Triplett takes third in bull riding event

Columbia Falls cowboy Matt Triplett will have a little momentum going into the Professional Bullriders Built Ford Tough World Finals next week.

Triplett took third at a PBR event in Allentown, Pa. on Oct. 11-12 and earned nearly $11,000 for his effort.

Triplett rode Freaky Eyes for 87.5 points in his first career ride in the championship round at a Built Ford Tough series event.

“Oh my gosh, this whole year it has just been there,” Triplett said on the BFTS Web site. “I haven’t been finishing bulls in the short round. Finally to get a bull covered in the short round takes a load off my shoulders and puts me in a good position going into Vegas.”

Triplett rode American Gangster for 82 points in the second round earlier Saturday night and Outlaw for 76.25 points in the first round on Friday.

It was his highest finish since he bucked off in the championship round in Laughlin, Nev., three weeks ago at the 7.99-second mark for a second-place finish.

Triplett is ranked sixth in the world heading into the World Finals, to be held in Las Vegas on Oct. 22-26. He has $131,525.80 in earnings this year.