Triplett is runner-up at Cowtown Classic

Columbia Falls bull rider Matt Triplett had a strong showing on the Professional Bull Riders circuit in two rides at the Cowtown Classic, in Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 27-28.

Triplett, 22, was the runner-up with a 173.2 total score for the two rides. He scored 88 points on Rafter D 500 and 85.5 points on American Gangster. He finished two points behind L.J. Jenkins, of Porum, Okla.

Triplett’s score qualified him for The American rodeo, to be held in Arlington, Texas, on March 2.

Triplett qualified last year for the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas, Nev., where he came in ninth, which moved him up from 39th in the world standings to 26th.

The top 10 bull riders from the PBR circuit will join the top 10 athletes from traditional rodeo events at The American, just one day after the PBR Iron Cowboy V event.

The total purse for the two events is $2 million.