Bowen professional bull rider Beau Willis helped secure three event wins, by winning one event at the QLD Pro Bull Riding State of Origin Series Champions held in Cairns two weekends ago.
The State of Origin PBR consists of the best 10 riders in the state. Athletes compete over 3 rounds (every 2 weeks) and the winning state is the state that wins 2 out of 3 rounds.
Beau, who has been competing professionally for 15 years, originally found out about the sport through his school, who offered rodeo as a subject:
“There was a group of us that started doing it through school and fifteen years later I am still doing it!” Beau explained.
The school course consisted of theory, followed by a practical where Beau said they were allowed to ride some small bulls.
When asked about his part in winning in the State of Origin, Beau said:
“It was great to finish on a good note.”
Beau is also competing to qualify for the grand finals, which will have around 22 finalists aged 18 and over.
“We have a few weeks off before the next event, and then it's on to the new season,” Beau added.
Team Queensland Captain Macaulie Leather said he couldn’t have asked for a better ending to the series and was extremely proud of Beau and the team.
“I know what the boys are capable of and they know what they’re capable of and they went off and proved it,” Leather said.
“They always ride unreal, they’re all exceptional athletes individually and to do it as a team is even better.”
With one event left until the final showdown, riders, such as Beau will now be looking to gain crucial points ahead of the Grand Finals in Townsville on November 1 and 2, which is the richest bull riding event in the southern hemisphere, where $30,000 of prize money is up for grabs.
To prepare this, Beau says he has been doing a lot of training, including gym work and practice bulls.
Congratulations Beau on a fantastic win.
Beau Willis competing in PBR State of Origin
Beau Willis