Career Night Launches Austin Paley into National Finals Fight

AIRDRIE, Alta. – The championship round of the 2026 PBR Canada Cup Series Saskatoon Classic was one for the record books.

The rider who kicked off the night of 90s was none other than 20-year-old Austin Paley. Matching up with Foley Bucking Bulls' Posty for a career-best 91.6 points, the score earned the Beaverlodge, Alberta, rider a third-place finish and vaulted him into an outside shot at qualifying for his first PBR Canada National Finals.

The celebration inside the arena could be felt by everyone in attendance. From the helmet toss to the smile during his post-ride interview, the excitement was palpable.

For Paley, the moment was a dream come true.

"It means everything. We've dreamed about these moments since we were kids. Really grateful to be able to live these moments out and do it with your best friends. There's such good camaraderie with people in this sport. I'm just really grateful to be a part of it," Paley said.

"Posty is a really good bull. I've seen guys be almost 90 on him, and I had first pick in the short go. I just figured they'd be 90 on him. I've always wanted to be 90, I couldn't wait to be 90, so I figured I'd pick Posty."

Paley is still early in his bull riding career, but after finally crossing the 90-point threshold, he says there is a noticeable difference between an 85-point ride and one that lands in elite territory.

"I can tell you it was a lot more fun than being 85 points, that's for sure. It's definitely a lot more work, but I guess your mind doesn't think as much when one's bucking their ass off that hard. There's nothing really going through your mind," he explained.

"It's the best feeling in the world when one's really bucking and your body is just responding and you're not thinking. You're just in a flow state. I think it's just the best feeling in the world."

It isn't every day a rider gets to hear PBR Canada Cup Series announcer Brett Gardiner call out a 90-point score next to their name. For Paley, it became a moment he didn't fully appreciate until a few days later.

"I wouldn't say it sank in right away. It didn't actually sink in until I got home, probably a couple days later. I was sitting at home, and I put it on the TV and just hearing Brett Gardiner's voice saying that I just made one of the highest-marked rides of the season was pretty special to me. I was getting a little choked up. I was so happy, I was nearly in tears," Paley said.

"It was just making those great memories. Seeing all your buddies coming up to hug you after. It's those things that make you know you did a damn good job, so that's probably the best feeling about it."

Paley's 2026 season hasn't gone exactly the way he hoped, but with a recent run of success, he isn't ready to throw in the towel.

Sitting No. 21 overall, Paley remains within striking distance of the PBR Canada National Finals. With the expected qualifying cutline moving to No. 19 due to an injury to Brazil's Gilmar Santana, Paley plans to double-enter the Mazergroup PBR in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, this weekend in hopes of continuing his momentum and making one final push toward Edmonton.

"I'm just going to go into Yorkton with a positive mindset. I was hoping to double-enter it, and I know those rider points add up quick. I know I have looked at the standings a couple times, and sat down and figured out what I need to do for points. But at the end of the day, it will all take care of itself. I'm just grateful to be in this position, battling it out with some of the best bull riders in Canada."

Last season, Paley found success in Yorkton, finishing third overall at the two-day event. Heading back to a building where he has performed well before brings an added level of confidence at a point in the season where momentum can mean everything.

"That plays a big role in it. Going into Yorkton, I double-entered there last year, and it worked out just the way I kind of wanted it to. My double-entry bulls paid off, so that's kind of what I'm hoping to do this year. Just go in there and ride as many bulls as possible, and try and get to where the big money's at."

And the big money is waiting at the PBR Canada National Finals.

With a $100,000 bonus on the line for the National Champion and $50,000 guaranteed to the event winner, Paley has his sights firmly set on Edmonton and the bright lights of Rogers Place.

Getting there this season would represent another major step for a young rider whose ambitions extend far beyond simply qualifying for his first Canadian National Finals.

Long term, Paley wants to make his way to the PBR World Finals and eventually leave with the biggest prize in the sport: a gold buckle.

"I want to do it all. I enjoy riding bulls, and I want to be the best at it, and I think to be the best, you got to go where the best are, and that's the PBR World Finals," he said.

"I want to be a PBR World Champion someday. I've got a lot of visions of it, and I've got very strong faith that it will happen."