Texan Ross Johnson has made the most of the 2003 Professional Bull Riders season, despite only competing in 10 of the 28 regular season events on the Built Ford Tough Series.

But although he claimed a runner-up finish early in the season in Anaheim and a fourth-place spot last week in Grand Rapids, Mich., Johnson was still on the bubble when it came to a spot in the 2003 PBR World Finals. Only the top 45 riders on the PBR money list make it to the World Series of bull riding.

Not only did Johnson firmly cement himself in the top 45 at this weekend’s Lonestar Steakhouse & Saloon Columbus Invitational at Nationwide Arena, but the 24-year-old rider from Alvord, Texas, picked up his first career win on the major league circuit.

“This is one of the best moments in my life,” Johnson said. “It has always been a dream of mine to win an event and to make it to the World Finals.”

Johnson was the only rider of the 49 competing to have three successful rides during the PBR’s final stop of the regular season. After a opening-night score of 79 on Friday, Johnson came back with a 86.5 ride in the second round Saturday. Johnson then was the lone rider to score points in the championship round, riding Curtis Mendell’s Tombstone to another 79. Johnson was given the option of a re-ride after Tombstone spent a majority of the eight seconds bucking against the outer ring gates.

Johnson, however, didn’t need the re-ride as the other nine riders in the championship round were all thrown to the ground.

“This win could not have happened at a better time because it is right before the World Finals,” Johnson said. “The rides aren’t going to stand out as top-scoring rides, but being consistent is what you have to do out here.”

After winning Friday’s opening round, series points leader Chris Shivers strengthened his lead with his second-place finish for the weekend. Shivers followed up his opening round 89 with an 88-point ride on Tony Sharp’s Ratchet. Shivers, however, was unable to come through in the final round as he was bucked off Mendell’s Rotton Cotton.

But Shivers’ lead over No. 2 Justin McBride grew to 723 points as McBride was unable to compete in Columbus. McBride is nursing the effects of a right rib fracture and collapsed lung he suffered after being stepped on by his bull in Grand Rapids. McBride did give a telephone interview to viewers on Outdoor Life Network and those in attendance at Nationwide Arena and said he believes he will be ready to compete at the World Finals in just about three weeks.

Two-time PBR World Champion and 2000 Columbus Invitational champion Adriano Moraes brought home a third-place finish, covering two of three bulls for 175 points.

Injury notes

Beau Lindley was taken to the hospital on Saturday after being thrown from Sharp’s bull Righty on a re-ride. Lindley is still being observed in the hospital and is in stable condition with a broken bone in his neck and a spinal cord contusion. Before Saturday’s event, Lindley was 22nd in the standings and qualified for his second consecutive PBR World Finals.

The PBR will hold a charity auction at the world finals to assist Lindley and his family with the medical costs.

Another scary moment came during last year’s world champion and Columbus winner Ednei Camihas’ second round ride. The Brazilian native was bucked off Smokin’ Joe and was hit square in the back by one of the bull’s hind legs. Camihas suffered bruised ribs, a lacerated chin and a ruptured eardrum. After the event, Camihas said he was lucky that he didn’t suffer anything more serious.