PBR: Brazil's Rossetto rides out his dream at the Pit

One might say that Paulo Eduardo Rossetto was destined to be a professional bull rider.

“The first words I said were ‘Dad’ and ‘Bull,’” Rossetto said through a translator after winning the 27th annual Ty Murray Invitational at Pit on Sunday afternoon.

“So it’s a dream coming true, and I’m grateful for everything that God has done in my life.”

Speaking of milestones, Rossetto’s win was his first ever on the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) circuit, as his aggregate score of 266.50 points edged out last year’s winner, fellow Brazilian Eduardo Aparecido (265.50). It wasn’t necessarily a dramatic finish, however. Rossetto didn’t score in the championship round, when what looked like a successful, eight-second ride didn’t count after it was determined his free hand touched the bull named Nobody.

It didn’t matter — at least for this event — because the 27-year-old had already accumulated enough points on his previous rides to earn a bronze trophy and a payout of $47,175. The win also improved Rossetto’s position in the overall Unleash the Beast standings to No. 6 with 567.75 total points.

“It’s wonderful to see,” said event founder Ty Murray. “I think as you’re an athlete coming up in this sport, whenever you’re able to have a win like this, it bolsters your confidence so much. And that’s what this sport becomes about because it’s so much mental.

“When you see a young guy like that with that kind of talent and that puts out that kind of an effort, it’s great to see him get a win like this because it makes them feel that it’s not a fluke that they’re here. I’m always proud when I see a young guy step up, especially because you’re not gonna find an event that’s any harder to win. This is a three-day event with the rankest bulls in the entire world.”

The bulls certainly did their part. The PBR’s current top-ranked bull, Man Hater, made short work of Ethan Winckler in the final round, dislodging the Texas native in 4.56 seconds. In fact, only two riders — Aparecido and third-place finisher Leonardo Castro — were able to score in the championship round.

“You know what’s crazy is: Man Hater, as good as he is — he’s phenomenal and a rank bull, and he’s really showy to watch — I didn’t even think he really stood out today,” Murray said. I thought there were other bulls that were definitely in his league and several of them that I thought surpassed him on this given day.”

It was a rough afternoon for some of the other names at the top of the overall PBR Unleash the Beast standings. John Crimber, who is No. 4, entered the championship round with a shot at victory, but he succumbed to a bull called Hang Em High in 3.27 seconds. Meanwhile, the likes of Sage Steele Kimzey (second in the overall standings) and Brady Fielder (third) didn’t even advance to the championship round.

“John Crimber, he’s a real talent,” Murray said. “You saw how hard he got slammed tonight.

…These bulls, they’re so athletically gifted, but at this level, they also understand the game. They learn how to find guys’ weaknesses and prey on them.”

COMING BACK: The Ty Murray Invitational will return to Albuquerque in 2026 on March 27-29. Tickets are expected to go on sale this fall.

Intense moments from PBR's Unleash the Beast in the Pit: Photos