P.A.’s Byrne leads after first day of PBR’s; wins memorial ring

Day One of the 10^th Annual Clunie-Cooper Memorial Professional Bull Riding event couldn’t have gone much better for Prince Albert’s Tanner Byrne, Friday at the Art Hauser Centre

Byrne’s 176 points on two rides gives him the lead over the field after the opening day, and puts himself in a favourable position to win the championship in Day Two on Saturday. Scott Schniffner won this event last year with 171 points.

Shortly after Byrne got 86 points after riding bull King Pin in just the third ride of the long-go, Byrne was presented the fourth ever Max Clunie Ring of Honour.

Rusty Clunie, father of Max who passed away in a 2011 plane crash with fellow rodeo enthusiast Wade Cooper and others, gave Byrne a warm embrace during the celebration. Byrne’s brother Jesse Byrne won the award last year and took a break from bullfighting the event to be involved in the ceremony.