The Morning Line – Medicine Hat

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – Rolling into Medicine Hat, probably the most important time of the season for the riders, whether it be the Canadian Championship race or the guys on the bubble trying to make it to Rogers Place, November 14th and 15th for the National Finals.

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A lot of great matchups, this one was really hard to choose from. A lot of good bulls that the guys like to get on, and a lot of great match ups. You're going to see rides from Jake Gardner, Chanse Switzer, and Tanner Eno’s got a rematch. Then Dakota Buttar has drawn a young bull I don't know much about, and Aaron Roy, same thing, a young bull I don't know too much about. We have Shay Marks back in the mix, and we’ve got some Americans coming in including Dan “The Man” Keeping who should stick it on one and set himself up good for the short round.

RELATED: Game Notes – Medicine Hat.

Below are my bets for Round 1 of the event from Medicine Hat. Let us know your thoughts and your picks for the Cup Series event by tagging @PBRCanada on X. Tickets for tonight’s PBR Medicine Hat Classic at Co-op Place are still available and can be purchased at Co-op Place and The Esplanade, by phone at (403) 502-877 or online at Tixx.ca.

 

Wacey Schalla vs. Jet Black
Pretty cool to see Wacey Schalla up here in Canada making his PBR Canada debut at the Medicine Hat event. He must be getting set and ready for the NFR, which he’s in great position for. The bull that he's got is Jet Black from the Skori firm. Dakota Buttar rode this bull in Grande Prairie, looked really, really good, he was 87+ on him. Right in the gate to the left, away from Wacey’s hand. Wacey has one of the prettier styles that we've seen any bull rider have. He should eat this one up for a great score, could be a round win, 88 points.

Nick Tetz vs. Slingin Stones
We are seeing the return of Nick Tetz since a broken femur earlier in the year. This is a great bull and a great match up for him to come back on. This bull should around to the left. Just good, up and down, one that should get Nick’s timing back and get him the confidence that he needs in that leg to go into that short round and try to win the first event back since breaking his leg. Nick is still in the hunt to make the Final. He's right on the bubble, so he needs to get some work done here in Medicine Hat and Saskatoon. Look for him to do just that with and 84-85-point ride on Slingin Stones.

Cody Coverchuk vs. Busta Rhymes

Coverchuk is coming for that No. 1 spot. He's been riding good. He's back from injury. This bull is just good. Either way, guys like to get on him. Look for Coverchuk to be 85-86 points and set himself up good for the short round.

Callum Miller vs. Black Mamba
What a great matchup for Callum, making his way back into Canada. Midway through the Teams season he got moved over to the Austin Gamblers and he hasn't looked back since. We've seen him smash 90s, seen him step up to the plate and be the bull rider that we all know he is, and a huge asset for the Austin Gamblers. Look for him to continue that into Medicine Hat. This is a big black bull, should be right in the gate to the right, up and down. I haven't seen him for a little while, but the times that I did see him, he looked like one that you would want to get on, one that should fit Callum’s style really well. Kick loose with that outside foot. Once again, could see an 86-87-point ride here.

Jared Parsonage vs. Jojo’s Mojo

This is an interesting matchup. This bull doesn’t get ridden very much. Should be right in the gate to the right. Lots of movement to him. Kind of wants a guy to the inside or the outside. Jared’s going to have to do everything perfect to stay in the middle of him. Coming off the Canadian Finals Championship that he just won, I talked to Jared and he wants that PBR Canada Championship as well. He’s one of the hottest guys coming into Medicine Hat right now. I don't know if there's much that’s going to buck him off to finish off this year. So look for Jared to stay in the middle and get a good score. And also watch for this one after the whistle. This bull put me into the highlight reel in Lethbridge earlier in the year. Throwing me in the air pretty high, he’s got some hook to him. So watch afterwards when the bullfighters go to work to make sure Jared is okay.

Weston Davidson vs. Bon Jovi

This is a rematch for Weston. Weston is another guy on that bubble race that needs to get some points gathered up if he wants to be in Rogers Place in November. He's been on his bull twice. This bull can go either way. We saw Jeremy Maisonneauve ride him in the short round in Grande Prairie. Should fit Weston’s style. He knows what this bull feels like, he knows what he’s going to do. Whether it’s right in the gate left, or out a couple and around to the right, he just needs to ride jump for jump and stay in the middle. This is a great little bull that they get good scores on, 86-87 points Weston to get the ball rolling and try to finish off this year strong.