Big Things Coming for 2024 PBR Canada Indoor Event of the Year in Camrose, Alberta

AIRDRIE, Atla. – There are big things to come for the Coy Robbins Invitational, the two-time and back-to-back PBR Canada Indoor Event of the Year held in Camrose, Alberta each May. 

Having first won the award in 2023, producer and PBR Canada standout Coy Robbins says taking home the title in consecutive years validates the first honor. 

“To be recognized within the PBR Canada world as an event-of-the-year calibre event is huge. That is one of the goals of the event, Robbins explained. “Not necessarily to win it but putting on an event that is in the running for such a title. To be recognized two years in a row is icing on the cake and a reminder that the first year wasn’t a fluke.” 

“I am excited. I have big plans for 2025, I've been working away at it a lot already, so hopefully we can go three years in a row.”

The Coy Robbins Invitational burst onto the scene in 2022, and immediately brought $25,000 in prize money and a sold-out Encana Arena. In a storybook ending, Robbins won his own event in his hometown. 

Robbins says a combination of factors makes the event a favourite among the competitors.

“I don't think it’s necessarily what our event brings, but what Camrose brings to our event,” Robbins said. “Since the first year, the crowd has been incredible, it’s been sold out. It’s loud, energetic. With the way the stairs are in that building, it’s pretty steep, so it feels like it’s all on top of you. I think it goes to show what Camrose has got. That is special to me too, being born and raised in Camrose and seeing how much the city gets behind it.”

"It’s exciting for me to ride there as well,” Robbins added. “I think the riders really appreciate the energy and the increased prize money, all thanks to the sponsors and the city. It’s a city event, and I’m just grateful to be a part of it."

There is no question that professional bull riding in Canada is better than it has ever been.

From the quality and consistency of the bulls to the multitude of PBR events and the number of riders on their way into the professional ranks, it’s a great time to be a bull rider. 

Robbins’ event has become the gold standard, with a multitude of Touring Pro level events bringing $25,000 to the table the past few years. Alongside PBR Canada Outdoor Event of the Year, the efforts of so many committees and producers have made it so the likes of two-time and reigning PBR Canada Champion Nick Tetz can make more than $249,000 in a single season inside Canada alone. 

“Bull riding in Canada is at its best right now,” Robbins said. “I was talking to an older rider, Jason Finkbeiner, recently. We compared his time riding bulls to mine, and it's night and day.”

Finkbeiner told Robbins that, “back then, even top riders had to have another job. Now, with how much PBR Canada pays, the top riders can make a great living just from riding in Canada.”

Robbins said, “that comes down to all the events so many great committees are putting on. The Cody Snyders, the Kindersley bull ridings, the Czar Lake Bullaramas, the list goes on. There are so many people putting that work in and without them this is not possible. We all would still be needing a job. It’s really the best time to be a bull rider in Canada with what is available to you now and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for it.”

The future of Robbins' event in Camrose is bright. He said work has already started for the 2025 edition and hinted at an exciting change to keep the event fresh and push the industry forward.

“Any producer is looking at what you can do better. No matter how many years into it, there are always things you can work out. So it’s working on those little things then finding the new flare or twist to it to keep it exciting for Camrose and the fans,” Robbins said.  

“Maybe think about adding quite a bit more money, too. We will see.”