Rodeo: Triplett bucked twice at PBR in Billings

BILLINGS — Columbia Falls bull rider Matt Triplett struggled in two rides at the Professional Bull Riders Stanley Performance in Action Invitational on Saturday, showing signs of frustration as he works his way back on tour.

Triplett, the No. 2 bull rider in the world, was bucked off Mac-Nett’s Southern Wine in 2.43 seconds in the second round of the event at Rimrock Auto Arena at Metra Park, then bucked off Wicked in 2.8 seconds in the 15/15 Bucking Battle to close the night. Southern Wine posted a bull score of 43.25 and Wicked 44.5.

Coming off a four-week absence after tearing the medial collateral ligament in his left knee, Triplett ditched the knee brace he entered the event with after his ride in the second round. The switch to just tape on the injured knee didn’t drastically change his results and cameras in the arena caught Triplett showing his frustration as he walked back to the locker room.

Douglas Duncan and Gage Gay each posted rides of 86.25 to win the second round and Reese Cates won the 15/15 Bucking Bull challenge. World leader Joao Ricardo Vieira leads the event with 169 points.

The 23-year-old still has an opportunity to ride his way into the championship round in the third round of the event today with only three cowboys posting two rides. The final round begins at 1:50 p.m.

The 15/15 Bucking Battle can be seen today at 1 p.m. on CBS. The championship round will be broadcast at 4 p.m. today on CBS Sports Network.