5-Time World Champion Bull Rider Sage Kimzey Returns to Hobbs after missing 2018 due to injury.
Momentum and money generate the superstar roster of bull riders scheduled to compete at the 2019 Hobbs Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding on January 19. The annual event at the Lea County Events Center kicks off Hedeman's 2019 nationwide bull riding tour with a one night only three-round tournament style performance worth $54,000 in prize money to the invitation-only bull riders.
“Anytime you have over $50,000 available to riders, you will draw the elite athletes of the sport, Sage Kimzey continues to break bull riding records and the talent level this year exceeds expectations with the NFR’s hottest guys riding in Hobbs, said Tuff Hedeman, 4-time World Champion, Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer, and pioneer of the sport of bull riding.
The invitational roster is headlined by 5-time and reigning PRCA World Champion Sage Kimzey, but he will have his hands full as the challenges include many of the same riders he fought past less than 30 days ago at the recent National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Scheduled to compete are 4-time PRCA World Champion JW Harris, CBR World Champion Josh Barentine, NFR superstars Eli Vastbinder, Jeff Askey, Trey Benton, Dustin Bouquet, Boudreaux Campbell, and Cole Melancon.
NFR Round 5 and 9 winner Eli Vastbinder heads to Hobbs
“If you didn’t make it out to Vegas, it’s okay most of them will be riding in Hobbs next week, and it is ridiculous how easy they make rank bulls look,” said Hedeman who defers to the younger generation as the real stars.
Ticket holders can look forward to the family-friendly event featuring an adrenaline rush two-hour event wrapped around a field of 24 elite bull riders competing in a three-round tournament-style bull riding contest. Budding bull riders, boys and girls, aged six or younger are invited to enter the Stick Bull Riding held before the performance for a chance to win prizes and a Tuff Hedeman Championship Stick Bull Riding Buckle. Hedeman encourages interested kids and parents to email soon as space is limited. For more information and to enter email entries to stickbullrider@aol.com.
Boys and girls age 6 or under are invited to compete in the Tuff Hedeman Stick Bull Riding with a chance to win a trophy buckle. Email stickbullriding@aol.com to enter.
Hedeman, who has produced the Hobbs event for 9 years, recruits rodeo’s leading entertainment including returning NFR barrel entertainer JJ Harrison and the Tuff Hedeman Bullfighters who will join Hedeman at the Meet and Greet on Friday, January 18th from 5:30-7:30 PM at the Pacific Rim Restaurant from 5 – 7 pm located at 1309 Joe Harvey Blvd, Hobbs, NM 88240.
Infamous rodeo entertainer JJ Harrison returns to Hobbs to keep the crowd entertained during the bull riding.
Doors at Lea County Events Center will open at 6:30 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 www.tuffhedemanbullriding.com.