Four Australian riders strapped on their spurs and flew the Aussie flag in PBR competition on US soil this past weekend. Let’s check out how they did in this weeks edition of The Weekend PBR Wrap Up.
PBR Unleash the Beast Tour
Sacramento Invitational Round 1
Nathan Burtenshaw went up against Strange Cargo (D&H Cattle Co./Gordon/OK Corralis) on the opening night of the PBR Unleash the Beast Sacramento Invitational.
Strange Cargo took a few big leaps out and turned back to the left with Burtenshaw looking to have a good seat. The bull continued to up the power and eventually got the better of the 24-year-old, slamming him into the ground at 6.46 seconds. The judges marked the bull 45-points which was enough for joint-high marked out of the night.
Unfortunately, the impact re-broke Burtenshaw’s right collarbone, and will most likely require surgery. It is a blow that will most likely rule him out of next month’s PBR Global Cup. Burtenshaw will get X-Rays on Monday to confirm the injury.
Burtenshaw Breaks Collarbone In Sacramento
Video Credit: @D&HCattleCo
The Sacramento Invitational will conclude late Monday morning with Round 3 and the Championship Round.
View the full Results from Sacramento
PBR Pendleton Whiskey Velocity Tour
Youngstown Classic Round 1
Justin Paton was the only Aussie rider to put a score on the board on night one of the PBR Velocity tour
How Bout It turned back to the right and away from Paton’s hand. While he did have to show some hustle, the Nebo bull rider never looked in any difficulty.
Kurt Shephard took on Chrome Hatchet from Championship Pro Rodeo. The bull turned back to the right with good tempo but after getting slightly behind early in the ride, Shephard was down in 5.20 seconds.
Aaron Kleier looked to have a good matchup with Buckeye Bill but the TCB Ranch and K-C Bucking Bulls bucker had too much power in the end. Buckeye Bill turned back to the left, and added plenty of tricks in the opening stanza for an official buck off time of 5.04 seconds.
Youngstown Classic Round 2
The field was trimmed from 45 riders to 30 riders for Round 2 and all three Australian riders were back for night 2.
Aaron Kleier took full advantage of a second chance against Trump Train from Championship Pro Rodeo and 7 Rocking X. This bull is usually around to the left but in this out, he threw a big fake and turned back to the right.
Kleier handled the reversal well and rode the spinner to the tune of 84.5 points and found himself ranked inside the Top 15 and gained himself a berth in the Championship Round
Kurt Shephard also made the whistle aboard Rafter B Bucking Bulls’ Yoga. The bull didnt stray too far from the chute and Shephard made a great ride away from his hand. The pair combined for 83.5 points, and unfortunately, it was not enough to make it back for the final round.
Justin Paton faced off against Uncle Keith from Phenom Genetics who put together a few big moves together out of the gate to have the Aussie down in 3.26 seconds.
Despite the buck off with the bull turning back away from Paton’s hand, his Round 1 score would be enough to make it back for a third bull in the Championship Round.
Youngstown Classic Championship Round
Aaron Kleier entered the final round in thirteenth place and was up against Barfly who is a fast and whippy bull from Championship Pro Rodeo and 7 Rocking X.
The 2018 Aussie champ just got a fraction behind as they left the chute and was sent flying out the back, landing on his feet for a 3.04-second buck off. Barfly was marked 43-points by the judges.
Justin Paton was out a few rides later in tenth spot and he drew Boogie Down from Skip & Elaine Jones at JQH Bucking Bulls.
Boogie Down made a strong half-turn to the left before reverting to the right. It was an athletic move which had Paton out of position, and the battle ended at 3.10 seconds. The bull was awarded 43-points.
Danilo Carlos Sobrinho took home the buckle with 262.5-points total. The Brazilian held off three opponents who also finished the weekend a perfect 3-for-3.
View the full Results from Youngstown
Up Next
The PBR Unleash the Beast tour heads to Oklahoma City for the Express Ranches Invitational. While we may be without Nathan Burtenshaw due to his collarbone injury, Lachlan Richardson is scheduled to make his 2019 season debut.
There will be two Velocity tour events on Saturday night with the Knoxville Classic being held in Tennessee and the Grand Rapids Classic scheduled for the same night in Michigan.
With all the injuries, we will have to wait and see where the Aussie riders pop up.