Triplett bucked in Billings

BILLINGS — Columbia Falls bull rider Matt Triplett nearly held on for a heady ride in the first round at the Professional Bull Riders Stanley Performance In Action Invitational, settling for a re-ride and a quick exit on Friday night at the Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark.

Triplett nearly came through on his first attempt of the night, holding on as Cracker Breaker took a stumble out of the chutes then resumed bucking. Triplett was bucked off after 7.36 seconds, but was given a re-ride after it was determined the bull fell off its front legs on the opening jump.

Given a chance to ride More Big Bucks, a bull that scored a big points all season, Triplett was bucked in 2.27 seconds.

It was a busy day for the bulls, with only 11 riders pointing scores in the first round. Of those bulls, three from Columbia Falls’ Triplett Bucking Bulls earned outs in the first round. Brazil’s Claudio Montanha Jr. rode another, Foxhole, for a seventh place finish in the round with 85.25 points.

Williston, North Dakota’s Stetson Lawrence won the opening round with an 88 on American Sniper. Volborg, Montana’s Jess Lockwood, currently the No. 2 rider in the world standings, was bucked off Triplett Bucking Bulls’ Make You Famous to end the night.

The event continues tonight at 6:30 and on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live online at live.pbr.com. Sunday’s round will also be broadcast on CBS Sports Network beginning at 2 p.m.