Sport
10 January, 2022
Shephard kicks off 2022 with a bang
MAREEBA born and bred Kurt Shephard has started the new year strong, taking out first place at the 2022 Season-Launch Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Australia Monster Energy Tour Event in Rockhampton.
Going in for the perfect 2-for-2, Shephard begins the new year with a bang after he dominated the Great Western Hotel on New Year's Eve, winning the elite Monster Energy Tour’s PBR Rockhampton Invitational, putting him ahead for the championships.
Round one was hot and heated, making the eight aboard Maverick’s Quicksilver (Blackhall Livestock/Maverick’s Western Wear) for 84.5 points, putting forward the second-best score.
Throughout the night Shephard impressed coming into the World Finals qualifier, making his way to the top of the leader board with 82.5 points and taking the win for the event.
His incredible efforts were recognised by the judges at the end of the night, shooting him further up the leader board with an extra 77 points earning the number one rank in the national standings.
Shephard said after a few slip ups during his last ride in Townsville, he has redeemed himself for a better and stronger season.
“It was no better feeling then to start off like that, I didn’t do to well in Townsville and I haven’t been on a bull since,” he said.
“The second bull I got on bucked me off late last year, so it felt good to get back on him and fix the mistake a made on him earlier.
“I went completely away from riding for six weeks and now I am back, refreshed and ready for the season coming up. “I’m just trying not to let the pressure get to me to much, just going to keep having fun riding my bulls and hope it has a good outcome like (New Year’s Eve).”
For 2022, Sheppard said he hopes to get on as many bulls as possible and enjoy his sport more every day.
“I just want to ride as many bulls as I can get on and win as many events as possible, that’s the big goal,” he said.
