David Fournier

During his stellar career, Fournier qualified for the NFR seven times. In 1996, he was the PRCA Reserve World Champion, and competed in the PBR World Finals four times. Fournier has been a cornerstone of the PBR since its inception. David Fournier said that he and the other 19 founders of the PBR thought of future bull riders like their own children. With his $1,000 investment he hoped that at some point in his lifetime he could see a professional bull rider earn $1 million. Fournier said that during his career, it wasn’t uncommon for a rider to travel 100,000 miles or more in a single season. A rider might spend $12,000 on flights, and another $12,000 on gas, food and lodging, and that didn’t even include his entry fees for the year, which could easily be another $15,000. Fournier said in the year leading up to the formation of the PBR, the riders grew frustrated, and were willing to give up money in the interim if it meant more control of their destinies down the road.