Professional bull riders bring season finale to Yorkton

Bull riders prepare for the weekend PBR event at Westland Insurance Arena, ready for the toughest eight seconds. Fruzsina De Cloedt.

Friday night, the Westland Insurance Arena in Yorkton will be jam packed with spectators, ready to enjoy the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) as some of the best bull riders will be making their way to Yorkton.

“We’re so fortunate to have this caliber of a professional bull riding event come to Yorkton,” Lori Walsh, director of the Yorkton Exhibition Association said. “It is such a great production and high energy. [Judging] by the ticket sales, people just love the thrilling adventure that bull riding brings.”

However, there is one hiccup that might prove challenge for organizers.

“The weather,” said Ben Kinkaid with PBR Canada. “It’s always a bit of a challenge in Yorkton, but our team is working through it.”

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The event will feature Canada’s top three bull riders, separated by fewer than 100 points. Among the top three, are Jared Parsonage and Dakota Buttar, both born and raised in Saskatchewan.

Kinkaid described PBR as a tough fight, noting that not only are the athletes prepared, but the bulls are, as riders must stay on for eight seconds.

“These bulls are born, bred and raised for this. [They’re] treated probably better than how most people treat their pets at home. They’re pampered along the way because they are athletes,” he said.

After this weekend, the riders will go to Edmonton and battle for the national title, and a $100,000 bonus.

The rodeo is the last big event for Yorkton’s 2025 Grain Millers Harvest Showdown, which will wrap up on Saturday evening with a barn dance.