competitive third round in which any of the remaining riders can take control. Whitehorse earned 43 event points through two rounds.

Round 3 begins Sunday at 1 p.m., followed by a championship round to determine the event winner.

Also returning is Black Harbor of 4B Bucking Bulls, which has recorded three buck offs at the event and remains unridden. Bruno Carvalho will attempt the draw after failing to convert in earlier rounds.

Before the event, Whitehorse reflected on the setting.

“The energy aspect, the configuration of the arena and the crowd, it does feel different, but you keep the ride the same,” he said. “I’ve been putting in the work. I trust what my body is capable of. We are surrounded by the best bull riders in the world, and at the end of the day, you have to finish the job.”

He also offered a message to young fans and aspiring bull riders: “Dream big. Believe in yourself. Always trust yourself, your ability and your family. Trust the Lord and make the best of it.”

Whitehorse, who said he has always wanted to win the Ty Murray Invitational, now sits two rides away from doing just that.

“Albuquerque, Navajo Nation, thank you for the support,” he said. “Tomorrow is the final day. Let’s put two rides together and finish this win.”

He added, “I always wanted to be here, and I always wanted to win here. Today does feel special to be in the lead at the Ty Murray Invite but holding that buckle will be the best feeling ever.”

Three events remain on the PBR schedule before the World Finals, set for May 14-17 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

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