The Tamworth Invitational hasn’t been the happiest of hunting grounds for the Cowboys in recent years, with below-average riding percentages recorded in the last four visits. 

In recent years, this event has tended to favour those riders who are positioned at the top of the standings with the PBR Australia Grand Finals in sight, and I feel as though this edition will be no different.

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Let's take a quick look through the matchups that will affect qualification for the 2026 PBR Australia Grand Finals and the National Championship race.

View the full 2026 Monster Energy Tamworth Iron Cowboy Invitational Daysheet

Round 1 Matchups

No. 29 Luan Crystian Camara on 073 Blinky Bill (ST Bucking Bulls)

The Brazilian has bucked off his last 17 bulls, and things don't appear to be much easier here in his long-round matchup. Blinky Bill has bucked off his last 6 opponents, taking his overall record to 23-and-1. We haven’t seen a right-handed rider climb aboard since early-2024, and the buck-off times for lefties have been very low. If there is a positive, it's that the bull will most likely turn back to the right and into Camara's riding hand.

No. 32 Nash Jones on 7921 Checkmate (Morgys Cattle Company)

Jones has been riding well since his tour debut, and this looks like a nice matchup for him to carry that momentum. Checkmate hasn’t been covered for a few trips since left-handers Keny Roger de Oliviera and Toby Collins went back-to-back at Sydney Meatstock and Origin III, scoring 83.80 and 85.25 points. He continues to turn back to the left initially but can produce some tricks mid-ride.

No. 20 Colby Edgar on 4 Crooked Intentions (Morgys Cattle Company/Wildcard)

Edgar is another rider who hasn’t fared too well in recent months, bucking off 21 straight bulls. His buck-offs have been coming in the second half of the ride, so I am hoping this streak won’t last much longer. All riders have a great record aboard Crooked Intentions. 21 scores from 35 trips, with left-handers making the bell 59% of the time. He should be to the left, but a fake to the right to start things isn’t out of the question.

No. 19 Dylan Weir on 7620 Misfit (Morgys Cattle Company)

Misfit has been a tricky draw for most right-handed riders, with only Rylee Ward good enough to go the distance early in the 2025 season. He tends to fake before committing to his left-handed spin, which will put him away from Weir's riding hand. Weir has put a few scores on the board at two of his last three starts, but probably just needs one more to guarantee his spot in Townsville.

No. 2 Zane Hall on -120 Honey Hole (Lazy G Bucking Bulls)

As the statistics show, Hall is the hottest rider in the country, covering 10 of his last 16 bulls in PBR Australia competition. He gets a pretty good draw in Honey Hole here in the long round. This bull has allowed 5 scores from 14 trips, with left-handers 2-from-8. Clint Glass was successful at Orange for 82.80 points, which is close to the average score. He should turn to the right and away from Hall's riding hand.

No. 24 Dawson Foden on 91 Del Rio (Maynes Bucking Bulls)

Del Rio is one of the toughest draws in this round. He has allowed just two scores from 20 outs and consistently turns back to the right. That will put him away from Foden's hand. Foden has had a very tough run over his last two or three tour stops. He has faced many highly ranked bulls, but his buck-off times show the try is there, and he may not be far off breaking his run of nine straight buck-offs.

No. 23 Charlie Bailey on 805 Canadian Club (Maynes Bucking Bulls)

Bailey is finding some form at the right end of the season, going 2-for-5 in the last month of competition. That has seen him make a lot of progress in the rankings, and he now sits on the expected bubble. There have been some pretty solid scores going the way of left-handed riders aboard Canadian Club. He allows most riders to get a solid start as he turns to the left, but surviving the final few seconds is the ultimate challenge.

No. 3 Keny Roger de Oliveira on 61-3 Gold Digger (K3F Bucking Bulls)

Oliveira must convert Gold Digger into points if he wants to remain in contention for the Gold Buckle. He continues to ride at a good rate, 42.86% over the last 60 days. Gold Digger has allowed just one score from nine outs – 85.30 to Kurt Shephard at the Newcastle Origin. He appears to prefer a look or a fake to the left before turning back to the right. That puts him away from the Brazilian's riding hand.

No. 25 Tyson Smith on N265 MSG Locating Filthy Rich (Lazy G Bucking Bulls)

This is a rematch from 2023, when the bull won in quick time at Winton. Filthy Rich isn’t a bad draw for right-handed riders, and they cover him around 27% of the time, with an average in the mid-80s. He will turn back to the right and into Smith's riding hand. Smith has struggled to get his rides started at recent events, but I wouldn't call his run of bulls suitable for a right-handed rider. He can bounce back.

No. 27 Thomas Hudson on 831 Pandemic (Lazy G Bucking Bulls/Edgar)

Hudson makes his return after a long injury layoff with a broken leg. Pandemic is a pretty good draw for a left-handed rider. They make the whistle 27% of the time, with a few round-winning scores scattered amongst them. He can take a few jumps to make up his mind, faking to the left, right or both, and mostly ends up turning left. We have seen Hudson catch fire late in the season before, and this could start another run.

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