Posted by Going into the 2023 Professional Bull Riders (PBR) World Finals outside the top 10 in the world standings, Wingson Henrique da Silva had some ground to make up at the final event of the Unleash the Beast series in order to have a shot at taking home a world title. However, Silva’s four qualified rides (86 on Bison, 89.5 on Flyin Wired, 88 on Tijuana Two-Step and 88.25 on Ivy League) sent him to the Championship Round, where the event win would come down to the final two rides.
Rookie Season
The 23-year-old bull rider from Navirai, MS, who belongs to the Kansas City Outlaws in the PBR Team Series, finished in the top 10 at five UTB events in the 2023 season, including a second-place finish at the Milwaukee, WI event in March. In his rookie season, he had one 90-point ride, a 31.51 ride percentage and earned more than $300,000.
“When I tell you I started at age 15, I mean from 15 to 18, I trained nearly every day on the farm,” Silva said in an interview with PBR. “I think I’m a very calm person, regardless if I’m winning or losing. I always try to be the same person, never change.”
Ultimately, the cowboy’s mental toughness and dedication led him to a fourth-place finish in the world standings, even despite a shoulder injury that occurred in one of the first rounds at the finals. He also finished second at his first World Finals and second in the Rookie of the Year race behind Rafael Jose de Brito.
Upcoming Career
Starting with the first event in Cheyenne, Wyoming July 24 and 25, Silva will have a chance to show the world what he’s made of once again in the Team Series, alongside a stacked roster, which includes Kyler Oliver, Bob Mitchell, Marcus Mast, Koltin Hevalow, Cassio Dias and Leonardo Ferreira.
About the Author
Hannah Crandall, Originally from Earth, Texas, a small town in the Texas panhandle, I was raised around rodeo, agriculture, and the western lifestyle. With a degree from Texas A&M University, I have found a passion for promoting the lifestyle that made me who I am today. I am an experienced writer, marketer, and event professional with a strong desire to share the stories of those in our industry. When I’m not busy seeking out ways to promote the western way of life, I enjoy following those I care about around to rodeos, hunting, and going on runs with my blue-eyed, blue-merle Australian Shepherd.