Screenshot via Youtube/PBR

Last year at this time 400 points separated the Top 5 in the PBR Unleash the Beast Standings. This year, however, things are far more wide open with less than 400 points separating the Top 19.

For 25-year-old Austin Richardson, who has made four straight trips to the World Finals, that adds extra excitement and intrigue to each UTB event moving forward.

(You go into each event), knowing you have a chance at the World Title, it’s going to be great,” he said. “I have all of the confidence in the world (that I am good enough to win a World Title). I proved that last year by being No. 1 for a few short weeks before I got injured.”

Richardson moved up to No. 7 in the PBR World Standings after winning in Jacksonville last weekend, an event that saw eight of the 12 bull riders who made the Short Round go 3-for-3.

“Everybody was riding their butts off for sure,” he said. “Everybody’s confident and riding every bull they get on.”

Richardson also talked about the wildest wrecks in Jacksonville, the riding of some his peers, whether or not he wants at a shot at Man Hater in Milwaukee and more. You can watch the full episode and interview with Richardson below.