Grand Prairie, TX – The word “bull” conjures different images in the minds of different folks. Interestingly, what one visualizes can largely depend on their footwear.
Those of the cowboy boot variety may see a maniacal, snot-slinging beast – an ill-tempered, bovine rocket representing a paycheck… if you can stay on his back for eight seconds.
Some sporting hunting boots see something else – a regal and long-lived patriarch of the game herd. Depending on where this bull lives, he may be an elk, a buffalo, a kudu or something else. He’s contributed his genes to multiple generations, and provides the greatest challenges to seek and pursue.
Finally, those donning sandals or boat shoes along the Gulf Coast may envision bull redfish. These mature specimens of their species represent the ultimate inshore light tackle angling trophy, and can tips the scales at over 50 pounds.
But what if you wear all of these?
Turns out, plenty of folks do. Which is why Plano Synergy, one of the world’s largest distributors of hunting and fishing gear across multiple trusted brands, has announced a partnership with three of the world’s most successful cowboys competing at the elite level of professional bull riding – The Professional Bull Riders’ (PBR) Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS).
Plano Synergy Vice President of Marketing, Pete Angle, has announced that the industry-leading Plano, Bloodsport and Wildgame Innovations brands will provide financial support to premier Professional Bull Riders (PBR) superstars, Cooper Davis, Valdiron de Oliveira and Kaique Pacheco during the 2016 season.
“These men compete at the highest level of an incredibly demanding sport,” says Angle, who points towards Davis’, de Oliveira’s, and Pacheco’s current world standings of 18th, 14th and 10th, respectively, as a reflection of their remarkable talent and commitment. But it’s what these highly accomplished icons of their sport have in common with millions of other regular Americans that Angle finds equally intriguing. “Their passion for hunting and fishing is just like yours and mine,” he continues. “It’s how they recharge mentally and physically, and how they choose to spend rewarding time away from their work with family members and friends.”
Buna, Texas resident Cooper Davis has found great success as a professional bull rider since joining the PBR tour in 2012. The 22-year-old has earned two event wins and 27 top-ten finishes in his brief and shining career. Davis fought through adversity throughout 2015, finishing in the top ten in each of the last five events of the season while going on to win the prestigious PBR World Finals event title. Davis is only the fourth rookie to ever accomplish such a feat.
“Texas has some of the best hunting in the world,” says Davis, an avid deer hunter, who enjoys spending time away from the ring in the outdoors with his wife, Kaitlyn, and young son, Mackston. “I’m looking forward to taking Mackston hunting and fishing when he gets older,” Davis continues. “I’m extremely grateful to Wildgame Innovations and Bloodsport for not only sponsoring me, but also for the quality products they make that allow hardworking people to make the most of their precious time outdoors doing what they love.”
With over $2 million in career earnings, Valdiron de Oliveira is one of the more experienced athletes on the PBR Tour, earning five consecutive top-five finishes in the world standings from 2008-2012. Additionally, de Oliveira has qualified for the PBR World Finals each of the last nine years since 2007. The accomplished Brazilian bull rider and avid angler makes his home in Decatur, Texas with his wife Andrea, daughter Camilla and son Paulo.
“My favorite is bass, but I also really like catfish,” says de Oliveira, who admits that he likes to eat a lot of the fish he catches. “The big ones go back, but I’m not as much a catch and release fisherman,” he says.
Valdiron also likes fishing the Amazon River in his home country in Brazil. “Fishing the Amazon is incredible. There are very big fish and many different species to keep things interesting,” says de Oliveira, who loves fishing with his kids. “I am proud to be sponsored by Plano because of the way their products bring people and families together across many generations.”
Kaique Pacheco burst onto the PBR scene only last year, with BFTS wins in Charlotte, St. Louis and Nashville. His six top-five, and 12 top-ten finishes propelled him to 2015 PBR Rookie of the Year. Pacheco’s second place finish in the 2015 World Standings is the highest a rookie has ever ranked at season’s end. Including BlueDEF and PBR Touring Pro division, Kaique had 12 sanctioned event wins over the course of last season. The Brazilian cowboy also lives in Decatur, Texas, and is ranked 10th in the 2016 PBR World Standings.
While Pacheco may be the youngest of the Plano-Synergy-sponsored bull riders, his passion for the outdoors runs deep. Like de Oliveira, Pacheco grew up with a fishing rod in his hands, exploring Brazil’s vast natural resources above and below the surface of the waters. “I am very happy to be working with Plano, a company that helps so many people enjoy fishing and the outdoors,” he says.
PBR’s BFTS events are broadcast on CBS and CBS Sports Network throughout the season, and culminate November 2, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Built Ford Tough World Finals. For more information, visit www.pbr.com.
