Demetrius “Ounzie” Mitchell debuts and wins his first Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding with a perfect 3 for 3 night.
Casa Ford Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding
Selecting a bull owned by the 1998 World Champion bull rider Owen Washburn, Demetrius “Ounzie” Mitchell made a big move to stay on top of 856 Big Whiskey for 91.5 points in the final four-man Shoot Out round to take home the $14,500 check and the championship title of the 2021 Casa Ford Tuff Hedeman Championship Bull Riding held Saturday night at the El Paso County Coliseum.
Wearing Panhandle Rock N Roll jeans, the Houston, Texas cowboy added $2,000 to his paycheck, making the most of his debut performance at a Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding. Michelle rode past 24 riders and 15 qualified rides in the first two preliminary rounds to find himself in the driver’s seat for the Final four Shoot Out round. Amongst six 90 point plus rides, Mitchell finished the night with a perfect 3 for 3 and a total score of 272.5 on three, but at Hedeman’s event, the Shoot Out round is where the bulk of the payday is earned.
Demetrius “Ounce” Mitchell may have been an unknown bull rider to most El Paso fans, but the 25-year-old is no stranger to rodeo and the bull riding world. The Fresno, Texas, bull rider was 2 years old when his mom decided to let Ounce participate in a mutton busting competition. 23 years later, Mitchell was standing next to bull riding icon Tuff Hedeman winning one of the classic long-standing prestigious bull riding competitions in the industry, the Casa Ford Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding held annually for two decades at the El Paso County Coliseum.
Demetrius Mitchell enjoys his wins with the Casa Ford Crew who cheered him on from the front row box.
ROUND ONE
Seven riders posted scores to ignite the crowd, with Mason Taylor of Maypearl, Texas, finishing on top with an 89.5 on 462 Lil Willard (Richardson Cattle). Michell started his night with 89 on 1448 Last Chance (Show-Me Rodeo). NFR bull rider Jacob O'Mara was on their heels at 88 on Dirty Blond (Mason Bucking Bulls), followed by Brandon Davis, Fernando Novia, Cannon Cravins, and Lucas Fideles.
SEMI-FINAL ROUND
Mitchell posted the highest score of the night in round two with 92 points on 282 Mongoose (Cunningham and Hurst) to win round two and secure the top average position, and be the lead rider to select his final four bull for the win. Brandon Davis was second on 691 Homer (T&G Bucking Bulls) with 91 points, followed by the third 90 point plus ride of the round and Lucas Fideles on Rip (Cunningham & Hurst). New Mexico's favorite Joseph McConnell was 89, followed by Mason Taylor Carlos Gomex, Novia, and O'Mara, all posting qualified scores.
Lucas Fideles rides 2 including a 90 point ride in the Semifinal round..
SHOOT OUT
Mitchell earned the right to select his ride first, which was 856 Big Whiskey (Washburn). Second in the average thus far was Mason Taylor choosing 7412 Slip Knot (Hurst). At 258 on two, Brandon Davis picked 334 Drifter (Harris), leaving O’Mara, 175 on two, to ride 799 Randy Boone (Washburn).
3 of 4 bull riders brought the fans to their feet with one spectacular ride after another, but it was Mitchell who stole the winner take all-around, edging out Taylor by one point with a 91.5 on Big Whiskey to take the lion’s share of the prize money home to Houston.
Wearing Rock N Roll Jeans, Mitchell scored an extra $2, 000 from Panhandle!
BULL TEAM COMPETITION
For the second consecutive year, Danny Mason of Mineral Wells, Texas, took home the top prize and check for the Tuff Hedeman Bull Team competition featuring three bulls and a check for $26,000. Mason's trio of bulls included 55 Money Maker, 3112 Dirty Blonde, and 76D Brutal Player, and they racked up 284.50 to clear the field of 12 teams by four points.
Cannon Cravens rides 6820 Devil Dog owned by 3rd place bull team winner Cunningham and Hurst for 86.5 points.
BULL TEAM RESULTS
1, Mason Bucking Bulls, Mineral Wells, Texas, 284.50, $26,000. 2, T& G Bucking Bulls, 280.28, $19,500. 3, Richard Land & Cattle Co., 280.01, $13,000. Cunningham & Hurst,276.80, $6,500.
BULL RIDER RESULTS – SHOOT OUT ROUND
1, Demetrius Mitchell, Houston, Texas 91.5 points on Big Whiskey (Washburn), $10,500. 2, Mason Taylor, Maypearl, TX, 90.5 on Slip Knot (Hurst) $7,200. 3, Brandon Davis 90 pts on 334 Drifter (Harris), $5,550. 4, Jacob O’Mara, BO 799 Randy Boone (Washburn) $2,250.