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Date Posted: Thu, Nov 05 2009, 17:14:21
Author: Kris
Subject: Stock Contractor of the Year!

Berger makes it three in a row
South Dakotan named Stock Contractor of the Year, again!!

LAS VEGAS (November 5, 2009) - It’s a phone call that Chad Berger hasn’t forgotten.

Not one that he had, but a conversation between Cody Lambert and Ty Murray in December of 1998. After three seasons cut short by injury, Murray had finally returned to form, and won his record-setting seventh all-around title at the NFR.

It was the most all-around titles anyone had ever won – breaking Murray’s tie of six with Larry Mahan –and in that conversation, Murray told his best friend, “No one else in the world knows what this feels like.”

Berger smiled, recalling that famous story. Then, nodding his head, he said, “I want to be the only one to know what it feels like to win Stock Contractor of the Year seven times.”

“I want to set the record. … I’ve set my goal.”

Berger made the statement at the annual Stock Contractor Banquet, at which he was named Contractor of the Year for the third consecutive time, an honor voted on by the Top 40 bull riders in the world.

“That means everything to me,” said Berger, who hopes to continue maximizing his brand awareness. “We try so hard to have a great set of bulls, and when the Top 40 guys in the world congratulate you for that, that means everything to me.

“They’re all such nice young men that it makes me proud to think I got the best bulls in the world.”

The entire interview with Berger can be accessed by selecting the “Event Center” tab on the World Finals home page and then clicking on “Behind the Chutes.”

Just as he did a year ago, Berger gave credit to his entire team, as well as his investors.

Berger likened his run of titles to “riding a wave.”

“I tell these guys every day that we’re all equal here,” he said, “and we just need to work together.”

Berger not only provides an average of 25 bulls for a Built Ford Tough Series event, but he also provides 75 or more bulls at numerous lower-level events from coast to coast throughout the year.

His ever-growing pen is about 150 strong at this time, and Berger said he’s confident that more than 100 of them are good enough to compete at a BFTS event. He also spoke of the importance of building his brand through marketing and public relations, as well as mixing with bull riders and interacting with the fans on a regular basis.

Back in March on a Sunday afternoon in Birmingham, Ala., Berger’s self-promotion literally paid off—to the tune of $50,000.

After four weeks of suspense and two previous postponements, the South Dakota stock contractor was outwardly relieved when the scores came in and he knew Big Tex had defeated Bones in the highly anticipated bull-versus-bull challenge during the championship round of the Pike Electric Invitational.

“I can’t hardly talk,” said Berger afterward. “I’m elated.”

At this afternoon’s banquet, Berger, who was surrounded by friends and family, was all smiles. Also among the capacity crowd in the Showroom at the South Point Hotel and Casino were the likes of Jeff Robinson and H.D. Page, along with Lambert.

Also there for the lunch, award ceremony and ABBI bull auction were legendary bull riders Jerome Davis, Jerome Robinson, Adriano Moraes, J.W. Hart, Tater Porter and others.

Berger is now hoping Big Tex, who bucks Friday night and perhaps again Sunday in the short go round, will win the World Champion Bull title.

“I do everything I can now to just keep us where we’re at,” Berger said, “and even get better.”

—by Keith Ryan Cartwright

***Couldn't have happened to a nicer, harder-working guy and team!

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[> Re: Berger earns honor for third time -- Debbie, Wed, Nov 11 2009, 23:56:10 [1]

Last weekend Mandan's Chad Berger was named the Pro Bull Riders, Inc., stock contractor of the year for the third straight time. And his bulls stampeded their way to virtually every award available at the 2009 PBR World Finals in Las Vegas.

But even as Berger was hoarding all the hardware, he was quick to share the credit for all his success with his family and workers. Among them are his wife, Sarah; his daughters, Lacey and Sadie; his son, John; his driver, Brandon Sedler, whom Berger presented his buckle to for all Sedler's efforts; and Daniel Croher, Berger's "go-to guy."

"The thing I take the most pride in is all the people around me, my family and the people who work for me who make this all possible," Berger said. "Without them, we wouldn't have all these awards.

"... I'm just the coach on a winning team."

There will be a celebration from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday at the Mandan Community Center.

Berger is the third person to be named contractor of the year three times in a row, but the first from outside of Texas and Oklahoma. The award is voted on by the PBR's top riders.

"It's a huge honor to have the top 40 guys in the world saying you have the best bulls in the world," Berger said.

Two bulls co-owned by Berger finished in the top three in the World Champion bull race. Code Blue was the overall winner, posting a three-ride score of 140.75. Big Tex was third at 138.75.

Code Blue, which went 14-0 in the PBR's Built Ford Tough Series - the highest level of competition - has never been ridden.

Berger's father, Joe, owned Little Yellow Jacket, a three-time PBR bull of the year award winner (2002-04) and generally considered the best bull in PBR history. Chad Berger said both have the potential to reach that level.

"Code Blue and Big Tex are probably as good as Little Yellow Jacket right now, but they've got a lot to prove," he said. "They've got to do it for another five years. Little Yellow Jacket never had a bad day in seven years."

Berger said that being honored by the PBR is a huge benefit to the company, but that it's tough to stay on top.

"When you win these types of awards, it's better for business," Berger said. "There are more people who want to invest in your bulls.

"... But the other contractors are all gunning for you. They want to dethrone you, so have to work harder."


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