Game Notes – Kelowna

THE BULLS TAKE KELOWNA – This weekend, for the third consecutive season, and fourth time in history, PBR Canada’s elite Cup Series will buck into Kelowna, British Columbia. The PBR Okanagan Challenge, the seventh elite tour event of the season, will be held at Prospera Place on Thursday, July 18. Action will begin at 7:00 p.m. PDT.

RELATED: Click here for the complete Kelowna Game Notes.

THIS WEEKEND’S FORMAT – The PBR Okanagan Challenge will feature two rounds of bull riding and is a Tier 1 Challenger Series Global event. Each rider will get on one bull in Round 1 on Thursday. The 10 bull riders with the best combined scores will then advance to the championship round later than evening, where they will attempt one final bull in an effort to be crowned the event champion. This weekend, one rider will have the chance to earn 120 national points, in addition to ride score points.

TIME TO TALK TOURING PRO DIVISION – While it may have only been a month since the most recent Cup Series event in Ottawa, Ontario, the PBR Canada Touring Pro Division event has been in full swing, holding 10 events. Here’s a recap of how each event unfolded:

Humboldt, SK (June 14): Cody Coverchuk’s dominant 2024 campaign continued in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, as the home province hopeful went a perfect 2-for-2 to win the Discovery Ford’s Battle of the Bulls, furthering his grasp on the No. 1 rank in the race for the season’s PBR Canada Championship. The win was Coverchuk’s PBR-best fourth Touring Pro Division victory of the season. Following the event, he led PBR Canada in riding percentage, having gone a torrid 19-for-26, covering a head-turning 73.08% of his bovine athlete opponents. As action got underway at Discovery Ford Sales Humboldt, Coverchuk was first tasked with Freight Train. Reaching the requisite 8 with ease, the two-time PBR Canada Champion was marked 83 points, the fourth-best score of the round. Coverchuk then went head-to-head with Bare Foot N’ Crazy in the second round. Matching the powerful animal athlete jump-for-jump, Coverchuk converted, marked an event-best 85 points to clinch the victory. Garnering 35.5 national points, Coverchuk extended his lead atop the Canadian standings, propelled an increased 336 points ahead of No. 2 Nick Tetz.  Tetz was also in competition at Discovery Ford’s Battle of the Bulls, however, went 0-for-2. The standout for the Arizona Ridge Riders in the separate PBR Teams league, was bested by Bull Dozzer in 3.75 seconds in Round 1, before being tossed by War Boy in 3.87 seconds in Round 2.

Cluny, AB (June 28): Chasing his first Canada Championship this November, Ashton Sahli reclaimed his winning form in Cluny, Alberta. Going a perfect 2-for-2, Sahli won his first Touring Pro Division event of the 2024 season, victorious at the Cluny Lions Charity PBR at Coulee Creek Farms. Sahli was first tasked with East Bound And Down in Round 1. Sahli made the requisite 8 atop the animal athlete, marked 70 points, however, was awarded a re-ride. In a business decision, Sahli elected to keep the score, a choice which proved dividends. Positioned third on the event leaderboard, Sahli then went head-to-head with Chili Womp in the second round. Bursting from the chutes, Sahli remained in perfect time with the bovine athlete, delivering his second qualified ride in as many attempts. Awarded a round-best 84.5 points, the score cemented the event win for Sahli. The golden finish garnered Sahli a crucial 50 Canadian points. He climbed from then No. 7 to No. 6 in the national standings, inching within 527 points of No. 1 Cody Coverchuk. Coverchuk extended his lead atop the national standings by finishing second as the only other rider to go a perfect 2-for-2. After besting Twisted Mister for 64 points in Round 1, Coverchuk dominated High Voltage for 84 points in the second round. Coverchuk earned 36 national points, increasing his then lead over No. 2 Nick Tetz to 372 national points. Tetz, who rides for the Arizona Ridge Riders in the separate PBR Teams league, was not in competition in Cluny.

Ponoka, AB (June 29): Attempting to become the fourth multi-time PBR Canada Champion this November, 2022 title holder Nick Tetz rode supreme in Ponoka, Alberta, winning the Wild West PBR. Tetz was quick to strike in Round 1, besting Out of the Blue for 85.25 points. Tied for second on the leaderboard entering the championship round, Tetz then went head-to-head with McGregor. Bursting from the chutes, Tetz remained in perfect time with the powerful animal athlete, reaching the requisite 8 with ease. Marked an event-best 86.5 points, the score cemented the victory for Tetz. The golden finish earned Tetz a crucial 120.5 national points. He remained No. 2 in the race for the 2024 PBR Canada Championship, inching within a then 324.5 points of No. 1 Cody Coverchuk. Coverchuk, however, prevented Tetz from gaining more ground by delivering a second-place finish of his own at the Wild West PBR. Despite being shutout in Round 1, tossed by Uncorked in 4.13 seconds, the two-time PBR Canada Champion was quick to rebound in the championship round, topping Emerald Inn for 86.5 points. Coverchuk earned 73 national points for the silver showing.

Calgary, AB #1 (July 2): As the Cody Snyder Charity Bullbustin’ got underway, Jared Parsonage was dominant, winning the first night of the Touring Pro Division event at Grey Eagle Resort and Casino, cracking the Top 10 in the national standings. Parsonage took on Ain’t About Fame. In what proved to be a perfect pairing, Parsonage made the request 8 for an event-best 88 points. Compliments of the golden finish, Parsonage netted a crucial 38 national points in the race for the 2024 PBR Canada Championship. He rose from No. 11 to No. 9 in the standings, inching within a then 638.34 points of No. 1 Cody Coverchuk. The score not only cemented Parsonage the event win, but also clinched Ain’t About Fame the Bull of the Event honors as he was marked an unrivaled 43 points. Coverchuk failed to grow his lead in the race for his record tying third national title. He was bested by Built Tough in 3.03 seconds.

Calgary, AB #2 (July 3): At the second night of competition for the annual Cody Snyder Charity Bullbustin’, 2022 PBR Canada Champion Nick Tetz rode supreme, winning the second night of Canadian Touring Pro Division competition at Grey Eagle Resort and Casino. Tetz drew Emerald Inn as his bovine athlete opponent Wednesday evening. Reaching the requisite 8 with ease, Tetz was marked an event-best 88 points. The golden finish garnered Tetz a key 38 national points. He remained No. 2 in Canada, closing within 314.5 points of No. 1 Cody Coverchuk. Two-time PBR Canada Champion Coverchuk, however, prevented Tetz from gaining more ground by finishing second. The Saskatchewan man’s 86.5 point-ride atop Teeka earned him 28 national points.

Calgary, AB #3 (July 4): In front of a raucous Thursday night crowd in Calgary, Alberta, Nick Tetz showed up and showed out, winning his second Touring Pro Division event in as many days, victorious at the third iteration of the annual Cody Snyder Charity Bullbustin’. Just one day after winning the second performance of the five-part event at Grey Eagle Resort and Casino, Tetz looked to continue his momentum on Hanna Motors Broken Halo. Riding in unstoppable form again, Tetz reached the whistle with ease, awarded an unrivaled 87 points to cement his third Touring Pro Division victory of the season. Tetz earned a crucial 38 points for the golden finish, climbing within a then 294.5 points of No. 1 Cody Coverchuk. Coverchuk, however, delivered a podium finish of his own, concluding the event third to earn 18 national points. The Saskatchewan man rode Alberta Springs for 83 points.

Calgary, AB #4 (July 5): At the penultimate iteration of the Cody Snyder Charity Bullbustin’, Nick Tetz continued to ride in unstoppable form, winning his third consecutive event at Grey Eagle Resort and Casino. The Arizona Ridge Riders’ Tetz looked to continue his winning ways from the previous two nights as he took to the chutes to take on Smart Donkey. With his championship form on full display, Tetz dominated the powerful bovine athlete for an unrivaled 86.5 points. The score cemented the 2022 PBR Canada Champion his fourth Touring Pro Division victory of the season. Tetz left his hometown event with 38 national points, furthering his grasp on the No. 2 rank in the race for the 2024 PBR Canada Championship and accompanying $100,000 bonus. He climbed within a then 256.5 points of No. 1 Cody Coverchuk. Coverchuk was bested at the Friday evening event, upended in a close 6.53 seconds by Destination Unknown.

Calgary, AB #5 (July 6): At the fifth and final iteration of the Cody Snyder Charity Bullbustin, surging Australian Donnie Rutherfurd rode a cut above the rest, winning the event in Calgary, Alberta, to crack the Top 25 in the race for the 2024 Canadian Championship. The Texas Rattlers’ Rutherfurd clinched his first victory of the season on Canadian soil when he bested Langham Kid for 88.5 points. The golden finish garnered Rutherfurd a crucial 38 national points. He rose from No. 34 to No. 25 in the race for the 2024 PBR Canada Championship. Canadian No. 1 Cody Coverchuk stumbled, unable to extend his lead atop the standings as he chases his record-tying third national title. He was bucked off by Wrangler Tough in 2.13 seconds. Coverchuck remained a then 256.5 points ahead of No. 2 Nick Tetz. Tetz, who won the three previous nights of Cody Snyder Charity Bullbustin’ competition, did not ride Saturday evening.

Kinsella, AB (July 10): Cody Coverchuk continued to ride supreme in Kinsella, Alberta, winning his then PBR Canada best fifth Touring Pro Division event of the season, victorious at the Kinsella Gravel Dome Bullarama. As competition got underway in Round 1, Coverchuk stumbled, tossed by Wicked Water in 4.09 seconds. The reserved Saskatchewan man, however, was quick to rebound. In Round 2, he regained his winning form, covering Langham Kid for an event-best 87.5 points. Not only did the score earn the two-time PBR Canada Champion his seventh round win of the season, but it also cemented him the overall victory. Coverchuk left the Kinsella Fair Grounds with a crucial 27 national points. He furthered his stronghold on the No. 1 rank in the race for the 2024 PBR Canada Championship, and accompanying $100,000 bonus, pulling a then 264.5 points ahead of No. 2 Nick Tetz. While Coverchuk grew his lead over No. 2 Tetz, the Calgarian prevented the margin from growing larger by delivering a third-place finish at his home province event. Tetz dominated Round 1, delivering the top score when he reached the requisite 8 atop Here and Now for 83.5 points. The 2022 PBR Canada Champion, however, fell short of the victory when he was sent airborne by To The Point in 3.16 seconds in the final round.

Diamond City, AB (July 13): In Diamond City, Alberta, Chanse Switzer rode supreme at the PBR Canada Touring Pro Division event at Gait n Rein Equestrian Center, victorious at the Craig Sosick Memorial PBR, presented by Dennis’ Dirtworx. Switzer’s first Touring Pro Division win of the season was garnered courtesy of a 79.5-point ride atop Ted E. Bear in the second round. Via the win, the Saskatchewan man earned 26 national points in the race for the 2024 PBR Canada Championship. He rose from No. 8 to No. 6 in the standings, climbing within 657.67 points of No. 1 Cody Coverchuk. On a night where the bovine athletes dominated, dealing buckoffs in more than 92% of the outs, Times A Tickin was crowned the Bull of the Event. Bucking in Round 2, Times A Tickin was marked an unmatched 42.5 points for his 1.72 seconds of work against Trey Buettner. 

PAST KELOWNA EVENT WINNERS – When the Cup Series last travelled to Kelowna in July 2023, Wyatt Gleeson rode supreme, going a perfect 2-for-2 to win the Okanagan Challenge. Gleeson first put points on the board in Round 1 when he topped Bow Before Me for 84.5 points. The Albertan then selected Wolf Bait as his championship round opponent. Remaining in perfect time with the powerful animal athlete Gleeson reached the requisite 8, marked a commanding 88 points to clinch the victory. Compliments of the win, Gleeson left Kelowna with a crucial 113.5 national points. He surged from No. 20 to No. 10 in the heated 2023 PBR Canada Championship race, inching within 188.5 national points of the No. 1 rank. As the season continued to unfurl, Gleeson remained a consistent presence in the Top 10, ultimately concluding the season No. 8 in Canada. This week, Gleeson will look to defend his victory as he attempts Kryptonite in Round 1.

2023 Wyatt Gleeson
2022 Brock Radford
2018 Lachlan Richardson

FAMILIAR WATERS – Round 1 of the PBR Okanagan Challenge will feature two rematches. Those riders facing familiar opponents are:

• Elijah Gordon will attempt Watermelon Sugar Hi for the second time in his career. This May Gordon was bucked off by the bull in 4.63 seconds at the Touring Pro Division event in Camrose, Alberta.
• Nick Tetz will again square off against Silver Creek. In July 2023, the bovine athlete got the better of Tetz in a close 7.37 seconds at the Touring Pro Division event in Calgary, Alberta.

NEXT UP – The 2024 PBR Canada Sup Series will next travel to Grande Prairie, Alberta, and Bonnetts Energy Centre for the PBR Peace Country Invitational on September 27-28. Action will get underway nightly at 7 p.m. MDT.   

PROVIDING PROTECTION – The bullfighters on hand for this weekend’s event in Kelowna, British Columbia, are Jesse Byrne, Brett Monea and Ty Prescott.

2024 5/5 BUCKING BATTLE SCHEDULE AND RESULTS - Each 5/5 Bucking Battle features the Top 5 riders from the event following Round 1, competing against the five highest-ranked bulls at the event for extra bonus points and an additional purse. Here are the winners of the special rounds thus far in 2024:

March 1 in Lethbridge, Alberta | Cody Coverchuk, 86 points on Wild Time
June 4 in Kingston, Ontario | Nick Tetz, 85.5 points on Allemand Left and Coy Robbins, 85.5 points on Wicked Water

KELOWNA COMPETITORS BY COUNTRY

Australia (2) – Cody Fraser, Callum Miller

Brazil (1) – Alison Trindade

Canada (20) – Dakota Buttar, Cody Coverchuk, Tyler Craig, Weston Davidson, Wyatt Gleeson, Dusty Golden, Elijah Gordon, Garrett Green, Chad Hartman, Kelvin Hillier, Keaton Martz, Jared Parsonage, Brock Radford, Coy Robbins, Aaron Roy, Ashton Sahli, Cauy Schmidt, Chanse Switzer, Nick Tetz, Stefan Tonita

New Zealand (1) – Wade Marshall

BREAKDOWN BY PROVINCE –

Alberta – Tyler Craig, Wyatt Gleeson, Dusty Golden, Garrett Green, Keaton Martz, Brock Radford, Coy Robbins, Ashton Sahli, Cauy Schmidt, Nick Tetz; British Columbia – Elijah Gordon; Saskatchewan – Dakota Buttar, Cody Coverchuk, Weston Davidson, Chad Hartman, Jared Parsonage, Aaron Roy, Chanse Switzer, Stefan Tonita.