What’s happening?
Scone will host the opening event of the 2026 PBR Australia Monster Energy Tour this Saturday, 7 February.
The Scone Invitational launches the 2026 season following a record-breaking 2025, with a full field of senior riders and junior competitors confirmed.
The tour will return to Queensland later this year, with Mackay set to be a key stop on the Monster Energy Tour calendar.
The Monster Energy Tour Mackay Invitational will run on 16 and 17 October at BB Print Stadium.
Why it matters
The Scone event is the first chance for riders to secure points toward the Origin Series.
With only a limited number of qualifying rounds available, early results will shape the season.
The confirmed Mackay event reinforces regional Queensland as a major part of the national PBR circuit.
Local impact
Mackay will host two nights of top-tier bull riding in October.
The Mackay Invitational will bring elite riders and bulls to BB Print Stadium, adding a major sporting event to the local calendar.
It also gives regional fans direct access to national-level competition.
By the numbers
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35 riders will compete in Scone, marking one of the largest season openers to date.
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Nine events sit between Scone and the Origin Series qualification cut-off.
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Two nights of competition are scheduled for Mackay on 16 and 17 October.
Zoom in
Queensland’s 2025 Gold Buckle holder Kurt Shephard from Mareeba returns to defend his title.
He will be joined by fellow Queensland riders Ben Bode and Boston Leather from Calliope, Caiden Sandilands from Rockhampton, Donnie Rutherford from Mount Isa, Zane Hall from Athol, and Thomas Triplett from Bungundarra.
Rockhampton rider Jordan Iker also returns to the tour.
New South Wales riders competing in Scone include Clint Glass from Willow Tree, Charlie Bailey from Oberon, Thomas Hudson from Dungog, Lachlan Slade from Tamworth, and Tyson Smith from Walcha.
New Zealander Rylee Ward and Victorian-born Kelsey Pavlou return after strong 2025 seasons.
PBR Australia General Manager Glen Young said the season begins immediately in Scone.
“This weekend is the PBR Monster Energy Tour Scone Invitational, the first event of the Monster Energy Tour as the road to 2026 Grand Finals begins,” he said.
“There’s only nine opportunities between now and Origin to qualify for the hotly contested Origin series, so it’s game on from the very first buck in Scone.”
Zoom out
The Can-Am Junior Academy will also kick off in Scone.
Returning junior champions include 2025 Pee Wee Division winner Chase Berry from Gunnedah, Junior Division winner Nash Goddard from Glendon Brook, Senior Series buckle holder Chase Wieland from Gympie, and Rising Star winner Liam Birks from Tamworth.
Also returning are 2024 Pee Wee Mini Bull Champion Sonny Heffernan from Singleton and 2024 Junior Mini Bull Champion Kassedy Carlon from Bundarra and Armidale.
One rider to watch is 17-year-old Bailey Searle from Willow Tree, who recently competed at the ABCRA Finals and won six buckles across multiple junior titles.
“We’re incredibly proud of the talent coming out of PBR Australia,” Mr Young said.
“Through structured training and top-tier events, we provide athletes with the foundation to excel both at home and on the global stage.”
“The PBR Australia circuit plays a vital role as a pathway to the U.S. PBR circuit.”
What to look for next?
Following Scone, the Monster Energy Tour will continue across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
Queensland host cities include Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, Beaudesert, Toowoomba, Burnett Heads, Bloomsbury, and Caboolture.
Tickets are already on sale.
