Sport
15 July, 2022
Cairns Invitational Rodeo To Be ‘Make Or Break’ For Riders
CAIRNS Convention Centre will once again be converted into a world-class rodeo arena this Saturday night, with the Professional Bull Riders Monster Energy Tour Cairns Invitational set to take centre stage as one of Far North Queensland’s premier sporting events.
Riders from across the nation will go head-to-head this weekend, where crucial bonus points will be up for grabs. Only a few points separate the top riders.
The event is set to shake up the national standings ahead of the PBR Tour Grand Finals in Townsville in four months’ time.
The event will also mark Mareeba rider, Kurt Shephard’s first big event since a neck injury earlier in the year ruled him out of the competition.
Mr Shephard, who started the season off strong prior to his injury, made his comeback at the Rockhampton Invitational in June and recently competed in the Mount Isa Invitational late last month where he placed fifth.
“It just feels really good to be back,” says Mr Shephard.
“As far as physical fitness, I feel really good. Each bull I get on, the better I feel.”
Mr Shephard says he is hoping to leverage off his home advantage to pull off an event win and attain those much-needed bonus points, with friends and family in the arena to cheer him on.
Riders will compete for over $30,000 in prize money this weekend, but also for vital bonus points, which will be ‘make or break’ for the national standings ahead of the Tour Grand Finals in November.
