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By HARRY CLARKE
IN A clutch moment of Australian bull riding, the PBR national champion from 2016 clung on to one of the country’s toughest animals for a spectacular 92-point ride that secured him his second title – eight years after his first.
Cody Heffernan, from Singleton NSW, topped of a huge second night at the PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals by riding last year’s YETI Bull of the Year, “Cattle King Coogie Beach”, to claim not only the event title but also the overall PBR Australian Title for 2022.
After a lackluster opening night of the event, 33-year-old Heffernan put on a bull riding masterclass before a sold out crowd at the Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre on Saturday, riding all three of his bulls to win by just 2.5 points overall.
In doing so he prevented reigning champion and second place getter Aaron Kleier from taking his fifth consecutive national title.
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“I can’t really remember it, I was just hanging on,” Heffernan said of his ride on “Cattle King Boogers Beach”.
“I knew I had to ride him and do anything after Aaron rode that bull (“Mystery”). I just knew I had to ride him if I wanted to have a shot at winning it.”
As well as the $50,000 in prize money for the national title, Heffernan took home a $12,800 for the event win.
Heffernan’s earnings from the PBR circuit totalled more than $122,000 for 2022.
The Rookie of the Year award went to Koumala’s Qynn Andersen who finished fourth on the national standings with 645 points.
In the bull pen, Dittmann Bucking Bulls capped off a dominant year by taking home the YETI Grand Finals Bulls Team and Contractor of the Year, awards, while the Dittmanns’ star bucker “Roid Rage” took out the YETI Finals High Point Bull of the Event as well as Bucking Bull of the Year.
PBR Australia standings for 2022
“He’s been an outstanding bull. I don’t reckon he’s hit his pins yet. He’s had an outstanding night tonight,” team owner Jason Dittmann said of Roid Rage.
“He’s become pretty special to us. I can’t ask any more of that bull, we love him.
“The whole team’s been good all year. I can’t ask any more of the bulls and even my team here, my family, everyone who helps out, I can’t ask for more. Everyone gives 100 percent, I’m so happy.”
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