Key Facts:
PBR AUSTRALIA's 2025 Tamworth Invitational results from last night - OPENS and JUNIORS
Thanks Tamworth, now to Townsville:
Australia's biggest bull riding battle this weekend
All eyes are turning to Townsville this weekend as the world's elite bull riders converge for the PBR Australia Grand Finals, the ultimate buckle battle that will decide who takes home the nation's most prestigious title, and a $100,000 championship bonus. Over two massive nights at the Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre, the sport's biggest names will go head-to-head in a high-adrenaline showdown of grit, glory, and guts.
Last night, Queensland bull rider Kurt Shephard from Mareeba cemented his position at the top of the National Standings, claiming victory at the 2025 Tamworth Invitational in front of a capacity crowd. Shephard finished his Tamworth campaign with a 2-for-3 record and an aggregate total of 169.50 points, highlighted by the highest-marked ride of the weekend, an 85.75-point effort in the final round. It marks his fifth event win of the 2025 season.
Brazil's Luan Crystian Camara finished second after producing his own 2-for-3, 166-point performance. Oberon's Charlie Bailey surged into the Grand Finals qualification zone with a third-place finish, while Brumby Brandenburg (Bloomsbury, QLD) placed fourth on 158.50 points, and Willow Tree's Clint Glass rounded out the top five.
The race for the 2025 PBR Australian National Championship buckle is now down to two men, Shephard and Camara, who will face off for the title in Townsville this weekend. Shephard holds 2,212.33 points this season, giving him a 326.83-point buffer over Camara, who also maintains a firm hold on the 2025 Rookie of the Year standings. With their strong Tamworth performances, Charlie Bailey, Brumby Brandenburg, and Dan Ruhland (Mount Walker, QLD) have all secured their rides in Townsville.
On the bull side of the draw, it was another dominant showing for MJ and Keliher Bucking Bulls, with their duo Alpha Blokes Warden and Mooseys Moto Moto continuing their outstanding form. The Warden claimed his ninth ABBI YETI High-Marked Bull of the Event Award of the season.
Next stop: Townsville, where 30 of the best bull riders from across Australia and abroad will battle it out. While Saturday night is sold out, Finals Friday promises another electrifying night of high-stakes rides.
Townsville will also welcome home five of Australia's top riders currently competing in the USA, including world No. 3 Brady Fielder (Clermont) and Callum Miller (Warwick), who sits inside the world's top 50. Returning with them are three of Queensland's brightest young talents - brothers Macaulie (24) and Boston Leather (20) from Calliope, and Thomas Triplett (19) from Bungundarra.
The official line up for Grand Finals will be announced this Tuesday 28th October.
Last year's PBR Australia Grand Finals delivered edge-of-your-seat action and it generated a serious boost to the Townsville economy. More than 10,000 spectators filled the stands, generating 11,352 visitor nights and over $3.98 million in overnight visitor spend. The total economic impact? A whopping $4.23 million.
PBR Australia Managing Director Glen Young said he was thrilled to see the momentum behind PBR Australia, the success of Australian riders, and the economic benefit brought to host cities and towns. "When we established this event back in 1999, the vision was always to grow it into one of the richest and most prestigious bull riding events in Australia," he said. "Today, with over $150,000 in prize money and a $100,000 championship bonus on the line, it's incredibly rewarding to see that vision come to life. What makes it truly special is the way the community has embraced the event year after year. Our world-class Aussies continue to take the USA by storm in the PBR – the biggest and most competitive bull riding competition in the world, and our Australian series is recognised as producing some of the best riders globally," Young said.
Australia's best junior bull riders shine in Tamworth
Australia's bull riding future was on wonderful display in Tamworth this weekend, with an epic lineup of juniors, from Pee Wee Division to Rising Stars, battling for the country's top junior buckles at the PBR Australia Can-Am Junior Academy Finals.
Forty of Australia's top junior bull riders – 26 from NSW and 14 from Queensland - competed for over $20,000 in total prize money. Plus, the 2025 PBR Junior National Series Champions will hit the dirt in Townsville this weekend.
In the Pee Wee Division, 10-year-old Chase Berry from Gunnedah, NSW, shared the Tamworth event win with Gympie's Jasper Wieland, holding onto a slim three-point series lead to claim the 2025 national title.
In the Junior Division, 12-year-old Nash Goddard from Glendon Brook, NSW, secured second place in Tamworth with a 66-point ride on Pocket Rocket, enough to maintain his position at the top of the standings and take home the championship buckle.
The Senior Division came down to the wire, with 14-year-old Chase Wieland from Gympie, QLD, posting a 73.50-point ride on Nose Guard to leap from second to first in the standings, sealing his title as Senior National Champion for 2025.
In the Rising Stars Division, Tamworth local Liam Birks delivered under pressure, going 2-for-2 across the weekend for an aggregate score of 142.75 points. His consistent performance earned him a third-place event finish and the Rising Stars national crown.
It was a thrilling finale to the season, with event wins going to:
- Pee Wees: tie between Chase Berry (Gunnedah, NSW) and Jasper Wieland (Gympie, QLD)
- Juniors: Judd Thomas (Glendon Brook, NSW)
- Seniors: Cody Searle (Willow Tree, NSW)
- Rising Stars: Bailey Searle (Willow Tree, NSW)
"PBR Australia's Can-Am Junior Academy is more than a ride or a series, it's the breeding ground for the next generation of champions. These young athletes are born for this and represent the future of bull riding in Australia," said PBR Australia Managing Director Glen Young.
PBR AUSTRALIA GRAND FINALS
October 31 and November 1 in TOWNSVILLE, North Queensland
Tickets on sale PBR Australia — The Professional Bull Riders
The PBR Australia Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.
ABOUT PBR AUSTRALIA
Professional Bull Riders (PBR) is one of the fastest-growing sports properties in the world, with tours across the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. A subsidiary of Endeavor, a global leader in sports, media, and entertainment, PBR has transformed bull riding into a premier international sport since its founding in 1992. The organisation features over 1,000 riders globally and hosts more than 200 events annually worldwide. In Australia, Professional Bull Riders Australia (PBRA) stages more than 20 events each year, attracting over 75,000 fans. PBRA showcases key events and tours such as the Monster Energy Tour, PBR Origin Series, and PBR Grand Finals, while also partnering with regional event organisers through the PBR Touring Pro Division. The organisation supports emerging talent through its Can-Am Junior Academy and serves as an international pathway to the United States circuit for both Junior and Open competition athletes.
