Guilherme Marchi
Guilherme Marchi (pronounced Gil-lair-me Marky) (born July 22, 1982) is a Brazilian former professional rodeo cowboy who specialized in bull riding, and competed in the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) tour.
Background
Marchi is 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and weighs 198 pounds (90 kg). He is from Leme, São Paulo and is of Italian descent on his father's side. He currently resides in Ferris, Texas, US. He rode his bulls right-handed. His special interests include soccer, team roping, and surfing. He also enjoys hanging out with fellow Brazilian riders such as Alex Marcillio and Robson Aragao.
Career
Marchi competed very briefly in the Championship Bull Riding (CBR) tour in 2004 before joining the PBR full-time. He debuted late in the Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) season that year, qualifying for his first-ever PBR World Finals and finishing 41st in the world. After finishing in the runner-up position for the PBR World Championship in three consecutive years, he won his first title in 2008. Statistically, Marchi was one of the most consistent riders on the tour. He qualified for the PBR World Finals all 15 years of his career (2004 to 2018). Marchi competed very briefly in the Championship Bull Riding (CBR) tour in 2004 before joining the PBR full-time that year.
In 2005, Guilherme Marchi was the biggest threat to Justin McBride’s dream of being the PBR World Champion. McBride won, Marchi came in second, however, he was the PBR World Finals event winner that year. In 2006, Marchi once again failed to win when fellow Brazilian Adriano Moraes came from behind to claim the PBR World Championship, with Marchi placing second. Yet again, in 2007, Marchi finished the season in the number two position behind Justin McBride at the PBR Finals in Las Vegas.
In 2008, he dominated the PBR circuit, riding nearly 75% of his bulls, winning five events, and earning over $1.5 million (nearly three times as much as any other PBR rider) on his way to his first PBR season crown.
In March 2014, in the opening round of the Bass Pro Chute Out at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, Marchi became the first bull rider to successfully complete 500 qualified rides in the PBR, riding 04 Pandora’s Pyxis.[1]
On April 8, 2017, Marchi rode Z61 Shocker for 86.25 points in Round 2 of the Stanley Performance In Action Invitational in Billings, Montana. The ride was on the BFTS tour as usual. In doing so, he became the first PBR rider to reach 600 qualified rides. He received a commemorative Montana Silversmiths belt buckle.[2]
On August 12, 2018, Marchi announced that 2018 would be his final year of bull riding, with the intention of retiring after the PBR World Finals.[3] He finished his professional career with 635 qualified rides, the most ever in PBR history, as well as over $5.3 million in career earnings.[4]
Retirement
Marchi officially retired from bull riding following his victory at the 2018 PBR Brazil event in Goiânia, Goiás.[5][6]
Honors
On November 5, 2019, Marchi was inducted into the PBR Heroes and Legends Celebration: Ring of Honor.[7]
Personal
On April 19, 2018, Marchi married long-time girlfriend Maria in Texas.
References
- "Marchi first to 500 career rides". Professional Bull Riders. www.pbr.com. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
- "Emotional Marchi: 'I feel like I won a gold buckle again.'". Professional Bull Riders. www.pbr.com. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
- "Marchi announces he will retire after 2018 PBR World Finals". Professional Bull Riders. www.pbr.com. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- "All Time Money Earners". Professional Bull Riders. June 2011. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
- "Guilherme Marchi's Last Ride". Professional Bull Riders. www.pbr.com. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
- "Marchi Ends Career With Victory In Goiania". Professional Bull Riders. www.pbr.com. Retrieved June 9, 2019.
- "In 2008, I achieved my American Dream". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved May 11, 2020.