2022 PBR Canada Champion Nick Tetz Makes 2024 Canadian Debut This Weekend in Lethbridge, Alberta

AIRDRIE, Alta. – The annual PBR Canada South Country Co-op Showdown, presented by VisitLethbridge.com, at ENMAX Centre, one of the most popular events on the PBR Canada Cup Series, will be the second of an 11-event schedule.

Nick Tetz won the event in 2023, a season that also featured him signing with the Arizona Ridge Riders in the PBR Teams league, as well as qualify for the PBR World Finals for the first time in individual competition.

“I think it was just a good way to start the year off for me,” Tetz said. “Red Deer didn’t go any good last year. To roll into Lethbridge, draw good bulls those first two rounds, I just needed to pick smart in the short round and the rest took care of itself.”

“Lethbridge is one of my favourite towns to ride in in Canada. All in all, I think I have won like $30,000 in that arena. It’s always good to show up somewhere where you feel confident.”

“I think it's that excitement of a new year, new beginnings and starting to work towards those goals you write down at the start of the year.”

Tetz says that while his successes at ENMAX Center create excitement, it's the production and fans that make the arena special.

“Everybody that works inside PBR Canada, they do such a good job in building the production there,” Tetz added. “Lethbridge is one of the biggest events of the PBR Canada Cup Series, between that and Saskatoon. Those are the most electric bull ridings. Everyone is always so fresh and ready to roll heading into it each year as well. And you got Brinson in there firing everyone up. It is just that crowd, it’s electric. Every single time.”

Tetz has spent his 2024 season to date battling injury.

He suffered an ankle injury before the chute even opened at the December Unleash The Beast event in Albany, New York, and has struggled ever since. Failing to convert on the premier series this season, he was cut from the top tour.

Now, with the ankle injury figured out, he is pushing to earn his spot back.

“First bull back, show up to Albany and I am feeling as good as a guy can feel,” Tetz explained. “Everything felt good. Just a freak accident in the bucking chute when I nodded and messed up my ankle. I think I came back a little early. It took a while to figure out how to brace the ankle. We got it figured out right now.”

“I have been getting on a lot of bulls down here. I have been staying at Colten Fritzlan’s. Being surrounded by winners helps. It’s just a setback. Everyone likes to see you fall, but it’s even better when you rise back up. Just going back to having fun riding bulls and not being worried about the cut. I think I got a little bit too worried about that stuff.”

Between PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity events, and the PBR Canada Cup Series which will give competitors opportunities to make it to PBR Unleash The Beast events, Tetz is confident he will be back on the elite tour soon.

“We got the train back on the tracks, so I just have to go out and execute now. Go get that spot back on tour. And when I get there, I need to ride to win, not ride to lose,” he said.

“I don't want to have to go through the Velocity Finals, I want to make it the right way this year.”

Tetz is also looking forward to the second half of the season as well, when riders turn their focus to the PBR Camping World Team Series and compete in five-on-five bull riding games.

As a standout with the Arizona Ridge Riders, he is hoping to be back with that squad again in 2024 but says lots can happen in these few months, with both the expansion and new rider draft on the near horizon.

As for Canada, he is looking towards a second PBR Canada Championship.

“A guy never knows where you're going to end up right now, but I would love to be a Ridge Rider, and I hope they feel the same way,” Tetz said.

“Then on the PBR Canada side, I want to do what we failed to do last year and go get another Canadian Gold Buckle. The goal of going back-to-back isn’t over, I just need to restart. I want to be the first one to do that.”