SADDLE UP FOR BUCKING GOOD NIGHT
EIGHT seconds will ultimately decide who is the best Australian cowboy.
That and a huge bucking bull determined to send his rider flying across the Townsville Entertainment Centre arena.
The PBR Grand Final in Townsville, starting tonight, will wrap up the 2018 Professional Bull Riders Australia National Championship.
Competing in the event are 18 of Australia’s top riders, and four international cowboys, vying for the title.
PBR Australian general manager Glen Young said it was a privilege to hold the final in Townsville.
“The city of Townsville has embraced the PBR and our events since we first launched here in 1999, and we’re thrilled to be able to bring such a marquee event to the region,” Mr Young said.
Since the inception of the PBR in Townsville almost two decades ago, more than $ 1 million in prizemoney has been paid out.
This year’s title is a neckand- neck battle between the four best riders – top ranked Aaron Kleier, of Clermont, Cliff Richardson, of Hunter Valley, Fraser Babbington, of New Zealand, and Cody Heffernan, of Hunter Valley.
“Both Babbington and Heffernan have already nabbed an Australian title, and Kleier and Richardson have been in striking distance before – so we know all of the boys have the pedigree and potential,” Mr Young said.
“The fight for the Aussie title is at full throttle – it’s down to the wire. All of the riders are dialled in and have their eye on the prize – so we expect to see some exceptional efforts as the frontrunners fight for supremacy.”
Kleier, 20, led the Australian standings throughout the year following a breakout 2017 season, when he was crowned Rookie of the Year.
Kiwi cowboy Babbington, 31, is one of the oldest riders on the tour and is in some of the best form of his career.
The full international rider contingent includes former Brazilian No. 2 Lucas Divino and fellow Brazilian riders Junior Quaresima and Rubens Barbosa.
The action starts at 7pm tonight and 7.30pm tomorrow.
Tickets start from $ 43.50 and are available at TECC. net. au.