Two-time NFR qualifier and 2017 PRCA Rookie of the Year Boudreaux Campbell Returns to Hobbs to attempt a third Hobbs Championship title. Campbell is from Crockett, Texas.
Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour Returns to Lea County Event Center
HOBBS - Bringing professional bull riders and money together for years, Tuff Hedeman hits town this weekend with the season opener for the 2019 Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour. The four- time World Champion and Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer has 24 bull riders lined up to take a shot at this year’s prize purse worth a total of $54,000.
“It pays to come to Hobbs,“ said Hedeman who owns and produces the annual bull riding this weekend at the Lea County Events Center. Hedeman who is considered the pioneer of the sport of bull riding continues to develop ways for bull riders and stock contractors to make a living on and off the rodeo trail. When the final check is written Saturday night, Hedeman will have paid out $154,000 between the 2018 and 2019 bull riding making Hobbs the largest purse on Tuff’s bull riding tour.
Kids 6 and under can enter the Stick Bull Riding - Email Stickbullrider@aol.com to enter.
Bull riders know - money and momentum are the two most important factors in building a successful season.
“This weekend’s purse will help several cowboys fund their rodeo season giving them money to travel and pay entry fees to their next event while pursuing their dreams,” said Hedeman.
Hedeman brings the family friendly event to Hobbs with fun for the entire family. Kids 6 and under can get in on the action and win custom trophy buckles and prizes at the stick bull riding which begins before the show. Email stickbullriding@aol.com to enter and its free!
“New Mexico is a big part of my personal history and the people here supported me during my career and I enjoy keeping the bull riding tradition going and bringing a family friendly event to the people of New Mexico,” continued Hedeman who honed his craft as a youth attending junior rodeos in New Mexico.
According to Hedeman if you did not make it to Las Vegas for the NFR, you can see the same guys in Hobbs for a lot cheaper. Tickets are several hundred dollars a seat at the National Finals Rodeo and start at only $25 in Hobbs.
The Contenders
Three World Champions including the reigning PRCA champ Sage Kimzey, four-time PRCA World Champion JW Harris and CBR World Champion Josh Barentine will be challenged by at least 21 additional riders 13 of whom have qualified for the National Finals Rodeo.
Of that list only two bull riders in five years have come close to beating 5-time World Champion Sage Steele Kimzey (Strong City, OK) for year- end titles and gold buckles and both will be in Hobbs trying to get an early jump on the champ.
Trey Benton III (Rock Island, TX) came close in 2017 at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) and Eli Vastbinder (Athens, TX) in 2017 lost the CBR World title to Kimzey by a mere six points. Eli is rested and ready after winning two rounds and over $78,000 at last month’s NFR and Benton has made it a personal goal to win a year end gold buckle before retirement. Kimzey who continues to break records is one step closer on his quest to beat Don Gay’s bull riding record of eight PRCA World Championships as he racked up No. 5 in Vegas.
Back in Hobbs from his broadcasting debut at the NFR is four time World Champion bull rider JW Harris (May, Texas). You might have heard JW commentate from the back of chutes on CBS Sports last month and now you can see him put his money where his mouth was as he lands in Hobbs for a shot at the big pot of gold.
Two Time HOBBS champion Boudreaux Campbell returns to Hobbs where he thinks the arena is “magic” to try and win a 3rd Hobbs championship. This 2017 PRCA Rookie of the Year and 2-time NFR competitor is on the bull riding world’s young gun list.
The two hour adrenaline rush event features a star studded line up of world class bulls pitted against the proven champs and the hottest bull riders on the tours today.
Dancing with Bulls
Past Bullfighters Only champions Bryce Redo (Dayton, TX) and Beau Schueth (Emmitt, NE) will be saving lives on the dirt in front of the chutes. Both are personally selected by Hedeman to assure the rider’s safety in Hobbs as they dismount and get clear of the bull and the arena. They work all 50 “outs” and remain in the arena for the entire duration of the show protecting all personnel on the dirt.
Local Lubbock businessman and stock contractor (aka bull man) Tom Baker and 14 other teams of bulls will compete in the Bull Team Competition that features three bulls per team entries, total prize purse $75,000.
$75,000 in prize money to the animal athletes and their owners brings Extreme Bull power to Hobbs
Hedeman, who has produced the Hobbs event for 9 years, recruits rodeo’s leading entertainment including returning NFR barrel entertainer JJ Harrison who will join Hedeman and the riders at the Meet and Greet on Friday, January 18th from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Pacific Rim Restaurant, from 5 – 7 pm, 1309 Joe Harvey Blvd, Hobbs, NM 88240.
Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and the competition will get underway at 7:30 p.m.
Event Location: Lea County Events Center - 5101 N Lovington Hwy, Hobbs, NM 88240 (575) 391-2900
Date: Saturday, January 19, 2017 – 7:30 PM
TICKETS: Hobbs Ticketing Link (selectaseatlubbock.com) or Lea County Events Center Box Office (575) 391-2900.
For interviews, press credentials and more information, please contact Leigh Ann Schroeder 940.902.1112. tuffhedemanpr@gmail.com. or www.tuffhedemanbullriding.com. Photo Credit: Todd Brewer or Courtesy of THBRT