Wade Marshall Breaks Through with Career-First PBR Victory in Lacombe, Alberta

AIRDRIE, Alta. – New Zealand’s Wade Marshall broke into the win column last weekend in Lacombe, Alberta, for the first time in his career, victorious at the Touring Pro Division’s Lacombe Pro Bull Riding.

Courtesy of an 87-point score in the final round on Smooth Sailor, Marshall cracked the Top 25 in the national standings as he chases his first PBR Canada National Finals qualification.

The 29-year-old Kiwi has been in Canada since 2017. Starting out his rodeo career at a young age in the southern hemisphere, in the years since he has travelled around the globe, from New Zealand to Australia, the United States to Canada.

Since making his way to North America seven years ago, Marshall has battled injury. Shoulders and groins have been his Achilles heel, but with confidence and his health back, Marshall is riding better than ever.

And the win in Alberta was the convergence of his hard work and never-give-up attitude.

“Coming into Lacombe I was feeling confident,” Marshall began. “I knew I had a good long round bull. I have great success on Shay Marks’ bulls, That is why I picked his bull in the short round. I had a tough day that day, didn’t have any luck at the Pro Rodeo in Rockyford and that really puts the bee under a guy’s bonnet. I was ticked off enough that I kept things simple, I got in that zone.”

“I was surprised I made it back,” Marshall said of his renewed shot at victory despite being bucked off in the opening round. “But I got fifth pick, and Wyatt [Gleeson] told me that was the bull that he got on in Kelowna and that he would fit me well. And when those guys have faith in you, that is huge. I went in with a do-or-die attitude, and I just let it all hang out. I have learned that sometimes it comes down to that mongrel attitude to get out there and win.”

While it hasn’t been a record-setting year for Marshall, he says the win was truly a weight lifted off his shoulders.

“It felt great. It was the monkey off the back,” Marshall said.

“I had seen some success with some 81 and 82-point bulls, but I have to be covering those short-round bulls. Time to do your job, it just felt good. It felt rewarding for all the hard work and the up and down the road.”

Marshall was originally drawn to Canada by the Calgary Stampede, watching the classic rodeo on television in New Zealand.

“When I was a kid, I remember watching the Calgary Stampede on the TV, I knew a lot of guys who came over here and had great success, like Adam Jamieson,” Marshall said.

“I told Mom early on that Calgary was the pinnacle of rodeo, and not just in Canada but the world. Everyone wants to make it. That was my turning point, I wanted to come over here and do the best I could. Wanted to come over here and be a cowboy for a living.”

While his initial goal for 2024 was to qualify for the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association finals, the win among the PBR Canada ranks has helped Marshall make a shift in those goals prioritizing his opportunity to ride inside Rogers Place at the PBR Canada National Finals.

“My whole goal was to make the CFR on the pro rodeo side. And we have one month of rodeo left basically, so that is why I haven’t been to a ton of PBRs this year. Last year I did quite a few. I don't stay healthy in the best years, so I will go when I have to go. But this does change my goals a little bit.”

“Chasing someone like Cody Fraser (currently in the final qualifying spot), it’s a rabbit chase. Every time he nods his head, he puts 110% in. I need to be doing my job 10% better each bull I get on every single time. My goals have changed a bit. I have a few bigger events coming up with the Touring Pros and then the Cup Series events, and a guy can capitalize on some of the top guys who might not go to the smaller ones.”

What will it take for Wade Marshall to not only qualify for the PBR Canada National Finals, but contend for the event win?

“Let the dog come out and stop letting the puppy piss,” he said.