Fort St. John bull rider heading down under for PBR Australia finals

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Pro bull rider Jake Gardner will finish off the month of October riding bulls down under.

Ranked second in the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Canada standings, Gardner has been confirmed to take part in the PBR Australia Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals in Townsville, Queensland, Australia.

A native of Fort St. John who now resides in Alberta, the 29-year-old Gardner had a successful run in PBR Canada Cup events in late August and early September.

Gardner has ridden bulls in 36 events this season, competing in a nail-biting affair for top spot in the PBR Canada standings with leader Dakota Buttar, earning $48,416.08 from 2025 PBR Canada Cup events.

He currently trails Buttar by 23 and a half points for first place with just two events remaining in the PBR Canada Cup season.

Gardner has had victories  in 2025 at both the Interior Provincial Exhibition and Stampede in Armstrong, B.C. and the Energy Dodge Dakota Buttar Invitational, getting to within one and a half points of the lead. 

He was also named a finalist at July’s Calgary Stampede bull riding competition. 

He also finished third at the Grande Prairie Peace Country Invitational on September 27th. Gardner placed seventh at the most recent PBR Canada Cup event, the Medicine Hat Classic, on October 18th.

Gardner took to his Facebook to confirm his availability for the PBR Australia event. 

“Excited to represent my county and head to the land down under to ride some bulls,” he wrote on Tuesday, October 21st.

The PBR Australia Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals will take place on Friday, October 31st and Saturday, November 1st at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre.