Seven-Time PBR World Finals Qualifier Lachlan Richardson Dominates in Bundaberg to Further Stronghold on Australian No. 1 Ranking

BRANYAN, Queensland – As the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Australia Monster Energy Tour continued its 2020 campaign Saturday evening with a double-header in Branyan, Queensland, no rider was more dominant than seven-time PBR World Finals qualifier Lachlan Richardson (Gresford, New South Wales) who used a flawless 2-for-2 performance to win the first installment of the PBR Bundaberg Invitational and further his stronghold on the No. 1 ranking in the Australian national standings.

Richardson began the night on a high note, making the 8 aboard Western Sky (Fred Kleier) for a second-best 84 points in Round 1.

As the penultimate man to explode from the chutes in the championship round, Richardson then went the distance aboard Jersey Joe (BK Bucking Bulls) for 88 points to cement the event win. The victory marked the 27-year-old’s second of the season, previously winning in early March at the Ballarat Stampede.

Richardson’s perfect performance propelled him to a $2,234.40 payday, in addition to netting him a critical 75.5 national points.

Furthering his stronghold on the nation’s No. 1 ranking, Richardson increased his lead over two-time and reigning Australian Champion Aaron Kleier (Clermont, Queensland), now 116 points out front.

In addition to seeking his first-ever PBR Australia Championship, Richardson is also competing for the chance to earn the nation’s invite to compete at the 2020 PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour (PWVT) Finals in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on Nov. 6-7.

The Australian representative to the season-culminating event for the league’s U.S.-based expansion series will be the top-ranked rider in the national standings as of October 15. At the 2020 PBR PWVT Finals, the Australian invite will then have the opportunity to earn one of four berths to the 2020 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast in Arlington, Texas on Nov. 12-15 at AT&T Stadium.

Kleier also competed at the first event in the PBR Bundaberg Invitational double-header, winning Round 1 en route to a third-place finish.

The 22-year-old recorded the high-marked ride of the event when he covered Flyin Hippie (Peter Wallace) for 89 points in the opening round.

The Queensland native collected $1,219.80 and 45 national points courtesy of his fourth Top-5 finish of the 2020 PBR Australia season.  

Kleier also earned seven world points and is now ranked No. 27 in the world as he looks to qualify for the first PBR World Finals of his career when the event debuts inside the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys in November.

Braydon Wellby (Townsville, Queensland) was second, earning $1,379.40 and 56 national points.

As the only other rider besides Richardson to cover both of his draws, Wellby first rode John Wayne (Fred Kleier) for 81.5 points in Round 1 before punctuating his flawless efforts with an 86.5-point trip on POA Lock n Load (Diamond J Rodeo Co.) in the championship round.

Marking his first PBR Australia event of the 2020 season, Wellby’s efforts allowed him to surge to No. 10 in the national standings, now 223 points behind No. 1 Richardson.

Fourth was Caiden Sandilands (Rockhampton, Queensland) who covered Super Natural (Peter Wallace) for 84 points in Round 1.

He concluded the event $627 richer, while also collecting 30.5 national points.

Sandilands’ Top-5 effort allowed him to surge 20 positions in the national standings, rising from No. 35 at the start of the event to No. 15. He is now within 244.5 points of the No. 1 ranking.

Rounding out the Top 5 in fifth was Zane Hall (Athol, Queensland).

Amid his rookie season, Hall covered Seek and Destroy (Peter Wallace) for 82.5 points in Round 1 to collect $239.40 and 16 national points.

Hall is now ranked No. 22 in the PBR Australia national standings.

In the bull pen, Flying Hippie and Boogers Beach (Dittmann Bucking Bulls) tied for the high-marked bull of the event after posting matching 44.5-point scores.

Flying Hippie posted the marks in Round 1 when he teamed with Kleier for the high-marked ride of the event, while Boogers Beach dispatched Sandilands in 2.44 seconds during the final round to earn the score.

Fans can relive all the action for the 2020 PBR Australia Monster Energy Tour’s Bundaberg Invitational on RidePass starting at 8:00 a.m. AEST on Sunday, October 4 at RidePass.com or via the RidePass app available on iOS, Android and Roku.

The PBR Australia Monster Energy Tour is anticipated to next travel to Mackay, Queensland, and BB Print Stadium with the 2020 PBR Mackay Invitational on Saturday, October 10. The tour stop will once again feature a double-header competition, with action getting underway at both 1:00 p.m. AEST and 6:00 p.m. AEST. Stay tuned to PBRAustralia.com.au for the latest event information.

PBR Australia Monster Energy Tour – PBR Bundaberg Invitational 1
Recreational Precinct: University Drive – Branyan, Queensland
Event Leaders (Round 1- Round 2-Event Aggregate-Payout-Australian Points)
1. Lachlan Richardson, 84-88- 172-$2,234.40-75.5
2. Braydon Wellby, 81.5-86.5-168-$1,379.40-56
3. Aaron Kleier, 89-0-89-$1,219.80-45
4. Caiden Sandilands, 84-0-84-$627-30.5
5. Zane Hall, 82.5-0-82.5-$239.40-16
6 (tie). Brady Fielder, 81-0-81-$0-7
Jake Curr, 81-0-81-$0-7
8. Kelsey Pavlou, 80-0-80-$0-4
9. Ben Gard, 63-0-63-$0-2
Bailey Woodard, 0-0-0.00-$0-0
Brendan Buckholz, 0-0-0.00-$0-0
Budd Williamson, 0-0-0.00-$0-0
Jack Keats, 0-0-0.00-$0-0
Jay Borghero, 0-0-0.00-$0-0
Josh Cavanagh, 0-0-0.00-$0-0
Kurt Shephard, 0-0-0.00-$0-0
Lane Mellers, 0-0-0.00-$0-0
Lawson Nobbs, 0-0-0.00-$0-0
Matt Hollis, 0-0-0.00-$0-0
Sam Woodall, 0-0-0.00-$0-0
Sonny Schafferius, 0-0-0.00-$0-0
Ty Thomson, 0-0-0.00-$0-0
Clay Hall, 0-0-0.00-$0-0
Jack McArthur, 0-0-0.00-$0-0
Jackson Gray, 0-0-0.00-$0-0
Michael Smith, 0-0-0.00-$0-0
Dan Ruhland, 0-0-0.00-$0-0
Brumby Brandenburg, 0-0-0.00-$0-0
Sam Champ, 0-0-0.00-$0-0
Lucas McKenzie, 0-0-0.00-$0-0