The Race to Grand Finals

By: Fiona New  Wednesday, August 7, 2024 @ 3:47 PM

 

As July comes to a close, the race to PBR Australia’s Grand Finals is heating up.

With only four weeks until we nod our heads in Hawkesbury on September 6th and 7th, all eyes are on our riders as they prepare for the pickup of the Monster Energy Tour series and road to the 2024 Grand Finals Championship.

Only six opportunities remain to qualify for the event that draws thousands to Townsville in November, and every second counts.

Here’s everything you need to know before the chutes open at Hawkesbury.





2024 PBR ORIGIN RECAP

The 2024 PBR Origin Series roared to life in Brisbane, where Team Queensland delivered a stunning 665.50 (QLD) to 258.24 (NSW) victory. But it was the nail-biting Newcastle event that truly defined the series. The Maroons made a dramatic late fightback, narrowly defeating New South Wales with a close 583.50 (QLD) to 510.00 (NSW) score.

After their back-to-back wins in Brisbane and Newcastle, Team Queensland sealed their fifth Origin Series title in Cairns, achieving their 2024 goal of a perfect three-for-three performance.

In Cairns, Townsville’s Braydon Wellby claimed the highest score of the night with three qualified rides and a total score of 254.25. But it was Ben Bode who took home the official Cowboy of Origin title, adding 20 points in Cairns to bring his total to 191.25 points across the series and securing a $25,000 paycheck.

Team New South Wales Captain Lachlan Richardson set an Australian record for most bulls mounted in a single performance. Stepping in as an alternate, Richardson fought for NSW’s shot at Origin victory, conquering six rides and clinching the night’s top ride on Blondie’s Bomber with 87.50 points.

For a full wrap-up of the events, rides, and action, you can:

 



THE RIDERS

With the Origin series wrapped and the first half of the year completed, our attention turns once again to the current riders leading the series for 2024.

First Place: Boston Leather holds the top spot with a total of 491 points and over $50,000 in earnings this year. The Calliope rider has claimed victory in 5 of 16 events in 2024. As the Grand Finals approach, the question remains: How many rides will it take for Leather to maintain his lead?

Second Place: Lachlan Richardson is right on Leather’s tail, just 19 points behind. With 13 events and one win this season, the NSW captain, who set a record for most bulls ridden in a single performance, has amassed 472 points and over $36,000 in prize money and is stones throw away from stealing the coveted lead.

Third Place: Ben Bode, the Cowboy of Origin, has surged to 3rd place on the leaderboard, overtaking prior leaders Braydon Wellby, Toby Hale, and Zane Hall. With 363 points and over $53,000 in prizes, Bode has the highest earnings for Australian riders in 2024 so far. Although he trails Leather by 128 points, six events remain for him to close the gap.

Fourth Place: Braydon Wellby, who earned the highest score at the Cairns Origin, has maintained his spot in the top 5 since his win at Winton Way Out West’s PBR BAD Festival in April. Despite dropping to fourth place nationally, Wellby is just 12.5 points behind third place with 350.5 points and exceeds Richardson’s prize winnings for the year. He still has 140.5 points to claim the top spot, but we have our eyes on this cowboy.

Fifth Place: Zane Hall, the 2023 Rookie of the Year, has cracked the top five, securing the fifth position with 265.8 points. Currently, Hall is 225.2 points behind Leather, but with his recent move to the US, we anticipate changes in his standings. Nevertheless, Hall has secured his place for the Grand Finals, and we look forward to seeing him shine in Townsville and beyond.

 



THE PBR MONSTER ENERGY TOUR GRAND FINALS

With only 86 days and six opportunities remaining, riders are set to battle for crucial points leading up to the Grand Finals in Townsville on November 1st and 2nd, the richest bull riding event in the southern hemisphere with $100,000 in prize money up for grabs.

The competition is fierce, the stakes are high, and the heat is on.

Secure your tickets to the final showdown here.

Missed an event? Catch up on all the action with SBS On Demand or subscribe to the PBR Australia YouTube Channel to never miss a ride.