Jake Gardner Rides into the Lead as 2025 Season Heats Up

AIRDRIE, Alta. – After a strong third-place finish at the 14th annual Marwayne PBR Touring Pro Division event two weeks ago, new PBR Canada national standings leader Jake Gardner is looking to cash in this season with his first national title.

Gardner has been a staple in the Canadian bull riding scene since 2017. With seven PBR Canada National Finals appearances and wins across both the PBR Canada Cup Series and Touring Pro Division, a focused Gardner is a tough competitor to beat.

Thompson Rodeo’s Shut Up & Ride was the first of two bulls he rode in Marwayne, netting an 83-point score. With a late pick in the championship round, Gardner was surprised to see Thompson’s MoBamba still available. He made the most of it, riding the consistent bovine athlete for 88 points.

“I just wanted to get rolling, have some fun, and start the season on the right foot,” Gardner said. “There’s no point in stressing too much this early in the year.”

“I’ve been putting in the work during the week. I’ve been steady all winter, and I’ve already been on a lot of bulls. I feel seasoned. I’ve been practising a lot. I knew I had a good draw going into Marwayne. At this point in my career, I’m not overthinking things or feeling like I have to ride—I just focus on doing my job and let the rest take care of itself.”

“I had the eighth pick in the short round and didn’t expect a bull that good to still be there—but I grabbed him and made it count. I think I jumped five spots and finished third. I was just grateful for the result.”

Now 28, Gardner admits experience has changed how he approaches the sport compared to when he was younger.

“When you’re new and hitting all the big shows, it’s bright lights and a lot of nerves. But the more bulls you get on, and the more big moments you live through, the more comfortable you get,” he said. “Eventually, you learn how to enjoy it and go with the flow.”

“For me now, it’s about doing the hard work during the week so I can go have fun on the weekend. If you do the work, the results usually follow.”

Alongside regular gym sessions, Gardner spends much of his time riding young horses to stay sharp.

“I try to get on a horse—either saddle horses or bareback—almost every day. Depending on how many bulls I get on during the weekend, I’m usually on practice bulls at least twice a week, two or three at a time,” he explained. “Lots of bulls, lots of gym time, lots of time on horses. I’m also watching tape—studying bull riding, watching the greats. I try to treat this like a professional sport, because that’s what it is. I’m all in.”

He says riding young horses brings a similar feel to bull riding.

“Getting on a colt is about the closest thing you’ll get to riding a bull without being on one. They’re unpredictable. Things can happen fast, and it keeps your mind and body sharp in the same way.”

Gardner has been a busy competitor throughout his career, balancing events in both the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association and the PRCA alongside his efforts in the PBR. A trip to the National Finals Rodeo remains a key goal, after narrowly missing out last year. But recently, Gardner has been giving the PBR a little more of his attention.

“I’ve just been letting my riding do the talking. I’ve really been enjoying the PBR events. Being near the top of the standings has definitely caught my attention,” he said. “My winter rodeos didn’t go quite how I’d hoped, but I’m still in the hunt for the NFR. At the same time, I want to chase down some big results in the PBR this year and see where I end up. I’ll be balancing both.”

Gardner says seeing Nick Tetz take home nearly $250,000 during the 2024 season changed his perspective on what’s possible in Canada.

“Seeing what Nick did last year was super motivating. I look up to him a lot. It got me thinking—there’s serious money to be made up here,” he said. “That kind of money changes your life. You can buy land or a house with that. It’s proof you can stay in Canada and make a real living doing what you love. I’ve been focused on the NFR for a few years now, but the opportunities here with PBR Canada are big. It’s definitely on my radar.”

As for the events he’s most excited about this year, Gardner says he always looks forward to competing close to home at the annual Cup Series stop in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

“I’m a northern boy, so Grande Prairie is always a highlight. I love riding in front of those people—it feels like my crowd,” he said. “And being from B.C., Kelowna’s another one I’m excited for. It’s such a cool setting, right near the lake, and the crowd there is awesome. We always have a great time out there.”