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We are incredibly lucky to have so many amazing people involved with PBR Australia from Riders, Stock Contractors, Judges, Staff and Protection Athletes to name a few. In our new Q&A series A Date with 8, get behind the scenes of your favourite PBR Australia people and learn a little more about them and their journey in Professional Bull Riding. 

We start off today with Heywood, Victoria superstar bull rider Sam Woodall who is looking to grab his first PBR Australia title in 2023, currently sitting 2nd on the standings. Woodall has made it to the top of the PBR ladder riding in the UTB tour in 2022 as well as representing NSW and Australia in the PBR Origin and PBR Global Cup respectfully. 

Get to know more about Sam as PBR Australia's Sean Walsh sits down with him our first edition of A Date With 8- 

Question 1:
As a kid who saw his father winning national APRA titles, how did you get into the sport of Bull Riding and what were your early experiences around the sport?

SW- It was something I grew up with, with my dad being an Australian champion and my grandfather breeding rodeo stock I was always around it as a kid. I have memories of watching my dad compete and that was what always drove me as I always wanted to be like him!

Question 2:
You burst onto the PBR Australia scene in 2017, what were some early learnings of being a professional bull rider in those early days of your career?

SW- To be honest when I was young and just started I definitely wasn't in the right headspace to be super successful in the sport, as I was more worried about the after party than the actual job of riding my bull. My riding ability was always there but the biggest thing to learn was getting my mind mentally strong to succeed.

Question 3:
You had some early success in your career, but took a few seasons into your PBR career to get an event win, which you did in Rocky in 2020. How satisfying was it to get your first event buckle at the PBR level?

SW- For sure getting my first career win with the PBR was a big thing for me. That year in 2020, I used the COVID pandemic break to recover from an injury and used that time to really dedicate myself to the sport. I was able to start working out for the first time in my career, improving my mental game and getting that first win really showed that all the hard work that I was putting in behind the scenes was paying off and it was a really rewarding felling.

Question 4:
You have been a part of the PBR Origin concept since its inception in 2019, how is it representing your adopted state of NSW and are there any highlights in an Origin event for yourself?

SW- I love the team concept and I love to buy in on the idea of being in a team and giving all you’ve got not just for yourself but for everyone else on the team. It brings the best out of everyone and being a part of it is always really special. Highlight would have to be from Origin 3 this year in Cairns, winning the event for NSW with the last ride out will always be pretty tough to beat.

Question 5:
You made your debut on the UTB tour in 2022, how exciting was it to test yourself in the premier PBR series in the world and what learnings did you take away from that experience?

SW- It was an amazing experience anytime you step up and ride against people you’ve idolised and watched most of your life, it was a pretty surreal feeling when you finally get there to compete amongst them. It was a more of a feeling out experience that first trip and I feel better prepared for my next venture and just need to take a little more time to ease into the different style of bull that they have over there and everything will work out sweet.

Question 6:
In 2022 you represented Team Australia in the Global Cup in Arlington Tx in front of 80 000 at AT&T Stadium, how was it pulling on the green and gold in that kind of environment?

SW- One of the coolest experiences I ever had and will never forget. Was such a great atmosphere and it didn’t work in our favour but it wasn’t from lack of effort from any one of us. Would love for it to be run back again in the future because it would certainly be a different story now.

Question 7:
Do you have a favourite bull and favourite ride you've had on the PBR Australia circuit?

SW- Ahh that’s a tough one I couldn’t pick one favourite bull to be honest I like all the ones you can win on and be 90 on so any of the ones that come into that category haha. Favourite ride on the PBR Australia circuit would have to be split between being 90 points on POA Fully Locked and Loaded (Dittmann Bucking Bulls) to win the PBR Grand Final Event in 2021, as it was his retiring trip and I’d been wanting to get on him for years and finally got my chance then or the 92-point out on Cattle King Boogers Beach (Dittmann Bucking Bulls) at Dittmann’s Bull Pit TPD Event earlier this season, as that’d my best ride to date so it has to be my favourite. 

Question 8:
What are your future aspirations in your career in the foreseeable future?

SW- I don’t really share my goals as such publicly, but my plan is to keep improving to become as good and consistent as I can be and wherever that path takes me I’m sure will be worth it.

You can follow Sam's journey by following him on Instagram @SamWoodall63.