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Democracy Happens at the Polls. Destiny Happens in the Dirt.

PBR AUSTRALIA - ORIGIN SERIES

Democracy Happens at the Polls.

Destiny Happens in the Dirt.

 

Bull riding’s best of the best to buck it out at the PBR Monster Energy Origin Series Opener in Newcastle this Saturday

 

Can New South Wales break Queensland’s all-time hold?

 

While the nation heads to the polls on May 3, the real decisions will be made under the bright lights of Newcastle Entertainment Centre — where grit, guts, and glory are on the line. This Saturday, forget the ballot box — this is where the future of bull riding is decided, one eight-second ride at a time. It’s the ultimate face-off of State pride, where champions aren’t voted in — they earn it in the dirt. IMAGERY AND VISION HERE

 

Australia’s fiercest sporting rivalry and the toughest series on the planet is saddling up once again – but this ain’t footy and it ain’t politics! It’s bull riding  - PBR Origin-style! The PBR Monster Energy Origin Series storms into Newcastle THIS SATURDAY, then Brisbane and Sydney for a three-round battle of epic proportions.

 

“The fiercest rivalry in Australian sport isn’t just played out on the footy field or at the ballot box —it rages in the bull riding arena too. Welcome to the PBR Monster Energy Origin Series, where the state’s toughest cowboys go head-to-head in the test of skill, strength, and sheer grit: professional bull riding. With nothing but eight seconds standing between glory and the dust, these boys ride for more than just personal victory—they ride for state pride,” said PBR Australia Managing Director Glen Young.

 

“Queensland hasn’t lost an Origin Series since it began in 2019, so this year, it’s going to be a fierce battle, with NSW keen to make their mark,” he said. “This Saturday, the real showdown will be in the chutes!”

 

💥 TEAM QUEENSLAND – MAROON PRIDE

With five straight Origin titles under their belt, the mighty Maroons have a powerhouse line-up:

• Kurt Shephard – Mareeba's finest, and current PBR Australia leaderboard leader
• Macaulie Leather – Calliope’s cowboy dynamo
• Ben Bode – Leather’s Calliope counterpart, all grit and grind
• Thomas Triplett – Bungandarra’s bull-taming machine
• Bryn Francis – From Moura, riding with fire in his veins
• Caiden Sandilands – Rocky’s own rising star
• Zane Hall – Athol's adrenaline-chaser
• Jack Keats – Cloncurry’s cool and calculated charger
• Rylee Ward – The Kiwi connection, adding international edge to QLD’s dominance
• Nash Mellors – The Gracemere young gun with ice in his veins.
• With Bowen’s Beau Willis and Brumby Brandenberg from Bloomsbury the two reserves

 

💥 TEAM NEW SOUTH WALES – BLUE BLOODED AND READY TO RUMBLE

The Blues have revenge in their sights and a team built to break the streak:

• Jack Brodrick – Bungendore’s bold front-runner
• Tyson Smith – The pride of Walcha
• Jack Rowlandson – Oberon’s steel-nerved slinger
• Dylan Weir – Tumut’s determined force
• Clint Glass – The quiet powerhouse from the NSW  Liverpool Plains (Willow Tree)
• Toby Adams – From Mendooran, fierce and focused
• Lauchlan Waters and Wyatt Fraser from South Australia join the Blues in battle
• Four Brazilian stars join the charge as international bull riding warriors ready to shake things up: Joao Rigaard Franco, Matheus Lima Rodrigues, Luan Crystian Camara, and Diego Galdino

 

📣 THE STAKES

Each Origin event brings $50,000 in prize money, totalling $150,000 over the series. The Cowboy of Origin—the top performer across all three events—will score an extra $30,000 bonus.

 

💥 THE FUTURE IS FEARLESS

Before the big guns buck it out next generation of bull riding stars will take centre arena. Eight junior riders — four from each state — will ride in a special exhibition ahead of the 2025 PBR Monster Energy Origin Series opener. These are the toughest young humans in the game, riding mini bulls with the same grit and heart you’ll see from the pros. And while they won’t be competing for points, they’ll be earning plenty of fans.

 

🎯 2025 PBR MONSTER ENERGY ORIGIN SERIES

PBR Australia Presents: PBR Monster Energy Tour - ORIGIN I - Newcastle

May 3 at 7:00 PM at Newcastle Entertainment Centre   GET TICKETS

 

PBR Australia Presents: PBR Monster Energy Tour - ORIGIN II - Brisbane

Jun 7 at 7:00 PM at Brisbane Entertainment Centre   GET TICKETS

 

PBR Australia Presents: PBR Monster Energy Tour - ORIGIN III - Sydney

Jul 5 at 7:00 PM at ICC Sydney Theatre    GET TICKETS

 

ABOUT PBR AUSTRALIA ORIGIN SERIES

The PBR Australia Origin Series is an electrifying state-versus-state bull riding competition, where top riders from New South Wales and Queensland face off in a thrilling trio of events. Modelled after the State of Origin rugby series, the Origin Series has quickly become one of the most anticipated highlights of the Professional Bull Riders Australia (PBRA) tour since its debut in 2019. As a central feature of the PBRA's annual schedule, which includes over 20 events nationwide, the PBR Origin Series plays a vital role in elevating bull riding in Australia. It also serves as an important pathway for emerging riders to progress to the international stage, further solidifying the series as a key part of PBRA’s commitment to growing the sport.

 

Key Facts:

THIS SATURDAY:

PBR Australia Presents: PBR Monster Energy Tour - ORIGIN I - Newcastle

May 3 at 7:00 PM at Newcastle Entertainment Centre   GET TICKETS

Contact details:

***For media access on Saturday, interviews before and after and more, contact Kath Rose on 0416 291 493 or email [email protected]