March 18, 2009

Episode 8 Recap: 2009 Finals, Chicago, IL

Only four competitors remain for the trademark six-ride Toughest Cowboy Finals at the United Center in Chicago, IL. The 2009 season has doled out punishment throughout the regular season, but tonight the name of the game is endurance. Six rides separate the four cowboys from the grand prize ranch and rodeo history.

Bareback Bronc Round 1
Underdog Charlie Barker secured a spot in the Finals after prevailing in the Semi-Final Knockout Round. Barker is also the only Toughest Cowboy finalist who did not notch a tournament victory during the 2009 regular season. Still, Barker is confident he will be walking away with the deed to the ranch. Barker may just be right as he starts things off with a well-executed 80-point ride.

Chad Eubank has been looking for the crowning achievement to his 10-year rodeo career and would love to end things big. Eubank turns in a bareback bronc ride with slightly less control than usual and captures 74 points.

Bandy Murphy has been the favorite to win the ranch all year. His consistent and controlled rides have been the calling card of the talented Murphy. Murphy’s first ride starts out weak, but finishes strong and secures 84 points and first place. But it’s only the first round—five more to go.

Everyone knows the pattern with Steve Woolsey: hold on for dear life through bareback riding, make up some ground in the saddle bronc riding, and dominate the bull riding. The question is, can Woolsey win a ranch with this strategy? Woolsey’s first bareback ride is a telling tale on his overall performance throughout the night. He jerks and flaps his way to the whistle for 63 points, landing him in last place after the first round.

Saddle Bronc Round 1
Coming into the Finals Charlie Barker was considered the dark horse, but after his second 80-point ride, he is proving to be force to be reckoned with. Chad Eubank hands in a decent ride, but nothing close to the performance Barker put on, and grabs 73 points.

Bandy Murphy pops up on his saddle a little bit, but manages to find his seat again and racks up 75 points to stay in first place. Steve Woolsey is just glad the bareback riding is over as he climbs aboard his saddle bronc. Woolsey draws a very rank horse that ejects him 3.7 seconds into the ride for only 38 points. Woolsey now has a big hole to climb out of in order to have any hopes of winning the ranch.

Bull Riding Round 1
Charlie Barker has a golden opportunity to grab first place from Bandy Murphy as he nods his head for his first bull ride. Barker historically has been a solid bull rider, but has only had glimpses of greatness during the 2009 season. He again loses his seat and can’t make the 8–second mark, missing out on what may be his only chance to take over first place and force Bandy Murphy to chase him. Chad Eubank loses his bull rope and is not at all happy with his 35-point performance.

In steps Bandy Murphy — a solid ride here and Murphy can widen the gap between himself and the rest of the finalists. Murphy hands in an 86-point ride and is command after three rounds.

Steve Woolsey has one chance to move himself into contention if he can rally in the bull riding. The Utah cowboy takes his seat on a twisting and kicking mass of muscle and gets thrown 3.8 seconds into the ride. It is clearly not Woolsey’s night as he gathers only 45 points in his signature event. After three rounds it appears Woolsey is already out of the running for the 2009 Toughest Cowboy Championship.

Bareback Bronc Round 2
During the regular season the tournament would be over; in the Finals it’s the beginning of the second half. Fatigue has started to set in as the cowboys lock their hands into their bareback riggings. Charlie Barker leads off round four on a horse that weakens a bit at the end of his ride, costing him precious points, and walks away with a 79. Veteran Chad Eubank gets matched up with a good horse and secures 83 points, proving he is not going away without a fight.

Bandy Murphy shows a minor chink in his armor as he gets slightly out of shape and just makes the whistle, but nevertheless he tallies 79 points and is staring to feel relaxed about his lead. Steve Woolsey is clearly having the worst night of his career as he again pops out of his rigging for only 40 points. There’s no coming back for Woolsey, and for the rest of the night he is riding for pride, the dream of a Wyoming ranch is no longer in the cards.

Saddle Bronc Round 2
Charlie Barker can’t afford to make any more mistakes if he is going to make a final run at the Championship. Barker suffers a leg cramp as he prepares for his ride and has to reset himself before he can give the nod. He never really gets fully set and gets bucked off well before the whistle for only 25 points. This weak performance by Barker gives Chad Eubank a great opportunity to take over second place and give Bandy Murphy a run for his money going into the final round of the competition. Eubank turns in a nice ride for 73 points, momentarily taking over the lead from Murphy by 14 points.

However Murphy is not letting up as he continues to be flawless on the night and secures another 84 points. Murphy has the lead again and can see the finish line with only one ride left to complete.

Bull Riding Round 2
Mathematically eliminated form the Championship, Steve Woolsey does end his night with a bit of redemption, covering his final bull and scoring 78 points. Charlie Barker is 99 points behind leader Bandy Murphy, so he knows his chance at the ranch are all but over as well. Barker suffers the bull riding demons again, finishing with 37 points.

It’s down to the final two, Chad Eubank and Bandy Murphy. Eubank needs the ride of his life to surpass Murphy and claim the deed to the ranch. Eubank gets it done, reaching the 8-second mark, and stays in contention. Eubank has to wait and hope his 77-point ride will be enough to snatch victory from a rolling Bandy Murphy. Murphy draws a bull that is un-ridden, not exactly the matchup you’re looking for with a ranch on the line. Murphy seems un-phased by this fact, and maybe knowing he only needs to stay aboard for 4 seconds to claim victory helps. However, if he falters, if he even so much as stubs his toe coming out of the gate, Eubank will take the victory Murphy believes is his. Murphy bursts out of the chute and it looks like he’s going to do it. The United Center crowd erupts as Murphy passes the 4-second mark of the ride. The bull does finally dispense of Murphy 2.4 seconds before the buzzer, but the 64-point ride is enough to hold onto victory.

So what started as 40 cowboys back in October has climaxed to one man standing alone as the Toughest Cowboy Champion. Through seven weeks of grueling competition Bandy Murphy has emerged on top, fulfilling his destiny, winning the ranch and proving to the world that he is one tough cowboy.

2009 Finals Summary – Chicago, IL

2009 Toughest Cowboy Champion: Bandy Murphy, 472 points on six head.

Overall Results: 1. Bandy Murphy, 472 points; 2. Chad Eubank, 415 points; 3. Charlie Barker, 346 points; 4. Steve Woolsey, 293 points.