AFTER more than a year out of action, Hallsville cowboy Bradie Gray is set to make his return this weekend, and make no mistake, he is looking for a win.
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The 20-year-old has made a full recovery from the injuries he sustained when a bull threw him and stepped on his chest at the College National Finals Rodeo, in Wyoming last year.
Now he is back and is looking to star in front of his home crowd at Saturday’s Pro Bull Riding (PBR) Iron Cowboy event at AELEC.
Gray said he “couldn’t wait to get back into it.”
“I have been working really hard in the gym over the last few months,” Gray said.
“After the accident I virtually just hid away from everyone and the whole bull riding scene to just focus on my fitness and getting back into it. Now I’m feeling the best I’ve ever felt, I’m ready to go and I’m ready to have fun.”
Gray will be up against 27 of the best cowboys from around Australia and the world, each vying to cement their place in the PBR finals next month.
“There will be some really talented guys competing here and it should be a really great show,” Gray said.
“I’m definitely out to win it, especially being my first event back after injury.
“To win in my hometown would be something pretty special.
“It would be a dream come true I reckon.”
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Gray said he wasn’t feeling any lingering issues from his career-threatening injuries last year.
“To be honest, I’m just trying not to think about it too much,” he said.
“There is always going to be a bit of nerves when you’re competing.
“It is bull riding after all, you are going up against a 1000kg animal – whoever’s not feeling nervous about that is crazy I reckon.
“For me, I will just be looking forward to taking it as it comes and looking to have some fun doing it.”
Support for Gray’s return has come from far and wide, with long-time friend Ben Burrage helping the cowboy get physically fit for the event.
“I’ve been really lucky to have a great support network around me,” he said.
“My dad has always been there and has been a big part of my bull riding career.
“Ben’s always been there and has helped me get fit to get back into it, I can’t thank everyone who has helped me enough and I can’t wait to get back into it.”
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
