Hawkesbury is set to become the heart of Australian bull riding this weekend, as the PBR Monster Energy Tour rolls into the showgrounds for two nights of bone-rattling, dirt-kicking action. The nation's best riders are converging, led by Queensland's Kurt Shephard, the current No.1 rider in the country.
With the PBR Australia Grand Finals in October looming large, the battle for points is hotter than ever. Riders hovering around the cut line are starting to feel the heat, with every ride now make-or-break. Tamworth's Lachlan Slade secured victory at Caboolture last weekend, moving himself more than 100 points clear of the projected cut line for Nationals.
On the leaderboard, Shephard (Mareeba) holds top spot on 1,735 points, but he's being hunted down by Brazil's Luan Crystian Camara in second and fellow countryman Matheus Lima Dos Santos in third. Queensland's Zane Hall (Athol) is snapping at their heels in fourth, while Brazil's Alison Aguiar rounds out the top five. Hot on their trail are Aussie contenders Ben Bode (Calliope), Clint Glass (Willow Tree), Tyson Smith (Walcha) and Bryn Francis (Moura), along with Rylee Ward (NZ).
Hawkesbury could be the battleground that reshuffles the order and sets the pace heading toward the Townsville Grand Finals.
A total of 28 bull riders will draw into Hawkesbury, each facing off against a bull in Rounds 1 and 2. The top-scoring cowboys will then return for the Championship Round, where they'll go head-to-head for the lion's share of $20,000 prize money — and all-important leaderboard points.
PBR Australia Presents: PBR Monster Energy Tour Hawkesbury Invitational
Sep 5 7:30 PM and Sep 6 7:00 PM
NEXT UP:
PBR Australia Presents: PBR | Monster Energy Tour Orange Invitational
Sep 20 7PM in Wade Park, Orange, NSW
PBR Australia Presents: PBR Monster Energy Tour Nowra Invitational
Sep 27 7:00 PM in Nowra, NSW – Nowra Showgrounds
PBR Australia Presents: PBR Monster Energy Tour Mackay Invitational
Oct 3 7:30 PM and Oct 4 7:00 PM in Mackay, QLD - BB Print Stadium
PBR Australia Presents: Touring Pro Division - PBR Kilkivan
Oct 11 7:00 PM in Kilkivan, QLD
PBR Australia Presents: PBR Monster Energy Tour Tamworth Iron Cowboy
Oct 24 7:30 PM and Oct 25 7:00 PM in Tamworth, NSW - AELEC Arena
PBR Australia Presents: PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals
Oct 31 7:30 PM and Nov 1 7:30 PM in Townsville, QLD - Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre
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.
