Shell Rotella Donates $10,000 to Ty Pozzobon Foundation as Part of Rugged Ride for Charity Program

AIRDRIE, Alberta – A valued partner of the PBR Canada Monster Energy Tour, Shell Rotella introduced the Rugged Ride for Charity program in 2020. As part of the initiative, at every Canadian elite tour event, the company awarded a $1,000-$1,500 donation to the high-marked rider’s charity of choice.

And when the season wrapped concluded last month in Grande Prairie, Alberta for the 2020 PBR Canada Monster Energy Tour Finals Week, the tally was in, all $10,000 was donated to the Ty Pozzobon Foundation.

The Ty Pozzobon Foundation was created in February 2017 to protect and support the health and well-being of western sports participants inside and outside the arena. In conjunction with the Canadian Pro Rodeo Sports Medicine Team (CPRSMT), the Ty Pozzobon Foundation looks to educate, support and build western lifestyle participants.

As a primary supporter of the CPRSMT’s attendance at PBR Canada Monster Energy Tour events, as well as other rodeo and semi-pro events, the Ty Pozzobon Foundation’s objective is to be a resource inside, outside and behind closed doors for anyone involved in western sports.

“It all goes back to western sports participants,” said Ty Pozzobon Foundation President Tanner Byrne. “There were events this year that the Ty Pozzobon Foundation funded the CPRSMT to be at. And anyone in this sport can tell you that isn’t cheap to do at all these events across the country and across the schedule,”

“Everywhere that guys were getting on this year, we were there to help out and get the Sports Med team there.”

Many of the Foundation’s 2020 plans were stifled by the unprecedented slowdown presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, but Byrne said that programs like the one Shell Rotella offered riders in the sport is what keeps the Foundation afloat and working towards its goals.

“We feel very fortunate and appreciative that Shell Rotella has that program in place and thankful to the guys who decided that’s where that money should go,” Byrne said.

“That money goes right back to western sports participants both inside and outside the arena. It allows us to continue to move forward with the things we are doing. From a bullfighter’s and former bull rider’s perspective, the Foundation does so much for western lifestyle participants.

“Whether that is having the Canadian Professional Rodeo Sports Medicine Team at all the events we go to, to the education and resources we offer. Just for me, the tape jobs, the physical oversight aspect as a bullfighter, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without them there to get me ready and keep me going and have longevity in the sport. Part of that is funded by the Ty Pozzobon Foundation.”

With mental health being a primary mandate of the Foundation, Bryne says that the foundation is always working to gather up as many resources for anyone who is struggling during these times, or any time, and be able to connect them with the exact professional they may need.

“As well that money is always working towards the Foundation’s mandate on education. This will go towards funding some of the video work we are doing, those are expensive but we want them done the right way to hopefully help people. They take some time and a lot of work. Brandon Thome and the CPRSMT are working hard to get those out,” Byrne said.

“There are tons of things in the works and in order, and it’s been a tough year to try and get things done.”

“We know how tough this year has been on companies and our country,” Byrne concluded. “Without all that support there would be no Ty Pozzobon Foundation. We have so much gratitude to anyone who is supporting us. I think we are going to be able to do great things in the future, and all great things take time. We are working hard to be always improving and working towards the next best thing, and having the resources ready for anyone reaching out who needs help.”