From recalling their first-ever trip to the PBR World Finals or winning a go round, to watching Adriano Moraes compete with a torn bicep and Justin McBride win his first world title, a common thread can be heard from one Professional Bull Rider to the next: it’s left a lasting impression.

“My most memorable moment was when I won it,” said Luke Snyder, who captured the Finals average his rookie season. “It was pretty surreal.

“It was my first Finals and I went out there—it wasn’t a surprise to me when I did it because I went out there wanting to do that, but when it happened it was just overwhelming.”

For Zack Brown, he came close to winning the Finals his rookie year.

Surprisingly the Hawaii native had all but “given up on actually being able to win the Finals” average when a few qualified rides in a row put him at the top of the leader board with one rider to go.

That one rider was Mike Lee, and in the 2004 short go he had Mossy Oak Mudslinger. The Decatur, Texas, cowboy made the 8-second whistle and earned 93.75 points in becoming the first and only rider in PBR history to win the Finals event average and World Championship in the same season.

“When it came down to it, it’s amazing how much things can change in so little time,” said Brown, whose $327,536 in winnings also earned him the title of 2004 PBR Rookie of the Year.

Added Snyder, “It’s great when a dream that big comes true.”

J.B. Mauney knows exactly what Snyder was talking about when it comes to realizing big dreams on the PBR’s brightest stage.

It wasn’t just a fluke that the 21-year-old finished third in the world a year ago. The North Carolina native didn’t just have a great World Finals for a young bull rider, he had what would be a great Finals for young guns and veterans alike.

When asked to recall his greatest Finals moment, Mauney said, “Last year when I was the highest marked ride of the Finals on Copperhead Slinger,” without the slightest hesitation.

“When you’re in Vegas and it’s the short round… I was like 92.75, there is no better feeling than that. Everybody is standing on their feet, hollering and clapping for you,” he continued. “There’s no better feeling than that.”

Matt Bohon and Brendon Clark (who in spite of back-to-back injuries will be competing in his sixth World Finals) each recalled his first experience in Las Vegas.

“I think the first time I went to the Finals is something that will always stick out for me,” Clark said. “It’ll be a pretty special thing forever and obviously winning a round at the Finals is a pretty big deal.”

“When you make your first Finals, it’s an overwhelming experience with all the hype because it’s not just a regular Built Ford Tough event,” Bohon added. “It’s the event. That first Final left a lasting impression on me.”

Fan favorite Cord McCoy agreed with Bohon and Clark, adding, “It was my goal to make the PBR World Finals just to be able to go. Just let ‘em announce your name and see the fireworks going off as you go in is quite an honor.”

As much as every rider is in pursuit of their own success, bull riding is still a gentleman’s sport, so it’s not at all surprising to hear many riders cite the success of their fellow riders and friends.

Such was the case with Clark recalling the 2005 Finals.

“My greatest memory of the Finals is watching Justin win his first world title,” said the Australian native. “I’ve seen a lot of cool stuff happen at the Finals and I’ve seen a lot of great rides, but seeing Justin win his first world title was a pretty big thing.

“He’s one of my best friends in the world and to see someone stick around for so long and finally come through and win it was a pretty big thing.”

Speaking of sticking around, 20-year-old McKennon Wimberly has known Moraes for almost his entire life.

Moraes, who, like McBride, will be retiring at from professional bull riding at the conclusion of this year’s Finals, used to spend time in the practice pen at Wimberly’s family ranch back in the mid ’90s.

Needless to say, Wimberly has been a lifelong fan of the three-time World Champion, and has been afforded countless opportunities to learn from Moraes.

“I used to love watching Troy Dunn ride,” Wimberly said. “I really looked up to Troy Dunn, but probably one of the most memorable things is when Adriano rode Crossfire Hurricane with a torn bicep and rode him like it was nothing. Then got off and dropped to his knees, he was in so much pain. It showed how tough he was and what it takes to be a bull rider.”

Finals, they’re speaking of not only a physical toughness but a mental toughness as well.

“In the past few years I’ve had some injuries and some setbacks,” Clark related, “and haven’t really had a good chance to make a run at a world title, but being able to say that I’m still good enough to make the Finals in an injured year, I look forward to having a full season.

“When that comes I should be back in the race. I know I was in the race earlier in the year, but that’s the way it goes.”

It doesn’t all go as planned, but that’s part of what makes bull riding such a brutal, unforgiving sport.

In any case, beginning Friday, Oct. 31 the Top 45 bull riders in the world will compete in 8 rounds of the 2008 PBR World Finals.

All eyes are on Guilherme Marchi, as he closes in on what looks to be the first world title of his career. But regardless of how the rest of the season has gone, any one of the 45 cowboys riding in Vegas will have the chance to win the Finals average.

“Being the PBR World Finals champion is the second greatest title in bull riding,” McCoy said, “so I think everybody is shooting for that.”

—by Keith Ryan Cartwright