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Territory Bull Rider takes out season opener in Cooyar

02/22/2011

Territory Bull Rider takes out season opener in Cooyar

(Feb 21, 2011) - Northern Territory bull rider Sam Larsen who now makes his home in Mundubbera Queensland upstaged a high-class field of Australia’s top cowboys to claim victory in Saturday night’s Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Challenger Series Cooyar.

A crowd of almost 2000 fans packed Cooyar Show Grounds to watch the three-hour bull-riding extravaganza. With favourites Brett Hanrahan, Matt Postle, Troy Wilkinson and Chris Lowe failing to fire, Sam Larsen took full advantage with a pair of gritty qualified rides.

In the long round 23-year-old Larsen went the distance on Baillie Rodeo Company’s black bull Night Life. The 80.5 point score was good enough to get Sam Larsen into the championship round and within striking distance of his first ever PBR victory.

When Larsen climbed aboard George Ayres bull Smack Down in the championship round, the event leader board had him in seventh place. The big red bull bucked hard and spun both ways but was unable to rid himself of Larsen.   When the eight-second hooter sounded Larsen had ridden the massive beast and shot to the lead. With the remaining riders unable to cover their bulls, Larsen pocketed the winner’s cheque and the early season lead in the 2011 PBR Australia Championship Standings.

“I am so pleased to finally get my first PBR event win.  Having talked with Troy Dunn (1998 PBR World Champion and PBR Australia President) about my bull riding and having plenty of time to think about things in the off season, I’ve come back feeling fresh and with a new attitude.  I had all my ducks in a row tonight and I’m so happy with the way it has turned out,” ecstatic Larsen said of his Cooyar victory.

Jim Rowsell from Goondiwindi, Queensland grabbed second place at the PBR Challenger Series Cooyar, with a score of 87 points in the long round.  Rowsell, who mid way through the 2010 season was unstoppable taking out the PBR World Challenge event at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, put together a great ride on Baillie Rodeo Company’s True Blood. The podium finish was especially sweet for Rowsell as he struggled for consistency in the later part of the 2010 season and this will put him in a great position to qualify for the 2011 PBR Australian Cup Series.

The excitement machine that is the Professional Bull Riders Challenger Series now heads south to Marrabel South Australia on Saturday, February 26 for stop number two on the tour. With Australia’s rankest beasts, toughest sportsmen and the edge-of-your-seat excitement of a PBR event, the Aldinga Home Improvements PBR Challenger Series Marrabel SA is one bull-ride not to be missed. This is the PBR – toughest sport on dirt.

PBR Challenger Series Cooyar Results:
1. Sam Larsen Mundubbera, Qld 168.0 points
2. Jim Rowsell Goondiwindi, Qld 87.0 points
3. Mitchell Paton Nebo,Qld 84.0 points
4/5. Beau Willis Bowen, Qld 83.5 points
4/5. Mick Ford Orange, NSW 83.5 points

PBR Australia Season Standings:
1. Sam Larsen Mundubbera, Qld 503.0 points
2. Jim Rowsell Goondiwindi, Qld 367.0 points
3. Mitchell Paton Nebo, Qld 334.0 points
4/5. Beau Willis Bowen, Qld 288.5 points
4/5. Mick Ford Orange, NSW 288.5 points

PBR Challenger Series Marrabel
Marrabel Rodeo Grounds
Saturday, February 26th
Gates open from 3pm. Bull Riding action from 7.30pm
Live band ‘Barking Ants’ entertaining till late
Tickets available at the gate
Adults $20, aged concession $15, children 12-17 years $10, family $50, children under 12 free