PBR World Champion Kaique Pacheco Signs Multi-Year Deal with Nashville Stampede

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Kaique Pacheco. Photo: Courtesy of the PBR

The Nashville Stampede, Music City’s first-ever professional bull riding team competing in the landmark PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series, has signed No. 2 overall draft pick and 2018 PBR World Champion Kaique Pacheco to a multi-year endorsement agreement.

Pacheco has been one of the most consistent riders in the PBR since debuting on American soil in 2014. The 2015 season marked the Brazilian native’s first in the PBR’s premier Unleash The Beast series, when he concluded the year No. 2 in the world, winning three elite tour events and being crowned Rookie of the Year.

“It’s very important for me to officially be a part of the Stampede team and this family. It makes me really happy,” says Pacheco. “I watched Justin McBride before I came to the United States. He’s one of the greatest bull riders we’ve ever seen, and it’s awesome having him behind me and supporting me.”

In the seasons that followed, Pacheco finished No. 2 in the world in 2016 and No. 5 in 2017 before being crowned the 2018 PBR World Champion. After an incredible second-half surge during the regular season, Pacheco battled through torn ligaments in his left knee sustained days prior to the PBR World Finals to capture the coveted gold buckle. He concluded the year having gone 42-for-80 (52.5%).

While Pacheco spent the majority of 2019 sidelined as he recovered from injury, the “Ice Man” returned with a vengeance in 2020 when he concluded the season No. 6. In the two years since, Pacheco has finished runner-up to the world title in both 2021 and 2022.

“Securing Kaique as a rider and our team captain is an important pillar in the foundation of the Stampede team along with the support of our coaching staff and ownership,” says Stampede General Manager Tina Battock. “Our primary focus is to not only prepare for this season but to set us up for long term success.”

During the most recent season, a resilient Pacheco, who was riding through a broken foot, contended for the gold buckle until the final out of the season. Throughout the 2022 PBR Unleash The Beast campaign, Pacheco logged two event wins and five 90-point rides. He also went a torrid 28-for-51, covering 54.90% of his bovine athlete opponents.

Pacheco is joined on the Nashville Stampede by fellow protected riders Dener Barbosa, Ryan Dirteater, Manoelito de Souza Junior, Joao Henrique Lucas, Fernando Henrique Novais, Lucas Fideles and Thiago Salgado. The team’s practice squad includes Jaxton Mortensen, Mason Moody and Dustin Ortiz.

With one regular series 2022 PBR Team Series event complete, the Nashville Stampede are currently fifth in the battle to bring Music City its next national title. At the season-launch event in Cheyenne, Wyoming in late July, the Stampede went 1-1, including a 337.75-257.25 victory against the Carolina Cowboys in a dramatic shootout. In the team’s march to victory, Pacheco delivered a crucial 86.5-point ride on Mr. Winston.

“I feel very lucky that as a coach of a brand-new franchise, Pacheco is the guy that lays the foundation for what the Stampede will be for years to come,” says Nashville Stampede Head Coach and two-time PBR Champion Justin McBride. “His past accolades speak for themselves, but his commitment to excellence and his calm demeanor are exactly what you want when tasking someone to lead a franchise.”

During the 2022 season for the groundbreaking PBR Team Series, each of the eight founding teams will compete in 28 game, held at 10 regular-season events, leading into a championship in Las Vegas (Nov. 4-6). In addition to competing at two neutral site events, each of the eight teams will host a three-day homestand.

The Nashville Stampede will play in Music City for the first time from Aug. 19-21 when the team hosts Stampede Days at Bridgestone Arena.

Steven Boero
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