Professional bull riding returns to Kelowna for third consecutive season

For the third consecutive season, and fourth time in history, PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Canada’s elite Cup Series will buck into Kelowna.

PBR Canada’s Cup Series regularly features Canada’s best riders alongside some of the organization’s top international athletes, squaring off against the rankest bucking bulls from across the nation.

For one night only, fans will witness exhilarating 8-second rides and wrecks throughout the unpredictable, action-packed event as the PBR’s courageous bull-riding athletes face off against their 2,000-pound opponents born to buck.

The PBR Okanagan Challenge will mark the seventh event of the 10-event regular season for PBR Canada’s premier Cup Series in 2024, and lone event in British Columbia.

When the Cup Series last travelled to Kelowna in July 2023, Wyatt Gleeson (Sundre, Alberta) rode supreme, going a perfect 2-for-2 to win the Okanagan Challenge.

Gleeson first put points on the board in Round 1 when he topped Bow Before Me (Vold Rodeo/ Prescott) for 84.5 points. The Albertan then selected Wolf Bait (Vold Rodeo) as his championship round opponent. Remaining in perfect time with the powerful animal athlete Gleeson reached the requisite 8, marked a commanding 88 points to clinch the victory.

Compliments of the win, Gleeson left Kelowna with a crucial 113.5 national points. He surged from No. 20 to No. 10 in the heated 2023 PBR Canada Championship race, inching within 188.5 national points of the No. 1 rank. As the season continued to unfurl, Gleeson remained a consistent presence in the Top 10, ultimately concluding the season No. 8 in Canada.

The bull riding action for PBR Canada Cup Series’ 2024 Okanagan Challenge, begins at 7 p.m. on July 18. Tickets for the event go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. and start at $30. They can be purchased at the Prospera Place box office, by phone at 250-762-5050 or online at SelectYourTickets.com