History was made on Saturday night at the PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals, as 19-year-old Boston Leather was not only crowned Rookie of the Year but also 2024 Australian Champion, taking home over $90,000 in prize money, with his older brother standing by his side as the runner up.

While he only scored one qualified ride over the two nights, on Cattle King Volatile (Dittmann Bucking Bulls), scoring 84.5 points, Leather’s stellar season gave him the edge he needed to secure the championship title and $75,000 in prize money, 123.85 points ahead of second place.  

Going into his rookie season with the hopes of winning Rookie of the Year, worth $15,000 in prize money, he said he never imagined he would also be taking home the gold buckle for 2024 Australian Champion.

“I tried to rest this weekend and not put too much pressure on myself, but I think it’ll sink in over the next few days, and I’ll be jumping,” he said. “I didn’t expect to be here, and I’m very grateful for that. I’m excited to see what’s next.”  

It was a big night for Calliope’s Leather Brothers, with Boston following in his older brother Macaulie Leather’s footsteps in another move for the history books.

For the first time in Australia, siblings have achieved consecutive victories, with Macaulie being crowned the 2023 Australian Champion.  

Following an injury that prevented 23-year-old Macaulie from competing earlier in the season, he came back with a vengeance and took home the event win as the rider with the highest average over the two nights.  

“I couldn’t be happier for him,” said Boston. “He’s an absolute unit. He just goes out and does what he does best and loves every bit of it.

“All credit to him, to be honest. If he didn’t have four months off at the start of the year, he’d be standing here doing this interview.”

Starting the Grand Finals at No. 4 in the national standings, Macaulie was the only rider to make four qualified rides. His stellar performance saw him work his way up the leaderboard to also secure the 2024 Australian Champion Runner-Up.

His final ride, in the championship round, on Revolver (Dunne Bucking Bulls), saw him score 88 points, his highest score across the two nights.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome, to be a runner-up to my little bro. There’s no better feeling,” Macaulie said.

“He’s our standard. From the time he was getting on calves, I knew he’d be something special, and he’s proved it to everyone all year and proved it to everyone here tonight. He’s a superstar in the making, and I’m super proud of him for it.

“He deserves everything, and I’m happy with the way I rode and just stoked to be here.”

International rider Daniel Keeping took home the highest score of the night with 88.25 points on Razor Sharp (CF7 Bucking Bulls).  

Riders aren’t the only athletes in the PBR, and with lots of buckoffs, it was a great night for the bovine athletes.

Dittmann Bucking Bulls’ Mr. T took home the YETI Bucking Bull of the Year. Mr T’s highest-scoring ride of the night was 44 points, bucking off Boston Leather in 55.56 seconds.

Australian Contractor of the Year went to Colin Fry (CF7 Bucking Bulls).

With a sold-out crowd of over 10,000 fans across the two nights, Macaulie Leather said the PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals were the best event of the year. The crowd brought an electric atmosphere to finish off the season.

“It’s unreal,” he said. “You don’t really feel it while you’re on the bull. You don’t hear it. But you know when you step off and you make a good ride, you can’t hear anything in the world. Everyone’s hollering. There’s no better feeling.”

PBR General Manager Glen Young said it was a great way to end the 2024 PBR Monster Energy Tour.

“It’s the first time in history we’ve seen a Rookie of the Year also win champion of the year, and to top it off, with brothers coming first and second, it was a very special night for the Leather family,” Young said. “This year saw a number of international riders join the PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals, which truly is a testament to the quality of riders we are producing in Australia.

“It was great to welcome some of the world’s best riders to compete with us. It was a huge international event, and it was still our Aussie riders who took home most of the wins. It was also pretty special to welcome back Brady Fielder, Qynn Andersen, and Zane Hall, who have all been competing in America and made the trip to Australia to compete in the Grand Finals.

“We’re not quite finished just yet, with our two rookies, Ben Bode and Boston Leather, taking on the PBR Canada National Finals next weekend.”

While he’s not sure about the vast change in temperature going into the Canadian winter, Boston said he’s looking forward to the opportunity.

“The change of bulls will be awesome," he said. "I haven’t been to the States, so the change of bulls will be very good, and meeting lots of people will be good to get my name out there."

Young said PBR Australia will be back in Townsville for the 2025 PBR Monster Energy Tour Grand Finals, and fans better get in quick.

“We take this tour all over Australia, from Cairns to Bendigo, giving fans a taste of a PBR event, but it’s nothing like Townsville, and they want to see a Grand Final," Young said. “We sold out last year, and we sold out this year, so my advice would be to get in quick if you want to be a part of something special next year, and keep an eye out for the 2025 tour dates so you can get in early."