Just as not every oyster can produce a pearl, not every cow can produce a champion bucking bull. But Steve and Julie Ravenscroft’s Whitewater cows certainly have produced their share of gems. The Ravenscroft’s crowning jewel, 250 Black Pearl, is now the 2009 ABBI Classic Champion.

After winning ABBI Reserve Classic Champion last year as a 3-year-old, Black Pearl was able to take it to the next level this season. From an extremely competitive field, Ravenscroft/Boyd-Floyd’s Black

The ABBI’s youngest buckers provided a stunning spectacle at the Wrangler U facility outside the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas during the 2009 Futurity Finals. The setting was dramatic, the weather amazing and the crowd large and lively.

For the first time on record, the event was held outdoors. Although many were initially nervous about the set up, it didn’t take long for most to relax including the co-owner of the freshly crowned 2009 World Champion Futurity Bull Pure Smoke.

The ABBI held their fourth annual Wild Card event at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Oct. 29.

This was the first qualifier event held at the Finals. In past years, the format has changed every year. The first Wild Card drew 300 bulls and was bucked in a single day’s event; many called it the “Bull Marathon.”

It's been a rapid ride into the final chapter of arguably the most page turning season in ABBI Classic history. With each passing
event, stand-outs seem more competent and a new-comer or two cracks into the top 15.

There're only 44 Classic qualifier spots, including Wild Card Qualifiers, up for grabs this year since the rider number was cut to
the top 40 bull riders for the World Finals. With 5 less positions available, it looks like the fight is fixin' to get downright furious.