PBR Australia Returns to Emerald for First Time in Six Years Oct. 30 with Fan-Attended Monster Energy Tour Event

 

EMERALD, Qld. – For the first time in six years, PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Australia will buck into Emerald, Queensland, travelling to Emerald Showgrounds Rodeo Arena Oct. 30 with the fan-attended Monster Energy Tour’s Emerald Invitational, presented by Kent Hire, part of the league’s Back to the Heartland Series.

The Back to the Heartland Series will be held throughout 2021, travelling to iconic western sports venues and locales throughout Australia that have impacted and help shape the western lifestyle in the nation.

PBR Australia’s Monster Energy Tour regularly features the nation’s best riders squaring off against the rankest bucking bulls from across Australia. Fans will witness exhilarating 8-second rides and wrecks throughout the action-packed event as the PBR’s courageous bull-riding athletes attempt to conquer their 900-kilogram opponents.

The PBR Emerald Invitational, presented by Kent Hire, will abide by a series of health standards and protocols guided by the Queensland state government industry framework for safe events during COVID-19 (coronavirus).

The league last travelled to Emerald in 2015, marking the second consecutive event in the Queensland City after PBR debuted in the Central Highlands in 2014. Past PBR Emerald Invitational winners include: 2016 PBR Australia Champion Cody Heffernan (2015 – Singleton, New South Wales) and seven-time PBR World Finals qualifier Lachlan Richardson (2014 – Gresford, New South Wales).

PBR’s return to Emerald comes on the spurs of one of the most fiercely contended races for the Australian Championship in PBR history witnessed in 2020.

After a back-and-forth slugfest throughout the campaign, Aaron Kleier (Clermont, Queensland) edged Richardson by a mere 58 points to clinch his historic third consecutive PBR Australia Championship.

Seeking history in 2021, should Kleier win the national title a historic fourth consecutive time he would also tie David Kennedy (Kyogle, New South Wales) for most Australian national titles won by one rider in league history. Kennedy topped the national standings in 2009-2010, 2012 and 2014.

With seven events already complete thus far, Kleier has put himself in a strong position to further etch his name in the league record books, currently No. 1 in the 2021 national standings.

Kleier notably won the season-launch event in Rockhampton via a 2-for-2 showing, including the first 90-point ride of the season, marked 90.5 points on Black Tuxedo (Peter Wallace) to cement the victory.

In late July, the Queensland sensation was back atop the leaderboard in Rockhampton, winning his second event of the year when the tour travelled to the city for the fourth time in 2021.

Macaulie Leather (Calliope, Queensland), who is also the top-ranked Rookie of the Year contender, put the Australian bull riding world on notice when he made his league debut in May at the Rockhampton Invitational.

After finishing fourth at the season-launch event, Leather captured his career-first victory at the second event of the year, also held in Rockhampton.

While Leather briefly held the No. 1 ranking in the nation, the 20-year-old is now second to Kleier by a mere 82.33 points.

In addition to Kleier, Richardson and Leather, other top-ranked Australian sensations who are anticipated to compete in Emerald include: 2020 PBR Australia Grand Finals winner Brady Fielder (Clermont, Queensland), seven-time PBR Australia event winner Kurt Shephard (Mareeba, Queensland) and current Top-5 ranked Lawson Nobbs (Moura, Queensland).  

The bull riding action for the 2021 PBR Emerald Invitational, presented by Kent Hire, begins at 7:00 p.m. AEST on Saturday, October 30 at Emerald Showgrounds Rodeo Arena. After all competing riders attempt one bull each in Round 1, the Top 10 will then advance to the championship round for one more out and a chance at the event title. In addition to competing for points towards the Australian national standings, riders will also vie for crucial points towards the World Finals Nov. 3-7 in Las Vegas.

Tickets for the PBR Australia Monster Energy Tour’s Emerald Invitational, presented by Kent Hire, are on sale now for $40, taxes and fees not included, and can be purchased at 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 COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.