PBR Australia Returns to Toowoomba for First Time in Four Years with Monster Energy Tour’s Fan-Attended, Double-Header Event on Nov. 7

TOOWOOMBA, Queensland – For the first time four years, PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Australia will travel to Toowoomba, Queensland, bucking into the Toowoomba Showgrounds’ Indoor Arena for the double-header PBR Toowoomba Invitational, part of the nation’s elite Monster Energy Tour, on Saturday, November 7.

The Monster Energy Tour regularly features Australia’s best bull riders squaring off against the rankest bucking bulls from across the nation. Fans will witness exhilarating 8-second rides and wrecks throughout the action-packed event as the PBR’s courageous bull-riding athletes face off against their 800 kilogram opponents bred to buck.

The 2020 PBR Toowoomba Invitational will abide by a series of health standards and protocols created in consultation with the Toowoomba Regional Council, and guided by the Queensland state government industry framework for safe events during COVID-19 (coronavirus), including:

• Reduced seating capacity to increase distancing amongst patrons and minimize fan crossover when entering and exiting.
• All PBR riders, staff and contractors will be required to download the COVIDsafe app, and be subject to CDC-informed screenings.
• Social distancing throughout the event, with all riders, stock contractors and staff maintaining 1.5 meter distance, except when crucial to the safe performance of bull riding.
• Social-distancing floor clings and barriers placed in high-traffic areas to prevent gatherings
• Increased sanitization of high-contact areas throughout the event.
• Emphasis on digital tickets, and options for cashless concessions and merchandise sales.

When the PBR last bucked into The Garden City in 2016, Jason Mara (Cloncurry, Queensland) delivered a perfect 2-for-2 performance to win the Toowoomba All Star Challenge. First riding Ugly Kid Joe (Frank Biddle) for 86 points, the Queensland-native cemented the win when he went the distance aboard Rock Star (Hall Rodeo Co.) for 85 points.

Prior to the 2016 event, PBR Australia had travelled to Toowoomba five times. Chris Lowe (Uralla, New South Wales) won the first-ever league event in the city in 2010.

Subsequent victors in Toowoomba include: 2017 PBR Australia Champion Troy Wilkinson (Upper Horton, New South Wales) in 2012; Ben Seeds (Dingo, Queensland) in 2013; four-time PBR Australia Champion David Kennedy (Kyogle, New South Wales) in 2014; and Nathan Burtenshaw (Coonamble, New South Wales) at the most recent event in 2015.

Positioned near the end of the 2020 PBR Australia season, the PBR Toowoomba Invitational will be critical in the race to crown the 2020 PBR Australia Champion.

The 2020 PBR Australia season is featuring one of the tightest national title races in league history. No. 1 Lachlan Richardson (Gresford, New South Wales) and No. 2 Aaron Kleier (Clermont, Queensland) are locked in a feverish battle atop the standings, separated by a mere 102.5 points. 

Richardson’s season has been highlighted by two event wins, logged in Ballarat and Bundaberg, along with six additional Top-10 efforts on home soil.

In the past three events, the seven-time PBR World Finals qualifier has logged consecutive runner-up efforts. Concluding the PBR Mackay Invitational with a silver finish in the evening event, Richardson was most recently second at both events for the PBR Rockhampton Invitational double-header.

Hot on his spurs, Kleier is chasing what would be his historic third PBR Australia title.

Should two-time and reigning Champion Kleier once again win the PBR Australia Championship in 2020, he would become the first rider in league history to win the nation’s championship in three consecutive seasons.

Additionally, Kleier would be on the precipice of tying Kennedy for winningest rider in Australian history. Kennedy is a four-time PBR Australia Champion, winning the title in 2009-2010, 2012 and 2014.

Thus far in 2020, Kleier’s campaign has included two event victories, complementing his five Top-5 finishes logged throughout the season.

In addition to Richardson and Kleier, both of whom are anticipated to compete in Toowoomba, the 2020 season has seen the break-through performance by Sam Woodall (Heywood, Victoria), presently No. 3 in the national standings, 258 points behind No. 1 Richardson.

The 22-year-old’s season has been highlighted by his career-first PBR event victory, notched at the most recent double-header in Rockhampton, Queensland.

The forthcoming double-header event in Toowoomba will mark the 16^th and 17^th events, respectively, of the 2020 PBR Australia season. Following the PBR Toowoomba Invitational, only two regular-season events will remain prior to the 2020 PBR Australia Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals on November 20-21 in Townsville, Queensland, at the Townsville Event Centre.

Prior to travelling to Toowoomba, PBR Australia’s Monster Energy Tour will have also held double-headers in Caboolture, Queensland on Sept. 26, Bundaberg, Queensland on Oct. 3, and Mackay, Queensland on Oct. 10, Rockhampton, Queensland on Oct. 17, and Beaudesert, Queensland on Oct. 31.

The bull riding action begins at 1:00 p.m. AEST and 6:00 p.m. AEST on Saturday, November 7 at the Toowoomba Showgrounds’ Indoor Arena. For both events, all riders will attempt one bull each in Round 1. The Top 8 will then advance to the championship round for one more out and a chance at the event title.

In addition to competing for points towards the Australian national standings, riders will also vie for crucial points towards the 2020 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast on Nov. 12-15 in Arlington, Texas at AT&T Stadium.

Tickets for the PBR Toowoomba Invitational are on sale now for $48, standard fees may apply, and can be purchased at www.tix.pbraustralia.com.au.  

All future PBR Australia events are subject to change, planned in accordance with directives issued by relevant government and health authorities given the evolving regulations during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.