Toowoomba enjoys a bucking great time

Despite the size of some of the beasts they are riding, competitors as young as 18 climb aboard for the ride – and that’s no bull.

Cody Heffernan struggles to hang on to Pittsworth bull Roger Rabbit during PBR competition at the Toowoomba Showgrounds.

GOING by the large crowds that attended the two sessions of PBR Australia’s bull riding competition on Saturday, Toowoomba loves bucking.

Both the afternoon and evening competitions in the Toowoomba Showgrounds equestrian pavilion were sold out.

PBR championship leader Lachlan Richardson shows how it’s done on bull Zoo Animal at the Toowoomba Showgrounds.

PBR (Professional Bull Riding) competition is just two weeks out from the grand finals in Townsville and the tour stopped off in Toowoomba for some hard fought competition in which riders hoped to get enough points to sneak into the final eight spots for the finals.

“PBR Australia is linked to PBR in the United States and if riders can get enough points they can compete in the US,” explained event manager Darcie Farrugia.

Rowan Markham couldn’t quite last the eight seconds on Big Bang Theory during PBR competition a the Toowoomba Showgrounds.

“The youngest rider we have here is 18 and the oldest riders are in their early to mid-30s.

“The top eight will go into the championship round.

“It’s a good tour and we’ve sold out the 1pm and the 6pm competitions.

“Next weekend we’re in Airlie Beach before the finals in Townsville on November 21.”

About 25 riders competed in the various sections on Saturday and only about a third made the mandatory eight seconds to score points.

Warwick born and bred Lachlan Slade could only last 5.7 seconds on bull Scene Of The Crash during PBR competition at Toowoomba Showgrounds.

Stock contractors provide the bulls, some of which are huge and intimidating but even after being bucked off, the riders just dust themselves off and get ready to climb on board for another ride.