Even if his domination as a two-time world champion in New York may have come to an end, Jess Lockwood made sure to end his weekend somewhat positively.
Lockwood rode Little 2 Train for a season-high 91.75 points on Sunday afternoon at Madison Square Garden to win the championship round of the Monster Energy Buck Off at The Garden, sponsored by Ariat.
Lockwood (3-for-4) finished third overall and gained 121.5 world points thanks to the ride.
“The weekend wasn’t too bad,” Lockwood remarked. Following my victory over Apocalypse in Round 2, I returned stronger and utilized my bulls to the fullest this afternoon.
In the championship round, I still had a very decent pick and I went with Lil 2 Train—my goodness, that bull is powerful. “It felt like he was manhandling me and I was just thrashing around on him.”
Despite suffering a mild meniscofemoral ligament injury in his right knee during the 2.52-second buckoff against Apocalypse on Saturday night in Round 2, Lockwood recovered on Sunday.
Before Championship Sunday, the reigning champion made sure to get some therapy and a nice taping job from the PBR Sports Medicine crew.
Lockwood said the injury was minor.
Prior to the incident, Lockwood remarked, “He hit me when I was coming off and he bent it how you don’t want to bend it.”
“I’ve experienced this with both of my knees before. It is fine if all you have to do is tape it.
Lockwood showed no signs of pain or rust Sunday.
Prior to riding Lil 2 Train, he converted aboard JC’s Gangster for 86.75 points in Round 3.
Lockwood will head into next weekend’s Chicago Invitational third in the world standings, 70.5 points behind world leader Joao Ricardo Vieira.
Vieira won the season-opening PBR Major with a 4-for-4 performance. Kaique Pacheco was the only other rider go 4-for-4, pushing Lockwood to a third-place finish.
Lockwood says he will be good to go for Chicago.
“My knee feels fine,” Lockwood declared. “I’ll use that pulse machine, ice it, and stretch it this week, and take it easy.” Dr.
Tandy Freeman reports that Ryan Dirteater and Dakota Buttar both missed the final round due to concussions they suffered in Round 3.
Buttar and Dirteater are dubious choices for Chicago. In the meantime, Cannon Cravens, who was bucked off by Betsy in 3.19 seconds on Sunday, will require X-rays this week after having his left leg squashed against the chutes.
Cravens underwent surgery on the same leg during the previous season. For Chicago, Freeman has rated Cravens as dubious.
Koal Livingston stated that in order to assess the extent of his first-round left groin injury, he will require an MRI.
Last season, Livingston also had surgery on his groin that ended the season. Due to injuries sustained in Round 2 on Saturday night, Stetson Lawrence (concussion) and Jarred Parsonage (possible torn right meniscus) missed Championship Sunday and are doubtful for Chicago.
