With the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Canada’s Touring Pro Division (TPD) making its inaugural stop in Yorkton at the Grain Millers Harvest Showdown plans are being finalized.
“We thought we’d get into town and give the community a little sneak peek,” said Jason Davidson, Director of Operations for PBR Canada who was in the city last week. He said it should be a great event for the city as “it’s new to the community.”
Canadian bull rider Aaron Roy, who sits 12th in PBR Canada standings, was also in the city. He said it’s always good to bring the PBR to a new audience.
“It’s always exciting especially when it’s somewhere you’ve never been before,” he said.
Davidson said the line-up of riders should be a great one for the Yorkton show as the event slots in just before the Canadian championship so there will be some participants fighting for points headed to the final.
The Yorkton event also counts toward 2019 points for the PBR, so riders will be after points to get their new season off to a good start.
“There will be 25 riders for sure,” said Davidson, adding “There’s going to be 10 guys in the 21 to 30 spots in the standings that a win here will put them over the top.”
Among the riders who could be in Yorkton are long time pro Zane Lambert of Ponoka, AB., Justin Lloyd from Tisdale, SK., and rookie Stetson Wright of Okotoks, AB.
Roy said the Yorkton event can generate momentum for riders.
With the event two weeks before the championship riders will want to be hot headed to the final, he said.
Also on the minds of riders will be a spot on Team Canada for the Global Cup. The third annual event will be in Arlington, TX., pitting teams from the five best bull riding nations against each other in a team event.
Roy, a three-time Canadian Champion returns to lead Team Canada. Returning to compete alongside Roy for the third consecutive edition of the global event are his first two picks, Dakota Buttar and Tanner Byrne.
But spots are still to be decided and Roy said it means a lot to riders to be part of the team.
“It’s everything. You’re representing your country. It’s not just bull riding anymore. You’re riding for your team not just yourself,” he said.
