Arizona Ridge Rider and 2022 PBR Canada Champion Nick Tetz headed to Las Vegas for Teams Championship

AIRDRIE, Alta. – Arizona Ridge Rider and current PBR Canada No. 2 Nick Tetz has a busy couple of weeks ahead. 

Coming off of a career weekend for the Ridge Riders at their home event and PBR Teams regular season finale in Glendale, Arizona, where the team went 3-0 and showed off a healthy and winning form, the Tetz now heads into the one-night PBR Teams Ride-In Round at South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas. 

As one of the bottom four teams in the overall PBR Camping World Team Series standings, they have to be one of the Top 2 scoring teams tonight to advance to the PBR Teams Championship inside T-Mobile Arena from Oct. 18-20. 

“It will be really good. In Glendale we went 3-0 and rode all our bonus round bulls. It was a testament to how good this team really is when we have everyone there and everyone rolling,” Tetz said. 

“It has been really good to have Dener [Barbosa] and [Colten] Fritzlan back. I know the rest of the boys are feeling dangerous and ready to have a big week this week in Vegas. We just have to ride our bulls. It’s really simple. This is still just bull riding. Have to finish in the Top 2 tomorrow, and from there we just have to do what we have done every year in T-Mobile.”

The Ridge Riders have been in the conversation for the Teams Championship the last two seasons, and Tetz says that T-Mobile Arena has been a good omen and a championship isn’t out of the question. 

“The first year the team was in the Finals, lost to Nashville. Then last year we just didn’t have the game we needed in the Semifinals, but still won third. The Ridge Riders seem to like that building, it’s come close the last couple years but with our whole squad healthy I think we can still get this thing,” Tetz said. 

“I think everybody knows and believes in how good we can be. Coach Colby [Yates] keeps telling us how great we were, how he didn’t want anyone else on this team, that this was the squad of guys he wanted. And that showed in Glendale with everyone stepping up and riding their bulls. Same thing I have been saying, when everyone is healthy and firing on all cylinders and you have guys on the sidelines who could be on the main roster, it’s all a good problem to have.”

This weekend sees the return of the PBR Canada Cup Series in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

While Tetz holds down the No.2 rank in the standings, 105 points behind No. 1 Cody Coverchuk, there are only three regular seasons events remaining on the PBR Canada docket, and he is keeping the logistics in mind. Missing Medicine Hat would not be the end of the world, but Tetz’ drive to become a two-time PBR Canada Champion is evident. 

"PBR Canada is a huge deal, there is so much money up for grabs,’ Tetz explained. “And to become one of the guys who have won it twice would be unreal. I have been keeping my eyes on what the logistics looks like this weekend for all scenarios. I have done lots of flying and travelling to get to both Canadian events and Team events. It’s all important to me right now. I am going to go out and put everything on the line for that team, but Medicine Hat is on my radar if it’s possible to make it too.”  

“There are lots of points at the Finals, Saskatoon and Yorkton, if I go out and ride my bulls, I think I can get it done. I am excited for this last part of the year. I am healthy and feeling good. That is such a big part of it.”

Tetz has been a contender for the PBR Canada Championship ever since he won his first title in 2022, and that will be no different this season. Tetz expects the race for the title to come down to the last bull.

“It’s going to come down to the last bull and who can ride the bulls at the Finals and be the most points. I was a little upset in my showing in Grande Prairie, I had a knee injury that kept me out. That is all fixed now. I think you have a lot of guys creeping up on me and Coverchuk, too.”

“You have Dakota [Buttar] who is always really good in the last part of the year. He will be coming into Edmonton with a shot at it. There will be interesting battles, some number crunching. I think it’s going to be won on that last bull, which I look forward to. I have been preparing the whole year for it, with the way Coverchuk has been riding,” Tetz said. 

“I know Coverchuk is putting in a lot of work with Acumen, so to come back and win that is the best scenario a guy could ask for after an injury. Kudos to him, but it has lit the fire under me. I am gunning for him.”