The adrenaline is set to surge when the 2025 Monster Energy Cairns Invitational storms into Cairns THIS SATURDAY, bringing with it over $40,000 in prize money, world-class bull riders, and some of the fiercest bulls in the sport.
IMPORTANTLY, the action isn't limited to the arena. Thanks to a powerful partnership with Deadly Choices, almost 100 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth from communities across Far North Queensland will travel to Cairns on Friday for a once-in-a-lifetime PBR clinic.
PBR Australia x Deadly Choices Clinic – Friday, 18 July, from 12.30pm
THIS FRIDAY, the day before the Cairns event, almost 100 indigenous junior riders will take part in a clinic to learn all things PBR. Travelling in from Cardwell, Jumbun, Kennedy, Murry Upper, Tully, Innisfail, Cairns, Mossman and Mareeba, the kids will get a behind-the-chutes experience of a professional PBR event, meet elite riders, and learn about the wide range of roles that make bull riding events come to life. The young riders will learn from bullrider and now coach, Lachie Richardson, a seven-time World Champion qualifier, as well as 13-titled Protection Athlete Jared Borghero, covering all aspects of bull riding, scoring styles, behind the scenes production secrets and more. Even PBR resident singer Hayley Jensen will share how to turn stories into songs.
Deadly Choices is Australia's leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander preventative health program. It empowers community to make healthy choices for themselves and their families, such as eating nutritious food, being physically active, not smoking or vaping and connecting with their local Community Controlled Health Service for a 715 Health Check.
"PBR's partnership with Deadly Choices gives young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children the chance of a lifetime to see the innerworkings of a PBR (Professional Bull Riders) event up close, and to meet our riders, and experience the large variety of jobs required to set up such a large-scale event," said Glen Young, PBR Australia Managing Director. "We are always looking to give opportunities to kids who may not necessarily have access to the same opportunities as those who live in metro areas. The work Deadly Choices does to ensure ongoing support for health literacy among young kids is fantastic," he said. "A lot goes into a PBR, it's not just the bull riders and our stock contractors, there's all the other elements – all the behind the scenes work and effort that go into making a large scale event possible,"
Deadly Choices Head of Operations Corey Kirk, said the participants are pumped for the opportunity. "This is an exciting event for us at Deadly Choices, and it's the second year partnering with PBR. Through our programs the kids learn about being strong role models and leaders in their community. The kids take what they learn back to their communities, and it empowers them to continue to make healthy choices."
All participants have had a 715 Health Check, maintained a high attendance rate at school and completed the Deadly Choices Healthy Lifestyle Education program. It is important to reward them for their positive health behaviour and ensure preventative health is at the core of this event. Participants will also be wearing the PBR x Deadly Choices health check shirt, available to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members when they complete a 715 Health Check at a participating Community Controlled Health Service.
COUNTRY'S BEST COWBOYS TO BUCK IT OUT IN CAIRNS
Australia's top gun, best of the best riders will be in the spotlight on Saturday night, including the TOP THREE riders in the country right now – Mareeba's Kurt Shephard who is number one of the PBR Australia leaderboard, Brazil's Luan Camara, the freshly crowned Cowboy of Origin, and Athol's Zane Hall, the highest scorer in Origin III. Joining them is Victorian Sam Woodall, who clinched the Origin Series win for the Blues, and Beau Willis from Bowen, as well as a heavy-hitting international crew including Brazil's Diego Galdino, Alison Aguiar, Joao Rigaard Franco, and Kiwi stars Rylee Ward, Darryl McPherson, and Koby Parsons (see full list at base).
The competition won't just be tough—it'll be ferocious, thanks to the six premier bull contractors bringing their best stock to the event. The spotlight will also shine on the unridden phenom, Alpha Blokes Warden, the MJ/Keliher superstar bull that has already racked up five High Point Bull titles this season.
"With the PBR Australia season reaching its critical final stages, every ride, every second, and every point counts," said Glen Young, PBR Australia Managing Director.
RIDERS HEADED TO CAIRNS
Kurt Shephard - Mareeba, QLD
Luan Crystian Camara - Pereira Barreto SP, BR
Zane Hall - Athol, QLD
Ben Bode - Calliope QLD
Rylee Ward - Central Hawks Bay NZ
Tyson Smith - Walcha, NSW
Jack Rowlandson - Oberson NSW
Alison Aguiar - Rio Branco, AC, BR
Clint Glass - Willow Tree, NSW
Caiden Sandilands - Rockhampton QLD
Diego Galdino - Varzea Paulista SP, BR
Sam Woodall - Heywood, VIC
Nash Mellers - Gracemere, QLD
Lauchlan Waters - Oakbank, SA
Brumby Brandenburg - Bloomsbury QLD
Beau Willis - Bowen QLD
Josh Grant - Windella NSW
Toby Collins - Maldon VIC
Kelsey Pavlou - Toora, VIC
Charlie Bailey - Oberon NSW
Braydon Wellby - Townsville QLD
Ky Borghero - Proserpine QLD
Lachlan Slade - Tamworth NSW
Thomas Hudson - Dungog NSW
Klay Ward - Waipukurau (Central Hawks Bay), NZ
Billy Goetsch - Kalbar QLD
Josh Alexander - Newcastle NSW
Brody Woodard - Dingo QLD
Darryl McPherson - Putaruru NZ
Koby Parsons - Waipukurau (Central Hawks Bay), NZ
Jay Borghero - Beaudesert, QLD
Isaac Leclair - Bindoon, WA
JC Smith - Perth WA
Donnie Rutherfurd - Mount Isa QLD
Monster Energy Tour: Cairns Invitational Cairns Convention Centre Saturday, July 19 | 7PM Get your tickets now at pbraustralia.com.au
