PBR Canada Cup Series returns to Medicine Hat as riders chase championship points

Tetz holds a large lead in the points race that he will look to build on.

The 26-year-old said a strong winter helped him build momentum early in the season, allowing him to hold the top of the standings.

Tetz recovered from a broken femur that limited his competition last year.

“I had a really good winter this year,” Tetz said.

“It just seemed like I drew really good, was riding really well, and was just able to go out and have fun.”

The Calgary-area competitor has been riding bulls since he was 15, after first getting involved in the sport through steer riding as a teenager.

He is now in his eighth or ninth year as a professional.

Tetz said the return from injury gave him a renewed appreciation for the opportunity to compete, helping him maintain a positive attitude even when individual rides don’t go as planned.

He said being able to return to the arena after a serious injury made it easier to appreciate the experience rather than focus on setbacks.

“The biggest thing was just being so excited to be at a bull riding event,” Tetz said, recalling his mindset early in the season.

That approach has carried through the year, with Tetz emphasizing the importance of enjoying the sport while continuing to work toward his competitive goals.

“When something bad happens, or they buck me off, especially after coming back from a broken leg, I was like, even if I get bucked off, and somebody was like, ‘How are you feeling?’ I’m like, you know what the best part about bull riding is? I got another one tomorrow,” Tetz said.

Bull riding requires competitors to remain aboard a bucking bull for eight seconds, with riders relying on preparation, balance and instinct to respond to the animal’s movements.

Tetz said he tries to keep his mind clear before a ride, rather than overthinking what might happen once he enters the arena.

“The more I think about it, the worse I do,” Tetz said.

He explained that the action happens so quickly that riders need to react almost instinctively, with little time to consciously correct their position once a bull begins bucking.

While the competition is intense, Tetz said the friendships formed through the sport are another important part of his career.

He travels regularly across Canada and the United States. His travel partner to most of the Canadian events since 2024 is fellow rider Chance Switzer.

The pair support one another through difficult stretches and celebrate successes together.

Tetz said having someone who understands the demands of professional bull riding can make a difference, particularly when a competitor is struggling or needs encouragement to keep working.

He added that the sport can be financially unpredictable, as riders often pay their own entry fees and earn money based on their performances.

Injuries can also prevent competitors from earning a living.

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Nick Tetz (Image Credit: Covey Moore/PBR Canada)

Tetz competes for the Arizona Ridge Riders in the PBR Teams series, which provides riders with contracts and guaranteed pay.

This season, he chose to focus primarily on PBR Canada events and the team series rather than pursuing a full rodeo schedule.

With the national finals approaching, he said the remaining events bring added pressure as riders fight to secure their places in the championship field.

The finals will feature the top 18 riders in the standings, along with two invitees, giving competitors additional incentive to perform well in Medicine Hat.

The event also offers a chance for Tetz to compete closer to home and reconnect with family members who live in the Medicine Hat area.

He said having relatives attend local events makes the experience especially meaningful, allowing him to spend time with family members he might otherwise see only occasionally.

Other riders with regional connections expected to compete include Foremost’s William Barrows and Leader’s Grady Young, who has emerged as a leading bull rider on the Canadian rodeo circuit after claiming the top bull riding position at this year’s Canadian Finals Rodeo.

Tetz encouraged residents to attend Saturday’s event, saying the combination of high-level competition and the atmosphere inside the arena makes for an exciting experience.

“There’s no event like it,” he said.

“There’s nothing in my opinion that’s more thrilling or exciting.”

The PBR Medicine Hat Classic begins at 7 p.m. Saturday at Co-op Place, with riders looking to strengthen their championship positions before the season-ending finals at Rogers Place in Edmonton Nov. 13-14.

by Jesse Gill

PBR Canada Cup Series returns to Medicine Hat as riders chase championship points

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