Everything on the line
Outside of the PBR Camping World Team Series Championship in Las Vegas (Oct. 24–26), this may be the most pivotal weekend of the entire year.

At stake are not only the regular-season title and its $250,000 team bonus but also the Horse Soldier MVP Award, carrying an additional $100,000 individual bonus.

Perhaps most crucial of all — the top three teams in the league after this weekend will earn a first-round playoff bye, guaranteeing them an immediate seat at the championship table before the competition reaches Las Vegas.

For everyone else, the road will be longer and tougher — especially the three teams at the bottom of the final regular-season standings, relegated to a three-way play-in game to make it into the tournament.

For the Ridge Riders, currently holding the third and final bye position, the desert is where the ride truly begins.

Friday night — Arizona Ridge Riders vs. Oklahoma Wildcatters
Records entering the matchup:
• Arizona Ridge Riders (21-11) — third in the league
• Oklahoma Wildcatters (11-21) — ninth in the league (tied with Kansas City)

Friday night’s matchup opens the weekend with a tale of two directions — one team chasing a bye, the other desperate to climb out of the lower bracket and avoid the play-in game.

Oklahoma has flashed brilliance throughout the season but remains far below where its talent suggests it should be. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, Head Coach J.B. Mauney will have his Wildcatters focused and fearless.

Meanwhile, Arizona — riding the momentum of one of its strongest seasons to date — knows it cannot afford a single slip-up. The Ridge Riders’ depth, consistency, and home-arena advantage make them a tough out for any opponent.

Prediction: Arizona holds strong at home, winning 4–2.

Saturday night — Arizona Ridge Riders vs. Nashville Stampede
Records entering the matchup:
• Arizona Ridge Riders (21-11) — third in the league
• Nashville Stampede (13-19) — seventh in the league

Saturday, Oct. 11, brings the Broadway Boys of Nashville into the desert. They’re a team that has struggled in the league since the inaugural season but may be finding their stride at exactly the right time.

Nashville went a perfect 3-for-3 last weekend in Kansas City, signaling that it may finally be turning the corner after years of inconsistency. But Arizona, backed by a passionate home crowd and playoff stakes higher than ever, won’t make things easy.

With postseason seeding on the line and both teams fighting for momentum, expect a gritty showdown from start to finish.

Prediction: Arizona edges Nashville in a close contest, 3–2.

Sunday afternoon — Arizona Ridge Riders vs. Missouri Thunder
Records entering the matchup:
• Arizona Ridge Riders (21-11) — third in the league
• Missouri Thunder (14-18) — sixth in the league

The 2025 regular season reaches its dramatic conclusion on Sunday afternoon, when the Ridge Riders face a determined Missouri Thunder squad looking to make a late-season statement.

Missouri’s lineup is deep with talent — from versatile rider Paulo Eduardo Rossetto, who can ride with either hand, to Andrew Alvidrez, Maverick Smith, and recent addition Chase Dougherty. If their bull pen matches up favorably, they could pose a serious challenge for Arizona.

But the Ridge Riders know exactly what’s at stake. Tied with the Texas Rattlers in wins but ahead in points, Arizona must win every game this weekend to secure that third and final playoff bye. No. 4 Texas, meanwhile, must win out completely and hope Arizona falters once.

The math is simple — but the execution will be anything but.

Prediction: Arizona prevails in another hard-fought battle, 3–2, clinching its playoff bye in front of a roaring home crowd.

Updated 2025 PBR Camping World Team Series standings
(After Kansas City, heading into Glendale)

1. Florida Freedom — 23-9

2. Austin Gamblers — 21-11

3. Arizona Ridge Riders — 21-11

4. Texas Rattlers — 21-11

5. Carolina Cowboys — 17-15

6. Missouri Thunder — 14-18

7. Nashville Stampede — 13-19

8. Kansas City Outlaws — 11-21

9. Oklahoma Wildcatters — 11-21

10. New York Mavericks — 7-25

What’s new with the Horse Soldier MVP race
It looks like a three-man race for the Horse Soldier MVP Award this season and the $100,000 bonus.

Heading into Glendale, the top three contenders look like this: Thiago Salgado, Brady Fielder, and John Crimber. Each has delivered clutch performances throughout the season — and there’s no denying their dominance once the chutes open.

To see where they officially stack up against the rest of the league and track their performance heading into Ridge Rider Days, click HERE.

Final thoughts
This weekend in Glendale represents the final opportunity for every team to define its regular season — to prove that the months of grind, travel, and sacrifice were all worth it.

For the top four teams, it’s a fight to stay in the upper tier. For everyone else, it’s about survival — and securing the best possible position before the lights shine even brighter in Las Vegas.

Every eight seconds counts. Every ride can rewrite the narrative.

If you’re anywhere near Desert Diamond Arena, this is the place to be. If you’re not in town, tune in to FOX Nation at 7:45 p.m. MT Friday, the CW App and RidePass at 7 p.m. MT Saturday, and 12:45 p.m. MT Sunday.

And be sure to catch the CBS PBR Teams Game of the Week, airing Saturday, Oct. 11, from 1:30–2:30 p.m. ET (check local listings). In CBS’s final regular-season event, the Arizona Ridge Riders will host the Oklahoma Wildcatters in a must-watch matchup rich with playoff implications.

The desert awaits. And when the dust settles, we’ll know exactly who’s earned their seat at the table.

The Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation brings the same grit seen in bull riding to a new arena — helping people with mobility challenges reclaim their independence through access to the Action Trackchair.

This all-terrain wheelchair gives users the freedom to explore the outdoors — from rough pastures to wooded trails — but with a $25,000 price tag and no insurance coverage, it’s out of reach for many. That’s where the Foundation steps in, making this life-changing mobility possible.

Much like PBR athletes take on tough rides, the Foundation helps others tackle their own obstacles — ensuring no one is left behind in experiencing the Western lifestyle.

Learn more and support the mission at www.moafoundation.org.