Tuff Hedeman presents the check to last years champ Cody Rostockyj. The Nicky Wheeler Memorial Bull Riding serves as the primary fundraiser for the youth of Cherokee County. Co-Producers, Jeff Harris and Family, Haley and Brian Beasley with the Nicky Wheeler family, and Tuff Hedeman and son. Photo by Todd Brewer.
Tuff Hedeman Breakout Series
JACKSONVILLE, Texas (September 25, 2019) - Four-time World Champion and Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer Tuff Hedeman returns to Jacksonville on Saturday night for the annual Nicky Wheeler Memorial Bull Riding. The Tuff Hedeman Breakout Series event producers announced today the addition of a $5,000 bounty bull to the line-up of the two-round professional bull riding being held 7 pm at the Jacksonville Rodeo Arena on Saturday night.
“This will be exciting, one pre-selected long-round bull will be a $5,000 bonus check for one lucky rider if he can make the whistle, reported co-chairman Jeff Harris.
“Thank you to Terry Williams and Neil Wheeler for this generous donation to the event,” added Harris.
Williams, is a former 5-time PBR Stock Contractor of the Year from Carthage, Texas and Neil Wheeler is the brother of Nicky Wheeler. The bounty bull is owned by Nicky’s son Blake. The bloodlines of this bull can be traced to the foundation of Nicky Wheeler’s bucking bull breeding program.
“Terry Williams and Neil Wheeler wanted to recognize and pay tribute to the legacy of Nicky’s history as a major contributor to the bred to buck breeding programs of the great bulls that buck in our industry today,” added Harris.
Hoping to see his name next to the bounty bull, Tuff Hedeman champions Tyler Taylor and Tristan Mize will headline the two-round extreme athletic challenge where 40 bull riders will compete in a long round followed by a ten-man championship round.
The annual bull riding is the primary scholarship fundraiser for the youth of Cherokee County and includes a pack of talented riders including bull riding champions Tristan Mize, Tyler Taylor, Braden Richardson, Daniel Keeping and Kyle McDaniel.
Tuff Hedeman 2018 Huron Champ, Tristan Mize will be in Jacksonville. Photo by Todd Brewer
In addition to the bull riding Sadler's Kitchen will host the pre-party on Friday, September 27 beginning at 6:15 pm and featuring the Cody Wayne and the Kenny McCann bands. The musical entertainment will be from 6:15 – 10:30 pm at Sadler’s Kitchen, 101 S. Bonner St. in downtown Jacksonville. Pre-party tickets are $10 each and may be purchased at the door.
Shannon Wagner was one of the first to jump in an offer to pay all the bull riders entry fees which in turn is a substantial part of the prize purse.
“We have been blessed this year with overwhelming sponsorship and partnership generosity from people in this community, and I challenge the residents to match that and come on out, and let's have the biggest turn-out yet for these kids. It has always been our dream to be able to hand out a scholarship to every youth that applies for one," said Co-chairman Jeff Harris.
Johnny “Backflip” Dudley will be in the house on Saturday night!
In addition to great bulls and even better riders, funnyman and former US Marine Johnny "Backflip" Dudley will be entertaining the crowd before, during, and after the bulls leave the chute. Tuff and the bull riders will be signing autographs and taking selfies in the arena immediately following the event.
The annual Nicky Wheeler Memorial Bull Riding event donates the proceeds to benefit local agricultural based programs and operations in the cities’ goals to move the Jacksonville community forward, providing self-sufficiency and local jobs for future generations.
The late Nicky Wheeler and his wife Beverly Wheeler
The annual bull riding honors the life of former bull rider and well-known stock contractor Nicky Wheeler, who passed away suddenly on April 2018. Wheeler devoted his life to helping the youth, especially in FFA and 4-H chapters all over the state of Texas. Brian and Haley Beasley produce the annual event from Jacksonville with the Harris Family from Palestine.
Bullfighter Extraordinaire Bryce Redo will be in town early and invites everyone to come out to Sadler’s Kitchen. Photo by Todd Brewer
Gates will open at 5 pm with the action getting underway at 7 pm. Tickets are only available in advance at Raven Jute, 107 East Commerce St. in Jacksonville, for $10 each. Tickets bought at the gate on the night of the ride will be $12.
