What’s Happening?
Townsville will host the Professional Bull Riders Australia Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals on 13 and 14 November. The title race tightened after Athol cowboy Zane Hall won the two-night Hawkesbury Invitational with a perfect performance. Hall returned to second behind reigning Australian champion Kurt Shephard of Mareeba, placing two Queenslanders at the front.
Why It Matters
Hall’s victory reduced Shephard’s advantage and increased the importance of the remaining tour events. Brazil’s Keny Roger de Oliveira remains third, keeping three riders firmly involved in the national title race. The Australian champion will be crowned during the two-night Grand Finals in Townsville.
Local Impact
Queensland riders hold three positions inside the national top four. Shephard leads for Mareeba, Hall represents Athol, and Miriam Vale’s Ethan Coster sits fourth. Rockhampton’s Caiden Sandilands also performed strongly at Hawkesbury, while Miriam Vale’s Rex Walker won the Rising Stars division. These results give the Townsville Grand Finals a clear Queensland connection.
By The Numbers
- Hall secured a 243.80-point aggregate after completing all three rides at Hawkesbury.
- The victory was Hall’s fifth of 2026 and added 276 PBR Australia points to his season tally.
- Sky High from Morgys Cattle Company earned Bull of the Weekend honours with 43.10 points.
Zoom In
Hall built his Hawkesbury victory across three rounds, improving his score after the opening ride.
- Round one – Hall scored 73.20 aboard Gone Rogue and kept the score after declining a reride.
- Saturday night – He recorded 85.50 points aboard Asmodeus.
- Championship Round – Hall earned 85.10 aboard MSG Locating Filthy Rich to secure the event title.
Walcha’s Tyson Smith finished runner-up with a 171.50-point aggregate, led by the weekend’s highest-scoring ride. He scored 86.90 aboard Candy Paint in the Championship Round, while the bull received 43.00 points. Smith stayed aboard until the whistle and edged Brazil’s Keny Roger de Oliveira. De Oliveira placed third on 170.70 after earning 86.80 aboard BJ.
Willow Tree’s Clint Glass finished fourth, while Shephard placed fifth overall. However, Shephard had already claimed the Friday Night Bonus and $5,000 with 85 points aboard Uppercut. Tyson Smith followed with 84.60, ahead of Sandilands on 83.80 and Oberon’s Jack Rowlandson on 83.40.
New South Wales riders won three of the four Can-Am Junior Academy divisions.
- Pee Wee – Singleton’s Clay Thomas won with 66.00 points aboard Jerry.
- Juniors – Barraba’s Noah Lowe recorded 71.30 points aboard Alcatraz.
- Senior – Kootingal’s Colby Clark scored 75.20 points aboard Toolio.
- Rising Stars – Miriam Vale’s Rex Walker secured Queensland’s win with 78.80 points aboard Done Deal.
Zoom Out
Hall’s victory narrowed the national standings before the Grand Finals in Townsville.
Shephard’s lead over Hall is now 111 points, while de Oliveira remains third with 1,849 points. Queensland occupies three of the first four positions as the competition continues towards Townsville.
What To Look For Next?
The Monster Energy Tour has four scheduled stops before the Grand Finals in Townsville.
- Saturday, 12 September – The Coffs Harbour Invitational will be held at Coffs Harbour Showground in New South Wales.
- Saturday, 19 September – The Orange Invitational will take place at Wade Park in Orange, New South Wales.
- Friday, 16 October to Saturday, 17 October – The Mackay Invitational will run at BB Print Stadium in South Mackay.
- Saturday, 24 October – The Tamworth Iron Cowboy Invitational will be held at the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre.
- Friday, 13 November to Saturday, 14 November – Townsville will host the Grand Finals at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre. Both sessions begin at 7:30 pm.
Tickets and event updates are available through the official PBR Australia schedule.
