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Kyogle Cowboy Creates History with Back-to-Back PBR Australia Titles

11/29/2010

2010 PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDERS NATIONAL FINALS
TAMWORTH, NSW
NOVEMBER 26 & 27, 2010
 

Kyogle Cowboy Creates History with Back-to-Back PBR Australia Titles

David Kennedy from Kyogle, NSW created history at the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) National Finals in Tamworth tonight, becoming the first man ever to win consecutive PBR Australia titles.

As a capacity crowd of 4000 excited spectators cheered on in awe, Kennedy capped off a supremely consistent season, taking home the coveted champion’s buckle and $5000 cash bonus. With his pregnant wife (due to give birth today) watching on in the stands, Kennedy wrapped up the championship with a commanding ride on Baillie Rodeo Company’s Super Fly.
 

“This means the world to me,” 26-year-old Kennedy explained. “It’s been a great year, representing Australia in the PBR World Cup, riding in the PBR finals in Las Vegas and now winning my second Australian title. It’s been a great experience for me.”

The 2010 PBR Australia National Finals has been held over the past two nights at Tamworth’s Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre, with Australia’s top 25 bull riders taking on a selection of elite international riders from the US and of course a pen of the rankest bucking bulls this nation has ever assembled.

Titanium tough Luke Snyder from Missouri, USA took the honours on this second night of competition, with two typically gritty rides. Snyder, making his twelfth trip down under put together the equal highest marked ride of the night on JP Gill and Sons’ Buck Owens.

The 2010 PBR National Finals event champion was Ben Jones from Goulburn, NSW. Although Jones bucked off the only bull he attempted tonight, he had last night set up what turned out to be an unassailable lead of 174.5 points. The event victory was the icing on the cake for Jones, who has had the most successful year of his bull riding career – earning more than $120,000 in prize money.

"This is one of the biggest highs of my life,” exclaimed an emotional Jones. “It’s been a great year, riding in the US with my mate Jason O’Hearn and next year we’re going to give that world championship a real shake.”

Also awarded tonight were prize buckles for 2010 PBR Australia Champion Bucking Bull, Champion Rookie Bull, Rookie Bull Rider and Bull Fighter. The buckle and $5000 cash bonus for the 2010 PBR Australia Champion Bucking Bull went to George Hempenstall’s dynamic bovine Lab Rat. A consistent performer throughout 2010, Lab Rat made short work of Saras Ramsay in the championship round, to seal his victory.

“I feel so proud of this bull,” said stock contractor George Hempenstall from Yass, NSW. “I came here expecting nothing and am just over the moon to win this.”

And how does Lab Rat celebrate his win? “On Tuesday he goes out with the cows for six weeks,” laughed Hempenstall.

2010 PBR National Finals Results:
1. Ben Jones Goulburn, NSW 174.5 points
2. Luke Snyder Missouri, USA 171.5 points
3. Jason Mara Rockhampton, Qld 90.5 points
4/5. Rhys Angland Wagga Wagga, NSW 88.0 points
4/5. Jock Connolly Charters Towers, Qld 88.0 points

PBR Australia End of Season Standings:
1. David Kennedy Kyogle, NSW 4080.0 points
2. Chris Lowe Uralla, NSW 3256.0 points
3. Troy Wilkinson Upper Horton, NSW 2977.5 points
4. Jock Connolly Charters Towers, Qld 2619.0 points
5. Jim Rowsell Goondiwindi, Qld 2619.0 points

2010 PBR Australia Champion
David Kennedy – Kyogle, NSW

2010 PBR Australia Rookie Bull Riding Champion
Craig Postle – Mundubbera, Qld

2010 PBR Australia Champion Bull Fighter
Brendon Allen – Rockley, NSW

2010 PBR Australia Champion Bucking Bull
Lab Rat – George Hempenstall, Yass, NSW

2010 PBR Australia Rookie Bull Champion
Anzac – Dunne Bulls, Duaringa, Qld