FORT WORTH, Texas – It’s the most wonderful time of the year as the holiday season continues to breathe life, rest and relaxation into the bodies of the most talented bull riders in the world.
And while a few weeks of downtime can go a long way in ensuring guys are in a good spot for the stretch run, it’s these 21 weeks of insanely competitive competition that we’re referring to when we say this is the time of the season fans and riders have been looking forward to for a while.
Zero breaks. No weekends off. Just five-plus months of head-to-head showdowns.
For riders able to endure the talents and bucking efforts of the rankest animal athletes on the planet, that is.
The bovine side of the equation has been pretty well represented throughout the tour’s first two events in Tucson, Arizona, and Ontario, California. Sure, pack cowboys have exited in victorious fashion following 83-of-182 (45.6%) attempts on the season. But that means the bulls are still bringing their best, still winning more than half of their collective battles.
We’ve already seen nine different bucking bulls hit the 45-point mark in two contests, including the likes of Always Been Crazy, Big Chili, Fast Flow, Hell Right, King Tut, Man Hater, Mike’s Magic, Ricky Vaughn and Younts Brody’s Pet. Naturally, it’s 2024 YETI World Champion Bull Man Hater and Younts Brody’s Pet which have turned in the rankest efforts so far, with each of the bovines logging 46.5-point outs during the season-opener in Tucson.
Across the scoreboard, Unleash The Beast fans have seen the most skilled riders in the sport combined for seven 90-pointers throughout the first two regular season showcases.
Naturally, it’s Jose Vitor Leme who remains the only man to have recorded two rank rides in 2025.
Which shouldn’t be much of a surprise after seeing the two-time World Champion resume his typical top-tier form fresh off leading his Austin Gamblers to the 2024 PBR Camping World Team Series Championship.
Winning the Round 2 honors in Ontario outright via his 90.25-point dance with HomeBru, Leme went on to collect his second round win of the day courtesy of a quality 90.5-point out aboard Umm. Tying Andrew Alvidrez with the best score of the tour’s most recent short go, it’s clear the two-time PBR Teams MVP is hungry to add some hardware to his trophy collection.
And so with the 21-week sprint set to begin this weekend Dec. 7-8 in St. Louis, Missouri, PBR.com is taking some time to celebrate the seven rankest rides from UTB’s set of completed contests. In typical spicy fashion, it’s time for some Rank Rides Only!
90.25 Points: Jose Vitor Leme x HomeBru
Most of the time you see the two-time World Champion on the PBR’s YouTube channel or decorated elsewhere around the internet, he’s typically flashing some sort of epic ride. Which was once again the case here as the Brazilian recorded the 83rd 90-pointer of his illustrious career. Some guys on tour currently may not end their ride respective careers with 83 total conversions, let alone epic 90-point strikes. And while Leme appears to be donning his usual title-contending form, it’s important we continue to take in each and every ride like it could be his last. That’s the kind of attention he’s earned at this point.
Teaming up with HomeBru for a Round 2-winning effort during Saturday night’s slate in Ontario, the Austin Gamblers’ standout continued his hot start to the season. Officially 3-for-5 on the season, courtesy of his flawless 3-for-3 performance in Week 2, Leme remains the only man to have doubled down in the rank ride column so far. Enduring an uncharacteristic 0-for-2 slate in Tucson will do that to a veteran though: ensure he brings his best stuff the next time he steps in the chutes!
90.25 Points: Dalton Kasel x Coach
With a name like “Mr. 90 Points” or some variation of the ode to his flashy scores and rank rides, Dalton Kasel understands he has a reputation to maintain. One of the many reasons he’s once again featured in a Rank Rides Only breakdown. Specifically included this time around because of another electric 90-pointer, he exited his head-to-head showdown with Coach with his first round win of the 2025 campaign.
As he continues to chase down what would be his first-ever world title this May when the tour returns to Cowtown Coliseum and AT&T Stadium this spring, it’s rides like this that will keep him within the Top 10. Currently rocking a No. 2 rank as the closest man to 19-year-old John Crimber in the UTB standings, he’s now 4-for-6 on the season as he remains a must-see in short round shootouts.
90.25 Points: Elizmar Jeremias x Constant Payne
There’s never been a bad time to log the first 90-pointer of one’s career. So, Elizmar Jeremias went ahead and took what was deemed his, a round win and first epic score of his budding journey.
Paired with Constant Payne during the season-opener in the Southwest, the Brazilian went the distance en route to forcing Tucson Arena into an uproar. Recording his first 90 en route to winning his first UTB round outright, he stole the Round 2 crown on his way to stamping his short round passport once more. Letting his red helmet and electric green vest help show off the 26-year-old’s highest-scored dance, it was a welcome sight for fans of the Florida Freedom.
90.5 Points: Jose Vitor Leme x Umm
A good way to bounce back from said 0-for-2 struggles in Tucson? A 3-for-3 performance to win your first UTB event title in nearly two years. A productive way to earn said feat? Throwing down a rank pair of 90s – Exactly what Leme did in Week 2’s win. Putting his 8 seconds of work atop HomeBru in the rearview mirror, he accepted his awaiting challenge, nodded his head and does what “Champ” does best. Ignite crowds and finish sincere efforts with a big ole smile and celebration!
Officially the 84th 90-pointer of his storied career, Leme continues adding to the PBR history books while putting on one HELL of a show in real time. John Crimber may be the future of the sport, but Leme hasn’t quite hung ‘em up yet, and will continue to challenge the youngster, and competitors of all ages and experience levels, to bring their best to the dirt each and every week.
90.5 Points: Andrew Alvidrez vs. Electric Kitty
Andrew Alvidrez hasn’t been the most consistent rider over the past few years, by any means. But when one of the hardest-working guys on tour is feeling himself and riding some waves of momentum, he is 100% one of the most capable cowboys on the circuit. Ever-evident in Week 2 when he tied Leme for Sunday’s Championship Round showcase.
Knowing Alvidrez was on top of the world just two years back as he enjoyed a pair of back-to-back wins in the Northeast means riders outside of his Missouri Thunder family circle may not enjoy seeing the weight-lifting, bull-riding menace drum up some early-season momentum. Recording his highest-scored effort since the 2023 PBR World Finals (an epic 91.5-pointer atop Red Mosquito), it’s ride like this that will keep him trending in the right direction.
90.5 Points: Kaiden Loud x Oyster Creek Brawler
Kaiden Loud remains one of the quietest personalities on tour, no doubt. But when you see the Nashville Stampede ace keep knocking down big rides with big scores, we understand why it’s not just Stampede Head Coach Justin McBride who likes what he sees.
Scored a quality 90.5 points after besting his bovine to capture the first round win of the 2025 season, he couldn’t have drummed up a “louder” way to begin his season. Having turned in a productive No. 12 rank during his rookie campaign in 2024, he’s 100% worth keeping an eye on whenever he’s loading into the chutes. Between his skillset and slender frame, he sure knows how to show off his bulls and will continue trending towards a title run if he keeps knocking them down.
92.5 Points: John Crimber x Ricky Vaughn
The only score of the season north of the 90.5-point mark, it’s John Crimber’s eye-popping effort atop Ricky Vaughn that continues to serve as the rankest score of the 2025 season. And for good reason, as two of the sport’s flashiest talents teamed up for the man vs. beast showcase.
Bulls get up for most of their matches, not taking it too personally most days. But this one felt different, as Ricky Vaughn came out flying with a purpose. However, with Crimber matching the bovine’s every move, the duo soared to the leaderboard in elegant fashion. Marked a tour-high 92.5 points for his dominant dance, it’s easy to see why the sport will be relying on the young kid for seasons to come. He’s the real deal and he’s here to win.
Photo courtesy of Josh Homer/Bull Stock Media