The future of Australian bull riding shared the dirt with some of the sport’s biggest names last night as the PBR Australia Monster Energy Tour bucked into Caboolture, hot on the heels of last weekend’s sold-out Adelaide event.
A massive program saw 23 Open bull riders and 65 Can-Am Junior Academy competitors take to the arena, showcasing the PBR pathway from the young guns of the sport through to some of the best professional bull riders in Australia and the world.
And at the elite end, there was nothing separating Brazil’s Keny Roger de Oliveira and Proserpine Queenslander Ky Borghero, with the pair sharing Caboolture Invitational honours after both went a perfect 2-for-2 and finished locked together on 167.10 points.
Roger opened his night with 80.50 points aboard Battle Of The Roan before stepping it up with an 86.60-point ride on Mooseys Moto Moto. Borghero answered with 81.30 aboard Harley Boy before producing 85.80 points on Mr T to force the tie. Roger collected $5,100 for the night and Borghero $4,800.
For Borghero, it was a huge result on home-state dirt and another reminder of the depth of Queensland bull riding talent as the 2026 season enters its business end.
Willow Tree, NSW cowboy Clint Glass finished third and produced the biggest ride of the night, combining with Hancock from Dunne Bulls for a massive 87.40 points. Denman’s Luke Parkinson, who finished fourth after an 86.40-point ride on Roam Aviation Without Warning, while Brazilian Alison Aguiar rounded out the top five. Oberon’s Jack Rowlandson was sixth and Athol’s Zane Hall seventh.
The bulls had plenty to say too, with Stetson Nirvana from Dittmann Bucking Bulls earning Highest Marked Bull honours with 43.30 points, dispatching Tamworth cowboy Daniel Rogan in 4.74 seconds.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP RACE TIGHTENS
The result adds another fascinating chapter to the race for the 2026 Australian title. Reigning Australian Champion Kurt Shephard of Mareeba remains the man everyone is chasing on 1,993 points, but Roger’s Caboolture victory moves him to 1,707, with Athol’s Zane Hall breathing down his neck on 1,700.
Miriam Vale’s Ethan Coster sits fourth on 894, while Melbourne Invitational winner Sam Woodall of Heywood, Victoria rounds out the top five on 887.
And Caboolture proved just how unforgiving this sport can be: Shephard covered Dr Pepper for 81 points in Round 1 but was brought down by Alpha Blokes Warden in 3.85 seconds, while Coster and Woodall were both unable to record a qualified ride.
THE NEXT GENERATION CAME TO RIDE
Caboolture signalled the return of PBR Australia’s Can-Am Junior Academy, and the next generation certainly didn’t waste its opportunity.
Singleton’s Kaileb Hall claimed the Pee Wee division with a 58.60-point ride aboard Tar Pot, ahead of Gunnedah’s Bobby Berry on 56.90. In the Junior division, the buckle headed all the way to Far North Queensland, with Kowanyama’s Carl Jnr Douglas taking victory after scoring 64.70 points aboard Aftershock. Gunnedah’s Chase Berry was second on 63.60, Two Mile Flat’s Smiley Butler third on 61.80 and Queensland’s Linkyn Harrison of Goombungee fourth with 61.20.
The Senior division belonged to Bulga, NSW rider Darc Barber, whose 67.30-point ride aboard Black Belt secured the win ahead of Malanda Queenslander Jack Dredge on 64.70. Glendon Brook’s Nash Goddard finished third with 64.50 and Gympie’s Chase Wieland fourth on 64.10.
In the Rising Stars, Billy Fogg came out on top with a 67.30-point ride aboard Enforcer while the Challenger Series saw Trace Mellers of Gracemere in Queensland took the buckle with a score of 72.20ps, ahead of Kyle Sternbeck from Willow Tree in New South Wales.
There is little time for fans and rides to catch a breath, with the PBR Australia Monster Energy Tour heading to Hawkesbury next for two massive nights of bull riding action on September 4 and 5, as the race towards the November Grand Finals in Townsville continues.
Friday 4 – Saturday 5 September: PBR Monster Energy Tour: Hawkesbury Invitational
- Venue: Hawkesbury Showground, Clarendon, New South Wales
- Booking: PBR Hawkesbury Invitational Tickets
Saturday 12 September: PBR Monster Energy Tour: Coffs Harbour Invitational
- Venue: Coffs Harbour Showground, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales
- Booking: PBR Coffs Harbour Invitational Tickets
Saturday 19 September: PBR Monster Energy Tour: Orange Invitational
- Venue: Orange Showground, Orange, New South Wales
- Booking: PBR Orange Invitational Tickets
Friday 16 – Saturday 17 October: PBR Monster Energy Tour: Mackay Invitational
- Venue: Mackay Showgrounds, Mackay, Queensland
- Booking: PBR Mackay Invitational Tickets
Saturday 24 October: PBR Monster Energy Tour: Tamworth Iron Cowboy Invitational
- Venue: Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC), Tamworth, New South Wales
- Booking: PBR Tamworth Invitational Tickets
Friday 13 – Saturday 14 November: PBR Australia Grand Finals
- Venue: Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre, Townsville, Queensland
- Booking: PBR Australia Grand Finals Tickets
ABOUT PBR AUSTRALIA
Professional Bull Riders (PBR) is one of the fastest-growing sports properties in the world, with tours across the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. A subsidiary of TKO Group Holdings -which also owns UFC and WWE- has transformed bull riding into a premier international sport since its founding in 1992. The organisation features over 1,000 riders globally and hosts more than 200 events annually worldwide. In Australia, Professional Bull Riders Australia (PBRA) stages more than 20 events each year, attracting over 75,000 fans. PBRA showcases key events and tours such as the Monster Energy Tour, PBR Origin Series, and PBR Grand Finals, while also partnering with regional event organisers through the PBR Touring Pro Division. The organisation supports emerging talent through its Can-Am Junior Academy and serves as an international pathway to the United States circuit for both Junior and Open competition athletes.
