Red Wilk Construction Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash at the South Dakota State Fair
Whitehorse is all smiles after winning both nights of the Red Wilk Construction Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash
Utah cowboy Keyshawn Whitehorse rolled into Huron for the first time and left his mark on the Red Wilk Construction Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash's history chart. Competing in the two-night event, Keyshawn racked up three 90 point plus rides, including a 92.5 in the Shoot Out round edging out Laramie Craigen for the event title and a two-day check totaling $17,400.60.
Whitehorse rides 407 Law Dog for 92.5 points to win the Red Wilk Construction Bull Bash at the South Dakota State Fair. (Scott Burruss Bucking Bulls)
The 2018 PBR Rookie of the year and 2-time PBR Finals qualifier had this to say about the victory,
“He was a really good bull, I talked to the stock contractor before I got on him and he liked the matchup, I said let's do it together, and I liked that bull's timing, I appreciate all the support from the fans and thank you, Tuff, for putting on such a great event and having me here."
Hedeman, who produced the event now in its 17th year, was impressed by Whitehorse and his performance.
"His rides spoke for himself, every bull he got on he was at least 90 points except the bounty bull on night one. He is a good guy, he is in great shape to ride bulls, no doubt he is talented, and we were happy to have him at the event.
“Bull riding is a sport where you have to be constantly getting better,” and Laramie Craigen fit that description this weekend, said Hedeman about the only bull rider to go 3 for 3 on night two.
Following the awards presentation, Hedeman thanked the fans and the people of South Dakota who have the courage to stand up and do what’s right.
Whitehorse accepts prize checks from Tuff, Jenny Wilk and Red Wilk.
Round One
Round one quickly became a riding contest with ten bull riders making qualified rides, five of which were 90 and above scores. Section one produced two scores with Lane Nobles, a 90.5 on Show-Me Rodeo's White squirrel, and Austin Richardson followed that with an 89.5 on Lightning Livestock's 7 Joker. Veteran rider and NFR qualifier Aaron Pass rode Fat Boy thru a direction change and tied it up in section II with 90.5. Rookie Colton Byram went 86.5 on 150 Yoga Pants (Harris).
Richardson Land and Cattle Company’s Flea Flicker with Gray Essary in round one.
Whitehorse would lead off in section III and take the lead with 92 on 502 Cactus Jack (Richardson Land and Cattle). 2-time NFR cowboy Koby Radley joined the party with 90 points on 3112 Dirty Blonde (Mason/Smith Bucking Bulls) followed by Cole Skender with a 90 on 119 Chicken George (Rawson). Jacob O’Mara posted 87.5. Laramie Craigen posted 84.5 on his first bull after phoning a hometown friend for advice.
"I didn't know that bull but found out Cody Teel had him before, and I contacted him," said Craigen.
Semifinal Round
Drawing back four riders to the 13 man Semifinal, the bulls shut the party down, allowing only two scores to make the leaderboard. Matt Palmer, the defending Bull Bash champion was one of the victims.
Rookie rider Chauk Dees, drawn into the semifinals on time, made the most of it posting 89.5 on Harris's 5714 Wack’A Do.
Keyshawn Whitehorse for 92.5 on Richardson Land & Cattle Company’s Cactus Jack in round one. Richardson Land & Cattle were the TH Bull Team Challenge Champions on Friday night and second on Thursday’s competition.
Laramie Craigen was the first man to go 2 for 2 with 89.5 on Rawson's Risky Business. With 174 points, he would carry the lead into the Shoot Out round, which earns you the first pick of Hedeman’s final four matches.
Shoot Out Round
Waiting in the chutes were four bulls from Burruss Bucking Bulls. Southeast Texas cowboy Laramie Craigen was first to select his opponent and had his eye on the bull that went right out of the chutes, and there were two up for grabs.
“Matt Palmer suggested I take Red Cloud and Tuff said he would suit me and be one to win it on, so I went with him,” said Craigen.
Laramie Craigen went a perfect 4 for 4 at the Red Wilk Construction Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash in Huron.
After a quick consultation with Hedeman, Keyshawn took 407 Law Dog, and Lane Nobles was matched to 505 Outer Limit, and Aaron Pass was left with 568 Kickstart My Heart.
The crowd fell silent as Pass and Nobles bucked off but were quickly brought back to life with Keyshawn Whitehorse riding thru 407’s change of direction and bucking power for a 92.5 ride.
Following Whitehorse, Craigen’s bull turned back right in the gate and into his hand with speed, but the bull power fell short, and Craigen was 91 points earning second place.
Huron Bull Team Challenge
With all three bulls bucking to their potential, former pro bull rider Pistol Robinson stands by the theory he selects bulls that he would like to get on when loading the trailer and heading to the Tuff Hedeman Bull Team Challenge. Richardson Land and Cattle Co. took home the grand prize on Friday night and second place on Thursday for total earnings of $44,000 during their trip to Huron.
Richardson Land & Cattle Company wins night two Tuff Hedeman Bull Team Challenge in Huron
Defending Huron champion Matt Palmer on Richardson Land and Cattle Co’s 462 Lil Willard
“I can still feel what that bull feels like, if he hops and skips or something some bull guys don’t pick up on that. I am looking for kick first, and I like a little flash and pop that throws some nickels on those scores adding up for the win,” said Robinson.
The anchor bull for their team was 502 Cactus Jack who when matched with Keyshawn Whitehorse, led the team with a total bull score of 90 to also be the highest marked bull score of the night. Lil Willard and Matt Palmer earned an 87.5 bull score and Flea Flicker earned 86 points with Gray Essary. They won the championship with two qualified rides and one buck off. (Palmer).
Harris Bucking Bulls took home a two-night earnings check winning first on Thursday night’s competition and second on Friday for a grand total of $43,500. On his championship team Thursday night 4733 Fat Boy led the team with an 88 point bull score and 90.5 ride score from Chauk Dees. 5713 Wack-A-Do posted an 86.5 bull score bucking off Tristan McCelland in 6.67 seconds. Bringing up the rear was 150 Yoga Pants, who earned 85.50 points bucking Trey Kimzey off at 5.99.
The Tuff Hedeman Bull Team Challenge featured 13 bull teams participating Friday night and 12 on Thursday night for a total of $125,000 in prize money.
Red Wilk Construction Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash Results - Friday, Sept. 4, 2020
1, Keyshawn Whitehorse, McCracken Spring, UT, 92.5 on Law Dog (Burrus), $14,175. 2, Laramie Craigen, Winnie, TX, 91 points on 14 Red Cloud (Burruss) $9,075 3, Aaron Pass, Kaufman, TX, $1,500. 4,Lane Nobles, West, TX, $1,500.
Tuff Hedeman Breakout Series - Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020
1,Keyshawn Whitehorse, 92 pts on 506 Missouri Fury, JC Knapp Bucking Bulls, $3,225. 2,Lane Nobles, 91 points on 51 Red Armor, $2329.60, 3, Chauk Dees, 90.5 on 4733 Fat Boy, $1433.60. 4,DJ Parker, 89.5 on 13 Overtime, $985.60. 5/6, Creek Young, and Laramie Craigen both 89 pts $492.80.
Tuff Hedeman Bull Team Results - Friday, Sept. 4, 2020
1, Richardson Land & Cattle Co. (Coolidge, TX) 283.83 points, $26,000. 2,Harris Bucking Bulls, (Palestine, TX) 282 pts, $19,500. 3,Mike Rawson, (Martinsville, TX) 280.51,$13,000. 4,Mason/Smith Bucking Bulls, (Mineral Wells,TX) 280.30, $6,500.
Tuff Hedeman Breakout Series Bull Team Results - Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020
1, Harris Bucking Bulls, Palestine, TX, 280.66 pts, $24,000. 2, Richardson Land & Cattle, 279.55, $18,000. 3, Rawson Bucking Bulls, Martinsville, TX, 279.38 pts, $12,000. 4, Knapp Bucking Bulls, Mansfield, TX, 278.86 pts, $6,000