Back

The Future is Fearless: Junior Bull Riders Join PBR Origin in Newcastle on May 3

PBR AUSTRALIA

Australia’s Best Junior Bull Riders Saddle Up for

PBR Origin I in Newcastle on May 3

 

Before the big guns buck it out in the toughest series on the planet – the PBR Monster Energy Origin Series I in Newcastle on Saturday May 3 - the 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. Images and vision here

 

Riding for Team NSW:

• Sonny Heffernan (Singleton, 11yrs) – 2024 Pee Wee Mini Bulls Grand Final Winner and nephew of NSW Origin coach Cody Heffernan.
• Kassedy Carlon (Bundarra, 12yrs) – A big personality in a small frame, Kassedy took out the Junior Mini Bulls title in 2024 and brings energy for days.
• Darcy Wilton (Muswellbrook, 15yrs) – Steely focus and a cool head under pressure, Darcy is one to watch.
• Cody Sternbeck (Willow Tree, 17yrs) – At 17, Cody is knocking on the door of the pro ranks and has the skills to back it.

 

Flying the flag for Team QLD:

• Clayton Walker (Colosseum, 10yrs) – Young but fearless, Clayton’s got serious cowpoke courage.
• Wylie Roots (Duaringa, 12yrs) – A three-time PBR State of Origin Junior qualifier, Wylie’s already been to Texas USA to ride and is building a legacy with every bull he faces.
• Rex Walker (Colosseum, 15yrs) – The 2024 Senior Mini Bulls Grand Final Winner, Rex has been dominating the circuit and brings power and polish.
• Jaxsen Tremayne (Morayfield, 17yrs) – 2024 Rising Star and known for his determination, Jaxsen’s carving his own path to the top.

 

Images and vision here

 

“This is more than just a ride — it’s the breeding ground for the next generation of champions. These young athletes are born for this and represent the future of bull riding in Australia — and they’re ready to ride,” said PBR Australia Managing Director Glen Young. “Australia’s fiercest sporting rivalry kicks off in 10 days – but this ain’t footy! This is bull riding Origin—PBR-style and it’s tougher, louder, and prouder than ever. The PBR Monster Energy Origin Series is back, storming into Newcastle, Brisbane and Sydney for a three-round battle of epic proportions and having our juniors ride before the big guns is part of the pathways we create for their careers. Queensland hasn’t lost an Origin Series since it began in 2019, so this year, it’s going to be a fierce battle, with Queensland pumped for back-to-back victories, and NSW keen to make their mark,” he said.

 

💥 OPEN RIDERS TEAM QUEENSLAND – MAROON PRIDE

With five straight Origin titles under their belt, the mighty Maroons are out to defend their throne with 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.

 

🎯 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

Professional Bull Riders (PBR) is one of the fastest-growing sports properties in the world, with tours across the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. A subsidiary of Endeavor, a global leader in sports, media, and entertainment, PBR has transformed bull riding into a premier international sport since its founding in 1992. The organisation features over 1,000 riders globally and hosts more than 200 events annually worldwide. In Australia, Professional Bull Riders Australia (PBRA) stages more than 20 events each year, attracting over 75,000 fans. PBRA showcases key events and tours such as the Monster Energy Tour, PBR Origin Series, and PBR Grand Finals, while also partnering with regional event organisers through the PBR Touring Pro Division. The organisation supports emerging talent through its Can-Am Junior Academy and serves as an international pathway to the United States circuit for both Junior and Open competition athletes. For more information, visit www.pbraustralia.com.au.

 

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. 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.

Contact details:

MEDIA INFORMATION:

For media information, contact Kath Rose on 0416 291 493 or email [email protected]

Images and vision here

Note – there is imagery and ride vision – search by rider name.