Nick Tetz Returns to Competition Eyeing Medicine Hat Classic Comeback

AIRDRIE, Alta. – Two-time and reigning PBR Canada Champion Nick Tetz will make his much-anticipated return to competition at the Cup Series’ Medicine Hat Classic on October 18, after six months on the sidelines due to injury.

Tetz was injured in March during a PBR Unleash The Beast event in Palm Springs, California, where he suffered a broken femur, one of the most serious injuries of his career. Now, with months of rehab behind him, the Calgary cowboy says he's returning not just to compete, but to showcase a new version of himself.

"I think the biggest thing is not necessarily coming back, it'll be a different me," said Tetz. "It'll be the 2.0 version and be able to build off of what I did good and learn from my mistakes. I've been spending a lot of time watching film, doing drills, working out, stuff like that. Me and Tanner Eno, we've talked about it a lot. It's not a comeback. You're just building the 2.0 version of yourself."

That updated version has been forged through a stretch of adversity — both physical and mental as the 24-year-old battled to stay focused and motivated during the longest layoff of his career.

"This is the longest I've sat out of bull riding, unexpectedly. I had shoulder surgery when I was 18, after my rookie year. But an injury like this, where you're coming back and just going through all the mental struggles, it's honestly a bit of a mindf***. It really makes you question why you're doing it, if you truly do love doing it. There were times when I hated bull riding. I didn't want to look at my bull rope. I wanted to quit."

"I think part of that was giving myself almost unreal expectations,” Tetz added. “It got a lot easier to get back into the gym and get back to working towards the goal of getting back to getting on bulls. Injuries are part of the sport, but also too, at the same time, I'd never wish a broken femur on anyone. I would say it's maybe one of the worst ones. It made me a better person and made me stronger mentally. Just being able to come back from this, I'm just ready to get back to riding bulls now."

Though Tetz currently sits on the bubble in the PBR Canada national standings, ranked No. 16 and hovering just inside of the Top 18 riders that automatically qualify for the PBR Canada National Finals, as a former champion, he holds an exemption that guarantees him a spot at the year-end event inside Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, this November.

"I'm not too worried about all that stuff, but I'd prefer not to have to use it because I don't think anyone really wants to have to use it," Tetz said of his pathways to the Finals.

"I've been keeping somewhat of an eye on the standings just because I've been interested to see how things are going. I don't want to be completely out of the loop. I like seeing how all my buddies are doing and everything like that. I definitely see where I'm at."

Being sidelined for half a year hasn't taken Tetz out of the sport entirely. He's been following the Canadian season closely and says this year's race has been one of the most compelling in recent memory.

"I think the biggest thing for this year has just been how tight the race has been. No one's really pulled away. When I first got hurt, Jake [Gardner] was making a pretty good run at it and doing pretty good. It's just been really good watching the standings be tight this year," Tetz said. "For the most part, everyone's still kind of in it with a chance to make a push for a Championship."

While he's been absent from Canadian events, Tetz has also been missed by his teammates with the Arizona Ridge Riders in the PBR Teams league. Tetz credits the organization's Head Coach Colby Yates and General Manager Casey Lane, with not only building a winning team, but creating an environment where injured riders are fully supported.

"It's been great to have that support. I got to go down to the event in New York for a day before I had to rip up for Chanse Switzer's wedding. Everyone was super happy to see me. We got a lot of new faces in our locker room, so it was great to get to meet all the new guys and everything like that," Tetz explained.

"Just between Casey and Colby, they've done a really good job this year putting together a good team. It also kind of helps us in a sense of not feeling like I have to get back right away to help the team. Just take all the time you need. When you come back, we'll maybe float you some nice ones here and there, but when you're back, you're back. We want the best version of you."

With the Medicine Hat Classic just around the corner, Nick Tetz 2.0 is ready to prove that not only can he ride with the best, but that he's better than ever.