What’s Happening?
Australia’s best bull riders are heading to Mackay this weekend for two huge nights of bucking action as the PBR Monster Energy Tour Mackay Invitational takes over BB Print Stadium on Friday, October 3, and Saturday, October 4.
The event will also feature one of the country’s top music stars, James Johnston, who will perform on Saturday night. The Golden Guitar winner and ARIA-nominated artist, known for hits like “Raised Like That,” is set to bring his anthems to Mackay.
This comes after a sold-out event in Nowra where Thomas Hudson from Dungog took his first career PBR Australia win. Queenslander Nash Mellers of Gracemere finished second, while Athol’s Zane Hall and Brazil’s Alison Aguiar tied for third.
Why It Matters
The race for Australia’s greatest bull riding buckle is heating up, with every ride now crucial ahead of the 2025 PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals in Townsville on October 31 and November 1.
PBR Australia General Manager Glen Young said, “We are at the business end of the 2025 competition, and every ride matters. Anything could happen over the next few weeks, making the Grand Finals in Townsville set to be the ultimate bull riding showdown.”
Local Impact
Mackay will host two nights of world-class bull riding action, showcasing elite riders from across Australia and overseas. The addition of James Johnston on Saturday night brings a major live music performance to the sugar city.
By the Numbers
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Mareeba cowboy Kurt Shephard leads the national standings with 1,876.33 points.
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Brazil’s Luan Crystian Camara holds second place on 1,588.50 points.
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Willow Tree rider Clint Glass sits in third with 953 points.
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Queensland’s Zane Hall now ranks fourth on 890.33 points.
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Brazil’s Alison Aguiar moved into fifth after Nowra with 851 points.
Zoom In
Thomas Hudson claimed the Nowra victory with an 85.00 score on Checkmate of Morgys Cattle Company in Round 1. The result pushed him to #21 in the standings and close to Grand Final qualification.
Other results in Nowra included Nash Mellers scoring 84.00 on Hillbilly Bandit. Zane Hall scored 83.50 aboard Jungle Full of Hillbillys, and Alison Aguiar also posted 83.50 on Night Train.
Junior riders also impressed, with nine-year-old Jasper Wieland from Gympie winning the Pee Wee Division with 69 points on Lady Bug. Rockhampton’s 12-year-old Wylie Roots claimed the Junior Division with 67 points on MJ. Cody Searle from Willow Tree won the Senior Mini with 73.5 points on Say When, and Boonah rider Noah Dingle took the Rising Star buckle with 75 points on Scared Money.
Zoom Out
The Mackay Invitational is part of the countdown to the PBR Australia Grand Finals in Townsville. Following Mackay, the action continues at Kilkivan on October 11 before the season-defining showdown at the end of the month.
What to Look For Next
After Mackay, the PBR circuit moves to Kilkivan on Saturday, October 11, before the Grand Finals in Townsville on October 31 and November 1.
