Bonner Bolton of Gardendale, Texas, consistently rode his way to the top of the world to win the Findlay Toyota CBR Word Championship Bull Riding at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., in January. As one of only three riders to cover all three bulls during the CBR finals, Bolton was the world championship event winner of $54,100, which catapulted him to the top of the year-end totals for the World Champion title.

Bolton rode Rafter Jack, owned by Scott Burruss, for a score of 88.5 points in the second round. That ride combined with his 84-point ride on Black Mamba during Friday’s first round of competition, qualified him to the short round of competition. Bonner clinched his title with a wild 94.5 ride aboard the appropriately named bull The Air Up There contracted by Mike Johnson of Happy, Texas.

"This was definitely the highlight of my bull riding career. I didn’t know anything about this bull and I didn’t know what to expect. And that might have been the best thing. All my buddies said he was wild, but felt really good. And that turned out to be true. I just praise the Lord I was able to make a good ride and I give all the glory to Him," said Bolton about the black and white speckled bull The Air Up There.

Tuff Hedeman, President of the CBR and 4-time world champion bull rider, said he was happy about the outcome of the CBR World Championships.

"I think this was as good of an event as we have ever produced. And it was great to see a kid like Bonner Bolton win it because he is truly as nice a guy as you will ever met. I used to rodeo with his dad, Toya. I’ve known him since he was just a baby and to watch him grow up and mature into a great bull rider and win the championship is awesome. Nobody was more proud of him than I was," said Hedeman.

For more about the Findlay Toyota CBR World Championships presented by B&W Trailer Hitches, log on to www.CBRbull.com.