(National Western Stock Show Rodeo release)
DENVER, Colo. — Just three years ago, Derek Kolbaba made the trip to the National Western Stock Show to compete in the Professional Bull Riders’ Denver Chute-Out for the very first time. ‘
He left with the championship as a 19-year old and over $20,000. This year, he arrived at the Denver Coliseum as a newlywed and put himself in position to win the title again on Monday night. Kolbaba was one of 45 riders trying to make the eight-second whistle on a really tough pen of bulls.
Not only did he have a qualified ride, he took the early lead in the first round of competition with an 88.5-point effort aboard L&E Bucking Bulls’ Burn It Up. Kolbaba will now be getting on at least one more and hopefully two more bulls in the Denver Coliseum hoping for another victory.
There is a tie for second place that involves another former Denver Champion. Stormy Wing from Dalhart, Texas won here in 2014, earning over $27,000. He and Chase Robbins from Marsing, Idaho each scored 87 points.
There are another 45 bull riders who will try to get ahead of Kolbaba in the standings on Tuesday night. Wednesday night will feature the best 30 from Monday and Tuesday nights’ competition riding in the semifinals. Their scores will be added together with the best 15 getting on a final bull, also on Wednesday.
The Denver Chute-Out is the sixth stop of the season on the PBR’s Velocity Tour. It features seasoned veterans as well as rising stars who are climbing their way up the bull riding ladder. Thirteen bull riders were successful on Monday night and are likely to ride here again on Wednesday.
The second performance of the Denver Chute-Out will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
PBR Denver Chute-Out Leaders:
First round: 1, Derek Kolbaba, Walla Walla, Washington, 88.5 points on L&E Bucking Bulls’ Burn it Up. 2, (tie) Stormy Wing, Dalhart, Texas, and Chase Robbins, Marsing, Idaho, 87 each. 4, Koal Livingston, Burleson, Texas, 86. 5, Scottie Knapp, Edgewood, N.M., 85. 6, Juan Carlos Contreras, Hidalgo, Mexico, 82.5. 7, (tie) Daniel Tinsman, Farmland, Ind., and Tye Chandler, Celina, Texas, 82.
