Texas cowboy wins nearly $6K at Smokin' Hot Bull Riding at Eddy County Fair in Artesia
Bryce Barrios of Stephenville, Texas edged out five other cowboys to claim the top prize at the Smokin’ Hot Bull Riding at the Eddy County Fair Friday night in Artesia.
He was one of nearly 30 bull riders from New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Brazil and Australia who braved the southeast New Mexico heat, dust and heavy animals during the showdown of men and beast.
Barrios had a winning score of 89 points and won $5,800 in top prize money.
More: Cowboys and bulls converge in Artesia for bull riding at Eddy County Fair on July 28
He did not qualify on his first ride on a bull named Washita Red.
Barrios managed to hold on for the required eight seconds during his second ride on Dirty Beaver.
Bruno Carvalho of Brazil finished a close second to Barrios with a score of 88.5. The second-place bull rider earned $3,200 for the night.
Carvalho was one of nearly a handful of Brazilians who competed Friday night. Thiago Salgado, a Brazil native, who now lives in Texas, took a break from the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) tour to make a stop in Artesia.
According to the PBR website, he is ranked 24th on the tour and has won four events this season and has earned $135,000.
The 21 year old said he has been riding bulls since he was a child.
“It’s a big rodeo here, they have good money and a lot of good bulls. This is awesome,” he said.
Salgado scored 86.5 on his lone ride of the night on Cowboy Playboy.
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David Sanchez, a 19-year-old rider from Ruidoso, started riding at the age of 12 and didn’t score on his two rides of the night.
He considers himself an amateur bull rider and said the eight seconds to stay on a bull seems forever to a cowboy.
“It’s a big adrenaline rush. It happens so fast, it’s the longest eight seconds of your life,” Sanchez said.
The competition was not limited to the cowboys. Stock contractors competed for $44,000 in prize money.
Bulls owned by Barthold/Eldred won first prize of $15,000 during Friday’s competition.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Texas cowboy claims top prize at bull riding at Eddy County Fair
