AIRDRIE, Alta. – If you asked Nick Tetz in the early summer if he would be able to overtake Cody Coverchuk’s lead and win the 2024 PBR Canada Championship, he would have said no.
But then, a monumental and record-setting run to Canada's No. 1 rank began, beginning in Ponoka, Alberta, and lasting until the 2024 PBR Canada National Finals, where he won the event and his second Canadian Championship.
During his campaign, Tetz won a record 12 events and 20 rounds to claim his second title inside Roger’s Place.
“It is easy to get discouraged at times with the spring that Coverchuk had,” Tetz said. “It was one of those moments where you either have to put your foot on the pedal or call it quits and go rodeo or something. Then, all of a sudden, when July hit, we were rolling. It seemed like any time I tied my hand in the rope I was winning. Super grateful for great draws to keep that momentum the whole month. All of a sudden, I was in striking distance.
“The plan was to have a shot catching him rolling into Edmonton, not fighting back and forth the last few events of the year.”
Coverchuk also had a dominant season, and Tetz said that without having the two-time Champion ahead of him, he wouldn’t have been able to have such a successful season.
“I don't think I have the year I have without him,” Tetz said. “The way he was riding, the only way to catch him and keep up was to elevate yourself. Watching him go out and see him do what he was doing motivated me to work harder, pick those matchups that I might not have picked in years past where I wanted to ride a rank one. I was just trying to get points on the board this year.
“As a rider, it made me better, and me coming on the way I did must have made him a better rider too. It was a really fun year.”
The turnaround moment was in Czar Lake, Alberta, this summer, where Tetz double entered, finished both first and sixth, and left the event only 120 points behind Coverchuk in the standings.
“I realized I could catch him before Edmonton. I am very much in this fight,” Tetz said. “After that, he and I ran away with the standings. It was a big moment, realizing that I was still there with a shot at it. Not even a shot at winning it, but I might be able to get the season lead heading to Edmonton.”
With so many wins on the season, Tetz said it was difficult to narrow it down to one but admitted that victory at the PBR Canada Touring Pro Division event in Ponoka was the win that kicked off his momentous July.
“It was when everything started coming together,” Tetz said. “Rolling into Bullbustin’ too, winning three days there. Riding good in Calgary. Then to the Team event. It kicked off the busy part for us but kicked it off in a good way for me. There were lots of bulls. You weren’t looking at the travel, it was just excitement with all the bulls we had coming up.”
Now a two-time Champion, Tetz says this title is different because of how the season and Finals unfolded. In 2022, he was sore and only rode a couple of bulls at the year-end event for a come-from-behind win. This year saw a dominant performance inside the home of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers.
“The first one, I didn’t have the Finals that I wanted to," Tetz said. "I came in not riding really well. We had CFR the week before and I couldn’t stay on all six rounds. No momentum, no confidence. It was tough to get things rolling, but I had two good rides that placed me where I needed to be. I didn’t think I had won it.
“This one, it felt like I was a lot more locked in, knew it was me or Coverchuk. I just needed to ride my bulls, and the rest takes care of itself. This year felt more like a team effort. I had my crew back helping me, cheering for me, and Coverchuk had his crew there. It felt like a team effort. I felt like I had a lot more support during the Finals, too.
“This one is more special because of that year that we had and how much we grew the sport this year in Canada. It opened a lot of guys' eyes that you don't have to do pro rodeo to make a good living up here like it used to be.”
Tetz won just short of $160,000 CAD at the PBR Canada National Finals and concluded 2024 winning a record $249,622.29 CAD on home soil. With 3D Entertainment’s Jason Davidson and Blaine Fyson working year in and year out to grow the sport for all competitors, Tetz says it has experienced exponential growth over the last couple of years.
“What Jason and Blaine have been able to do in these last four years with the money, it started with that $50,000 bonus and it has just grown from there,” Tetz said. “Those guys have worked their butts off to get the money where it is. They make it all worth it. There are no two better people for the sport of bull riding right now. It’s not for their own benefit and they are throwing a lot back at us and know the risks we are taking.
“Looking back at standings of the past to what we are making now, it’s crazy to see that growth. Some think it has taken a while, but it has grown exponentially since I came around. I can't thank them enough for the work they have put in to get our sport to where it is today.”
For Tetz, this Championship is made even more special by the people who were in his corner all year. From his new wife, Madi, to the traveling partners he had all year, Tetz says he owes a lot to those who are constantly supporting him.
“Madi is such a big support in everything I do in my bull riding career," Tetz said. "I wouldn’t be where I am without her. She pushes me when I don't want to push. That is huge. She can tell when I am struggling mentally. We had a big talk about the mental side that I didn't realize until we started talking about it. She sees it in me.
“Chanse [Switzer] has been pivotal this year. He doesn't get too high or too low. He makes it fun. We could drive 12 hours, and we don't need to turn the radio on. Tanner Eno had a tough year; I have known him since I was 16. We have big plans next year for the three of us traveling together.”
Tetz is firmly set on becoming the first back-to-back PBR Canada Champion.
With that in mind, he says he will be going at 2025 the same way he approached the 2024 season. With opportunities on the PBR Unleash The Beast this weekend in Tucson, Arizona, and through the winter, and an expected return to the Arizona Ridge Riders, Tetz is confident he can find success on both sides of the border in 2025.
“The plan is about the same as I had after Finals last year," Tetz said. "This year, we are getting back to it right away. See if maybe I can get some exemptions to come to the winter and spring Cup events up here. Stay busy riding bulls. Stay in the gym. Same thing. No one has won it back-to-back, and the only way to do that is to win another one, join a legend in Aaron Roy in winning three.
“It’s going to be hard 'cause there are a lot of guys dedicating themselves to PBR Canada who don’t have the teams pulling them away. Let’s see if I can break my own records next year.”
Photo courtesy of Covy Moore/CovyMoore.com
