Thrilling Return to the Bucking Chutes in PBR Action in Lethbridge

by Kacie Albert

LETHBRIDGE, Alberta – After a 138-day hiatus from competition, the premier PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Canada Monster Energy Tour made its historic return to competition Thursday afternoon with the PBR Cooper Tires Invitational in Lethbridge, Alberta, at ENMAX Centre.

Featuring 25 of the nation’s premier riders, attempting some of the country’s top bovine athletes, the ferocious battle for the 2020 PBR Canada Championship and accompanying $50,000 bonus resumed as if no time had passed.

Brock Radford (De Winton, Alberta) and Ty Ellis (Sonningdale, Saskatchewan) tied for the event victory by delivering matching 86-point rides in the championship round. Both riders netted a cheque for $2,688.98, in addition to 58.5 Canadian and 11.5 world points.

“Definitely feels good to be back,” Radford said from the dirt inside ENMAX Centre moments after the win. “We’ve all been sitting at home getting cabin fever, so we’re all excited to be back doing what we do. Us riders can’t be nothing but grateful. Without PBR Canada, we wouldn’t be here today putting money in our pocket.”

Radford and Ellis exemplified cowboy spirit after bucking off their Round 1 draws. Off The Grid (X6 Ranch Bucking Cattle) bested Radford in 6.5 seconds, and Ellis was dispatched by Family Feud (Shay Marks) in 3.3 seconds.

The duo advanced to the final round based on buckoff time, but that did not stop them from converting under pressure in the championship round. Radford made the 8 aboard Stuntman Hank (Wild Hoggs Bucking Bulls) after Ellis began the championship round with a ride on Carlier Cartel (X6 Ranch Bucking Cattle).

“Sure lit a fire under me to go get that one rode and try a little harder,” Ellis said. “I was happy to capitalize on that one.”

The win marks the second of Radford’s career on the Monster Energy Tour, and it gained him crucial ground in both the Canadian national and world standings. While he remains No. 2 in Canada, Radford decimated the lead held by No. 1 Dakota Buttar (Kindersley, Saskatchewan). Radford is now within 67.5 points of the top-ranking after beginning the event 100.5 points behind.

In the broader PBR world standings, Radford gained five positions, rising from No. 40 to No. 35. He is now within the threshold of competing on the premier PBR Unleash The Beast.

For Ellis, the win was a career-first for him on the Monster Energy Tour. He is now ranked No. 7 in the Canadian national standings, 187 points behind No. 1 Buttar.

Additionally, as part of the Shell Rotella Rugged Ride for Charity initiative, a $1,000 donation will be made to charity in recognition of Radford and Ellis’ 86-point efforts. The duo selected the Ty Pozzobon Foundation as the benefiting organization.

Placing third overall was Round 1 winner Tim Lipsett (Lumsden, Saskatchewan).

Covering Strong Arm (Vold Rodeo) for 85 points, Lipsett netted $1,556.78, 45 Canadian and seven world points.

Lipsett’s Top-5 finish allowed him to crack into the Top 10 in the national standings. The 26-year-old is now No. 8 and within 193 points of the No. 1 position.

Rounding out the Top 5 was veteran contender Buttar and rookie rider Tanner Eno (Coronation, Alberta) who tied for fourth.

For Buttar, the PBR Cooper Tires Invitational was not only a chance for him to resume competition, but also for a chance for him to make further history.

After winning both Monster Energy Tour events to start the season, in addition to the Touring Pro Division event in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, he traveled to the PBR Cooper Tires Invitational amid a consecutive ride streak of 10 in a row.

Looking to make history, Buttar was on the precipice of breaking the all-time ride record in modern Canadian history, an 11-out streak he set between the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

In Round 1, Buttar delivered his 11^th consecutive ride, tying his own record, when he covered Trippy Hippy (Shay Marks) for 83.5 points.

Seeking history, the Saskatchewan man’s quest for the record concluded in dramatic fashion.

Drafting Blow Me Away (Vold Rodeo) in the championship round, the match-up between the two accomplished athletes ended in judge’s review, with the critical assessment concluding that Buttar didn’t reach the requisite 8, coming down in a heartbreaking 7.83 seconds.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, while Buttar chased history, Eno was making his Monster Energy Tour debut.

Having competed in just one PBR event prior, the Alberta rider made a quick statement, covering Muddy Water (X6 Ranch Bucking Cattle) for 83.5 points in Round 1. His hopes of victory, however, were dashed in the championship round when he bucked off Swagger (Vold Rodeo/Dynamite Buckers) in 2.98 seconds.

Both Buttar and Eno earned a cheque for $882.19, in addition to 25.5 Canadian and 3.5 world points.

Buttar remains Canada’s No. 1-ranked rider, while the previously unranked Eno is now No. 11, 220 points behind Buttar.

In the bullpen, Lil Loco (Flying High Rodeo Co.) was the high-marked bull of the event after delivering a 43-point score in Round 1 when he dispatched Shay Marks (Sunnybrook, Alberta) in 2.02 seconds.

Fans can tune in to a one-hour recap show from the historic PBR Cooper Tires Invitational on Tuesday, July 28 at 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN2, or relive all the action on RidePass starting at 8:00 a.m. ET on Friday, July 24 at RidePass.com or via the RidePass app available on iOS, Android and Roku.

PBR Canada Monster Energy Tour action continues from Lethbridge and ENMAX Centre on Thursday, July 23 at 7:00 p.m. MT with the PBR Built Ford Tough Invitational.

PBR Canada Monster Energy Tour – PBR Cooper Tires Invitational

ENMAX Centre – Lethbridge, Alberta

Event Leaders (Round 1- Round 2-Event Aggregate-Canadian Points)

1. Brock Radford, 0-86-86.00-58.5 Points.

(tie). Ty Ellis, 0-86-86.00-58.5 Points.

3. Tim Lipsett, 85-0-85.00-45 Points.
4. Dakota Buttar, 83.5-0-83.50-25.5 Points.

(tie). Tanner Eno, 83.5-0-83.50-25.5 Points.

6. Micheal Ostashek, 83-0-83.00-11 Points.
7. Aaron Roy, 82.5-0-82.50-8 Points.
8. Lonnie West, 78-0-78.00-6 Points.

Shay Marks, 0-0-0.00

Garrett Green, 0-0-0.00

Jared Parsonage, 0-0-0.00

Zane Lambert, 0-0-0.00

Logan Biever, 0-0-0.00

Thor Hoefer II, 0-0-0.00

Nick Tetz, 0-0-0.00

Jake Gardner, 0-0-0.00

Wacey Finkbeiner, 0-0-0.00

Jordan Hansen, 0-0-0.00

Dayton Johnston, 0-0-0.00

Todd Chotowetz, 0-0-0.00

Jackson Scott, 0-0-0.00

Wyatt Gleeson, 0-0-0.00

Fabian Dueck, 0-0-0.00

Isaac Mack, 0-0-0.00

Ashton Sahli, 0-0-0.00

2020 PBR Canada National Standings

(Place, Rider, Events, Wins, Top 5’s, Points, Total Winnings)

1. Dakota Buttar, 6, 3, 6, 245.50, $19,028.87
2. Brock Radford, 7, 2, 5, 178.00, $14,569.85
3. Jared Parsonage, 6, 0, 4, 109.00, $6,148.78
4. Garrett Green, 5, 1, 2, 95.00, $7,475.15
5. Aaron Roy, 6, 0, 2, 86.00, $3,401.36
6. Zane Lambert, 5, 0, 2, 71.00, $3,689.43
7. Ty Ellis, 2, 1, 1, 58.50, $2,688.98
8. Tim Lipsett, 5, 0, 2, 52.50, $2,211.98
9. Nick Tetz, 3, 0, 1, 42.50, $2,067.63
10. Logan Biever, 4, 1, 1, 30.00, $3,771.88
11. Dayton Johnston, 3, 0, 0, 25.50, $1,488.52
12. Tanner Eno, 2, 0, 1, 25.50, $882.17
13. Thor Hoefer II, 4, 0, 1, 20.00, $2,868.75
14. Dalton Rudman, 2, 0, 0, 18.50, $1,261.40
15. Jake Gardner, 4, 0, 1, 16.00, $1,215.29
16. Todd Chotowetz, 4, 0, 0, 15.00, $741.20
17. Dakota Louis, 3, 0, 1, 14.50, $1,875.31
18. Micheal Ostashek, 2, 0, 0, 11.00, $405.71
19. Zachary Laney, 2, 0, 0, 10.50, $463.25
20. Cody Casper, 2, 0, 1, 10.00, $1,275.00
21. Callum Miller, 2, 0, 0, 10.00, $481.78
22. Shay Marks, 6, 0, 1, 9.00, $1,197.08
23. Rosendo Ramirez, 1, 0, 0, 9.00, $370.60
24. Jackson Scott, 3, 0, 0, 8.00, $225.25
25. Wacey Finkbeiner, 4, 0, 0, 7.00, $775.63
26. Lonnie West, 2, 0, 0, 6.00, $132.09
27. Kache Moosman, 1, 0, 0, 5.00, $0.00
28. Koby Kile, 3, 0, 1, 5.00, $655.21
29. Wyatt Gleeson, 4, 0, 0, 4.50, $0.00
30. Austin Richardson, 2, 0, 0, 3.00, $0.00
31. Cole Young, 4, 0, 0, 1.00, $223.13
32. Nick Goncalves, 1, 0, 0, 1.00, $0.00
33. Jordan Hansen, 1, 0, 0, 0.00, $0.00
34. Marcos Gloria, 3, 0, 0, 0.00, $0.00
35. Lane Mellers, 1, 0, 0, 0.00, $0.00
36. Riley Gagnon, 2, 0, 0, 0.00, $0.00
37. Fabian Dueck, 1, 0, 0, 0.00, $0.00
38. Weston Hartman, 1, 0, 0, 0.00, $0.00
39. Italo Aguilar Goncalves, 1, 0, 0, 0.00, $0.00
40. Cody Hudson, 2, 0, 0, 0.00, $0.00
41. Wade Marshall, 1, 0, 0, 0.00, $0.00
42. Cawl Braithwaite, 1, 0, 0, 0.00, $0.00
43. Isaac Mack, 1, 0, 0, 0.00, $0.00
44. Lane Paley, 2, 0, 0, 0.00, $148.75
45. Griffin Smeltzer, 1, 0, 0, 0.00, $0.00
46. Wyatt Covington, 3, 0, 0, 0.00, $0.00
47. Zachery King, 2, 0, 0, 0.00, $0.00
48. Jayde Murphy, 2, 0, 0, 0.00, $0.00
49. Desmond Lambert, 1, 0, 0, 0.00, $0.00
50. Cole Harris, 1, 0, 0, 0.00, $0.00
51. Austin Allred, 1, 0, 0, 0.00, $0.00
52. Ashton Sahli, 1, 0, 0, 0.00, $0.00
53. Cameron Brown, 1, 0, 0, 0.00, $0.00