SINCE the inception of the Coleman Stock Feeds Professional Bull Riders (PBR) New Year’s Eve event three years ago, the event has positioned itself as one of the most anticipated regional events on PBR’s National Tour.
2014 has been one of our most successful PBR Seasons ever said PBR General Manager, Glen Young. Crowd numbers are on the rise and the calibre of bull and rider is getting better each season as a new generation of bull riders enter the PBR Tour.
“Come the Charters Towers event at Dalrymple Equestrian Centre on New Year’s Eve, PBR fans will have the opportunity to witness what we consider are the most accomplished bull riders in the nation going head to head with a hand-picked selection of the state’s toughest bulls,” Mr Young said.
The event will play a crucial role in the race for the 2015 Australian Title with a number of riders battling it out for top ranking positions.
Normally the race is between two to three riders, however at this stage of the tour there is anyone of six riders in contention with New Zealand bull riding Champion, Fraser Babbington holding down a narrow lead over 2014 Troy Dunn Invitational Champion, Dave Mason from NSW.
Also in contention are four-time Australian Champion, Dave Kennedy, three-time World Champion, Silvano Alves and Proserpine-based, Roy Dunn.
A win in Charters Towers on New Year’s Eve could either see Babbington extend his lead or lose it to one of his challengers, then again it could also see a new challenger enter the mix of front runners.
Mr Young said even though Babbington started the new season in sensational form, the most recent Cup Series events back in November has catapulted Dave Mason into the number two position after winning not only the Troy Dunn Invitational but also the Tamworth Invitational the following weekend.
“Come New Year’s Eve in the Towers everyone will be anticipating to see how the front runners finish, yet in PBR Events every one of the 40 riders have the ability to deliver the event win and it will all come down to not only who can draw the best bull but also make two high scoring rides to win the event average,” he said.
With the valuable international points on offer, the event will draw a full field of riders including the leading Australian world ranked rider, Lachlan Richardson who could easily cause an upset in the New Year’s Eve Event.
PBR events maybe man against beast, however they are produced in a way that makes the events both interesting to watch as well as educating. The Mega Replay screen takes audiences behind the scenes while riders are preparing and then deliver slow motion replays of each and every ride as well as the latest bull riding clips that showcase PBR events globally.
Charters Towers PBR is as an important event to riders as the televised Cup Series events such as the Troy Dunn Invitational in Townsville. Being internationally sanctioned it allows riders to not only compete for national rankings, but also international ranking as well, a pathway that only the PBR offers world-wide.
In addition to this and being on New Year’s Eve, the Towers event is a great social get together delivering a major signature event to Charters Towers, which in turn generates a positive economic impact to the region.
“When planning our tour locations we always look for locations that not only has a great venue, but also where communities get behind the tour stops, something Charters Towers does very well.
“The other thing we look for is placing events where there is an opportunity to furnish young rising talent.
“Former Charters Towers bull rider, Jock Connolly has achieved a lot in our sport and is another reason why this event was established; however now that he has retired it is time to try and surface another young local talent.”
Gates open at 5.30pm, with the main event commencing at 7.30pm and live entertainment will bring in the New Year.
“This year we will also be offering a heavily discounted family ticket price for the Charters Towers locals where between the period of December 8 through to the December 13 they can go into W.Titley & Co and purchase a family pass (two adults and two children) for just $50, normally $90.”
Tickets are now on sale via W.Titley & Co at W. Titley & Co at 248 Gill Street or online at www.pbraustralia.com.au.