What’s happening?
Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Australia announced that Tamworth cowboy Lachlan Slade secured the Caboolture Invitational buckle.
The event was held at a sold-out Queensland State Equestrian Centre Arena on Saturday night, August 30. Slade finished with an aggregate score of 87.50, earning his first win of 2025 and his fifth career buckle. His victory elevated him to 17th in the national rankings.
Close behind was Clint Glass of Willow Tree, NSW, who posted 87.00 points, while New Zealand’s Rylee Ward secured third place with 84.00 points.
Why it matters
Despite the shake-up in Caboolture, the national standings remain unchanged. North Queensland’s Kurt Shephard continues to hold the top position, making him the man to beat as the countdown to the PBR Australia Grand Finals in Townsville on October 31 and November 1 intensifies.
Local impact
The Caboolture event featured not only 31 open riders but also 60 juniors from across Australia, showcasing the sport’s future. Families, siblings, and local competitors rode side by side, turning the arena into a celebration of rodeo tradition.
By the numbers
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31 riders battled for the Caboolture Invitational buckle.
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60 juniors from Queensland, New South Wales, and beyond competed across Pee Wees, Minis, and Rising Stars.
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Sonny Heffernan, 11, from Singleton became the first PBR Can-Am Junior Academy rider to reach 50 career rides.
Zoom In
The juniors left a lasting impression. Caboolture’s Bella Brinner, aged 11, earned cheers as the only female Junior Bull Rider in the field. Kassedy “Rooster” Carlon, 13, from Bundarra, NSW, claimed the Senior Mini Bull buckle and celebrated with a dirt-kicking dance that lit up the arena.
From open rider Ben Bode supporting his nine-year-old brother Tom in the chutes, to the Hall, Lowe, Thomas, Geran, Walker, Wieland, Berry, Everingham, Merrell, and Duggin families, bull riding bloodlines were clear throughout the competition.
Zoom Out
On the bulls’ side, Nirvana (Dittmann Bucking Bulls) and Twist & Shout (Dunne Bucking Bulls) tied for Highest Scoring Bull, both marked 43.50 points in the Championship Round. The notorious Alpha Blokes Warden (MJ/Keliher Bucking Bulls) continued his unridden streak, bucking off Brazilian rider Luan Crystian Camara in just 1.5 seconds.
What to look for next
PBR Australia’s Monster Energy Tour now moves through Hawkesbury, Orange, Nowra, Mackay, and Kilkivan, before arriving at the season’s climax: the Grand Finals in Townsville on October 31 and November 1 at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre.
PBR Australia Presents: PBR | Monster Energy Tour Orange Invitational
Sep 20 7PM
Wade Park, Orange, NSW
PBR Australia Presents: PBR Monster Energy Tour Nowra Invitational
Sep 27 7:00 PM
Nowra, NSW – Nowra Showgrounds
PBR Australia Presents: PBR Monster Energy Tour Mackay Invitational
Oct 3 7:30 PM and Oct 4 7:00 PM
Mackay, QLD – BB Print Stadium
PBR Australia Presents: Touring Pro Division – PBR Kilkivan
Oct 11 7:00 PM
Kilkivan, QLD
PBR Australia Presents: PBR Monster Energy Tour Tamworth Iron Cowboy
Oct 24 7:30 PM and Oct 25 7:00 PM
Tamworth, NSW – AELEC Arena
PBR Australia Presents: PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals
Oct 31 7:30 PM and Nov 1 7:30 PM
Townsville, QLD – Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre
