Game Notes – Grande Prairie

BACK TO BUCKING IN GRANDE PRAIRIE – This week, for the seventh time in history, PBR Canada’s elite Cup Series will buck into Grande Prairie, Alberta. The PBR Peace Country Invitational, the eighth elite tour event of the season, will be held at Bonnetts Energy Centre on September 26. The action gets underway at 7:00 p.m. MDT.

RELATED: Click here for the complete Grande Prairie Game Notes.

THIS WEEKEND’S FORMAT – The PBR Peace Country Invitational will feature two rounds of bull riding and is a Tier 1 Challenger Series Global event. Each rider will get on one bull in Round 1 on Saturday. The 10 bull riders with the top scores will then advance to the championship round later than evening, where they will attempt one final bull in an effort to be crowned the event champion. This weekend, one rider will have the chance to earn 120 national points, in addition to ride score points.

LOOKING BACK AT KELOWNA – While it may have been roughly two months since the elite Cup Series was last in action, for most it feels like just yesterday. And when we last bucked in Kelowna, British Columbia, the already intense title race got even fiercer, as for the first time this season a formidable champion found his way to the winner’s circle. In front of a record-setting, sold-out crowd two-time PBR Canada Champion Dakota Buttar rode supreme, going a perfect 2-for-2 to win the Okanagan Challenge, presented by Dirty Diesel Customs, inside Prospera Place. The win marked Buttar’s first of the season across all levels of competition and allowed him to further his stronghold on the then No. 3 rank in the race for the 2026 PBR Canada Championship. As action got underway in Round 1, Buttar took on Bad Magic. Remaining in perfect time with the animal athlete, Buttar reached the requisite 8 for 85.4 points to split the round win. With the first pick in the championship round bull draft, the veteran contender elected to go head-to-head with God Bless. In a decision which proved dividends, Buttar rode the bull for an event-best 88.2 points to win the PBR Okanagan Challenge in walk off form. Courtesy of the golden finish, Buttar earned a crucial 131 national points. While he remained a then No. 3 in the standings, he closed within 499.33 points of No. 1 Nick Tetz.

Tetz finished fourth in Kelowna, collecting 38 national points. After riding Cracker Jack for 85.3 points in Round 1, Tetz was bucked off by Stray Bucks in an uncharacteristic 4.01 seconds in the championship round. At the conclusion of the seventh Cup Series event of 2026, Tetz led No. 2 Gilmar Santana by 374.33 points. Santana prevented Tetz from gaining further ground by delivering a fifth-place finish of his own inside Prospera Place. The surging Brazilian covered The Goat for 83.7 points in Round 1 but was tossed by Rank Frank in 5.05 seconds in the final round. The 1-for-2 showing netted Santana 32 national points.

TIME TO TALK TOURING PRO DIVISION – While it may have only been roughly two months since the most recent Cup Series event in Kelowna, British Columbia, the PBR Canada Touring Pro Division event has been in full swing, holding eight events. Here’s a recap of how each event unfolded:

Czar Lake, Alberta (July 17): As the 2026 season continued on July 17 at the Shorncliffe Lake Rodeo Grounds, Tyler Craig showed up and showed out, going a perfect 2-for-2 to win the Touring Pro Division’s Czar Lake Bullarama, cracking the then Top 15 in the race for the 2026 PBR Canada Championship. Craig first struck in Round 1 when he delivered the second-best score, an 85.1-point trip aboard Hood Mentality. The reserved Albertan then overtook the event lead, and ultimately clinched his first win of the season, when he topped Day Thuggin for 87.2 points in the championship round. Craig’s golden finish earned him 116 national points. He rose from No. 21 to then No. 13 in the race for this season’s PBR Canada Championship, climbing within 736.83 points of No. 1 Nick Tetz. No. 1 Tetz was not in competition at the Czar Lake Bullarama, allowing No. 2 Gilmar Santana to gain ground on the nation’s top ranking. Santana finished fifth in Czar Lake, garnering 33 national points to lessen Tetz’ lead to 341.33 points. Going 1-for-2, Santana rode Berrendo  for 84.1 points in the opening round, before being upended by Glory Days in 3.22 seconds in the final round.

Czar Lake winner Craig will travel to this weekend’s event in Grande Prairie ranked No. 5 in the nation, 815.83 points behind No. 1 Tetz. He has drawn Uproar in the opening round of the PBR Peace Country Invitational.

North Battleford, Saskatchewan (July 23): In front of a raucous crowd inside Access Communication Centre in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Gilmar Santana rode supreme, going a perfect 2-for-2 to win the Touring Pro Division’s McDonald’s Colby Cave Memorial Classic, tightening his grasp on the No. 2 rank in the race for the 2026 PBR Canada Championship. Santana first put points on the board in Round 1 when he outlasted Cash Train for 84.2 points, the third-best score in the round. The surging Brazilian then delivered his second qualified ride in as many attempts when he topped Shock Top for 85.2 points in Round 2 to clinch his fourth PBR Canada event win of 2026. Taking home 54 national points for his golden showing, Santana remained No. 2 in the Canadian standings, climbing within a then 287.33 points of No. 1 Nick Tetz who was not in competition in North Battleford. Fast-forward to present and Santana remains No. 2 in Canada, 340.33 points behind No. 1 Tetz. Santana has drawn Gypsy Man in the opening round of the Cup Series event in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Tofield, Alberta (August 6): As the 2026 PBR Canada season continued August 6 in Tofield, Alberta, Gilmar Santana delivered a statement performance, delivering the high-marked ride of the evening to win the Touring Pro Division’s Tofield Western Days. Santana was tasked with Diamond Valley as action got underway at Tofield Arena. In what proved to be a perfect pairing, Santana rode the bull for an unrivaled 86.1 points to cement the win. Via a double entry, Santana also registered a fourth-place finish courtesy of his 83.5-point effort on Gypsy Man. Leaving Tofield with 40 national points, Santana gained crucial ground on the No. 1 rank in Canada. Remaining No. 2 in the title race, he closed within a then 247.33 points of No. 1 Nick Tetz, who was not in competition at Tofield Western Days.

Coronation, Alberta (August 7): After an emotional night of competition at the Coronation Rodeo Grounds, Nick Tetz emerged the supreme competitor, registering a flawless 2-for-2 outing and the season’s first 90-point ride to win the PBR Canada Touring Pro Division’s Lori Eno Memorial Bull Riding. Tetz was quick to make his presence known, winning Round 1 via an 85.8-point ride on Joker On A Jack. In the championship round, Tetz was next tasked with Posty. Nodding with confidence, Tetz burst from the chutes making the requisite 8 with ease. Tetz was marked a monstrous 90 points, the first 90-point ride on Canadian soil of the 2026 season. The golden finish earned Tetz a crucial 137 national points. He extended his lead to a then 384.33 points over No. 2 Gilmar Santana. Santana competed at the Lori Eno Memorial Bull Riding, but was shutout, going 0-for-1. He was bucked off by Cinch Jeans Broken Glass in 4.37 seconds in Round 1. Ahead of this weekend’s PBR Peace Country Invitational, Tetz remains No. 1 in Canada, now with a 340.33-point lead over No. 2 Santana. Chasing his fourth Cup Series win of the season, Tetz has drawn Cheeko in the opening round of action inside Bonnetts Energy Centre.

Stavely, Alberta (August 15): As an electric crowd at the Stavely Outdoor Arena watched on, Brazilian sensation Gilmar Santana delivered a flawless 2-for-2 performance to win one of the most prestigious events within the PBR Canada ranks, victorious at the Touring Pro Division’s Glen Keeley Memorial Bull Riding. Santana first struck in Round 1 when he delivered the second-best score, covering Chopper Reid for 83 points. The South American phenom then took on God Bless in the championship round. In what proved to be a perfect pairing, Santana topped the animal athlete for 84 points to clinch his sixth PBR Canada event win of the 2026 season. Courtesy of the golden showing, Santana earned a crucial 116 national points. While he remained No. 2 in the race for the 2026 PBR Canada Championship and accompanying $100,000 bonus, he slashed No. 1 Nick Tetz’ lead to a then 268.33 points. Tetz was not in competition at the Glen Keeley Memorial Bull Riding.

Raymond, Alberta (August 19): During the Touring Pro Division event in Raymond, Alberta, Jett Lambert reached a crucial career milestone, going a perfect 2-for-2 to win his first PBR event, victorious at the Raymond PBR. Lambert first struck in Round 1 when he delivered the sixth-best score, covering Smoke for 80.4 points. The 23-year-old then catapulted to the top of the leaderboard, and secured the victory, when he outlasted Tan Your Hide for a championship round best 85.9 points. Courtesy of the win, Lambert earned a crucial 55 national points. He rose from No. 31 to No. 23 in the national standings as he looks to make a late season push to qualify for the 2026 National Finals. Two-time PBR Canada Champion Nick Tetz was second. Tetz delivered the high-marked ride of the event in the opening round, conquering Knot Head for 86.8 points. Despite bucking off Posty in a quick 1.88 seconds in the championship round, Tetz’ initial 8-second effort proved enough to earn the Albertan a podium finish. Leaving the Raymond Rodeo Grounds with 36 national points, No.1 Tetz extended his lead to 290.33 points over No. 2 Gilmar Santana.  Santana also went 1-for-2 at the Raymond PBR to finish sixth, earning 14 national points. He covered Jerry for 81.5 points in Round 1, before being tossed by Highway to Heaven in a close 6.06 seconds in the final round. Ahead of this weekend’s Cup Series event, Raymond winner Lambert remains No. 23 in Canada and will attempt Red Rust in Round 1.

Armstrong, British Columbia (September 6): As an energetic crowd at the Armstrong Fairgrounds watched on, Dakota Buttar and Tyler Craig emerged the supreme competitors, delivering matching Round 1 scores to tie for the event win at the PBR Canada Touring Pro Division’s Interior Provincial Exhibition Stampede. The golden finish allowed both Buttar and Craig to solidify their positions inside the Top 5 in the heated battled for the 2026 PBR Canada Championship and accompanying $100,000 bonus. Both Buttar and Craig delivered 85.1-point rides in Round 1. Two-time PBR Canada Champion Buttar covered Forrest Gump while Craig outlasted F.A.F.O.. In the final round, both competitors were denied a perfect outing when Buttar was tossed by Lennie in 2.47 seconds, and Craig was upended by Day Thuggin in 2.93 seconds. Buttar and Craig each collected 88 national points for the victory.  Maintaining their ranks within the Canadian standings, No. 3 Buttar closed within 584.33 points of No. 1 Nick Tetz, while No. 4 Craig inched within 672.83 points. Both Buttar and Craig will be in action this weekend in Grande Prairie. Buttar has drawn Whiskey Moon and Craig has been paired with Uproar. While Tetz was not in competition at the Interior Provincial Exhibition Stampede, No. 2 Gilmar Santana was, earning the opportunity to compete twice via a double entry. Santana, however, failed to capitalize, going 0-for-3. He was bucked off by Gypsy Man in 7.68 seconds, Jingle And Go in 4.69 seconds and Silver Creek in 1.98 seconds.

Kindersley, Saskatchewan (September 11-12): When the dust settled following two nights of high-adrenaline action in Kindersley, Saskatchewan, Nick Tetz was crowned the winner, victorious at the PBR Canada Touring Pro Division’s Energy Dodge Dakota Buttar Invitational, presented by Longhorn. The victory was Tetz’ fifth of the season within the Touring Pro Division and eighth across all levels of competition. As action got underway in Round 1, Tetz was quick to strike, delivering the second-best score when he rode More or Less for 86.6 points. The reserved Albertan then delivered his second qualified ride in as many attempts when he bested Petty Cash for a Round 2-best 87.7 points. In the final round, Tetz then went head-to-head with Toxic Dreams. Nodding with confidence inside the Kindersley West Central Events Centre, Tetz remained in perfect time with the animal athlete, reaching the requisite 8 with ease. He was marked 86.8 points, enough to cement the win. Garnering 143 national points for the win, No. 1 Tetz extended his lead to 340.33 points over No. 2 Gilmar Santana. Santana prevented Tetz from growing his lead further by delivering a fifth and eighth-place finish of his own courtesy of a double entry. The Brazilian phenom’s fifth-place finish was headlined by an 84.6-point ride on Key-Lix Cobber in Round 1 and 87.9-point effort aboard Moonwalk in the championship round, while his eighth-place finish included an 86.2-point ride on Berrendo  in Round 1, and 84-point score on Write This Down in Round 2. Santana earned a collective 93 national points at the Dakota Buttar Invitational. The event’s namesake, two-time PBR Canada Champion Dakota Buttar was seventh. He earned 36.5 national points for his 85.3-point ride aboard Woozy in Round 1, and 85.5-point trip atop Lord Fear in Round 2. Also seeking his record-tying third PBR Canada Championship this November, Buttar maintained his No. 3 rank in Canada. He’s now 690.83 points behind No. 1 Tetz.

PAST GRANDE PRAIRIE EVENT WINNERS – When the Cup Series last travelled to Grande Prairie in September 2025, welcoming a sold-out, record-setting crowd, Dakota Buttar and Jared Parsonage rode supreme, tying for win at the Peace Country Invitational. For Buttar, he got off to a fast start inside Bonnetts Energy Centre, winning Round 1 courtesy of an 87-point ride on Linebacker. The reserved Saskatchewan man then remained atop the leaderboard when he outlasted Jet Black for 87 points in the final round. The two-time PBR Canada Champion garnered 111 national points for the win, furthering his grasp on the then No. 1 rank in the race for the 2025 Canadian Championship and accompanying $100,000 bonus. Buttar extended his then lead to 42.5 points over No. 2 Jake Gardner. Gardner delivered a perfect 2-for-2 performance of his own to finish third, netting 70 national points. Logging matching 86-point scores, “The Prince of the Peach Country,” dominated Hanna Motors Stand By You in Round 1 and Bow Before Me in the championship round.

Parsonage began his golden showing at the Peace Country Invitational by registering the second-best score of the opening round, making the requisite 8 on Special Ops for 86 points. The veteran contender then delivered the high-marked ride of the event in the championship round when he conquered Moonwalk for 88 points. Leaving Grande Prairie with 110.5 national points, Parsonage remained No. 3 in Canada, inching within a then 186.67 points of No. 1 Buttar.

2025 Dakota Buttar/Jared Parsonage
2024 Cody Coverchuk
2023 Dakota Buttar
2022 Aaron Roy
2021 Jake Gardner
2020 Lonnie West
2020 Dakota Buttar
2020 Dakota Buttar
2020 Zane Lambert/Callum Miller

FAMILIAR WATERS – Round 1 of the PBR Peace Country Invitational will feature six rematches. The riders facing familiar opponents are:

• Dakota Buttar has drawn Whiskey Moon for the fourth time in his career and will look to improve to an even 2-2 in Grande Prairie. When the two first met at the 2025 PBR Canada National Finals, Buttar rode the bull for 85.75 points in Round 2 of the year-end event. However, in their subsequent two meetings, Whiskey Moon has emerged the supreme athlete. At the November 2025 Touring Pro Division event in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Buttar was bucked off in 2.84 seconds, while their most recent showdown in January 2026 at the season-launch Cup Series event in Red Deer, Alberta, ended in a 2.57-second buck off.

• Gilmar Santana will face a rubber match against Gypsy Man. Santana rode the powerful animal athlete for 83.5 point this August en route to his Touring Pro Division victory in Tofield, Alberta. However, earlier this month at the developmental event in Armstrong, British Columbia, the Brazilian was dispatched in a close 7.68 seconds by the bull.

• Chanse Switzer will look to remain perfect against Frozen Ghost. Renewing a rivalry from 2024, Switzer rode Frozen Ghost for 81.5 points that season at the Touring Pro Division event in Coronation, Alberta.

• Lonnie West will attempt to reverse his fortunes aboard Hammer Time, having yet to cover the bull in their two meetings on record. The duo first danced in May 2025 at the Touring Pro Division event in Brooks, Alberta, when West was tossed in 5.97 seconds. Later that season at the 2025 PBR Canada National Finals, West was again bested by the bull, this time in 6.58 seconds.

• Austin Paley will climb aboard Pay Day for the second time in his career. In May 2025, Pay Day bested Paley in 1.68 seconds at the Touring Pro Division stop in Camrose, Alberta.

• William Barrows has drawn the final rematch in Surprise Twist. Barrows was bucked off by the bull in 3.56 seconds at the April 2025 Touring Pro Division event in Marwayne, Alberta.

NEXT UP – Following a roughly one-month break, the 2026 PBR Canada Sup Series will next travel to Medicine Hat, Alberta, and Co-op Place for the PBR Medicine Hat Classic on Saturday, October 17. Action will get underway at 7 p.m. MT.   

PROVIDING PROTECTION – The bullfighters on hand for this weekend’s event in Grande Prairie, Alberta, are Connor Larrivee, Logan Kadlec and Josh Haeberle.  

2026 5/5 BUCKING BATTLE SCHEDULE AND RESULTS - Each 5/5 Bucking Battle features the Top 5 riders from the event following Round 1, competing against the five highest-ranked bulls at the event for extra bonus points and an additional purse. Here are the winners of the special round in 2026:

March 6 in Lethbridge, Alberta      Stefan Tonita, 89.5 points on Monster Chip

 

GRANDE PRAIRIE COMPETITORS BY COUNTRY

Australia (1) – Cody Fraser

Brazil (2) – Francisco Costa, Gilmar Santana

Canada (21) – William Barrows, Kayden Budde, Dakota Buttar, Tyler Craig, Weston Davidson, Lucas Dunand, Tanner Eno, Mason Hamilton, Jett Lambert, Jeremy Maisonneuve, Eric O’Flynn, Austin Paley, Coy Robbins, Aaron Roy, Ashton Sahli, Marshall Senger, Scott Smith, Chanse Switzer, Nick Tetz, Stefan Tonita, Lonnie West

BREAKDOWN BY PROVINCE –

Alberta – William Barrows, Kayden Budde, Tyler Craig, Lucas Dunand, Tanner Eno, Mason Hamilton, Austin Paley, Coy Robbins, Ashton Sahli, Scott Smith, Nick Tetz, Lonnie West; British Columbia – Eric O’Flynn; Quebec – Jeremy Maisonneuve;  Saskatchewan – Dakota Buttar, Weston Davidson, Aaron Roy, Marshall Senger, Chanse Switzer, Stefan Tonita.