Game Notes – Grande Prairie

WHEEL’S UP ... WE’RE GOING TO GRANDE PRAIRIE– This weekend, for the fourth time in history, PBR Canada’s elite Cup Series will buck into Grande Prairie, Alberta. The PBR Peace Country Invitational, the eighth elite tour event of the season, will be held at Bonnetts Energy Centre on Friday, September 27 and Saturday, September 28. Action will begin nightly at 7:00 p.m. MT.

 RELATED: Click here for the complete Grande Prairie Game Notes.

THIS WEEKEND’S FORMAT – The PBR Peace Country Invitational will feature three rounds of bull riding and is a Tier 1 Challenger Global event. Each rider will get on one bull in Round 1 on Friday and Round 2 on Saturday. The 10 bull riders with the best combined scores will then advance to the championship round on Saturday, where they will attempt one final bull in an effort to be crowned the event champion. This weekend, one rider will have the chance to earn 140 national points in the main event, in addition to ride score points. Following Friday night’s Round 1, the Top 5 riders from the opening round will attempt five of the event’s top bulls. Featuring both a separate purse, and national points, $2,500 will be available, with the winner set to collect 15 national points.

5/5 BUCKING BATTLE – In 2024, at all two-day PBR Canada Cup Series events, the opening night of competition will feature a 5/5 Bucking Battle. Pitting the Top 5 riders from the event’s opening round against the five best bucking bulls at the event, the special round will feature both a separate purse, and national points. The national points will be awarded as: 1^st – 15; 2^nd – 8; and 3^rd – 7. The money will payout as: 1^st - $1,250; 2^nd - $750; and 3^rd – $500. The bulls slated to buck in the 5/5 Bucking Battle in Grande Prairie are:

Look At This Dude (Two Bit Bucking Bulls)
MoBamba (Thompson Rodeo Livestock)
Times A Tickin (Thompson Rodeo Livestock)
Moonwalk (Thompson Rodeo Livestock)
Iron Side (X6 Ranch Bucking Cattle/Legend Rodeo Stock)

TIME TO TALK TOURING PRO DIVISION – While it may have only been two months since the most recent Cup Series event in Kelowna, British Columbia, the PBR Canada Touring Pro Division event has been in full swing, holding 11 events. Here’s a recap of how each event unfolded:

Czar, AB (July 19): In Czar, Alberta in mid-July, Nick Tetz inched closer to his second PBR Canada Championship, going a perfect 2-for-2 to win the Touring Pro Division’s Czar Lake Bullarama. Tetz first struck in Round 1 when he posted what would tie for the fourth-best score, marked 80.5 points atop Nasty Breath.The reserved Calgarian then readied to go head-to-head with Ain’t About Fame in the championship round. Nodding with confidence, Tetz remained in perfect time with the powerful animal athlete reaching the requisite 8 with ease. Awarded an event-best 88 points, the score won Tetz both the round and overall event. Courtesy of a double entry, Tetz also finished sixth compliments of a 72.5-point ride on Twist Of Something. Tetz left the Czar Lake Rodeo Grounds having earned a combined 141.5 national points. While he remained No. 2 in the standings, he decimated then No. 1 Cody Coverchuk’s lead from 264.5 points to 123 points. Coverchuk was shutout at the Czar Lake Bullarama. He was bucked off by Black Jack in 5.54 seconds in Round 1, and Whiskey Moon in a similar 5.54 seconds in the final round.

North Battleford, SK (July 25): Nick Tetz continued to ride red hot in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, delivering a perfect 2-for-2 performance to win the Pro Division’s McDonald’s Cold Cave Memorial PBR Classic. The win marked Tetz’ eighth of the 2024 season, and sixth since late June. At the time of the victory, the Calgary native had gone a torrid 20-for-36 (55.56%) thus far in 2024, having covered five of his last six bovine athlete opponents. As competition got underway in Round 1, Tetz jumped to an early event lead when he bested Poundmaker for 84 points. The reserved Albertan then took on Tailor Made in Round 2. Tetz reached the whistle, marked an event-best 87 points to clinch the victory. Compliments of the golden finish, Tetz earned a crucial 62 national points, allowing him to close within 61 national points of then No. 1 Cody Coverchuk. Coverchuk stumbled in North Battleford, going 0-for-2. After Get Ugly tossed him in a close 7.5 seconds in Round 1, Diggin Up Bones bucked off Coverchuk in 2.5 seconds in Round 2.

Lacombe, AB (July 27): In Lacome, Alberta, Wade Marshall rode supreme, delivering the high-marked ride of the Canadian Touring Pro Division event to win the Lacombe Pro Bull Riding. Despite being bested in Round 1, tossed by Day N Night in 3.87 seconds, Marshall made the most of his renewed shot of victory, advancing to the championship round on time. The New Zealander next took on Smooth Sailor in the final round. In what proved to be a perfect pairing, Marshall reached the requisite 8, awarded an event-best 87 points to cement the victory. Marshall earned a crucial 46 national points for the golden finish. In the race for the 2024 PBR Canada Championship and accompanying $100,000 bonus, Marshall rose from a then No. 28 to No. 22 in Canada.

Tofield, AB (Aug. 8): In front of an electric Thursday night crowd in Tofield, Alberta, Nick Tetz showed up and showed out, going a perfect 2-for-2 to win the Touring Pro Division’s Tofield Western Days at the Tofield Fairgrounds. Tetz first struck in Round 1, delivering the third-best score courtesy of his 81.5-point ride atop Black Beetle. The 2022 PBR Canada Champion then surged to the top of the event leaderboard and clinched the victory as he rode Time Marches On for an event-best 87.5 points in the championship round. Courtesy of the golden finish, Tetz earned a crucial 37 national points. While he remained a then No. 2 in the race for the 2024 PBR Canada Championship he inched within 24 points of No. 1 Cody Coverchuk.

Coronation, AB (Aug. 9): Two-time and reigning PBR Canada Champion Dakota Buttar was dominant in Coronation, Alberta, going a perfect 2-for-2 to win the Touring Pro Division’s Royal Rumbull. Buttar got off to a fast start in Round 1, delivering the top score after he went the distance atop Uproar for 86 points. The reserved Saskatchewan man then cemented the victory in the championship round courtesy of his event-best 87-point score aboard Hanna Motors Broken Halo. Garnering 39 national points, Buttar remained a then No. 13 in Canada, climbing within 676.5 points of No. 1 Cody Coverchuk.

Elnora, AB (Aug. 10): Nick Tetz won his 10^th PBR Canada event of the season in Elnora, Alberta, victorious at the Elnora Brahma Rama, overtaking the No. 1 rank in the race for the 2024 Canadian Championship. Tetz delivered the event-winning ride in the opening round, covering Rico for 82 points. Taking home 27 national points, Tetz overtook Cody Coverchuk (Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan) for the then No. 1 rank in the nation. Tetz overtook the new No. 2 Coverchuk by 3 points.

Stavely, AB (Aug. 17): As a raucous Saturday night crowd in Stavely, Alberta, watched on, Coy Robbins and Jordan Hansen rode supreme at the prestigious PBR Canada Touring Pro Division event at Stavely Outdoor Arena, tying for the victory at the Glen Keeley Memorial Bull Riding. For Robbins, his 2-for-2 showing included an 81.5-point ride on Effective in Round 1, and an event-best, 87-point score aboard Dialed In in the championship round. The 2017 PBR Canada Rookie of the Year earned 52 national points. He remained a then No. 14 in the race for the 2024 PBR Canada Championship, inching within 682 points of No. 1 Nick Tetz. Hansen surged to an early event lead when he split the Round 1 win as he made the 8 on Talk’s Cheap for 84 points. The reserved Albertan then remained atop the leaderboard in the final round when he bested Hard Not To Get for 84.5 points. Leaving Staveley Outdoor Arena with 52.5 national points, Hansen climbed from a then No. 18 to No. 17 in Canada.

Sunnybrook, AB (Aug. 24): At the first-ever PBR Canada Touring Pro Division event in Sunnybrook, Alberta, 2017 Canadian Rookie of the Year Coy Robbins went a perfect 2-for-2, victorious at the Buckin At The Brook. As competition got underway in Round 1, Robbins quickly climbed to second on the event leaderboard courtesy of his 81-point ride atop Stray Bucks. The determined Albertan then took on Bubbles in the final round. Delivering what would be the high-marked ride of the event, Robbins covered the bovine athlete with ease, awarded 85 points to clinch the event win. Robbins left Sunnybrook having earned 38 national points. He rose from No. 14 to then No. 11 in the race for the 2024 PBR Canada Championship and accompanying $100,000 bonus.

Armstrong, BC (Sept. 1): In front of a raucous Sunday night crowd in Armstrong, British Columbia, reigning PBR Canada Champion Dakota Buttar, dominated, sweeping both rounds of competition en route to winning the Touring Pro Division’s Interior Provincial Exhibition and Stampede at the Armstrong Fairgrounds. The win marked Buttar’s third of the season, the third most of any rider. As action got underway the two-time PBR Canada Champion surged to an early event lead, winning Round 1 courtesy of his 85.5-point ride on Forrest Gump. Buttar then readied to take on Hard Not To Get in the championship round. Bursting from the chutes, the reserved Saskatchewan man remained in perfect time with his powerful animal athlete opponent, matching him jump-for-jump en route to the requisite 8. Awarded an event-best 87.5 points, the score cemented the victory for Buttar. Garnering 136 national points, Buttar vaulted from a then No. 14 to No. 5 in the race for the 2024 PBR Canada Championship. He is climbed within 543.5 points of No. 1 Nick Tetz.

Kindersley, SK (Sept. 5): At the first-ever PBR event in Kindersley, Saskatchewan, Coy Robbins rode supreme, going a perfect 2-for-2 in front of the sold-out crowd inside the Kindersley West Central Events Centre to win the Energy Dodge Dakota Buttar Invitational. For Robbins the win is his third of the season on the Touring Pro Division. He is now tied with the event’s namesake Dakota Buttar for third-most events won in 2024 on Canada’s developmental tour. The 2017 PBR Canada Rookie of the Year first put points on the board when he tied for fifth in the opening round courtesy of an 81-point ride on Stand By You. Robbins then catapulted up the event leaderboard, clinching the victory, when he delivered an event-best, championship round-winning, 86-point ride on Ranahan. The determined Albertan’s then latest win garnered him a crucial 55.5 points. Chasing his first PBR Canada Championship this November, Robbins rose from No. 7 to No. 6 in the standings, climbing within 550.5 points of then No. 1 Nick Tetz.

Prince Albert, SK (Sept. 6-7): As the 2024 season continued in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Coy Robbins rode to his fourth Touring Pro Division victory of the season, victorious at the Clunie-Cooper Memorial PBR, presented by Riverside Dodge. Robbins got off to a quick start in Round 1, posting the top score when he bested Sons of Junkie for 87 points. The 2017 PBR Canada Rookie of the Year then clinched the event win in the second round when he conquered Hammer Time for a matching 87 points. The golden finish garnered Robbins a crucial 38 national points in the race for the 2024 PBR Canada Championship. He rose from No. 6 to No. 4 in the standings, climbing within a then 512.5 points of No. 1 Nick Tetz.

PAST GRANDE PRAIRIE EVENT WINNERS – When the Cup Series last travelled to Grande Prairie in October 2023, Dakota Buttar delivered a performance which would significantly impact his quest for his second national title. Going a perfect 3-for-3, Buttar won the PBR Peace Country Invitational, vaulting to the No. 1 position in the 2023 PBR Canada Championship race. The win came at a painful price as Buttar sustained a sidelining injury when exiting his winning ride in the championship round. Buttar first put points on the board in Round 1 when he covered War Boy for 84 points. In the second round, the Saskatchewan man then elected to go head-to-head with Hanna Motors Broken Halo. Remaining in perfect time with the powerful animal athlete, Buttar reached the whistle, awarded 87 points to punch his ticket to the championship round third on the overall event leaderboard. With an early pick in the championship round bull draft, Buttar architected a showdown with Chico. Bursting from the chutes, Buttar made the whistle event-best 89.5 points to clinch the victory. Buttar’s event win, and second place finish in the accompanying 5/5 Bucking Battle, netted him a combined 158 national points. He surged from No. 3 to No. 1 in the nation, propelled 10.84 points ahead of No. 2 Cody Coverchuk. Despite the celebration, Buttar’s season was immediately put on pause. During his dismount from Chico, Buttar broke his collarbone, ultimately unable to compete until the 2023 National Finals. While Buttar missed the final month of the regular season, slipping to No. 3 in the standings, he showed no rust at the 2023 PBR Canada National Finals. Going a perfect 4-for-4, tying for second at the year-end event, Buttar made a come-from-behind surge for the record books, crowned the 2023 PBR Canada Champion, earning the first-ever $100,000 Champions bonus. Buttar concluded the campaign 38.84 points ahead of 2022 PBR Canada Champion and the 2024 season’s No. 2 Nick Tetz 

2023 Dakota Buttar
2022 Aaron Roy
2021 Jake Gardner
2020 Lonnie West
2020 Dakota Buttar
2020 Dakota Buttar
2020 Zane Lambert/Callum Miller

FAMILIAR WATERS – Round 1 of the PBR Peace Country Invitational will feature three rematches. Those riders facing familiar opponents are:

• Tyler Craig will face a rubber match with Wicked Water. The two first met in March 2023 at the Cup Series event in Lethbridge, Alberta, with Craig tossed in 1.45 seasons. The Albertan, however, was quick to rebound, besting the bull for 83 points in their second meeting at the July 2023 Touring Pro Division event in Kinsella, Alberta.
• Three-time PBR Canada Champion Aaron Roy has drawn Nosler for the second time. The bovine athlete bucked off Roy in 2.61 seconds when they met this past May at the Cup Series event in Brandon, Manitoba.
• Keaton Martz is the final rider facing a familiar opponent in Jail Break. The powerful bovine competitor made quick work of Martz this past May at the Touring Pro Division event in Camrose, Alberta, whipping him to the ground in 4.78 seconds.

NEXT UP – The 2024 PBR Canada Sup Series next travels to Medicine Hat, Alberta, and Co-op Place for the PBR Medicine Hat Classic on October 19. Action will get underway nightly at 7 p.m. MDT.   

PROVIDING PROTECTION – The bullfighters on hand for this weekend’s event in Grande Prairie, Alberta, are Tanner Byrne, Brett Monea and Ty Prescott.

2024 5/5 BUCKING BATTLE SCHEDULE AND RESULTS - Each 5/5 Bucking Battle features the Top 5 riders from the event following Round 1, competing against the five highest-ranked bulls at the event for extra bonus points and an additional purse. Here are the winners of the special rounds thus far in 2024:

March 1 in Lethbridge, Alberta | Cody Coverchuk, 86 points on Wild Time
June 4 in Kingston, Ontario | Nick Tetz, 85.5 points on Allemand Left & Coy Robbins, 85.5 points on Wicked Water

GRANDE PRAIRIE COMPETITORS BY COUNTRY

Australia (1) – Cody Fraser

Brazil (1) – Gilmar Santana

Canada (25) – Willam Barrows, Dakota Buttar, Auzyn Corr, Cody Coverchuk, Tyler Craig, Weston Davidson, Tanner Eno, Kyle Frizzi, Elijah Gordon, Jordan Hansen, Chad Hartman, Griffin Koester, Wyatt Laughlin, Keaton Martz, Jared Parsonage, Coy Robbins, Aaron Roy, Ashton Sahli, Carter Sahli, Cauy Schmidt, Dawson Shannon, Chanse Switzer, Nick Tetz, Lonnie West, Cole Young

BREAKDOWN BY PROVINCE –

Alberta – William Barrows, Tyler Craig, Tanner Eno, Jordan Hansen, Griffin Koester, Wyatt Laughlin, Keaton Martz, Coy Robbins, Ashton Sahli, Carter Sahli, Cauy Schmidt, Dawson Shannon, Nick Tetz, Cole Young, Lonnie West; British Columbia – Auzyn Corr, Elijah Gordon, Kyle Frizzi; Saskatchewan – Dakota Buttar, Cody Coverchuk, Weston Davidson, Chad Hartman, Jared Parsonage, Aaron Roy, Chanse Switzer.