The Long Ride

Most years, Pro Bull Riding’s elite series events are held at major arenas like Madison Square Garden and AT&T Stadium. In 2021 PBR is going back to the sport’s roots, touring outdoor venues and other historic sites in the south and west. In February that meant a stop at the Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, built in 1908 as the first indoor rodeo arena in the U.S. SI was there for a behind-the-scenes look at bull riding’s celebration of its rich heritage—and at a slate of riders shaping its present and future

FEELING BULLISH: João Henrique Lucas was briefly the center of attention in Fort Worth—emphasis on briefly. His two rides lasted a combined 3.93 seconds before he was tossed.

Erick W. Rasco

GETTING A GRIP: Lucas Divino, who finished third in Fort Worth, coated his rope with sticky rosin before competing.

Erick W. Rasco

GETTING A GRIP: 2018 PBR world champion Kaique Pacheco mentally prepared in the Coliseum’s spartan locker room.

Erick W. Rasco

BEAUTIFUL GAMER: Jose Vitor Leme (with phone, and fellow rider Dener Barbosa), a former semipro soccer player in Brazil, was the 2020 PBR world champion.

Erick W. Rasco

BEAUTIFUL GAMER: After breaking his ankle in PBR’s January season opener he returned to the circuit in Fort Worth—and won.

Erick W. Rasco