Elite rodeo tour set for return to region
RODEO: Some of Australia’s best bullriders are set to return to Toowoomba.
After a four year absence PBR Australia is back in the Garden City for the doubleheader PBR Toowoomba Invitational as part of the nation’s elite Monster Energy Tour.
The Monster Energy Tour regularly features Australia’s best bull riders squaring off against the rankest bucking bulls from across the nation.
Fans will witness exhilarating 8-second rides and wrecks throughout the action-packed event as the PBR’s courageous bull-riding athletes face off against their 800kg opponents.
When the PBR last visited Toowoomba in 2016, Jason Mara delivered a perfect 2for-2 performance to win the Toowoomba All Star Challenge.
First riding Ugly Kid Joe (Frank Biddle) for 86 points, the Cloncurry rider cemented the win when he went the distance aboard Rock Star (Hall Rodeo Co.) for 85 points.
Prior to the 2016 event, PBR Australia had travelled to Toowoomba five times and Chris Lowe (Uralla, New South Wales) won the firstever league event in the city in 2010.
Positioned near the end of the 2020 PBR Australia season, the PBR Toowoomba Invitational will be critical in the race to crown the 2020 PBR Australia Champion.
The 2020 PBR Australia season is featuring one of the tightest national title races in league history. No. 1 Lachlan Richardson (Gresford, New South Wales) and No. 2 Aaron Kleier (Clermont, Queensland) are locked in a feverish battle atop the standings, separated by a mere 102.5 points.
Richardson’s season has been highlighted by two event wins, logged in Ballarat and Bundaberg, along with six additional Top-10 efforts on home soil.
In the past three events, the seven-time PBR World Finals qualifier has logged consecutive runner-up efforts. Concluding the PBR Mackay Invitational with a silver finish in the evening event, Richardson was most recently second at both events for the PBR Rockhampton Invitational double-header.
Hot on his spurs, Kleier is chasing what would be his historic third PBR Australia title.
Should two-time and reigning Champion Kleier once again win the PBR Australia Championship in 2020, he would become the first rider in league history to win the nation’s championship in three consecutive seasons.
Additionally, Kleier would be on the precipice of tying
Kennedy for winningest rider in Australian history. Kennedy is a four-time PBR Australia Champion, winning the title in 2009-2010, 2012 and 2014.
The bull riding action begins at 1pm AEST and 6pm AEST on Saturday, November 7 at the Toowoomba Showgrounds’ Indoor Arena.
For both events, all riders will attempt one bull each in Round 1. The Top 8 will then advance to the championship round for one more out and a chance at the event title.
Tickets for the PBR Toowoomba Invitational are on sale now for $48, standard fees may apply, and can be purchased at www.tix.pbraustralia.com.au.
All future PBR Australia events are subject to change, planned in accordance with directives issued by relevant government and health authorities given the evolving regulations during the COVID19 (coronavirus) pandemic.