What’s happening?
Queensland’s sugar city of Mackay came alive this weekend as 21 of the country’s best bull riders battled for big points in the PBR Australia Monster Energy Tour. The two-night Mackay Invitational saw riders from Calliope, Rockhampton, Bajool, Mareeba, Mount Isa, Athol (Toowoomba), and Gympie compete against strong NSW challengers from Willow Tree, Hunter Valley, and Barraba.
With the 2025 PBR Australia Grand Finals in Townsville just weeks away, every second in the saddle now counts.
Brazil’s Alison Aguiar went three for four to claim his third PBR Monster Energy win of the season, thrilling a packed BB Print Stadium crowd. His 253-point total earned him $7,250 and pushed him up to No. 4 in the National Standings.
Why it matters
The Mackay Invitational was a vital stop on the road to Townsville’s Grand Finals. Queensland riders were among the most consistent across the competition, underlining the state’s dominance in this year’s PBR circuit.
“We’re at the business end of the 2025 season, and every ride matters. Anything can happen over the next few weeks, which makes the Grand Finals in Townsville set to be the ultimate bull riding showdown,” said PBR Australia Managing Director Glen Young.
By the numbers
• Alison Aguiar scored 253 points to take the winning total at the Mackay Invitational.
• He earned $7,250 in prize money for his third PBR Monster Energy win of the season.
• Mareeba’s Kurt Shephard remains Australia’s top cowboy with 1,983.33 points in the National Standings.
• Alpha Blokes Warden and Winchester both received 44 points, sharing the YETI ABBI High Marked Bull of the Night award.
Zoom in
Rockhampton talent stood tall with Caiden Sandilands adding points to his season tally and placing inside the Top 10. Calliope’s Ben Bode also delivered a solid ride, continuing Central Queensland’s strong representation.
Mount Isa’s Donovan Rutherfurd was a standout early, winning Round 1 aboard Ambush (CF7 Bucking Bulls) with 85.5 points and splitting Round 2 with NSW’s Clint Glass after an 86-pointer on Revolver (Dunne Bulls).
Glass finished runner-up with a combined 250.50 points, followed by Thomas Hudson (Dungog, NSW) in fourth and Brazil’s Luan Crystian Camara, who went two for four to stay in contention.
Athol rider Zane Hall was Queensland’s best finisher, securing fifth with an 85-point ride on Double Shot (TF Bucking Bulls). Fellow Queenslanders Kurt Shephard, Bode, and Sandilands, along with Victoria’s Kelsey Pavlou, rounded out the Top 10.
Local impact
At the top of the standings, Shephard remains Australia’s No. 1 cowboy despite finishing seventh in Mackay. Camara narrowed the lead by 34 points with his fifth-place finish, while Glass strengthened his hold on third. Aguiar’s strong showing moved him up to fourth, now just five points behind Glass and less than 800 points from Shephard.
In the bull pen, Alpha Blokes Warden from MJ and Keliher Bucking Bulls secured his seventh High Marked Bull of the Night award, sharing the honour with Winchester after both were marked 44 in Round 1.
Future stars shine
Australia’s young riders displayed plenty of courage. Gympie’s nine-year-old Jasper Wieland claimed back-to-back Pee Wee Division titles after winning in Nowra the week before.
The Junior Division went to 11-year-old Noah Lowe from Barraba, NSW. 14-year-old Chase Wieland, Jasper’s older brother, won the Senior Division, while 17-year-old Taj Everingham from Bajool, Queensland, was crowned Rising Star.
Zoom out
Full results from the 2025 Mackay Invitational and the updated National Standings are available online. Fans can rewatch the event on YouTube and find ticket details on the PBR Australia website.
What to look for next
The next stop is Kilkivan on October 11, followed by the Tamworth Iron Cowboy rounds on October 24 and 25, before the PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals in Townsville on October 31 and November 1 at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre.
