![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/KURT-SHEPHARD-ON-7-ELEVEN_TAKING-THE-CIANRS-PBR-AUSTRALIA-TITLE-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Queensland\u2019s King Kurt: Australia\u2019s number one bull rider wins sold-out PBR Cairns Invitational<\/p>\n
North Queensland\u2019s cowboys dominate as the bucks stay north and now head to Townsville<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The north belongs to the cowboys: In front of a sold-out Cairns crowd, Mareeba\u2019s Kurt Shephard proved exactly why he wears the title of Australia\u2019s number one bull rider, delivering a perfect 2-for-2 performance to win the PBR Australia Monster Energy Cairns Invitational last night. \u00a0Photos + Vision +\u00a0 Interviews\u00a0HERE<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In an epic night of bull riding that saw 13 qualified rides, Shephard held off a charging field of Australia\u2019s best to claim the buckle with an event aggregate score of 174.90 points, collecting 254 event points and more than $21,000 in prizemoney.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The victory further strengthens Shephard\u2019s hold on the national title race, with the reigning champion now sitting at the top of the PBR Australia National Standings on 1,607.00 points, extending his lead to 328.50 points over Brazil\u2019s Keny Roger de Oliveira.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n But the Queensland charge didn\u2019t stop there.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Rockhampton\u2019s Caiden Sandilands came within touching distance of victory, finishing runner-up with an aggregate score of 173.40 points after producing the biggest ride of the night \u2014 a massive 89.30 points aboard Last Post (Dunne Bulls) in the Championship Round. The monster score brought the Cairns crowd to its feet, but wasn\u2019t enough to overtake the hometown hero, with Shephard and Sandilands the only two riders of the night to successfully cover both bulls.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n North Queensland\u2019s rising talent also delivered, with Leith Malone recording a huge 86.10-point ride aboard Cowboy Way (Kleier Bucking Bulls) in Round 1.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n On the bovine side of the battle, El Chappo from Dittmann Bucking Bulls claimed YETI Bull of the Night honours with an impressive 44.70-point bull score.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n THE BUCKS STAY IN NORTH QUEENSLAND \u2013 next up is Townsville on July 11<\/p>\n There\u2019s no rest for Australia\u2019s toughest cowboys, with the bulls staying in the north and bucking into Townsville this Saturday as PBR Australia joins the action at the NTI Townsville 500 on Saturday, July 11.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The PBR Monster Energy Tour will then turn its attention to Sydney, where one of the biggest rivalries in Australian sport reaches its finale, the PBR Australia Monster Energy Origin Series Final.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n PBR Australia National Standings<\/p>\n Kurt Shephard \u2014 Mareeba, QLD \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n THE REMAINING SEASON <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Saturday 11 July: Touring Pro Division: Supercars Townsville 500<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Saturday 1 August: PBR Australia Monster Energy Origin III<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Saturday 15 August: PBR Monster Energy Tour: Melbourne Invitational<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Saturday 22 August: PBR Monster Energy Tour: Adelaide Invitational<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Saturday 29 August: PBR Monster Energy Tour: Caboolture Invitational<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Friday 4 \u2013 Saturday 5 September: PBR Monster Energy Tour: Hawkesbury Invitational<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Saturday 12 September: PBR Monster Energy Tour: Coffs Harbour Invitational<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Saturday 19 September: PBR Monster Energy Tour: Orange Invitational<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Friday 16 \u2013 Saturday 17 October: PBR Monster Energy Tour: Mackay Invitational<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Saturday 24 October: PBR Monster Energy Tour: Tamworth Invitational<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Friday 13 \u2013 Saturday 14 November: PBR Australia Grand Finals<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n For media information, contact Kath Rose on 0416 291 493 or email [email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Contact details: <\/p>\n
\nKeny Roger de Oliveira \u2014 S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil
\nEthan Coster \u2014 Miriam Vale, QLD
\nZane Hall \u2014 Athol, QLD
\nDonnie Rutherfurd \u2014 Mount Isa, QLD<\/p>\n