Triplett wins EPB average in Butte

Matt Triplett of Columbia Falls left the Butte Civic Center Saturday evening as the average winner in the Elite Professional Bullriding Finals.

The 20-year-old cowboy turned in a weekend-best 252.5 points on three rides.

Triplett posted an 82.5 go on Knothead in Saturday's short-go.

He failed to stay on his bull in the long-go finals on Saturday.

In the final round of 10 on Friday, Triplett and Brandon Wallentine of Paris, Idaho, were the only two riders marking scores.

Wallentine had the best score with an 87.

Triplett's Friday scores were 88 and 82.

"It was great, I enjoyed the weekend a lot," Triplett said.

"I rode really good.

"For awhile, I wasn't riding the best," he added.

"I spent a week at home. My dad fixed my head ... got my confidence back.

"He just sat me down. Now I'm starting to ride better.

"This whole summer I was getting checks here and there, but not riding near to my level."

Triplett said he "broke some colts" while he was in Columbia Falls "and got back into that successful attitude I had before."

And it worked in Butte.

Garrett Green of Meeting Creek, Alberta, was the EPB champion in Butte.

The event drew 35 competitors.

Triplett is competing on the EPB circuit for a second year.

He will ride in Eugene, Ore., this weekend and follow that with a trip to Winnipeg, Manitoba, for a February bull riding event.

"I'm just going to focus, put everything into the PBR (Professional Bull Riders tour)," he said this year. "Try to make the world finals.

"Injury free, feeling really good," he continued.

"I'm ready to go for some more."