Forty riders from the Build Ford Tough series as part of the PBR continued their march to the upcoming World Finals with two days of action. At the end of event, the organization reached a milestone by reaching the 100 million mark in prize money. Australian Ben Jones won the event and took home just more than $45,000.

For those not familiar with the PBR, the organization was created in 1992 with the idea of the sport of bull riding surviving on its own.  At that time, 20 riders decided the start the company with each of them putting down 1,000 dollars apiece.

One of the riders that has benefited from the enormous growth of the sport in the past few years is two-time World Champion, Chris Shivers. Shivers became the first rider to earn a million dollars in 2001 and reached the two million mark two years later. In 2006, his career earnings went over three million.  In 2003, he had chance to win a million dollars if he rode Little Yellow Jacket for eight seconds. Shivers were bucked off, and Little Yellow Jacket would go down as a three-time world champion.

“It means a bunch for the PBR just to reach 100 million dollars,” Shivers said. “All of us cowboys, we enjoy riding bulls and winning money. It is a great milestone.”

During this weekend’s event, Shivers rode his bull in the first round and advanced to the championship round. He finished tied for 14^th place.

In order for the rider to earn points they must stay on the bull for eight seconds, but most of the rides end in an instance. Some of them usually cause an injury, but the riders will fight through it.

During Saturday’s round one, the only Tennessee rider in the contest, Cody Nance experienced a buck-off. The bull, Stretch Armstrong, stepped on him as he was on the ground.  He would suffer multiple contusions, but he would compete in round two. He was also bucked off and he finished the weekend without scoring any points.

Overall, he was glad to be riding in his home state.

“It feels great,” Nance, who won the previous stop in San Antonio, said. “Everybody has been supportive.”

He added, it gives his family a chance to watch him compete, and they also have a child on the way.

Nance will continue his home state tour when the series heads to Memphis this weekend.

Brazil’s Renato Nunes currently leads the point’s standings over Austin Meier, who had the highest score in last Saturday’s round one as the riders continue their march to the World Finals. The last event of the season will take place in October at Las Vegas.

David Hunter can be contacted at sports@murfreesboropost.com.