“I’LL do whatever it takes, call me pig headed but I won’t let anything get in my way, “ PBR bull rider Jock Connolly told the North Queensland Register when talking about his quest to win a third Australian Championship.
This legend of both the Australian and international bull riding fraternity has been granted a wild card entry into this year’s Townsville PBR, November 17 after spending most of the season sidelined with a separated collar bone.
With his bio including a 91-point ride on Frank Biddle’s Blue Dog Toyland at PBR Marrabel 2011 this full-time bull rider from Charters Towers, loves nothing better than travelling the country and meeting great people.
He made his first ride at the Einasleigh Rodeo in 1998 where he won the Novice and came second in the Open bull ride. He spent eight years riding and in 2005 won his first Australian Championship Title, when the Professional Bull Riders formed in 2006, Connolly was one of the first to sign up and has been with the PBR since.
He recorded six top-10 finishes including 2nd at the Touring Pro Finals. In 2007 Jock was selected as part of a five man squad to represent Australia at the first ever PBR World Cup at the Gold Coast, Qld.
He had four top 10 finishes during the season including 1st in Townsville and 2nd at Julia Creek. 2008 was consistent for Connolly; he recorded 10 top five finishes; won Sarina, Qld and Singleton, NSW PBR events.
Jock travelled to Canada where he won the 2008 PBR Canadian Finals and represented Australia at the World Cup in Mexico.
In 2009 Connolly headed to the USA and Canada to compete, he moved back to Australia in August and finished the season with four top 10 finishes; including a win at the Bundaberg Rum Touring Pro in Rockhampton.
For the third consecutive year he was selected to represent Australia at the PBR World Cup in Brazil. 2010 was go hard or go home Jock put in a full season competing at every event on the tour, the commitment paid off he had seven top 10 finishes, finished 4th in the Australian standings and qualified for his 5th straight PBR Australian National Finals.
2011 was a very successful one Connolly claimed his second Australian title and was given the opportunity to compete at the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas, he rode his first round bull for 86.5 points and went on to ride his second round bull Jack Daniels After Party for 88.25 points. Jock finished the PBR World Finals in 15th position.
In the 2012 season Connolly won the New Year Eve Touring Pro event in his hometown in front of a sold out crowd. He had eight top 10 finishes including 1st at the Darwin Touring Pro where he was the only rider to make a qualified ride in the Championship Round.
He also qualified for his 6th straight PBR Australian National Finals and finished 3rd in the 2012 PBR Australia Championship Standings. With the 2013 season well underway Jock has committed himself to compete at every event this season, with his eyes on the prize Connolly will do whatever it takes to claim his third Australian Championship.
