PBR Australia News

Back to All News

THE GREATEST BULL RIDE IN AUSTRALIA RETURNS TO TOWNSVILLE

04/20/2011

THE GREATEST BULL RIDE IN AUSTRALIA RETURNS TO TOWNSVILLE

One of the greatest bull riding events on Australia’s bull riding calendar, the USA’s Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Troy Dunn Invitational returns to Townsville on Saturday June 25th, bringing with it all the action, danger and fanfare of the toughest sport on dirt.

This year the event has been reduced to a one night competition inside the Townsville Entertainment Centre and will be round three of a five-week, five-event, International bull riding Cup Series that also features events at the Sydney Acer Arena, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Newcastle Entertainment Centre and Melbourne Hisense Arena, boasting a total prize-money payout of over $200 000.

2011’s Australian PBR Cup Series is going to be fierce with only 14 of Australia’s highest ranked bull riders in the world standings eligible to compete alongside eight international riders representing the USA, Canada, Mexico and Brazil.  The elite team of riders will all ride twice in the new competition format with the top eight proceeding to the championship round where they will face off against eight of Queensland’s toughest bulls, which are being hand-picked by Australia’s only ever PBR World Champion, and PBR Australia President, Troy Dunn.

“We’re really excited to be bringing this event back to Townsville,” said Dunn.  “The people of the Townsville region deliver one of the best bull riding atmospheres I have ever experienced and we expect to see a capacity crowd for the one-night event this year.”

“Not only will we bring the best bull riders in the world and the best bucking stock in this State to Townsville, we will also put together a great night’s entertainment for sports fans of all ages,” said Dunn.

Several of Australia’s US-based Aussie riders will also return home for a crack at what is considered one of the most prestigious titles a bull rider can win.  Dunn is considered one of the sports all time greats and to win the event which carries his name is a goal among many of the bull riders from around the world.

Leading the charge for the Australians is Goulburn’s (NSW) Ben Jones, who has been in devastating form and is a true contender for the 2011 World Title, which happens in the US in October.  Jones will be joined by fellow in-form Aussies’ Brendon Clark, Pete & Jared Farley and Jason O’Hearn who, between them, have accumulated over $2 million in prize-money on the PBR World Tour.

Local contenders, Budd Williamson from Ayr (QLD) is back in the US competing and trying to secure one of the 14 Australian positions, whilst Charters Towers-based (QLD) Jock Connolly secured his on the weekend just gone (April 16) with his dominating form at Julia Creek.  

This year will also see a number of new and past international riders return to contest Troy’s event.  Canadian Champion, Zane Lambert has just recently been confirmed, as has the Mexican sensation, Francisco Morales and, PBR Iron Man and past Troy Dunn Invitational winner, Luke Snyder.

Before any of these pro bull riders can lay claim to a piece of the $40 000 Townsville prize money, they’ll have to first overcome a pen of the rankest bulls ever assembled for this event.  Richmond-based (QLD) bull breeder and former Australian Bull Riding Champion, Darren Brandenburg has been developing a sensational pen of bulls over the last two years and a number of his bulls will be making their debut in 2011.

Another monster bovine marching toward a possible 2011 PBR Australia Champion Buckle is the big white Queensland bruiser That’s Gold, owned by father and son team, Trevor and Tony Dunne.  That’s Gold was voted best bucking bull for both the Townsville and Brisbane events in 2010.

With the nation’s fiercest beats and the world’s toughest athletes combined with rock concert-style music, lighting and pyrotechnics, big screens, instant replays and wall to wall excitement of a USA PBR Show, the 2011 PBR Troy Dunn Invitational Cup Series is one event you will not want to miss.

Tickets for the general public start at just $20 and can be purchased by calling
(07) 4771 4000 direct for the Townsville Entertainment Centre Box Office.