SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A suitcase and a gear bag.
That is essentially all two-time PBR Australia champion Aaron Kleier and 2018 Australian Pro Rodeo Association champion Brady Fielder each took with them when they left their native land for the United States four weeks ago.
The two young Australians were about to embark on their first full season in the foreign country after getting a small taste of the United States and the PBR last year.
They really did not have much of a plan at all.
Show up at Madison Square Garden and ride their bulls was the only objective.
Where they were going next or where to stay was all up in the air.
Kleier, 21, and Fielder, 20, have been two of the biggest up-and-coming riders in Australia in recent years. (So too is 19-year-old Ky Hamilton).
The easygoing duo is taking things casually, with their personalities matching their shaggy hairstyles.
The two good friends have relied on each other throughout their journey together this month. They split the cost of a $5,000 minivan in Dallas, and they have been living out of hotels, Airbnbs or with friends as they continue to get accustomed to the United States, not to mention competing on the PBR’s Unleash The Beast.
“Ah, it’s been good,” Kleier said. “Pretty much I only have a little clothes bag. I don’t have a lot. It is like one suitcase.”
Fielder shrugs when the adjustment to U.S. life comes up.
“It’s a little bit of a challenge,” Fielder said. “I am sort of getting used to it. It’s been good.”
Fielder and Kleier are set to ride Friday night at the Wrangler Long Live Cowboys Classic in Sacramento, California, at 10:45 p.m. ET. Fans can catch all the action from Round 1 exclusively on RidePass.
It is inside the arena where Fielder and Kleier are adjusting as well.
Fielder and Kleier were named to Team Australia’s final roster for the upcoming 2020 WinStar World Casino and Resort Global Cup USA, presented by Monster Energy, on Feb. 15-16 in Arlington, Texas, by head coach Troy Dunn and assistant coach Brendon Clark earlier this week.
They will team up with seven-time PBR World Finals qualifier Lachlan Richardson, 2019 World Finals qualifier Cliff Richardson, Ky Hamilton, two-time PBR World Finals qualifier Nathan Burtenshaw and 2017 PBR Australia Champion Troy Wilkinson for the fourth edition of the Global Cup.
A four-time Team Australia selection, Kleier is ranked 12th in the world standings, but he is still only 3-for-9 in three UTB events.
“It was good for Troy to say that I am back on the team,” Kleier said. “I suppose it will definitely help getting on them bulls over here before the Global Cup this year. Just getting used to things.”
Kleier is only 3-for-8 in three previous Global Cups.
Fielder is set to make his second consecutive appearance for Team Australia. Fielder (4-for-8) has steadily climbed the leaderboard week to week on the UTB. He most recently finished a career-high eighth in Manchester, New Hampshire, last weekend.
“I suppose it could help getting used to it a little bit before the Global Cup,” Fielder said.
The new additions of Hamilton, Burtenshaw and Wilkinson should also increase Australia’s chances of contending in Arlington compared to the team’s fourth-place finish in 2020, but Australia will need Kleier and Fielder to step up in three weeks for them to have a chance at winning the overall event.
One of the most successful Australians in PBR history, Clark is the only Australian bull rider to earn over $1 million in career earnings, and went on to qualify for the PBR World Finals 10 times before retiring at the end of the 2013 season.
Clark reached the 8-second mark on the premier series on 229 occasions and was victorious at three events.
The first-time assistant coach said he was thrilled to see Kleier and Fielder decide to give the premier series a go this year after turning down the opportunity in previous years.
“Absolutely,” Clark said. “It’s good for them to get in there and get a feel for those caliber of bulls. There is a massive difference from minor leagues and Australia, so it’s great they are getting that chance early.”
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko