FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Months of offseason roster moves, draft picks, free-agent signings and championship expectations finally gave way to competition as PBR Teams returned to Fort Collins as part of Bulls and Beats – the first neutral site event to start a new season.

Although Opening Weekend marked only the first stop on the road to a championship, it immediately offered an early look at the teams ready to contend, the riders prepared to elevate their teams and the storylines that could shape the months ahead.

Opening Weekend delivered exactly what fans have come to expect from PBR Teams. The reigning and defending champion Carolina Cowboys received an encouraging boost from the healthy return of two-time World Champion Jess Lockwood. One coaching decision raised legitimate questions about balancing a rider’s health with the desire to win.

Meanwhile, the Arizona Ridge Riders wasted little time establishing themselves as the early standard after delivering the most complete team performance of Saturday’s opening round. It was only the beginning of a long season, but Fort Collins proved that every qualified ride—and every decision—could have lasting implications before the championship race is over.

Here are my three biggest takeaways from Saturday’s opening performance.

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Top three takeaways

No. 3

Jess Lockwood’s healthy return may be Carolina’s biggest victory yet

One of my biggest concerns entering Opening Weekend was the health of Jess Lockwood. The 2017 and 2019 PBR World Champion had battled injuries over the past several seasons, limiting the time he spent in the arena and raising questions about what he would be able to contribute once the new season began.

Saturday night offered the first encouraging sign that those concerns may finally be behind him. Lockwood looked healthy, confident and every bit like the rider who had twice stood atop the sport, riding Mayor of Hogeye for 88.80 points to help lead the reigning and defending 2025 Team Series champion Carolina Cowboys to a 176.55-175.15 victory over the inaugural 2022 Team Series champion Nashville Stampede.

If Lockwood can remain healthy, Carolina immediately becomes one of the most dangerous teams in the league. His talent has never been the question – his availability has been. Saturday night’s performance served as an early reminder of just how valuable he is to the Cowboys’ championship hopes, and if this ride was any indication, the reigning champions may have regained one of the sport’s biggest difference-makers just in time to begin their title defense.

Game 1

Winner: Carolina Cowboys

Carolina Cowboys — 176.55

Nashville Stampede — 175.15

Margin of victory: Carolina by 1.40 points

Key ride

Jess Lockwood — 88.80 points aboard Mayor of Hog Eye
Bull score: 43.10

No. 2

Texas looked like a contender, but Florida’s gamble on John Crimber raised questions

One of the decisions that left me scratching my head on Opening Night was Florida’s decision to put John Crimber in the lineup while he was still recovering from the groin injury he suffered at a rodeo in Greeley, Colorado. Crimber has already established himself as one of the brightest young stars in professional bull riding, and with his talent, determination and work ethic, he has every opportunity to make Western sports history. That’s exactly why I believe protecting his long-term health has to take priority. Every competitor wants to get back on a bull as quickly as possible, but in a sport as physically demanding as bull riding, there are times when the toughest decision is also the smartest one. In my opinion, Saturday night was one of those times.

I was equally surprised to see Brady Fielder come down early, but that did little to change my opinion of the Texas Rattlers. If anything, it reinforced just how dangerous this team can be. Even after one of their biggest stars bucked off, the Rattlers still found a way to win behind the depth of their roster. Daniel Keeping delivered the biggest ride of the night, covering Tigger for 90.10 points, while João Ricardo Vieira looked right at home back in a Texas uniform, giving the Rattlers another veteran leader capable of changing the momentum of any game. If Opening Night was any indication, don’t be surprised if Texas is battling for a top-three finish—and perhaps much more—by the time the season comes to a close.

Game 2

Winner: Texas Rattlers

Texas Rattlers — 265.45

Florida Freedom — 260.90

Margin of victory: Texas by 4.55 points

Key ride

Daniel Keeping — 90.10 points aboard Tigger
Bull score: 43.90

Opening Night MVP

Daniel Keeping

No. 1

The Arizona Ridge Riders left no doubt who owned Opening Night

If one team separated itself from the rest of the league on Opening Night, it was the Arizona Ridge Riders. Their 347.65-172.10 victory over the New York Mavericks wasn’t simply another season-opening win – it was a statement. Arizona covered four of its five bulls, while the Mavericks answered with two qualified rides, showcasing just how complete the Ridge Riders were from start to finish. One qualified ride is enough to win a game, but piling up four qualified rides could become just as important later in the season when tiebreakers determine postseason seeding. Those extra rides can be the difference between earning a first-round bye and having to survive an additional elimination game. Championship teams understand that every qualified ride matters, and the Ridge Riders rode with that mindset from the very first out.

Arizona looked composed, confident and prepared from beginning to end. Every rider embraced the moment, and the result was the most complete team performance of Opening Night. While Eduardo Aparecido’s 87.00-point ride aboard Tulsa Time wasn’t the highest-marked ride of the night, it may have been one of the grittiest. More than a decade after establishing himself as one of the sport’s elite riders, Eduardo “Fast Eddie” Aparecido continued to prove why experience still matters. Whether he’s competing on a team or in the Unleash The Beast, the veteran Brazilian continues to show why he remains one of the most respected riders in professional bull riding.

Game 3

Winner: Arizona Ridge Riders

Arizona Ridge Riders — 347.65

New York Mavericks — 172.10

Margin of victory: Arizona by 175.55 points

Key ride

Eduardo “Fast Eddie” Aparecido — 87.00 points aboard Tulsa Time
Bull score: 42.30

Sunday, July 12, 2026

Saturday’s season opener established several early storylines, but Sunday’s conclusion to the weekend determined which teams left Fort Collins with momentum heading into the season’s second stop.

Here are my top three takeaways from Sunday’s performance.

Top three takeaways

No. 3

The Wildcatters earned a much-needed victory before heading home

The Oklahoma Wildcatters may not have delivered the flashiest performance of the weekend, but they accomplished the only thing that truly mattered – they found a way to win. New head coach Greg Rhodes earned his first PBR Teams victory, giving Oklahoma an important confidence boost before returning home for Wildcatter Days in Oklahoma City on July 31-Aug. 2. After a disappointing start on Saturday, the Wildcatters regrouped, stayed composed and finished the job, showing the kind of resilience every successful team needs over the course of a long season.

The biggest moment came when Eduardo Matos climbed aboard Real Deal in a must-ride situation with the outcome hanging in the balance. Matos answered the challenge, covering the bull for 87.20 points while Real Deal was marked 42.40 points, sealing Oklahoma’s victory in dramatic walk-off fashion.

It was exactly the kind of pressure-filled moment championship teams embrace, helping the Wildcatters earn their first victory of the season – and, if Sunday’s performance was any indication, perhaps not their last.

Game 2

Winner: Oklahoma Wildcatters

Oklahoma Wildcatters — 261.85

New York Mavericks — 175.80

Margin of victory: Oklahoma by 86.05 points

Key ride

Eduardo Matos — 87.20 points aboard Real Deal
Bull score: 42.40

No. 2

John Crimber proved me wrong

One of the things I enjoy most about covering this sport is that bull riding has a way of humbling everyone – including me. After watching reigning PBR World Champion and reigning 2025 Team Series MVP John Crimber struggle through a groin injury on Saturday, I questioned whether Florida should have put him back in the lineup so quickly.

On Sunday, Crimber answered those questions the best way possible, covering Dirty Honey for 91.90 points and reminding everyone why he remains one of the brightest young stars in professional bull riding.

I’ve never been happier to be proven wrong. Congratulations to John Crimber on a tremendous ride. Bull riding is simply better when its biggest stars are healthy enough to compete at the level we all know they’re capable of.

Florida looked like a completely different team on Sunday. Austin Richardson got the Freedom off to a tremendous start, delivering a 92.40-point ride – the weekend’s highest score – aboard Stacked Deck and immediately give Florida the momentum it needed.

Then, with the pressure squarely on the final rider in the lineup, John Crimber answered every question surrounding his health by climbing aboard Dirty Honey and delivering 91.90 points to put an exclamation point on Florida’s victory over the Arizona Ridge Riders.

Sunday’s performance served as a reminder that the Florida Freedom didn’t suddenly become a contender – they already were one. If they stay healthy, they’ll remain one of the toughest teams any opponent will have to beat this season.

Game 5

Winner: Florida Freedom

Florida Freedom — 273.50

Arizona Ridge Riders — 178.30

Margin of victory: Florida by 95.20 points

Key rides

Austin Richardson — 92.40 points aboard Stacked Deck
Bull score: 44.65
MVP: Performance No. 2 of Opening Weekend

John Crimber (Final rider in the lineup) — 91.90 points aboard Dirty Honey
Bull score: 44.40

No. 1

The Texas Rattlers left Fort Collins as the team to beat

If there were any doubts about whether the Texas Rattlers belonged among the league’s elite entering the season, Opening Weekend erased them.

The first installment of this year’s Texas Cup lived up to its billing as the Rattlers squared off against their in-state rivals, the Austin Gamblers, in one of the weekend’s most anticipated matchups.

When the dust settled, Texas stood alone as the only team to leave Fort Collins with a perfect 2-0 record, earning the early No. 1 spot in the league standings and sending a clear message to the rest of the league.

One of the biggest reasons was the immediate impact made by offseason addition Jean Carlos Teodoro. Teodoro delivered 90.40 points aboard Yosemite Sam, whose 43.55-point bull score reflected just how impressive the ride was under pressure.

It’s exactly the kind of ride teams hope they’re getting when they invest in talent during the offseason, and Texas saw that investment pay immediate dividends in Fort Collins.

Texas left Fort Collins as the only undefeated team in the league, and that was enough to earn the early No. 1 ranking heading into Wildcatter Days. Eleven regular-season events remain, and those standings will almost certainly change, but after Opening Weekend, every team in the league is chasing the Texas Rattlers.

Game 4

Winner: Texas Rattlers

Texas Rattlers — 265.55

Austin Gamblers — 257.45

Margin of victory: Texas by 8.10 points

Key ride

Jean Carlos Teodoro — 90.40 points aboard Yosemite Sam
Bull score: 43.55

Wrapping up Opening Weekend

Opening Weekend answered several questions, created plenty of new ones and reminded everyone why this has become one of the most competitive leagues in professional sports, having crowned four different champions in four years.

Some teams left Fort Collins with momentum, others headed home looking for answers, but one thing is certain—the road to the championship is just getting started. With 11 regular-season events still remaining, expect the standings to change dramatically before the postseason begins.

Official event results

For complete ride-by-ride results, including rider scores, bull scores, buckoff times, matchup details and full event statistics from the entire Opening Weekend, visit the official results below.

For official PBR results click HERE.

Team Standings

To view the latest Team Series standings and see where your favorite team ranks after Opening Weekend, visit the official standings below. With 11 regular-season events remaining, every point and every qualified ride will continue to shape the championship race throughout the season.

For official Team Series standings click HERE.

Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media