Features

 

19-year-old Boston Leather was crowned 2024 PBR Australia Champion and Rookie of the Year while his older brother stood beside him as the runner-up.

History was made on Saturday night at the PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals, as 19-year-old Boston Leather was not only crowned Rookie of the Year, but also 2024 Australian Champion, taking home over 90K in prize money, with his older brother standing by his side as the runner up.

While he only scored one qualified ride over the two nights, on Cattle King Volatile (Dittmann Bucking Bulls), scoring 84.50, Boston’s stellar season gave him the edge he needed to secure the championship title and $75K in prize money, 123.85 points ahead of second place.  

Going into his rookie season with the hopes to win Rookie of the Year, worth $15K in prize money, he said he never imagined he would also be taking home the gold buckle, for 2024 Australian Champion.

“I tried to rest this weekend and not put too much pressure on myself, but I think it’ll sink in over the next few days and I’ll be jumping,” he said.

“I didn’t expect to be and to be here, I’m very grateful for that I’m excited to see what’s next.”  

It was a big night for Calliope’s Leather Brothers, with Boston following in his older brother’s footsteps, in another move for the history books.

For the first time in Australia, siblings have achieved consecutive victories, with Macaulie Leather being crowned the 2023 Australian Champion last year.  

Following an injury that saw 23-year-old Macaulie unable to compete earlier in the season, he came back with a vengeance and took home the event win, as the rider with the highest average over the two nights.  

“I couldn’t be happier for him,” said Boston.

“He’s an absolute unit he just goes out and does what he does best and loves every bit of it.

“All credit to him, to be honest if he didn’t have four months off at the start of the year, he’d be standing here doing this interview.”

Starting the Grand Finals in no.4 on the national standings, Macaulie was the only rider to make four qualified rides and his stellar performance saw him work his way up the leaderboard to also secure 2024 Australian Champion Runner Up.

His final ride, in the championship round, on Revolver (Dunne Bucking Bulls) saw his highest score across the two nights of 88.0 points.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome, to be a runner up to my little bro, there’s no better feeling,” Macaulie said.

“He’s our standard.

“From the time he was getting on calves I knew he’d be something special and he’s proved it to everyone all year and proved it to everyone here tonight - he’s s superstar in the making and I’m super proud of him for it.

“He deserves everything and I’m happy with the way I rode and just stoked to be here.”

It was International Rider Daniel Keeping took home the highest score of the night, with 88.25 on Razor Sharp (CF7 Bucking Bulls).  

Riders aren’t the only athletes in the PBR, and with lots of buck-offs, it was a great night for the bovine athletes.

It was Dittmann Bucking Bulls’ Mr T who took home the YETI Bucking Bull of the Year. Mr T’s highest scoring ride of the night was 44.0, bucking off Boston Leather in 55.56 seconds.

Australian Contractor of the year went to Colin Fry (CF7 Bucking Bulls).

With a sold-out crowd of over 10,000 fans across the two nights, Macaulie said the PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals were the best event of the year, and the crowd brought an electric atmosphere to finish off the season.

“It’s unreal,” he said.

“You don’t really feel it while you’re on the bull, you don’t hear it.

“But you know when you step off and you made a good ride you can’t hear anything in the world everyone’s hollering there’s no better feeling.”

PBR General Manager said it was a great way to end the 2024 PBR Monster Energy Tour.

“It’s the first time, in history, we’ve seen a Rookie of the Year also win champion of the year, and to top it off with brother’s coming first and second, it was a very special night for the Leather family,” Mr Young said.

“This year saw a number of international riders join the PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals, which truly is a testament to the quality of riders we are producing in Australia.”

 “It was great to welcome some of the world’s best riders to compete with us, it was a huge international event, and it was still our Aussies riders who took home most of the wins.  

“It was also pretty special to welcome back Brady Fielder, Qynn Anderson and Zane Hall, who have all been competing in America and made the trip to Australia to compete in the Grand Finals.

“We’re not quite finished just yet, with our two rookies Ben Bode and Boston Leather taking on the PBR Canada National Finals next weekend.”

While he’s not sure about the vast change in temperature, going into the Canadian winter, Boston said he’s looking forward to the opportunity.

“The change of bulls will be awesome, I haven’t been in the states so the change of bulls will be very good, and meeting lots of people will be good to get my name out there,” he said.

Mr Young said PBR Australia will be back in Townsville for the 2025 PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals, and fans better get in quick.

“We take this tour all over Australia, from Cairns to Bendigo, giving fans a taste of a PBR event, but it’s nothing like Townsville, and they want to see a grand final.

“We sold out last year and we sold out this year, so my advice would be get in quick if you want to be a part of something special next year, and keep an eye out for the 2025 tour dates so you can get in early."