Lawrence takes first at Pala Professional Bull Riders

Stetson Lawrence won the May 17-18 Professional Bull Riders competition at the Pala Rodeo Grounds.

Judges Bill Pacheco and Steve Yoast gave the Williston, N.D. cowboy 176 points for his two Saturday rides, and when no other cowboy was able to match that score by the end of the second day Pala Casino gave Lawrence the $8,596.80 first-place share of the total $25,000 prize money.

“Just really blessed and happy,” Lawrence said.

“I’ve been struggling a little bit,” Lawrence said. “Just glad to get two bulls covered.”

The format of the PBR at Pala involves a “long go” of 35 entries with 10 of those...