Devon Mezei of Stettler was crowned the World Professional Bullriding Association finals champion on Dec. 31 during the tour's final stop of the year at the Cow Palace in Olds. He beat Luke Davidson on points during an exciting final that saw the two tie after two go-rounds and the first ride in the final.
The top 25 riders on the tour were invited to take part in the event, with Davidson taking the lead after the first go-round with 85 points.
Mezei claimed $3,000 for his efforts, while Davidson claimed $3,800 during the three go-rounds.
The 25 competitors were whittled down to six for the final go-round, with the bulls getting tougher to ride as the competition went on. The top six only rode two bulls in the final, said Ty Northcott, president of the WPBA.
"The bulls were good, the cowboys were good, it was just an overall great event,î he said, noting that many in the crowd said it was the best bull-riding event they had been to. "I think that's what excited everybody. It was almost like a tough man competition.î
Northcott said most in the crowd found the event an excellent way to cap off the year and look forward to 2012.
"As soon as they come and experience something like a bull riding, then they're like totally ecstatic because they didn't realize you could have that much fun on New Year's Eve,î he said.
"The bulls were good, the cowboys were good, it was just an overall great event."Ty Northcott, president, World Professional Bullriding Association
