NEBO native Justin Paton has etched his name in history by claiming Pro Bull Riding’s Iron Cowboy event in Tamworth on Saturday.
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Paton outlasted 21 other competitors from around the country and the world, including local cowboy Bradie Gray, to take home the top prize.
The Queensland cowboy arrived back in Australia earlier in the week after competing in the United States.
The win comes after Paton missed much of 2017 with a knee injury.
Saturday’s event was the last stop for Paton before the PBR Australia Grand Finals in Townsville in December.
Round one saw defending Iron Cowboy champion Lucas Divino sit atop the leader board after his ride on Wallace’s Django for 86.5 points.
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The Brazilian was closely followed by Cliff Richardson, Fraser Babbington and fellow countryman Rubens Barbosa.
Round two saw the top four riders from the first round perform well and retain their spots on the leader board.
Divino was on track to make it back-to-back wins following his 86 point ride on JP Gill’s Coors Light, however Cliff Richardson - determined to secure his first Australian PBR title - was equal to the challenge with his ride on Wallace’s Iron Jacket also marking an 86.
Barbosa on Klabe’s Cookies n Cream marked an 85 right alongside Babbington on TnR’s On Point for 85.
However, the ride was to be Babbington’s last of the event after he sustained a punctured lung, which prevented him from competing in the championship round.
Babbington’s misfortune opened the door for top ranked Australian rider Aaron Kleier to secure a spot in the championship round.
Still, Paton’s consistency was enough to see him secure victory, saving his best performance for last, scoring 88 on Palooka.
It was a momentous ride for Paton as Palooka has only been successfully ridden three times in the past three years and boasts a record of 34 buckouts.
Despite finishing behind Paton, Kleier still maintains his lead for the Australian bull riding title, with Richardson and Babbington close behind.
