March Power Rankings

March Power Rankings:

Some of you might remember someone on www.pbr.com promising monthly power rankings. Well, that hasn't exactly happened, so I present the March power rankings, as I see it. I will try to do this once a month, but I have two kids and work full time (not writing for the PBR), so I can't make any promises.

This installment will consist of the three events we have had since the Iron Cowboy (A.I.C.). I will not take into account the Iron Cowboy Invitational, or any BFTS events before then, but I will take into account issues (injuries), or any other factor that may affect a rider going forward (That includes pressure Mr. Jordan Hupp). That is why you won't see Valdiron or Kody on this list, and also contributed to J.B. dropping out, as I think his elbow is hurt worse than we know.

In addition, I am going to judge the bulls differently that www.pbr.com. I enjoy the occasional eliminator, but I am going to give credit to the rank bulls who help put money in cowboys wallets, while still being as rank as the come. Also, when I judge the bulls, I will not consider any bull that hasn't been out in the time period that we are speaking of (Sorry Code Blue, Bones, etc.).

With that said, here are my current power rankings.

Riders:

1) Jody Newberry - I don't think it needs to be mentioned much more, what a great comeback this is. He is 7-10 A.I.C., has one 90 point ride, and an event win under his belt. He looks strong, healthy, and now, has a chip on his shoulder after J.W. snubbed him for the initial World Cup roster.

2) Renato Nunes - Did someone say World Cup snub. Adriano was a better bull rider than he is organizer of talent, cause this kid is on fire. He is only 5-10 A.I.C., but he has two round wins, and two ninety point rides in the last three events. He has a 3rd and 7th place finishes, and was a nasty out on Perfect Poison from making all three short go's.

3) L.J. Jenkins - Wow, what a show he put on in Glendale. He destroyed all misconceptions about picking "rideable" bulls in the short go draft. He is 5 for his last 9, with a round win, event win and a 94 point ride. Granted, they were all due to one ride on Voodoo Child, but it was that good of a ride. The confidence gained should catapult L.J. in the next few events.

4) Austin Meier - It seems that Austin is pressing a little since Bad Boy Mowers put their logo all over his gear, but he still had a pretty good run A.I.C. He is 5-9 with one event win, one round win, and one 90 point ride thanks to Carrillo Cartel. That is all Gilbert's bull has been doing though is putting money in guy's pockets. More on that later.

4) Ben Jones - The crazy dancing, no teeth having, Australian managed to fight his way into the power rankings in the matter of two rounds in Kansas City. He went back to back 90's on Kabookie and RFD-TV to sneak his way in. He has been 4-10 since Arlington with only one round win, but it was enough due to the injuries to Valdiron, Kody, and Marchi (although Guillherme is coming on strong).

Bulls

1) Voodoo Child - Do I need to even explain. He is as rank as they come without being an eliminator. He bucks hard and spins hard every time, but if you really bring it, he can get you a once-in-a-lifetime score. Just ask L.J. Jenkins. Since the Iron Cowboy, he has two outs, and both were over a 46 bull score. Game Over.

2) Black Pearl - I was beginning to have my doubts about this bull in Arlington, but when I went back and watched the Touring Pro event in San Antonio, and then saw him put up a 46 in St. Louis, that was put to rest. He is a monster, and if anybody can stay on him at the BFTS level, he is going to bring a mid 90's score like he did for McKennon in San Antonio.

3) Carrillo Cartel - What a two week stretch for Gilbert Carrillo's #1 bull. He carried two straight Bull riders to event wins, and threw in a round win for Renato Nunes in the process. This bull continues to buck harder and harder and spin faster and faster. I don't know how much better he can be, but he is pretty darn good right now.

4) Chicken on a Chain - Still going strong after all these years. He put up two 45 point outs in the last three events and carried Dustin Elliot to a 92 in Glendale, only to have Dustin get trumped by L.J.'s 94 point masterpiece on Voodoo.

5) Spit Fire - Like I said, I am not too big on eliminators and this bull has had that reputation. However, he is starting to get a little more predictable, and I think someone might decide that they are going to keep going at him until they beat him, a la L.J. He put up a 45+ and a 46 bull score in his two outs since Arlington, so he is plenty worthy of a top 5 power ranking.