“Tamworth is home to many great PBR riders, so it’s awesome to be able to showcase local talent in front of hometown fans. Ethan Watts and Lachie Slade will both compete at this weekend’s Iron Cowboy, as will Bradie Gray in his comeback event after a near-death injury back in 2017. There will be lots for Tamworth bull riding fans to cheer for, that’s for sure,” said Glen Young, General Manager, PBR Australia.

“The support we receive from Tamworth fans is always phenomenal, and we’re pumped to turn in some top performances for local fans on Saturday night – and to hopefully book our place at the PBR Grand Finals in Townsville the week after,” said Lachlan Slade.

Both Watts and Slade currently sit at No.16 and No.17 on the Australian Standings, just inside the top 18 Australian rider-cutoff for the PBRGrand Finals in Tamworth.

Tamworth’s Iron Cowboy event is the final opportunity to secure rankings points and to qualify for Townsville, making it even more crucial for riders like Watts and Slade who are on the cusp of qualification.

For Lachie Slade, there is extra incentive as Tamworth presents another opportunity to notch points in his bid for this year’s PBR Rookie of the Year title. Slade is currently second in the Rookie Race, narrowly trailing Queensland’s Michael Smith.

“Of course, it would be great to top off an awesome debut year with a Rookie of the Year title. It’s something I’d love to achieve, but I’m more focused on giving my best on each and every ride – and with that mindset, I think the results will come,” Slade said.

There won’t just be glory on the line for local riders at Iron Cowboy 2018, with a roster of stellar Australian and international riders also heading to Tamworth for the event. PBR Australia Iron Cowboy defending champion and former Brazilian #2 Lucas Divino has been confirmed to the lineup, as has fellow Brazilian rider Junior Quaresima.

Tamworth will also be the final and deciding event in this year’s PBR Stock Contractor of The Year title race, which is currently a neck-and-neck battle between Dittmann Bucking Bulls (Bloomsbury, QLD), TnR Bucking Bulls, (Melville, NSW) and 2017 Stock Contractor of the Year, Brandenburg Bucking Bulls (Clermont, QLD).

The Stock Contractor of the Year title is awarded based on each contractor’s top five event averages throughout the season.