Game Notes – Kelowna

KELOWNA GETS RANK – This week, for the fifth consecutive season, PBR Canada’s elite Cup Series will buck into Kelowna, British Columbia. The PBR Okanagan Challenge, the seventh elite tour event of the season, and the tour’s only stop in British Columbia in 2026, will be held at Prospera Place on July 16. The action gets underway at 7:00 p.m. PDT.

RELATED: Click here for the complete Kelowna Game Notes. 

THIS WEEKEND’S FORMAT – The PBR Okanagan Challenge will feature two rounds of bull riding and is a Tier 1 Challenger Series Global event. Each rider will get on one bull in Round 1 on Thursday. The 10 bull riders with the top scores will then advance to the championship round later than evening, where they will attempt one final bull in an effort to be crowned the event champion. This weekend, one rider will have the chance to earn 120 national points, in addition to ride score points.

RECORD. BREAKING. SEASON. – PBR Canada’s Cup Series will turn its attention west after a record-breaking, three-event run in Ontario. Holding one-day events in Hamilton, London and Ottawa, the Cup Series welcomed more than 27,000 fans. After breaking the single-day attendance record in Hamilton with 10,033 fans, the organization broke the record again roughly two weeks later in Ottawa, welcoming 10,181 fans.

ENO STRIKES GOLD IN OTTAWA – At the most recent Cup Series event in Ottawa, Ontario, Tanner Eno reached a crucial career milestone, going a perfect 2-for-2 to win his career first Cup Series event, victorious at the PBR Ottawa Classic inside the Canadian Tire Centre. As action got underway, Eno got off to an electric start, winning Round 1 via an 85.6-point ride aboard Poor Boys Pistol Grip. With the first pick in the championship round bull draft, Eno then elected to go head-to-head with Stray Bucks. Nodding with confidence, Eno burst from the chutes inside the home of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, remining in perfect time with the powerful animal athlete en route to the requisite 8. Marked 87.9 points, the qualified ride was enough to clinch the victory for Eno. In addition to the win being Eno’s career-first on the elite Cup Series, it also marked his third across all levels of PBR competition. He last won at the July 2025 Touring Pro Division event in Kinsella, Alberta. Leaving Canada’s capital city with a crucial 126 national points, Eno surged from No. 27 to then No. 11 in the intensifying race for the 2026 PBR Canada Championship and accompanying $100,000 bonus. He closed within a then 557.93 points of No. 1 Nick Tetz.

In the roughly one month since the Cup Series was last in competition, Eno has struggled going 0-for-6 across six Touring Pro Division events. As a result, he has fallen to No. 17 in the national standings, now 776.33 points behind No. 1 Tetz. Eager to reclaim his winning form this weekend in Kelowna, Eno has drawn a rematch in Nacho.

TIME TO TALK TOURING PRO DIVISION – While it may have only been a month since the most recent Cup Series event in Ottawa, Ontario, the PBR Canada Touring Pro Division event has been in full swing, holding seven events. Here’s a recap of how each event unfolded:

Cluny, AB (June 25): As the intense summer slate of PBR Canada events continued in Cluny, Alberta, Francisco Costa showed up and showed out, going a perfect 2-for-2 to win the Cluny Charity PBR. The win was Costa’s first of 2026 and second of his career. The Brazilian earned the victory as the only rider to go a perfect 2-for-2 at the event. Costa first struck in the opening round when he covered Honey Badger for 82.4 points. His momentum then continued in the second round when he outlasted Whisper On A Scream for 82.8 points. Courtesy of the golden finish, Costa collected a crucial 55 national points in the race for the 2026 PBR Canada Championship, propelling him from No. 18 to then No. 9 in the standings. He inched within 579.67 points of the No. 1 rank. Fast-forward to present and Costa is ranked No. 10 in the national standings. Costa will attempt Diablo in the opening round of the event in Kelowna.

Also in Cluny, two-time PBR Canada Champion Nick Tetz was second, netting 36 national points. Tetz rode lights out in Round 1, delivering the top score when he covered Crazy Coupe for and event-best 85.8 points. The reserved Albertan was denied a shot at the victory when he was upended by Knot Head in a hard-fought 4.17 seconds in the final round. Tetz solidified his grip on the No. 1 rank in Canada. He grew his lead to a then 372.83 points over No. 2 Gilmar Santana. Santana was in action at the Cluny Charity PBR but failed to gain ground on Tetz after going 0-for-1, bucked off by Tombstone in 4.81 seconds in Round 1.

Ponoka, AB (June 27): As an electric crowd watched on at the Ponoka Stampede Grounds, veteran contender Jordan Hansen rode supreme, going a perfect 2-for-2 to win the Wild West PBR, cracking the then Top 5 in the race for the 2026 PBR Canada Championship. Hansen was sensational in Round 1, delivering the top marks when he rode Nacho for 86 points. Continuing his momentum into the championship round, Hansen punctuated his outing at the Wild West PBR with the high-marked ride of the event, besting Stray Bucks for 88.3 points. Earning 136 national points at his home province event, Hansen surged from No. 10 to then No. 5 in the race for the 2026 PBR Canada Championship. He climbed within 447.33 points of No. 1 Nick Tetz. Hansen will travel to Kelowna this weekend eager to continue his climb up the standings, presently ranked No. 4. He has drawn Toxic Masculinity in the opening round of the event inside Prospera Place.

For those riders atop the national standings, Tetz was shutout at the Ponoka Stampede Grounds, failing to grow his lead in the title race after being bucked off by Cracker Jack in 4.67 seconds in Round 1. Surging Brazilian and Canadian No. 2 Gilmar Santana, however, gained ground via a third-place finish. Santana took home 70 national points for his 84.2-point ride atop Full Metal Jacket in Round 1, and 87.05-point effort aboard Toxic Dreams in the championship round. Santana closed within 302.83 points of No. 1 Tetz.

Calgary, AB #1 (June 30): As the five-night run of Canadian Touring Pro Division action at Grey Eagle Resort & Casino got underway, Gilmar Santana delivered a statement performance, delivering the high-marked ride to win the opening Cody Snyder Charity Bullbustin’. Santana was tasked with Stray Bucks. In what proved to be a perfect pairing, Santana dominated the bull for 88.3 points to clinch the win, his third PBR Canada victory of 2026. Collecting 88 national points for the golden finish, Santana furthered his grasp on the No. 2 rank in the race for the 2026 PBR Canada Championship and accompanying $100,000 bonus. He closed within 251.33 points of No. 1 Nick Tetz. Two-time PBR Canada Champion Tetz, however, tied for third that evening. He rode Patiently Waiting for 86.9 points to collect 36.5 national points. Santana remains No. 2 in Canada, now 368.33 points of Tetz who remains No. 1 in the national standings. Santana will look to secure his first Cup Series wins of the season this weekend in Kelowna, taking on The Goat.

Calgary, AB #2 (July 1): On the second night of competition at Grey Eagle Resort & Casino, two-time PBR Canada Champion Nick Tetz rode a cut above the rest, delivering the high-marked ride of the night to win the second installment of the Cody Snyder Charity Bullbustin’. Tetz drew Walkin Tall as his bovine athlete opponent for the one-round event. The pair of athletes teamed for an 86.7-point score to cement the victory. Collecting 88 points for the golden finish, Tetz furthered his stronghold on the No. 1 rank in the race for the 2026 PBR Canada Championship and accompanying $100,000 bonus. He grew his then lead to 310.33 points over No. 2 Gilmar Santana. Santana prevented Tetz from gaining additional ground by logging a fourth-place finish, netting 29 national points. He rode Cheeko for an 85.1-point score. Tetz remains No. 1 in Canada, now 368.33 points ahead of No. 2 Santana. He will chase his first career Cup Series win in Kelowna this week, first tasked a rematch in Cracker Jack.

Calgary, AB #3 (July 2): When the annual Cody Snyder Charity Bullbustin’ continued in Calgary, Alberta, 2021 PBR Rookie of the Year Eli Vastbinder showed up and showed out, winning the third installment of the Touring Pro Division event at Grey Eagle Resort & Casino. Vastbinder went head-to-head against Destination Unknown in front of the electric crowd. Proving to be a perfect pairing, Vastbinder dominated the bovine athlete for 89 points to cement the win. Courtesy of the golden finish, Vastbinder collected 88 national points, climbing from No. 41 to then No. 25 in Canada. Vastbinder is not schedule to compete this weekend in Kelowna.

Both Canadian No. 1 Nick Tetz and No. 2 Gilmar Santana were also in action that evening. Tetz was second, netting 58 national points. The hometown favorite secured the silver showing via his 88.9-point score aboard Cracker Jack. Santana, however, was shutout, bucking off Strapper in a close 5.62 seconds. By way of the podium finish, Tetz extended his lead atop the national standings, growing his lead to a 368.33 points over No. 2 Gilmar Santana.

Calgary, AB #4 (July 3): On the penultimate night of Cody Snyder’s Charity Bullbustin’ in Calgary, Alberta, Australian sensation Macaulie Leather rode in dominant form, winning the event and cracking into the Top 25 in the race for the season’s Canadian Championship and accompanying $100,000 bonus. Fresh off a fourth-place finish the night before at the one-round event, Leather took to the chutes ready to climb aboard Wizkid. Nodding with confidence, Leather remained in perfect time with the powerful animal athlete, reaching the requisite 8 for an event-best 87.5 points. The golden finish garnered Leather a crucial 88 national points. He rose from No. 37 to a then No. 25 in the national standings. Leather is not slated to compete at the 2026 PBR Okanagan Challenge.

Atop the national standings, both No. 1 Nick Tetz and No. 2 Gilmar Santana were shutout, going 0-for-1. Tetz was tossed by Sign The Cheque in 5.62 seconds, while Santana was bucked off by Red Velvet in 3.31 seconds.

Calgary, AB #5 (July 4): During the final installment of the Cody Snyder Charity Bullbustin’ at Grey Eagle Resort & Casino, young gun Jayden Roy reached a crucial career milestone, winning his career-first PBR event. Roy, who was recently drafted by the Nashville Stampede ahead of the 2026 season for the PBR Teams League, drew Twisted Reign as his bovine athlete opponent for the one-round event. Bursting from the chutes, Roy matched the bull jump-for-jump en route to the 8-second whistle, awarded an unrivaled 87.4 points. Courtesy of the win, Roy collected 88 national points. He surged from No. 12 to No. 7 in the race for the 2026 PBR Canada Championship and accompanying $100,000 bonus. He now trails No. 1 Nick Tetz by 642.83 points. Roy will look to continue his momentum this weekend in Kelowna, British Columbia as he chases his first Cup Series win. He has drawn Still Smokin’ in Round 1 inside Prospera Place.

Atop the title race, Tetz and No. 2 Santana were both in competition, shutout for the second consecutive night. A double entry, Tetz was bested by Dirty Habits in 5.69 seconds, and Rank Frank in 4.78 seconds. For Santana, he was upended by Snap Crackle Pop in 1.78 seconds.

PAST KELOWNA EVENT WINNERS – When the Cup Series last travelled to Kelowna in July 2025, welcoming a sold-out crowd, Garrett Green showed up and showed out going a perfect 2-for-2 to win the sold-out tour stop and crack the then Top 5 in the national standings. As competition got underway inside Prosper Place, Green first took on Jingle and Go, marked a round-winning 83.5 points. With the first pick in the championship round bull draft, Green elected to go head-to-head with Stray Bucks. A decision which proved dividends, Green rode the bull for an event-best 88 points to cement his win. Green left British Columbia having earned 136 national points. He rose from a then No. 6 to No. 4 in the race for the 2025 PBR Canada Championship and accompanying $100,000 bonus. As the season continued, Green won an additional Touring Pro Division event, before concluding the season No. 5 in the national standings. Green will return to Kelowna this week eager to defend his event win. He is currently ranked No. 9 in Canada, 663.83 points behind No. 1 Nick Tetz. Green’s season to date has included six Top 10 finishes, led by three third-place efforts at the Cup Series events in Lethbridge, Alberta, and Hamilton, Ontario, and Touring Pro Division event in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Inside Prospera Place, Green will take on Up Roar in the opening round of the 2026 PBR Okanagan Challenge.

2025 Garrett Green
2024 Jared Parsonage
2023 Wyatt Gleeson
2022 Brock Radford
2018 Lachlan Richardson

FAMILIAR WATERS – Round 1 of the PBR Okanagan Challenge will feature three rematches. The riders facing familiar opponents are:

• Nick Tetz will face a rubber match with Cracker Jack. When the two first squared off this past June at the Touring Pro Division event in Ponoka, Alberta, Cracker Jack bucked off Tetz in 4.67 seconds. Tetz, however, evened the score less than a week later at the Cody Snyder Charity Bullbustin’ in Calgary, riding the bull for 88.9 points.

• Tanner Eno will look to remain perfect against Nacho. Eno rode the bull for 88 points during last September’s Touring Pro Division event in Kindersley, Saskatchewan.

• Cauy Schmidt will attempt to even the score against Twisted Logic. This past April at the Touring Pro Division event in Marwayne, Alberta, the animal athlete tossed Schmidt in 2.78 seconds. 

NEXT UP – Following a roughly two-month break, the 2026 PBR Canada Sup Series will next travel to Grande Prairie, Alberta, and Bonnetts Energy Centre for the PBR Peace Country Invitational on Saturday, September 26. Action will get underway at 7 p.m. MT.   

PROVIDING PROTECTION – The bullfighters on hand for this weekend’s event in Kelowna, British Columbia, are Tanner Byrne, Josh Haeberle and Logan Kadlec.

2026 5/5 BUCKING BATTLE SCHEDULE AND RESULTS - Each 5/5 Bucking Battle features the Top 5 riders from the event following Round 1, competing against the five highest-ranked bulls at the event for extra bonus points and an additional purse. Here are the winners of the special round in 2026:

March 6 in Lethbridge, Alberta     Stefan Tonita, 89.5 points on Monster Chip

 

KELOWNA COMPETITORS BY COUNTRY

Brazil (2) – Francisco Costa, Gilmar Santana

Canada (23) – Kayden Budde, Dakota Buttar, Tyler Craig, Weston Davidson, Lucas Dunand, Tanner Eno, Tyler Ewart, Garrett Green, Jordan Hansen, Griffin Koester, Jett Lambert, Eric O’Flynn, Austin Paley, Brock Radford, Coy Robbins, Aaron Roy, Jayden Roy, Ashton Sahli, Cauy Schmidt, Chanse Switzer, Nick Tetz, Westen Wade, Lonnie West 

United States (1) – Koltin Hevalow

BREAKDOWN BY PROVINCE –

Alberta – Kayden Budde, Tyler Craig, Lucas Dunand, Tanner Eno, Garrett Green, Jordan Hansen, Jett Lambert, Griffin Koester, Austin Paley, Brock Radford, Coy Robbins, Ashton Sahli, Cauy Schmidt, Nick Tetz, Westen Wade, Lonnie West; British Columbia – Eric O’Flynn; Ontario – Tyler Ewart; Quebec – Jayden Roy; Saskatchewan – Dakota Buttar, Weston Davidson, Aaron Roy, Chanse Switzer.