Welcome to the wild, wild west! Don’t get us wrong, Las Vegas has come a long way from the desert town that it once was, and has developed into a beautiful and lively city. But, Las Vegas will never forget its wild west roots and the rodeo is here to prove it. Don’t miss the Professional Bull Riders’ Last Cowboy Standing rodeo May 4-6th, 2018. Gather up your group, grab your hat and boots, and get ready for an action-packed weekend at the rodeo. Keep reading to learn more about the weekend’s events, where they take place, what cowboy you should keep your eye on, and other fun events happening in Las Vegas this weekend!
About PBR Last Cowboy Standing
The history of PBR is a fascinating and interesting story. It all began with a handful of riders in 1992, and has since expanded into the fastest growing sport in America. PBR matches the best cowboys against one another and each competitor has to ride the toughest bulls for 8-seconds. Talk about a pure adrenaline rush and man versus beast! Ultimately, the “last cowboy standing” wins cash, prizes, and his claim to fame. This beloved pastime has awarded more than $140 million in prize money over the last two decades, so the stakes are high for these professional athletes.
Now that we know a little more about the overall history of this great American sport, let’s learn more about this annual competition. Last Cowboy Standing has the best 40 bull riders in the world, all competing for the ultimate $100,000 prize. Not only does the winning cowboy receive cash, but they’re also granted bonus PBR world standings points. For each cowboy to advance from round to round, they must make the 8-second buzzer and the competition continues until one cowboy remains. The cowboy that rides the most consecutive bulls becomes the last cowboy standing!
Last Cowboy Standing Schedule
If you’re planning on attending this desert rodeo, there are some things you should know before you go. The event is all weekend long, so plan your Las Vegas trip accordingly. You could throw a pre-rodeo party at your Tahiti Village Resort Suite or take the group down to the pool for a cowboy-themed pool party (the kids are sure to love it!). If your party wants to pregame on the Strip, head to the PBR Rock Bar & Grill inside Planet Hollywood for a rodeo-themed shindig.
After the pre-festivities, get to know the PBR schedule. Here are the details:
-When – Friday, May 4th thru Sunday, May 6th
-Where – Thomas & Mack Center
-Time – Friday & Saturday @ 7:45 p.m. and Sunday @ 1:45 p.m.
-What Type of Event to Expect – Bull Riding, 40 Contenders
-Prize – $100,000 and PBR World Standing Points
Athletes in PBR
You’re probably wondering, who are some of the top riders in Professional Bull Riding in 2018? Well, these PBR events wouldn’t be what they’ve become without the cowboys (and bulls) behind the show. Below are some of the top PBR athletes and bulls that you should keep your eye on this year.
PBR Riders
–Ramon De Lima – With a #1 world ranking at only 27, De Lima has proven that he has what it takes when it comes to the rodeo. After winning his first career premier series event at the Wrangler Long Live Cowboys Classic, he showed his humble side by shaking hands with every person who came up to say congratulations. De Lima is one rider you don’t want to miss.
–Luciano De Castro – Coming in as number 3 in the world rankings, De Castro received his first-ever win at the PBR event, Unleash The Beast, Bad Boy Mowdown in Little Rock, Arkansas. De Castro was the only rider during this event to go 3-for-3 in his events, proving himself as a world-class cowboy.
–Jose Vitor Leme – Finally we have Leme, coming in as 4th in the world rank. As a child, Leme spent many years playing soccer, which helped him perfect his skills and learn how to make quick adjustments during a high-speed sport. Keep an eye on this quick and muscular 21-year-old throughout the many PBR events of 2018.
PBR Bulls
-SweetPro’s Bruiser – World Rank #1 with a 75% buckoff rate.
-Pearl Harbor – World Rank #2 with a 100% buckoff rate.
-Spotted Demon – World Rank #3 with a 100% buckoff rate.
Now that you know a little more about the history of the sport, who to keep your eye on for the year, and the details behind the event, it’s time to get your ticket to this year’s PBR Last Cowboy Standing! If you’re only looking to attend one day of the Last Cowboy Standing, the Monster Energy Cup Supercross is also in Las Vegas on May 5th at the Sam Boyd Stadium, as well as the LVL Up Expo May 4-6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Quite a busy Spring weekend in the desert!
When you plan a trip to Las Vegas, there are always a wide variety of events and activities for you to enjoy. So get out there, start exploring, and have a great time in the Entertainment Capital of the World!