AIRDRIE, Alta. – Winning any PBR event is special, but winning the ones dedicated to legends of the sport means that much more.
For Coy Robbins, it hasn’t been the perfect season so far. With one round win in Kingston, Ontario, during the 5/5 Bucking Battle, he's ranked just inside the Top 15 in Canada at No. 14. Things could have gone a bit better thus far for the Camrose, Alberta, native.
But bull riding is about momentum.
And Robbins has seemingly turned that in his favor, fresh off a victory at the prestigious Glen Keeley Memorial Bull Riding in Stavely, Alberta.
“It is huge. This year hasn’t been quite like the last couple, so to get a win as prestigious as the Glen Keeley gives a guy that extra boost of confidence and momentum coming into the tail end of the year here,” Robbins said.
“Any memorial event is special to win and be able to wear that buckle on your belt, but 21 years or so now that the Glen Keeley Memorial has been going on and the guy is a complete legend in the bull riding world, without a doubt. It is near and dear to what I do for a living because this is what he did for a living. It means the world to me.”
Robbins punctuated his efforts at the event by covering Dialed In for an event-best 87 points, winning the championship round, and splitting the event title with friend and traveling partner Jordan Hansen.
“To split it with my traveling partner, if I can't win it outright, I am glad to be splitting it with a guy like him, for sure,” Robbins said.
Bull power in 2024 has been incredible in Canada, including the likes of PBR Canada Bull of the Year favourites Ringling Road, Grand Funk and Nobody, and Dialed In is no exception.
“The bull power in Canada has been as good as, if not better than, it’s ever been across the board,” Robbins said. “There are outstanding bulls from just about every contractor going down the road, unlike some years with one special bull from one contractor. I have seen Dialed In a lot and always thought I would like to have my shot at him. Going into the championship round, I asked Ashton Sahli what bull I should pick, and he said that one.
“What a good little bull. Everything a right-handed bull rider could ask for. Some kick and spin, fast as they come. There were a couple rounds where I didn’t even see him. He is a picture-perfect bull that a right-handed guy wants to get on.”
While his current rank is not exactly where he has gotten used to being at this point in the season in previous years, Robbins says he is happy with 2024 thus far and only takes the pressure as fuel to succeed.
“I am having fun," Robbins said. "This is where I tend to thrive since I have been a rookie. Sure, a guy would love to be No. 1, 2 or 3. But there is nothing wrong with being the underdog and coming in from behind. It adds that pressure. As long as you can turn it into fuel and get the fire burning, that's what matters.
“With another two months to play for here, lots of points are on the line. I plan on shaking some things up, without a doubt. It will be a good race to the finish line. I am looking forward to it.”
With a schedule chock full of PBR Canada Cup Series events and a good number of Touring Pro Division events left to shape the standings, Robbins has two stops circled on his calendar left to contest.
“Armstrong PBR next weekend,” Robbins said of his first must-hit event. “I rode there last year. It’s about as electric of a crowd as one can get, and about as fun of a place as one can get. It is hard to beat. I am really looking forward to that one.
“Prince Albert is always a fun one,” Robbins concluded. “You get to hang out at the Byrne family ranch for a few days, take in the festivities, and tie your hand to a couple good ones. I am looking forward to that one as well.”
Photo courtesy of Covy Moore/CovyMoore.com
