Tanner Byrne. (File photo/Jeff D'Andrea)

By Jeff D'Andrea

Byrne the bullfighter

Byrne to retire from bull riding at the end of season

Jun 28, 2019 | 2:00 PM

Prince Albert’s favourite bull rider Tanner Byrne announced today that he will retire from the Professional Bull Riding circuit at the end of this season—well, sort of.

Byrne will retire from the circuit after the year’s end as a bull rider, and pick up a bright coloured jersey and begin his bull fighting career.

That’s always been in his plans since being a little kid. Bull fighting has been a very popular and successful trade in the Byrne family, as Byrne’s brothers Jesse and Bo, as well as cousin Scott have already established respected reputations in the sport.

“I just want to follow my dream,” Byrne said in a statement. “Life is too short not to go out after something full-heartedly. It is time for me to do what it takes, enjoy what I am doing and go after it. It was a lifelong goal and dream of mine that I am going to go at now and start this new chapter and see how we can get it done.

“It is kind of fun now to be an 18-year-old-kid again, just buying his PBR card, hitting the trail, trying to make it to the top. That is what I am doing as a bullfighter. It is fun to start over and see how far I can get on this side of it.”

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Byrne, 27, has achieved a lot in the sport in his eight professional years in the sport. Byrne had the best season a Canadian has ever had by going 35-for-78 to finish eighth in the world standings and a third-place finish at the PBR World Finals.

His father Ryan Byrne qualified for 14 consecutive Canadian Finals Rodeos and in 1987 became the first Canadian to ever cowboy protect at the National Finals Rodeo.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW