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NEW ZEALANDER ON TOP IN HUGHENDEN

09/12/2012

NEW ZEALANDER ON TOP IN HUGHENDEN

(September 10, 2012) – A large crowd converged on the Hughenden Racecourse for the Southern Cross Austereo Hughenden Bull Ride sanctioned by Professional Bull Riders (PBR) on Saturday night witnessing a great night of bull riding action and entertainment.  It would come down to the final bull of the night for the overall event winner Fraser Babbington to claim the title for the second year in a row. 

The New Zealander was confident going into this year’s event after claiming the title in Hughenden in 2011.  “This place is lucky for me and I’m looking forward to riding well again this year” said the 25 year old Babbington. 

The event started off with the bulls stamping their dominance with only one ride in the first section.  The tide was turning in the favour of the bull riders in the second section with Ian Molan from Cork Ireland recording an 86 point ride on Comancheros along with Troy Wilkinson from the Upper Horton in New South Wales amongst the high point rides of the section with 85 points on a new unnamed bull from the Brandenburg pen.

By the third section it was all about high marked rides.  Three time Australian Champion Dave Kennedy started the scoring with 85.5 points on Matador, followed by Dave Mason from Bulahdelah in NSW with 87 points on the unridden Urban Hippie and Jesse Van Nek from Rockhampton with 86.5 points on Black Venom. 

Western Queensland’s Grant Wells recorded at 85.5 point score on Boom Box and Babbington would close out the round with the highest mark ride of the round 88.5 points on Baillie’s Speed Dial.

A tradition at the Hughenden event each year is the Calcutta.  With the 2011 Hughenden Champion and current event leader Fraser Babbington in the number one position making him hot property in the bidding war, $1700 was the price paid and the pressure was on Babbington to perform.

Clint Glass from Attunga NSW was making his debut on the PBR tour and found himself in the Championship Round and up against Evil Eyes; he wasn’t fazed and recorded an 85 point ride.  Cliff Richardson after winning the PBR event in Yeppoon last weekend wanted to make it two for two and recorded an awesome ride on electric bull Arachnophobia.  Troy Wilkinson scored 88 points on Prison Break.

Kennedy, competing at his final event before he leaves for the USA to take up his position on the Built Ford Tough Tour showed why he leads with an 87.5 point score on Napolian Dynamite. 

This would be the final event for the Champion Bull Wild Thing, after playing a tribute to him earlier it was now down to the bull to record one more win before he retired.  The Irishman Molan wasn’t able to let him finish easily and put up a gallant effort but was unsuccessful and was injured in the encounter, having to be escorted from the arena.  Farewell Wild Thing you will be missed on our tour.

The scene was set, the defending Champion Fraser Babbington up against the bull he won the event on last year, Trigger.  When the gate cracked it was on, Babbington matched him move for move and was there for the eight.  The crowd erupted when the 90 points was announced.

Babbington was elated with his win and moves into third place in the championship standings race. 

The PBR Tour heads north for its debut in the Innisfail for the XXXX Gold PBR Touring Pro this Saturday night.  Tickets available at pbraustralia.com or from the Brothers Leagues Club, Innisfail.

 2012 Hughenden Creek Results:

1^st Fraser Babbington, Gisborne NZ        178.5 points

2/3^rd Dave Kennedy, Kyogle NSW           173 points

2/3^rd Troy Wilkinson, Upper Horton NSW            173 points 

4^th Cliff Richardson, Gresford NSW         171 points

5^th Clint Glass, Attunga NSW                    167.5

2012 PBR Australia Championship Standings

1^st Cliff Richardson, Gresford NSW         1016.5points

2^nd Dave Kennedy, Kyogle NSW                804   points

3^rd Fraser Babbington, Gisborne NZ          763   points

4^th Troy Wilkinson, Upper Horton NSW     737   points

5^th Jesse Van Nek, Rockhampton Qld       551   points

For more information about Professional Bull Riders Australia call Jackie Dunn at 07 4945 4450 or by email at Jackie@pbraustralia.com.

Next Event:

XXXX Gold PBR Touring Pro, Innisfail Qld

Brothers Leagues Club, Callendar Park, Innisfail

Gates Open 5.30pm, starts at 7.30pm

Tickets available at www.pbraustralia.com or Brothers Leagues Club.