AIRDRIE, Alta. – Shay Marks was a mainstay on the PBR Canada Cup Series for years. The bull rider, turned stock contractor, has now joined the list of event producers.

Last weekend’s inaugural Buckin At The Brook in Sunnybrook, Alberta, was a long time coming. Traditionally, Marks would host his friends at his home to have a fun practice pen. That practice pen then morphed into a half-organized bull bucking, awarding a leather belt buckle.

Last weekend, it was a PBR.

Marks is a PBR Canada Cup Series event winner in Winnipeg, a PBR World Finals qualifier in 2019 and only hung up his rope in 2021.

With an estimated 1,200 spectators through the gate this past weekend, Marks and his committee of friends and family were happy with how things went for their first PBR.

“We have been talking about it for years, but we never put any action towards it,” Marks explained. “This spring we talked more and more, and we forced it to happen in a crunch time. The PBR is where it is at. We always knew it could be a good event. We just had to do the groundwork and put it together. The PBR helped us a lot getting sponsorship, that professional-level event.”

“I couldn’t believe how many people showed up considering the weather,’ Marks added. “It was a great success I would say. They were a rowdy, excited crowd.”

Marks heaped a ton of praise and credit on the people who stepped up to create this event alongside himself. Long time friend and bullfighter Dylan Miller, along with his family, former PBR bull rider Jesse Torkelson and his family, as well as a host of other locals each put in months of effort alongside Marks and his wife Codie.

“The old Buckin At The Brook didn’t take nearly as much organization. It was a lot of work, there is no way someone can do this on their own. Everyone truly stepped up to make a great event,” Marks said.

Deciding to hold the event at the Sunnybrook Hotel and Bar was a no-brainer for the local resident.

“Everyone knows that bar. It’s a landmark right off the highway here. We thought everyone far and wide would know where it is. It was an idea to draw people in,” Marks said.

“That bar was packed that night after the PBR. I don’t think I have ever seen it that busy in my life. The bar owner was pretty excited about it.”

Jax Torkelson, won the events steer riding, while 2017 PBR Canada Rookie of the Year Coy Robbins claimed the big prize in the main event, victorious via a 2-for-2 performance that included qualified rides on two of Marks’ own bulls.

“I was pretty excited to see Jax win it, being his home event. He made a really great ride to win it, too,” Marks said of the steer riding winner.

“Coy made two really good rides on two of my bulls, which is pretty cool. It was awesome. Having them closer to home and that cooler weather. That makes them buck that much better, too, I find.”

Before the event got underway, Marks admitted the thought of grabbing his rope and getting on at his own event came to mind.

“They were giving me the gears right before the event. We were a little bit low on entries and it crossed my mind. But I never ended up doing it.”

Bullfighter Miller also made his PBR debut in Sunnybrook, which he says recharged his passion for bullfighting.

“It was awesome to be able to fight your hometown show, but for it to be your first PBR was even more special,” Miller said. “It fuels your fire to be out there and around the guys like Coy and Aaron Roy and all those top guys going right now. Fighting alongside Josh (Haberle) and Cantrell (Gravell), that makes it special, too. They make you want to do your job even better. And to top it off, it was a sold-out show at home. I don't think you can compare to those feelings.”

“This whole thing made me want to drive for it just that much more now. Once you get that first one under your belt, you just want more and more.”