Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Breakout Series
Photos by Doug Wade
The race is on for the championship title of the Midwest Swing Breakout Bull Riding Series. Four-time World Champion and Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer Tuff Hedeman traveled to the suburbs of Chicago to crown two champions this weekend on stop two and three of the WickedRank.com Midwest Swing. Professional bull riding athletes Matt Palmer of Chelsea, Oklahoma and Albert LeBaron of Mexico took home event wins at the Belvidere Bull Bash and the Big Rock Plowing Match bull riding, respectively.
Matt Palmer wins Boone County Bull Bash in Belvidere, Illinois with a 91.5 aboard Mudd Puppy from Shop Creek Cattle Company. Photo by Doug Wade
In Belvidere, on Friday night Matt Palmer squeaked by Javier Garcia in the average by one point. Palmer won round one and the bull riding event title with a 91.5. Veteran rider Corey Atwell was second with 89 points. The short round was competitive with no rider covering two bulls, but Javier Garcia rode for 90.5 points. Albert Lebaron was the only other rider in the short go to cover his bull with 88 points.
In Big Rock, Albert Lebaron would seek revenge and win the title as the only rider to cover two bulls and a total of 169 points on two head. Second place would go to Corey Atwell’s after an 88 point ride in the short round. Adam McConnel would place third and round one winner Shea Russell fourth.
The Tuff Hedeman Breakout Series tour is designed to award new riders the opportunity to break into the ranks of professional bull riding and advance to the national level tours. The Breakout Series has many of the familiar top names on the roster and fresh faces packed with talent making the Series competitive and exciting.
With a total of $60,000 in prize monies available in five events, the race for the Midwest Series Swing is on, and Matt Palmer is the one to beat. Palmer won the first and second events in Woodstock and Belvidere. Next up – Whiteside County Fair Bull Bash, Morrison, Illinois on August 13. Morrison Ticket link.
Belvidere, Illinois Bull Bash – August 9, 2019
1, Matt Palmer, Chelsea, Okla., 91.5 points on 2 bulls, $2,515.60. 2, Javier Garcia, 9.5 on 2, $1,926.60. 3, Corey Atwell, 89 on 2, $1,223.60. 4, Albert Lebaron, 88 on 2, 900.6. 5, Cole Miller, 86, $661.20.
Big Rock Plowing Match Results - August 10, 2019
1, Albert LeBaron, 169 on two head, $1,866.80. 2, Cory Atwell, 88.5 on 2, $1,840. 3, Adam McConnell, 88 on 2, $1,104. 3, Shea Russell, 86 on 2, $1310.02. Chris Sallie, 85.5 on 2, $728.28
Five events will complete the fall schedule of the Midwest Swing Series which began on August 1 in Woodstock, Illinois at the McHenry County Fair. Buckles, saddles, and bonus money have the competitors with their eye on the bigger prize. Hedeman awards the Breakout champions an invitation to compete on the premier televised Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding tour where the purse increases to $30,000. See www.tuffhedemanbullriding.com for the schedule and ticket sales.
For more information, contact Leigh Ann Schroeder, tuffhedemanpr@gmail.com or 940.902.1112.
August 13, 2018 - Whiteside County Fair Bull Bash, Morrison, Illinois
$5,000 added and Custom Trophy buckle
August 13 - $5,000
September 21, 2018 -Midwest Swing Series Finale, Waterloo, Illinois
Waterloo Optimist's Blue Army Bull Bash
$10,000 added purse, Trophy Saddle and buckle