Ponoka bull rider Zane Lambert’s 90-point ride propelled him to a win at the season-launch event for the Professional Bull Riders Canada Cup Series.

After a nearly nine-month hiatus from competition, the series returned in Lethbridge this past weekend.

Lambert, a two-time PBR Canada champion, began the tour stop with a Round 1 win, compliments of an 84-point effort atop the bull Gandy (Skori Bucking Bulls).

As championship Saturday got underway, the Ponoka native was unable to continue his hot streak – he was dispatched by Bob Rock (Skori Bucking Bulls) in a quick 1.84 seconds.

But his opening-round score was enough to secure his spot in the championship round, where Lambert drafted reigning PBR Canada Bull of the Year Catch My Drift (Two Bit Bucking Bulls/K Rose Ranch).

Lambert then put up an event-best 90 points in Lethbridge.

The Ponoka native netted 85.5 national points, catapulting him from No. 9 to No. 1 in the race for the 2021 PBR Canada Championship. The 35-year-old now leads No. 2 Nick Tetz, of Calgary, by 1.34 points.

Should Lambert earn the national title in 2021, he would tie three-time champion Aaron Roy, of Yellow Grass, Sask., for most Canadian Championships won by one rider in league history. Lambert has previously won in 2013 and 2017, while Roy was the top Canadian in 2008, 2010 and 2012.

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