Takeaway No. 3 — Texas Rattlers Strike at the Right Time
Cody Lambert and the Texas Rattlers made their presence felt against the Arizona Ridge Riders, and the difference came down to a single moment — and a single ride. Brady Fielder, a constant in the MVP conversation, was the only man to put Texas on the board, scoring 84.75 points on Josey Wales.

Arizona, meanwhile, was left empty-handed, bucked off each of their draws in what was one of their least convincing showings of the season. They had previously converted 21 of their last 30 bulls. However, one ride, one challenge flag, and one well-timed strike was all it took for the riders to be just bull getter onners. The message from Texas: the Rattlers are finding their rhythm exactly when it matters most.

Takeaway No. 2 — Carolina Cowboys Keep the Engine Roaring
Momentum is a powerful currency, and right now the Carolina Cowboys are cashing in. Behind the steady hand of Cooper Davis — looking every bit like his former championship self — the Cowboys extended their win streak to six straight.

What’s striking isn’t just the victories, but the way they are earned: efficient, controlled and confident. This roster is built for high-stakes moments, and their resurgence is proving it. If they continue on this path, the top three in the standings won’t just be within reach — it will be inevitable.

Takeaway No. 1 — Florida Freedom Make History
Records are made to be broken, but they aren’t often rewritten in real time. On Thursday night, the Florida Freedom tied the league record to notch 19 regular-season wins.

Yes, today’s schedule following the league’s expansion in 2024 to this season’s 35-game schedule offers more opportunities than in the first two years of the league. Still, capitalizing on those chances is another matter entirely — and Florida has done so with relentless precision.

Should they continue their torrid pace, they could finish with as many as 30 wins. Is it likely? Perhaps not. Is it possible? Absolutely. What’s certain is that the Freedom have established themselves as the benchmark every other team must chase.

As Thursday night faded into the record books, Friday loomed with questions that gripped both fans and riders alike. Could Arizona rebound from a stumble? Would the Rattlers carry momentum forward? Could Oklahoma find its way back to winning form? Would Florida’s fire keep burning, and might the New York Mavericks pull off a home-stand upset against a Carolina squad racing toward Las Vegas?

The stage was set. Belmont Park was ready. And the answers would come one ride at a time.

Night Two: Friday at Belmont Park
If Thursday night set the stage, Friday night at Belmont Park raised the stakes. The second act of the New York Mavericks home stand was nothing short of chaos — full of drama, upsets and injuries that left fans gasping as much as cheering.

Rarely has the Big Apple witnessed this much turbulence in a single PBR Teams performance: riders carried off the dirt (both riders backboarded out are OK), title contenders stunned, and momentum shifts that tightened the race to Las Vegas.

Yet even amid the wreckage, the Florida Freedom reminded everyone why they remain the league’s gold standard.

Takeaway No. 3 — Kansas City Stuns Arizona
In one of the biggest upsets thus far in the second half of the season, the Kansas City Outlaws — ravaged by injuries and missing stars like 2024 World Champion Cassio Dias and Sandro Batista — shocked the Arizona Ridge Riders by a bull count of 2–1.

On paper, Kansas City should not have been in this fight. Their roster has been patched together week after week, while Arizona has looked like one of the most consistent machines in the league, piling up rides at a relentless pace. But on Friday night, the script flipped. The Outlaws’ resilience stole the spotlight and left Arizona searching for answers — and perhaps overdue for a roster rotation after a long and grueling season.

Takeaway No. 2 — Carolina Cowboys Keep Climbing
The Carolina Cowboys are officially one of the hottest teams in the league. They made short work of the host Mavericks on Friday night for their seventh consecutive victory. Led once again by the steady hand of Cooper Davis, Carolina is playing disciplined, confident and efficient bull riding — the kind that wins championships.

The streak is no longer just about building momentum. Each win inches them closer to the league’s top tier, and with the standings tightening by the day, Carolina’s resurgence feels inevitable. They’re becoming a team no one wants to draw in this stretch run to Vegas.

Takeaway No. 1 — Florida Freedom Stay Unstoppable
Friday night’s marquee matchup pitted the top two teams in the league against one another: the No. 1 Florida Freedom against the defending champion Austin Gamblers. On paper, it had all the makings of a classic. In reality, it was another reminder of Florida’s dominance in 2025.

The Freedom handled Austin with authority, moving to a perfect 4–0 against the Gamblers this season. The victory also pushed Florida to 20 wins on the year — a new record that cements their place in the history books. With their riders also controlling the Horse Soldier MVP race, this team looks unstoppable as the regular season winds down.

As Friday night closed, the questions only grew sharper. Could Austin rebound from another humbling defeat? Would Arizona regroup before it’s too late? Could Carolina’s streak stretch further? And would Florida’s march toward Las Vegas continue unchecked?

The Saturday finale loomed large at Belmont Park, promising answers one ride at a time — and leaving fans hungry for more.

Night Three: Saturday Slate at Belmont Park
Belmont Park crackled with energy as the Saturday finale arrived — the final night of the New York Mavericks’ home stand. It was a Saturday to remember for the Mavericks and their fans as multiple races tightened across the 2025 Camping World Team Series. Texas is now tied for third in the overall standings. With all the drama, all the action and all the upsets, one truly major shocker stood above the rest.

Takeaway No. 3 — The Austin Gamblers Prove They’re Still Among the Best
The return of Kaique Pacheco, the 2018 PBR World Champion, was a headline in itself — and he made history on Saturday night, tying the original Mr. 90 Points himself, Chris Shivers, with 412 qualified rides at the premier series of bull riding. Now, I’ll always believe Team Series is about the team, and UTB is where individual greatness is defined — but credit where it’s due. Way to go, Iceman. There’s still ice water in those veins.

Takeaway No. 2 — Carolina Cowboys vs. Texas Rattlers: Expectations vs. Reality
I expected a back-and-forth fight. Brady Fielder (Texas) — the Australian version of the legendary Jim Sharp in my view — just keeps dominating. He’s only been bucked off four times all season to this point, and after missing time with a leg injury, he’d probably be running away with the Horse Soldier MVP race if he’d had every out. As it stands, he’s just 78.75 points back.

I expected more from Carolina and thought their momentum would carry them to an eighth straight win. But Texas — like Arizona earlier in the year — found ways to get by, caught a couple of timely breaks and backed it up with talent.

Sometimes in this sport, a little luck doesn’t hurt; the Rattlers had it, and they earned it.

Takeaway No. 1 — David Slays Goliath: New York Mavericks Shock the Florida Freedom
The No. 10 New York Mavericks faced the No. 1 Florida Freedom, and the building felt biblical — David vs. Goliath under the Belmont lights. Shockingly, the Mavericks had just five wins on the season coming into the finale of their homestand. But the matchups fell their way, the crowd was electric, the pumped-up Mavericks went 4-for-5, and David slayed Goliath.

Florida let a few get away, including John Crimber missing the 8 by .04 seconds in a potential game-clinching situation. The Freedom are still the benchmark — but the Mavericks proved that in PBR Teams, any team can win on any given night.

Updated PBR Team Series Standings (Post-Maverick Days, Pre-Rattler Days – Fort Worth)

What’s Going on in the Horse Soldier MVP Race after stop No. 9?

Don’t see your favorite rider in the top three in the Horse Soldier MVP race, but want to know where they stack up against the entire league? Click HERE to find out.

Final Thoughts

With just nine games left across three more stops in the PBR Camping World Team Series, the Texas Rattlers are within striking distance of being one of three teams to get a first-round bye. The Arizona Ridge Riders have been struggling as of late and need to flip that switch to finish strong. Can Carolina continue their run? I believe they can.

The middle of the pack still has an opportunity to make a move, but only time will tell. And that’s even more reason why, if you haven’t already, you should get your tickets for this weekend’s Rattler Days at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. [Click here for ticket information and event details — including matchups and more.]

Beyond the Dirt

The Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation is carrying forward the same spirit of resilience seen in bull riding — but in a way that changes lives off the dirt. The Foundation provides access to the Action Trackchair, a groundbreaking all-terrain wheelchair designed to give people with mobility challenges the freedom to experience the outdoors without limits.

But here’s the harsh truth: no insurance will cover these life-changing pieces of equipment, and their hefty $25,000 price tag puts them out of reach for the very people who need them most. That is why the Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation exists — to bridge that gap and make the impossible possible. Because you can’t put a price on freedom, independence and living life to the fullest.

Whether it’s navigating rough pastures, rolling through wooded trails, or simply enjoying time with family in places a standard wheelchair can’t reach, the Action Trackchair opens doors to a level of independence many thought was lost. It’s not just equipment — it’s freedom, dignity and the chance to live fully.

Just as PBR athletes push themselves to conquer challenges eight seconds at a time, the Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation helps others overcome obstacles of their own, ensuring no one is left behind when it comes to the Western lifestyle and the outdoors.

To learn more — and to be part of helping someone reclaim that freedom.

 — visit www.moafoundation.org.