LOCAL PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDING TEAM AUSTIN GAMBLERS STAR IN PRIME VIDEO DOCUSERIES ‘THE RIDE’

Experience the True Stories Behind the World’s Toughest Sport With Eight-Part Docuseries, Airing on Prime Video on May 30

AUSTIN, TX (May 11, 2023) – The Austin Gamblers, the Capital City’s professional bull riding team, is excited to announce their participation in Prime Video’s The Ride, an eight-episode documentary series that follows an ensemble cast of bull riders and coaches throughout the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series. The docuseries covers the league’s inaugural 2022 season, including budding rivalries, exhilarating highs and challenging lows. It will premiere on Prime Video on Tuesday, May 30.

“As the 2023 PBR Team Series kicks off this summer, we are really excited for the docuseries to showcase not only the great athleticism our riders display, but also highlight the riders’ individual histories, hurdles, triumphs and more” said J.J. Gottsch, Austin Gamblers CEO. “We want viewers to feel connected to our riders and learn more about what it takes to become the best bull riders in the world.” The Austin Gamblers are one of eight teams in the inaugural PBR Team Series, an elite bull riding league that showcases world-class athletes and bulls. The docuseries highlights three Austin Gamblers riders, Ezekiel Mitchell, José Vitor Leme and Dakota Louis, along with Head Coach Michael Gaffney. Fans can learn about their inspirational stories in the series and see them compete at Moody Center on August 25-27.

Hailing from Rockdale, Texas, Ezekiel “Blue” Mitchell may be the only professional bull rider to have learned the sport on YouTube. However, despite his unique path to the PBR, Mitchell has become a mainstay on the world’s top bull riding tour, finishing inside the world’s Top 30 three times, and has been a key rider for the Austin Gamblers in the PBR Team Series. Known for his colorfully engaging personality, sense of style and contagious smile, Mitchell is a burgeoning star who is PBR’s latest cowboy crossing over into the mainstream.

Only in his mid-20s, José Vitor Leme is already arguably one of the greatest riders to ever compete in Western sports. After making the most memorable PBR Unleash the Beast debut in recent memory— traveling to the U.S. for the first time in November 2017 and winning the World Finals just a few days later in going a flawless 6-for-6 at the grueling, multiday championship—he rewrote the PBR record books in 2021 en route to his second World Championship. In 2021 Leme broke virtually every major PBR rider record, including twice shattering the PBR’s all-time high-marked ride record. Previously 96.5 points, the record now stands at 98.75 points, achieved when Leme rode Woopaa en route to his second career World Finals victory.

Of both Northern Cheyenne and Blackfeet descent, Dakota Louis is one of the top Native American riders in PBR. A persistent competitor, Louis began to break through in 2020, logging his best year with the organization amid a career that has spanned nearly a decade, before ascending to a new level in 2022, winning his career first Unleash The Beast event and being signed to the Austin Gamblers. The docuseries highlights Louis’s relationship with his 5-year-old son, who travels with Louis to different series events. Louis grew up in a rodeo family, watching his dad ride bulls. Now with a son of his own, the single father teaches his son about the hard work and determination it takes to make your way to the top doing what you love.

The docuseries will premiere on Prime Video on Tuesday, May 30. For more information visit www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZL58BQP. Additionally, in conjunction with the release of The Ride, Austin Gamblers will open its own Amazon storefront, featuring official merchandise, from jerseys, shirts and hoodies, to accessories like bandanas, YETI tumblers and more.

For more information about the Austin Gamblers and their PBR Gambler Series at Moody Center on August 25-27 visit https://pbr.com/teams/austin-gamblers.