Tuff Hedeman welcomes Albert Lebaron, leader of the Wicked Rank Midwest Swing Series
The Waterloo Optimist Blue Army Bull Bash presented by Rural King and Wrangler
WATERLOO, Illinois – (September 6, 2019) – The 2019 Blue Army Bull Bash Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding in conjunction with the Waterloo Optimist Club, returns to the Monroe Country Fairgrounds with a roster of contenders ready to enlist battle in the man vs. beast contest held September 21 at 7 pm with live music following the bull riding. New this year, a $1 donation will be made to St. Jude for each person in attendance that is wearing pink.
“This event has become a tradition in Waterloo – family-friendly western entertainment with loads of great new talent competing against consistent veteran riders. Matt Noble has put together an awesome pen of bulls to challenge the riders, and the fans are the real winners,” said bull riding icon Tuff Hedeman.
The cowboy athletes will arrive from 10 states and Mexico in pursuit of the largest purse on the Wicked Rank Midwest Swing tour including a $10,000 bonus built into the final prize package, a custom trophy saddle, and custom buckle for winning the five-event bull riding series produced by Matt Noble of Next Level Bull Riding.
“It is a close race, and with every bull ridden counting towards the saddle, any of the top 10 have a shot at winning the Series finale and taking home the title,” said Noble.
Albert Lebaron, Chihuahua, Mexico is leading the standings as one of two bull riders to receive scores at three of the four previous Midwest Swing Series events. Lebaron is the man to beat with 340.5 total points including the event win in Big Rock.
Breaking out on both of Tuff’s bull riding tours is second place Javier Garcia with 261.50 points. Garcia was recently crowned the champion of night one at the Red Wilk Construction Bull Bash in Huron, South Dakota In third with 182 points is Jake Weber, the Woodstock Champion.
Javier Garcia, winner of the first night’s performance in Huron will attempt to unseat traveling partner Albert Lebaron in Waterloo.
The Waterloo Blue Army Bull Bash sanctioned by the Tuff Hedeman Breakout Series is the fifth and final event of the 2019 Wicked Rank Midwest Series Swing.
Immediately following the action is the Blue Bash After Party with live music by The Avery Hill Band
This year's event festivities will begin at 4:00 pm when the doors open. There will be plenty of concessions available, including food and drink for young and old! The pro bull riding action gets underway at 7:00 pm and expected to conclude at 9 pm. Approximately 40 bull riders will face-off with 40 selected bucking bull opponents to win the lion's share of the $10,000 added prize money, a trophy saddle, and custom Hyo Silver buckle.
"You don't need a hat, or boots, or any knowledge of the sport, it's a family-friendly event with great affordable food, horseback rides, and activities for the kids to do, and a top-level bull riding," said Optimist Event Chair, Jim Probst.
The Breakout Series is known for its dogfights to the finish line, and although the Championship comes with a check from Tuff Hedeman in Waterloo, it will live on with many legendary stories of the launching of several bull riding careers. With the surge of new cowboys knocking on the THBRT door, barrel man entertainer Josh Foster, and bulls arriving from some of the best-known bull men in the business, the Blue Army Bull Bash will be a spirited event.
SCHEDULE
4 pm Gate/Doors Open Waterloo Bull Bash
7 pm Waterloo Blue Army Bull Bash
9 pm Autograph with bull riders in the arena
9 pm After Party with live music
Ticket Information: http://www.waterlooILOptimist.org or call 618-477-7240. Tickets also available: Waterloo Rural King, Waterloo Schnucks, Wm Nobbe John Deere, JVs Bar & Grill, Outsiders Bar, First National Bank of Waterloo most Branches & Carstar Collision Center in Red Bud.
Event Location: Monroe County Fairgrounds, 4177 State Route 156, Waterloo, Illinois; gates will open at 4:00 pm
Event Chair: Jim Probst – email jprobst@wmnobbe.com or 618-477-7240 or Matt Noble, matt@nextlevelbullriding.com or call 815-651-6661.
Tuff Hedeman: Interview requests or information contact Leigh Ann Schroeder, Email - tuffhedemanpr@gmail.com – 940.902.1112.
