<p>Cody Nance of Tennessee rides his final bull to win the Professional Bull Riders' Madison Square Garden Invitational in New York, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012.</p>

NEW YORK Cody Nance rode his way to the winners circle at the Professional Bull Riders Madison Square Garden Invitational Sunday in New York. The 2009 PBR Rookie of the Year thrilled the sell-out crowd in the Built Ford Tough Series Championship Round by topping Sticker Shock from Teague Bucking Bulls, LLC, for 89.25 points with the final ride of the event to secure the win.

Its a great event and I am humbled to be a part of it, Nance said.

Nance was the only bull rider to cover all five bulls over the three days at MSG and he earned $40,150 by turning a total score of 436.75 points.

We had some good bulls and I had a lot of them that fit me good and I drew really well, he said. I came in here healthy and feeling good. You know, my mind, my body and spirit are on track.

Defending world champion Valdiron de Oliveria finished second with 349 points and briefly held the lead before Nance nodded for the chute gate.

Luke Snyder was third. He turned in a total of 347.25 points.

2012 marked the sixth-straight year that New York has hosted a PBR event at the famed Madison Square Garden. Nance is well aware of the history at this venue.

Oh man, this arena is historic. I heard a lot about it when I was a kid growing up – the great crowds and success here, he said. Its an event that we look forward to all year long and now coming back to begin the season and we had the best bulls in the world to get on.

Not only was Nance impressed with Madison Square Garden, but the Big Apple opened his eyes as well.

I dont know what to think of it, he said. Im from a little town back home called Paris, Tennessee and theres not as much going on back there, so this is fun.

Nance also wanted to credit his fellow bull riders, who competed there last weekend.

Theyve come from the Finals (in October) and worked hard from then until now and theyve prepared for this, he said. Theres a lot of great guys and I want to congratulate them on their success and wish them the best this season. Theyve got a lot of heart and I like being around them.

New York was the first of 29-events on the Built Ford Tough Series Tour, which will criss-cross through 23 states before stopping in Las Vegas for the World Finals in October.

The second stop on the tour moves to the west coast for the Anaheim Invitational at the Honda Center Saturday and Sunday.

Notes: PRCA action is in high gear this week as well with the Denver National Stock Show and Rodeo and the Sand Hills Stock Show and Rodeo in Odessa, Texas.

Butch Thurman has covered professional rodeo for 32 years. Write him at butch@rodeosportsupdate.com.