From the PBR Bull Riding Arena:
Tamworth cowboy Lachlan Slade secures Caboolture PBR Buckle as junior stars steal the show
Queensland's Kurt Shephard remains on top of the leaderboard
Juniors shine from QLD and NSW
Tamworth cowboy Lachlan Slade rode his way to glory at a sold-out Queensland State Equestrian Centre Arena on Saturday night, taking the PBR Australia Caboolture Invitational buckle with an aggregate score of 87.50 – his first win of 2025, his fifth career buckle and he now sits at 17th in the national rankings. Hot on his heels was NSW mate Clint Glass (Willow Tree) with 87.00 points, followed by New Zealand's Rylee Ward on 84.00.
Despite the shake-up in Caboolture, the national standings remain unchanged, with North Queensland's Kurt Shephard still the man to beat as the countdown to the PBR Australia Grand Finals in Townsville (October 31 and November 1) intensifies.
While 31 riders fought it out for the open buckle, the arena buzzed with the fearless talent of 60 junior riders from across Australia. The event became a showcase of rodeo bloodlines, with brothers, sisters, and entire families riding side by side.
From seasoned open rider Ben Bode supporting his nine-year-old brother Tom in the chutes, to Zane and Clay Hall, the Lowe, Thomas, Geran, Walker, Wieland, Berry, Everingham, Merrell and Duggin families, bull riding proved once again that it runs deep in the veins, and often starts with your brother beside you.
The night belonged to history-making juniors too. Singleton's Sonny Heffernan (11) became the first PBR Can-Am Junior Academy rider to notch 50 career rides, while Caboolture's own Bella Brinner (11) earned cheers as the only female Junior Bull Rider in the field.
Crowd favourite Kassedy "Rooster" Carlon (13, Bundarra, NSW) not only clinched the Senior Mini Bull buckle, but also celebrated with a dirt-kicking dance that lit up the arena.
Junior Champions – Caboolture Invitational
- Pee Wees: 1st Dustin Thomas (Singleton NSW), 2nd Tom Bode (Biloela QLD), 3rd Chase Berry (Gunnedah NSW)
- Junior Minis (3-way tie): Nash Goddard (Glendon Brook NSW), Danny Kennedy (Kyogle NSW), Wylie Roots (Duaringa QLD)
- Senior Minis: 1st Kassedy Carlon (Bundarra NSW), 2nd Brax Lowe (Barraba NSW), 3rd Jack Jones (Katherine NT)
- Rising Stars: 1st Zaine Maslen (Banana QLD), 2nd Noah Dingle (Boonah VIC), 3rd Rex Walker (Mirim Vale QLD)
On the bulls' side, it was a tie for Highest Scoring Bull, with Nirvana (Dittmann Bucking Bulls) and Twist & Shout (Dunne Bucking Bulls) proving near unstoppable, both marked 43.50 points in the Championship Round. The infamous Alpha Blokes Warden (MJ/Keliher Bucking Bulls) extended his unridden streak, dispatching Brazilian star Luan Crystian Camara in just 1.5 seconds in the Championship Round.
From the smallest Pee Wee riders to the men chasing Grand Finals glory, Caboolture was a night of pure bull riding spirit, and proof the sport's future is in fearless hands.
Caboolture results here: https://www.pbraustralia.com.au/results/170794
Current National standings here: https://www.pbraustralia.com.au/athletes/riders/standings/#
NEXT UP:
PBR Australia Presents: PBR Monster Energy Tour Hawkesbury Invitational
Sep 5 7:30 PM and Sep 6 7:00 PM
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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.