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THE MT ISA SHOWDOWN

06/25/2012

THE MT ISA SHOWDOWN

The last qualifying event for the 2011/2012 Season turned out to be one of the toughest competitions of the season as PBR bull riders from around the nation braved the cool conditions to deliver the western Queensland town of Mt Isa pro bull riding at its best.

Staged in-conjunction with the annual Mt Isa Show in a world class venue at Buchanan Park, the 2 night PBR competition combined with the show helped deliver a record breaking attendance and an action packed event that seen Kyogle cowboy, Dave Kennedy endure 6 bulls to be crowned the inaugural PBR Mt Isa Champion.

In the first night of competition, 18 riders had successfully  made the whistle with one of Kennedy’s main challengers, Chris Lowe leading the event with an 87.5 score aboard Brandenburg’s “Arachnophobia”. Dave Kennedy (Howdy Cloud), Jason Mara (AJ) & Jock Connolly (Big Brian) split 2/3/4 with 86.5 followed by Cody Teece (Boom Box) with an 86 point score.

With so many cowboys in form it would be anyone’s race going into the Saturday night competition. Charters Towers and current PBR Australian Champion, Jock Connolly mastered the massive white bull AJ for an 87.5 point score, followed by Troy Wilkinson with an 87 aboard Kung Fu Juice and Jason Mara with an 86.5 aboard Sucker Punch. Kennedy also remained consistent with an 84 point score aboard Comanchero setting up an exciting Championship Round show down.

The Championship Round would see the likes of Kennedy the season leader, his main challengers Lachlan Richardson, Chris Lowe and Jock Connolly all qualified, along with Jason Mara who needed to do well in Mt Isa to secure his position in the upcoming Cup Series Events.

50% of the bulls would be ridden in this round showing the hunger, determination and importance of these riders to do well in this competition. Lowe marked an 86 point score on Jabbawockeez with Richardson equaling this score aboard Brandenburg’s bull, Big Brian. Mara also made the whistle and was offered a re-ride; however he was stepped on after dismounting the bull forcing him to take the score. Kennedy on the other hand was matched up against Bomber Bailey’s notorious bull Wild Thing, a bull in which he had conquered 2 times previously before this match up and on the night would make it a third scoring 86.5 points for his efforts winning the round and the overall competition.

At the conclusion of the event, Kennedy continues to have a strong hold on the number one ranking, with Lachlan Richardson finishing second and Chris Lowe 4th, they are still within striking distance going into the Cup Series events. Mara on the other hand finished 3rd and has now secured his qualifying position.

It is now officially Cup Series time and for those who have qualified it is a whole new ball game as they prepare to take on the nation’s best bulls and 8 of the best International riders for over $80 000 in prize-money.

With the way these cowboys have been riding, this Cup Series is shaping up to be one of the best yet as Kennedy strives to become the first man to win 3 Australian PBR Titles and an automatic selection into the 2012 PBR World Finals.

2012 Mount Isa Results:
1st David Kennedy, Kyogle NSW        255 points
2nd Lachlan Richardson, Gresford, NSW    248 points
3rd Jason Mara, Rockhampton Qld        247 points
4th Chris Lowe, Uralla NSW            173.5 points
5th Cody Teece, Atherton Qld            170 points

2012 PBR Australia Championship Standings
1st David Kennedy, Kyogle NSW        4877 points
2nd Lachlan Richardson, Gresford NSW    3416.5 points
3rd Chris Lowe, Uralla NSW            3270.5 points
4th Jock Connolly, Charters Towers Qld    3052 points
5th Fraser Babbington, Gisborne NZ        2384.5 points

Upcoming Events :

PBR Australian Cup Series – Newcastle Entertainment Centre 7th July
PBR Australian Cup Series – Brisbane Entertainment Centre 14th July
PBR Australian National Finals – Allphones Arena, Sydney 21st July