‘I freaking did it’: Meadow Lake’s Senger claims first PBR Canada Cup Series win with 90.8-point ride

The win earned Senger 133 national points and moved him from 15th to 10th in the national standings. He now trails leader Nick Tetz of Calgary by 995.83 points.

Meadow Lake’s Marshall Senger poses with his winner’s belt buckle after winning his first PBR Canada Cup Series event at the PBR Saskatoon Classic. (Image Credit: Covy Moore/PBR Canada)

Senger said Cup Series events are difficult to win, with some riders waiting years for a victory.

“So to get one pretty early in my career means a lot, especially in Saskatoon, pretty close to home.”

The victory gave him renewed confidence ahead of the PBR Canada National Finals in Edmonton after injuries and inconsistent riding interrupted his season.

In Saskatoon, he entered the championship round as the only rider to complete both opening rides, staying on each bull for eight seconds. He opened with 87.4 points on Twisted Logic, a bull he had ridden successfully before, then scored 85.8 on Snoopy, which had bucked him off on a previous occasion.

For the final round, he chose Bench Warrant. Senger said the bull had been to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and was among Canada’s best, with few riders able to stay on.

Two other competitors posted 90-point rides before his turn, putting them ahead, Senger said. He needed to complete his ride to win.

“So I was like, ‘Well, screw it. I guess we’ll pick a bucker and go 90 points.'”

Before the round, he had reminded himself that he knew what to do.

“Go do your job, and it’ll work out.”

“You kind of have to have that cocky mindset of you can ride any bull. So that’s what I was telling myself, kind of in the hallway before the short round started.”

Bench Warrant nearly unseated him at the whistle. Senger held on to his rope until he hit the ground, then saw the green light confirming he had completed eight seconds.

He let out a sigh of relief. He knew he had won.

“And you don’t go 90 very often in your career, so that also was a very special moment.”

Meadow Lake’s Marshall Senger rides Bench Warrant for 90.8 points to win his first PBR Canada Cup Series event at the PBR Saskatoon Classic, held Oct. 23 and 24 at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon.

Marshall Senger reacts after completing his winning ride at the PBR Saskatoon Classic at SaskTel Centre. The Meadow Lake bull rider completed all three rides at the Oct. 23-24 event. (Image Credit: Covy Moore/PBR Canada)

The significance took longer to settle in. Senger said he was lying in bed the following night when the accomplishment sank in.

“I was just like, ‘Dang, I freaking did it.’”

Messages on social media also reminded Senger how many people back home were following his career and backing him.

Saskatoon was his second PBR victory of the season, following his first win in Moose Jaw in April. In between, injuries and inconsistent riding disrupted his season. His return to form included back-to-back Bull Riders Canada (BRC) victories in Strathmore, Alta., and Eriksdale, Man., in just over two weeks.

For Senger, maintaining that momentum means leaving unsuccessful rides behind. Dwelling on why he keeps falling off, he said, can turn into a slump that is difficult to escape at the PBR level.

His training combines weekday treadmill runs, gym sessions and mobility work with about 15 minutes on a practice barrel each weeknight. He aims to stay fit for consecutive rides, strong in awkward positions and calm under pressure.

Marshall Senger at the PBR Saskatoon Classic, held Oct. 23 and 24 at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon. The Meadow Lake bull rider won his first PBR Canada Cup Series event with a 90.8-point final ride on Bench Warrant. (Image Credit: Covy Moore/PBR Canada)

Still sore after Saskatoon, Senger planned to take a couple of days off before resuming that routine. Ranked fifth in the BRC national standings, he hopes to finish that season strongly while using the BRC finals as preparation for the PBR finals on Nov. 13 and 14.

The Saskatoon win has also strengthened his belief that he could contend for a national championship in the years ahead. He sees this season as a foundation for next year and beyond.

For now, even a victory like Saskatoon has to make way for another ride.

“You gotta look past and just keep looking forward to that next bull, taking it one bull at a time,” he said.

“It’s a sport that could kill you. So you just gotta be very grateful for the opportunities you’re given.”

READ MORE ABOUT MARSHALL SENGER:

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com

by Kenneth Cheung

‘I freaking did it’: Meadow Lake’s Senger claims first PBR Canada Cup Series win with 90.8-point ride

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