Tuff Hedeman Break Out Series Bull Bash at the Boone County Fair
BELVIDERE, Illinois - (August 12, 2018) – The adrenaline and the big bucks keep coming for 19 year old Matt Palmer from Chelsea, Okla., who used his recent success as adrenaline and knocked out a perfect 2 for 2 including the highest ride-score of the night, to take home the title win on the second stop of the Tuff Hedeman Breakout Series Midwest Swing held at the Boone County Fairgrounds.
Matt Plamer on Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour
"I got on two good solid bulls, the first away from my hand and the second into my hand," said Palmer who re-injured his wrist which prohibited him from attempting the Bounty Bull that earns the rider an additional $1,000 check if you make the 8-second whistle.
The Boone County Bull Bash, a 15-year bull riding tradition at the fair was produced for Hedeman by Next Level Bull Riding and featured two rounds of bull riders matched up with 40 bulls that entertained the fans with eight 90 points plus rides.
“The fans this year were treated to a great night of great bull rides and big scores which is what they come to see,” said Matt Noble.
Matt Noble, Next Level Bull Riding and producer of Wicked Rank Tuff Hedeman Breakout Series Midwest Swing
Bull riders faced a field of competitors for the lion’s share of the 7,500 added prize money, but it was Palmer with the winning check at the end of the night riding two bulls he had never seen, 55 Frank the Crank and 307 Justice.
Two bulls from Shop Creek Cattle Company turned in the first and second place honors in round one. Trey Holston, a past National High School, and Jr. High School Rodeo bull riding champion, finished first in the opening round posting a 90.5 ride on 11 Joker. Palmer’s traveling partner, Caleb McCaslin, was second with an 89.5 on 1468 Crow Shade. Third place was veteran rider Corey Atwell with an 89 on 629 Slinger followed by Matt Palmer and Luke Bradley, each with 87.5 points on 55 Frank the Crank and 171 Red Bone both from CC Bucking Bulls).
Trey Holston, Fort Scott, Kansas wins round 1 on 11 Joker from Shop Creek Cattle
“I had never seen that bull and he was away from my hand, I like to know a little about them so I asked the contractor and he said he would go left out of the chute and he did,” said Palmer who plans to continue the Wicked Rank Tour Series next week in Morrison.
Palmer, a professional bull rider from Chelsea, Okla., has been riding professionally since he turned 18. He has earned over $25,000, including a second place win on night one in Cheyenne, in the past 30 days and his consistency thrilled the crowd when he took 307 Justice (Shop Creek) on a 92 point spin to win round two and the average.
“He was definitely a stronger and better bull than my first round bull and went right – into my hand which was better for me - after I fell and bent my wrist back in round one,” continued Palmer.
Hunter Ball, a Michigan cowboy, finished second in the average with 177 points and with Palmer’s injury he was offered the Bounty Bull attempt. 742 Check it Out from CC Bucking Bulls was the winner in that battle.
The Tuff Hedeman Breakout Bull Riding Tour pits professional bulls riders against some of the best bulls in a two-round format featuring entertainment from the barrel, the cowboy lifesaver bullfighters Josh Jacobs and Caleb Osternryk, and the voice of the Tuff Hedeman Breakout Bull Riding, a second cowboy named Matt Palmer, who provided play by play and color commentary from the announcer’s stand.
There are no guarantees in bull riding; the only way for cowboys to earn a paycheck is to ride better than the rest of the field. The field of competition advances thru rounds with highest average score declared the event champion. The champion gets on the bounty bull for an additional $1,000 attempt.
During the four stop Midwest Swing, in addition to lucrative prize money, bull riders accumulate points which qualify them for the Midwest Swing Finals to be held on September 15 in Waterloo. At the end of the Midwest Swing, the bull rider who has the most points will be crowned the Series Champion and receive a check, custom trophy saddle, and the engraved trophy buckle.
Tuff Hedeman and bull rider interviews or information contact Leigh Ann Schroeder, tuffhedemanpr@gmail.com or 940.902.1112. Midwest Swing information contact Matt Noble at Matt@nextlevelbullriding.com.
