Eighteen-year-old Austin Ambrose of Fletcher, Okla., came to Bismarck on Saturday hoping to get on a bull at the PBR Bullriding Challenge at the Bismarck Civic Center.

But he was aware that his chance of getting a ride at the PBR Challenger Series event was slim. About as slim as the possibility he would leave here with $8,000.

Funny how things work out when one is determined.

Ambrose got into the event when two others scratched. He rode to an 88.5 in the long go, earning $610, and posted an 87 in the short go to finish with 175.5 on two head. That left him second in the average and earned the college-bound bull rider $7,500.

"I didn't think I was going to get one," Ambrose said. "I was really fortunate."

This was the second time in two nights that Ambrose had gone to a bull riding events without a guaranteed ride. He got on in Thief River Falls, Minn., on Friday, but was bucked off.

In Bismarck, it was a different story. His two bulls, Cooter and Montego Bay, were similar.

"I had a really good bull (Cooter) and I knew if I rode him right I could win the round," Ambrose said of the long go. "I ended up second.

"They told me (Montego Bay) was a good bull, like the first one. I rode him the best I could, and I let the judges take care of the rest."

Friday's performances included 12 qualified rides from 42 cowboys. On Saturday, there were 12 in the first two sections, including seven straight qualified rides for an average of 85.6 points.

Chad Castillo of Lipan, Texas, set the score to beat with a 176 on two head on Friday. Castillo had an 88.5 in the long go and followed that with an 87.5 in the short go. That withstood the challenge of 45 riders Saturday.

Castillo was one of three cowboys to cover two head in the opening round. Zachary Brown of Santa Fe, Texas, was second Friday with a 174.5 (82.5 and 92) and Come Bouvier of Empress, Alberta was third with a 168.5 (85 and 83.5).

Bryan Richardson turned in an 89 to win the long go. That was a half-point better than McKennon Wimberly of Cool, Texas, and Ambrose.

Brazilian Ednei Caminhas was the only other cowboy Saturday with two qualified rides. He had an 89 and finished with a 175 after turning in an 86 on Scardy Cat in the long go.

Defending champion Rob Bell of Shreveport, La., appeared to get a favorable ruling to get back into the short go. Judges ruled he was still on Kamo Cat at the eight-second mark and awarded him 86.5 points.

But Bell's night ended in less than two seconds of the short go.

Other former champions also struggled.

Brazilian Paulo Crimber, the 2004 champion, scored an 80.5 and did not make the short go. Helton Luis da Silva, the 2005 champ, and Jason Bennett, the 2001 champion, did not turn in qualified rides Saturday. Gerardo Venegas, winner in 2003, had a no score Friday.

Saturday Results

Long Go (Top 10)

Bryan Richardson, Dallas, Texas, 89. McKennon Wimberly, Cool, Texas, 88.5. Austin Ambrose, Fletcher, Okla., 88.5. Kasey Hayes, Liberal, Kan., 87.5. Mark Lopes, Sutter Creek, Calif., 87. Rob Bell, Shreveport, La., 86.5. Jason Creekmore, Clayton, Okla., 86. Ednei Caminhas, Denton, Texas, 86. Edgard Oliveira, Denton, Texas, 86. Alyson Saldanha, 85.5.

Short Go

Caminhas 89. Ambrose 87.

Average (two head)

Ambrose 175.5. Caminhas 175.

Friday Results

Long Go (Top 10)

Laddan Ledbetter, Gardendale, Texas, 89.5. Chad Castillo, Lipan, Texas, 88.5. Billy Robinson, Galax, Va., 88.5. Trinity Dunkelberger, Gerrardstown, W.V., 87. Garrett Vig, Newell, S.D., 85.5. Come Bouvier, Empress, Alberta, 85. Ross Lewis, Zap, 84. Jay Dunford, Menoken, 83.5. Zachary Brown, Santa Fe, Texas, 82.5. Matt Werries, Jacksonville, Ill., 82.

Short Go

Brown 92. Castillo 87.5. Bouvier 83.5.

Average (two head)

Castillo 176. Brown 173.5. Bouvier 168.5

Final Results

Castillo 176. Ambrose 175.5. Caminhas 175. Brown 173.5. Bouvier 168.