NFR Bull Rider Profile - Tyler Bingham

Two time NFR qualifier, Tyler Bingham, accepting Champion check from Tuff Hedeman in El Paso.

Brother Where Art ThoU? 

Tyler, the younger of the bull riding Bingham brothers qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the second consecutive season. On Wednesday night, he will begin the ten-day competition in fifth place with $127,527 in regular-season and $254,595.00 in lifetime PRCA earnings, but he will compete without his traveling and sparring partner in the competition.

26-year-old Bingham earned back to back appearances by competing in 115 rodeos, winning money in 46% or 53 rodeos. Bingham's statistics for rodeos competed was the third-highest among the bull riders. NFR Rookie Trey Kimzey rode in 133 and Jeff Askey in 116.

Tyler enters this year’s competition three places higher than 2018, but he no stranger to the top of bull riding standings and stats. A former National High School (2011), College National Finals Bull Riding Champion, (2013), and the 2018 Tuff Hedeman El Paso Champion,  Bingham continued his winning ways with six event wins and is healthy heading to Las Vegas.

In 2018 Bingham split the win in Round 3 with Sage Kimzey and placed in two rounds to rank 12th in the average with 155.5 points on two head at the Wrangler NFR with a $45,327 paycheck from Vegas. He finished 11th in World Standings.

Narrowly missing the chance to compete with his brother Tim at the Thomas and Mack in 2017, he finished 18th in the world standings with $80,183.

Often traveling together, 18 month older brother Tim is a three-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier in bull riding, and Tyler credits Tim for teaching him how to rodeo and achieve his goals in and out of the rodeo arena including heading to the practice pen to stay in shape.

Tyler and Tim Bingham

Both Binghams attended Hill College in Texas as a members of their esteemed college rodeo team.

The 5’10 165 pound Bingham admits to losing the “fire” for bull riding when he went to college but rekindled the flame when Tim qualified for the NFR in 2014, and he went out to cheer him on. This year Tim, who has suffered from a series of season-ending injuries, will cheer him on with Tyler’s wife Jerica and, no doubt, a Bingham family entourage.

Bingham works construction part-time when he is not riding bulls and aspires to someday retire as a full-time rancher.

Tyler Bingham, Honeyville, Utah - 2-time NFR qualifier

NFR Bull Rider Profile - Boudreaux Campbell

3-time NFR qualifier and THBRT South Point Las Vegas Champion Boudreaux Campbell

#ONEJOB

The history of professional rodeo cowboys from Southeast Texas is chronicled much like an episode of Gunsmoke. The tales of this distinguished group all link to cowboys known for tough, duke it out to the end determination with one common characteristic… true grit. Crockett, Texas native Boudreaux Campbell, the number six ranked bull rider of the PRCA, fits that mold.

Campbell qualified for his third Wrangler National Finals Rodeo competing in 97 rodeos, earning money in 35. He earned $126,771.22 to be the number six bull rider on the PRCA roster for the regular season.

Campbell is no stranger to the trials and tribulation of competing in Las Vegas as he heads to the Thomas and Mack for the third time in three years. 

While most 21-year-olds are trying to figure out their major in college or what to be when they grow up, three-time NFR qualifier Boudreaux Campbell’s resume already reads like a speech at his retirement party.  With total PRCA earnings listed on prorodeo.com at $280,071.00, his real income from riding bulls is probably somewhere close to half a million dollars.

The Rest of the Story

The left-handed bull rider is a Texas State Jr. High and High School state bull riding champion. The same year he graduated from Lovelady High School he won the 2017 PRCA Rookie of the Year contest.

This team roping, former basketball-playing Dallas Cowboys fan began his pro career with Tuff Hedeman in both CBR and Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour events. Campbell earned over $100,000 with Hedeman standing in front of the chutes, most recently Hedeman handed him a big check as he won the South Point THBRT championship last March.

His rookie year, 2017, he earned his first top 15 rank and NFR appearance by hanging on at the last two rodeos of the year. Adjusting to the chaos that can be your first trip to the Superbowl of rodeo,  he split the win in Round 9 and placed in two rounds to rank 10th in the average with 170.5 points on two head. He finished 10th in the world standings with $144,601.

In 2018 he finished significantly higher at number 8 with earnings of $106,430.78 in qualifying dollars.  A disappointing second trip to Vegas left Campbell in 14th place. He placed in one round on one head earning $29, 038,  and total 2018 earnings of $135,469 with ten event title wins.

Boudreaux’s path to professional bull riding began when he was 4 years old and his father, Jay, who hosted youth rodeos for about 15 years, took him to a rodeo in Liberty.

 “I watched the sheep riding there, and after that, I told him that’s what I wanted to do,” Boudreaux said. “I fell in love with it. And ever since then I wanted to be a world champion bull rider. I started out on calves and then moved up to steers and all of that.

Campbell in interviews has been a supporter of the PRCA believing that PRCA gives him an opportunity to stay healthy while earning huge money and that there is a choice of where to go to ride bulls and earn a million dollars in one year.

Campbell is known for one quote - “I have one job – stay on.”

NFR Bull Rider Profile - Garrett Smith

Garrett Smith, Rexburg, Idaho returns to the NFR for the third time in four years

Time to Shine

If it's one thing the bull riding contestants have in common this year, it's their resumes. Over half of the 15 headed to Las Vegas to ride bulls are multi-event cowboy athletes at rodeos with tales of injuries and epic comebacks. Idaho cowboy Garrett Smith is no different.

“I finally got healthy the last month of this year,” said Smith.

 “You’ve got to learn to ride when you’re not healthy, but it makes a huge difference on how you ride when you’re healthy. It helped to have a good last month, and it was a lot more fun.

Smith, a 3-time NFR qualifier from Rexburg, joins the National Finals Rodeo bull riding roster in the number seven slot. Like No. 8 Trey Benton, he is familiar with both ends of the rodeo arena. The 3-time National High School Rodeo Association all-around cowboy concentrates on bull riding now while in Vegas but can rope and wrestle with his trio of rodeo contending brothers.

Smith competed in 79 rodeos this year, earning money in 43 or 54% and stockpiled $123,974.56 in the regular-season money kitty. He begins the final shuffle known as the last ten days of the 2019 PRCA World Standings with total PRCA career earnings of $605,029.00 since 2014.

This year Garrett won ten event bull riding titles at rodeo and was perched at 12th before his final West coast rides, where he won three titles and $10,591, solidifying him at number seven on the NFR bull riding roster.

Smith was one of 16 bull riders to have earned more than $105,000 through the regular season, the first time in ProRodeo history that has happened.

Garrett’s Ride

Garrett began his quest for a gold buckle and bull riding career in 2014 when he won a handful of rodeos and finished third behind Sage Kimzey in the PRCA Resistol bull riding rookie standings and 43rd in the PRCA World Standings.

In 2015 Garrett’s won 8 rodeos, $51,026, and was 22nd in the PRCA.

2016 was his rookie NFR qualification and he finished fifth at the NFR and in the world standings with $171,698 and nine rodeo titles wins.

But 2017 was stellar as he finished second in regular-season with 14 rodeo event titles and high hopes of a shot at the Gold Buckle. He found his mojo early winning Round 2, but disaster would find him at the Thomas and Mack arena, and after suffering much during the competition, knee surgery was inevitable following Las Vegas. He managed to place in two rounds and finished eighth in the average with 252.5 points on three head and ranked fifth in the world with $260,143.

2018 rolled around and recovery by the summer run was hopeful - until a fractured pelvis in August derailed the season.

“This NFR probably means more to me because I came through so many injuries to come back for it,” said Smith, who credits much of his success to his sponsors, Idaho Project Filter, CINCH, Resistol, Rodeo Vegas, Rodeo Tax, Rodeo Graphics, Truth Bucking Stock and Streamline Sports Chiropractic & Physical Therapy.

“I’d just like to finish it healthy once; that would be nice,” added Smith.

Garrett’s proud to be part of Idaho’s Project Filter, where he visits schools and organizations as a mentor and to encourage kids to decide to stay away from drugs and tobacco products.

NFR Bull Rider Profile - Trey Benton III

                                             #Thewarrior

Trey Benton, III, competed in 85 rodeos winning money in 33 to qualify for his sixth trip to the National Finals Rodeo next week. The official PRCA records list him at slightly less than $1 million in earnings. Still, if you have followed his entire pro career, you know this talented tie-down roper turned bull rider is, in reality, he past that mark if you look outside the PRCA bank of statistics.

2018 was not the NFR appearance record Trey Benton wants on his resume. When the calendar page turned to 2019, he once again staged a Benton-like comeback-solid work out routines and focus.

Trey Benton, a three time George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Champion (Del Rio) on Mike Rawson’s Lumberjack in Del Rio, Texas.

Winning the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Xtreme Bulls was a great start to the year putting $35,250 in his PRCA World standings account, which anchored his efforts. He won six rodeo bull riding event titles and enters this year's NFR in 8th place and earnings of $122,284.

Born in Rock Island, Texas, Trey Benton was introduced to bull riding by Bad Company Rodeo legend Mack Altizer. Benton would go on to qualify for the National High School Finals Rodeo in bull riding and Tie-down roping, but Altizer’s lesson was to get on as many bulls as he could. That advice paid off when Benton’s first pro experience resulted in earning the 2012 PRCA Rookie of the Year title his first year as a pro cowboy. Benton also qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo twice, once as a tie-down roper and once as a bull rider.

The Sam Houston State University graduate learned to multi-task while earning a mass communications degree and juggling a pro rodeo schedule. Three consecutive appearances at the NFR were followed by two tough years of heartbreaking injuries followed by surgery and a new personal format that required him to focus on quality, not the quantity of rodeos. His “to do” list of competitive selection had to change from enduring to preserving his strength in an effort to limit the risk of re-injury. 

A fan favorite on and behind the chutes, Trey Benton and Tyler Taylor in Hobbs, New Mexico on the Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour

Benton, who enjoys working cattle and known to be an authentic cowboy, started riding calves and sheep at five years old. He graduated from bareback horses and breakaway roping when he was nine. He can rope both ends in the team competition, but he let the buckers guide even his young career, including a second-place finish at the Junior High School National Finals in bull riding.

He is a cowboy through and through working on his father’s ranch whenever he has spare time. His topflight bull riding resume includes NFR appearances in 2012-14, and 2017-18. What that does not tell you is the pain and suffering followed by the comebacks he made in between.

Benton is the rider to challenge Kimzey at the highest level twice in their storied battles for gold buckles. In 2014, Trey Benton challenged to defend in the CBR World Finals in Cheyenne. He would close again in 2017 at the Thomas and Mack arena as the one rider to come extremely close to knocking Kimzey off the PRCA world stage with four NFR round wins (1, 4, 6, 9) at the Wrangler NFR.

National Finals Rodeo Career

2018: Won Round 1 and placed in two rounds to rank 11th in the average with 170 points on two head at the Wrangler NFR.with $40,462 and total earnings of $141,393.

2017: Finished second in the world standings with $322,208. Won Rounds 1, 4, 6, and 9 at the Wrangler NFR to rank third in the average with 530.5 points on six head. Packed a few all-around titles in that year too.•

2016: Finished 70th in the world standings with $14,976.

Persevering past double knee replacement and then a broken femur during the course of his young career, Benton has evolved into a competitor that understands the thrills and spills of the sport.

2015 Finished 98th in the world standings with $11,095

2014: Placed in three rounds of the Wrangler NFR, including a second-place result in Round 3. Finished third in the world standings with $164,471.

2013: Won Round 5 of the Wrangler NFR with a 90.5-point ride on Andrews Rodeo's Gun and Juice; finished 13th in the world standings with $91,959.

2012: Placed in two rounds of his Wrangler NFR debut and finished ninth in the world standings.

NFR Bull Rider Profile - Jordan Spears

                                                                 #NFRVETERAN

Fourth-generation cowboy and 4-time WNFR qualifier Jordan Spears is the lone California cowboy on the bull riding roster of the 2019 National Finals Rodeo. With $121,548 in his PRCA bank, Spears solidified his fourth trip to the big show in the number 9 position of the PRCA World Standings.

The West Coast bull rider competed in 89 rodeos winning money in 41 or 46%. Spears won San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo and 10 other bull-riding rodeo event titles, but his big boost came from a $27,470 windfall as the champion of the Ellensburg Xtreme Bulls Tour final in September. Prior to June he had seen the inside of the top 20  The Redding, California native now living in Oregon did not hit his stride until June when he was still on the outside of the top 20. The last six weeks of the season, he won $66,261.

Spears, now 27 is no stranger to the Thomas and Mack Arena. With PRCA career earnings excess of a half a million dollars, the 2010 California High School State Bull Riding Champion  qualified in 2014, 2016, and 2017. He finished 18th in 2018 just outside the NFR window with 2018 earnings of $91,009.

In 2017 he placed in three rounds of the Wrangler NFR and seventh in the average with 254 points on three head and rank seventh in the world standings with $197,057.  2016 was similar for Spears placing in three rounds to rank ninth at the NFR and eighth in the world standings with $151,802.

Spears did not compete in 2015. 2014 he won his first round of the NFR on an 85.5-point ride on Rafter G Rodeo’s Johnny Ramone and placed in two other rounds to rank ninth in the average and finished 11th in the world standings with $100,030 earned.

Spears, qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo in 2011 while representing Mesalands Community College Rodeo.

His first year of competition with PRCA was in 2013 where he finished 28th with $40,963.

NFR Bull Rider Profile - Josh Frost

#Ultimatecowboy

Josh Frost competing at the South Point Las Vegas Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour event

Checking one personal goal off his professional cowboy checklist, Josh Frost, the number 10th ranked bull rider qualified for the 2019 National Finals Rodeo, will arrive in Las Vegas, having already won one of the most prestigious awards of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

Before diving into the journey of his first NFR appearance, it should be noted he won four All-Around Cowboy titles this season and six bull ridings on his way to his first NFR appearance and picked up some additional hardware along the way.

Frost of Randlett, Utah, is the 2019 PRCA's Linderman award recipient. Eligibility for the Linderman award requires earning at least $1,000 in three events, and of those three, one rough stock and one-timed event is expected.

“It has been one of my goals for a while to win the Linderman,” said Frost, 24. “It’s a prestigious award. I have (tie-down) roped my whole life, but I was never able to qualify (for the Linderman) with my steer wrestling. But I practiced a bunch this winter, and it made a difference, and I got qualified for steer wrestling in the summer,” Frost told Prorodeo.com following the announcement.

In addition to the 119,561, the younger of the Frost bull-riding brothers earned $2,067 in steer wrestling and $8,281 in tie-down roping. 

“Winning this award is not something very many people can do,” Josh said. “You really have to be a cowboy to not only compete, but to win money on both ends of the arena. In my mind, you have to be the ultimate cowboy to be able to be successful in the rough stock and timed events.”

The Linderman Award, named after ProRodeo Hall of Fame cowboy Bill Linderman, recognizes cowboys who perform at both ends of the arena. Frost’s brother Joe also won the award in 2014. 

Josh, Joe Frost and Eli Vastbinder on the back of the chutes at the Bossier THBRT

But back to why he will be in Las Vegas and how he got to the big show.

The 2013 Utah High School Rodeo Finals Champion competed in 114 rodeos this season, winning money in 48 or 42%.  Born in Roosevelt, Utah, the 24 cowboys joined the PRCA in 2015 and has PRCA Career Earnings of $191,900.00.

It may have taken Josh four years to qualify for the NFR, but that was time well spent on his education and representing Oklahoma Panhandle State University (Goodwell, Okla.) on their rodeo team, including playing a pivotal role in the 2017 National Team Championship at the college finals. Frost, who graduated in 2017, was a highly rated cowboy recruit who competed in four events for the infamous rodeo team and planned a future for himself after competing to teach Ag, and coach wrestling.

Josh Frost was a member of the CNFR 2017 College National Championship team

"Panhandle has been a big part of my life, both with my education and rodeo. It's just a great place to be," Frost said.

Frost frequently competed on the Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour after turning pro in 2013 and with his experience and pedigree, he and Hedeman should have plenty to talk about in the locker room and on the back of the chutes..

If you are new to the rodeo culture, you should know Frost is a third-generation PRCA cowboy, his grandfather and father were PRCA members as well as his great-uncle, Clyde who led the family’s dominance in rodeo when he competed at the first NFR in 1959. Josh’s brother, Joe Frost, is a three-time NFR qualifier for bull riding, and yes, Josh’s second-cousin is the late Lane Frost, a five-time NFR qualifier and world champion bull rider who was featured in the movie “8 Seconds”.

Josh Frost making a clean get away from the Arkansas Flash with help from bullfighter Bryce Redo at the THBRT event in El Paso, Texas

NFR Bull Rider Profile - Jordan Hansen

EFFICIENCY ENDURES

 Jordan Hansen from Ponoka, Alberta, qualified for his second National Finals Rodeo in 2019 riding efficiently and put simply – enduring setbacks. In 2017 he won Round 8 and placed in four rounds to place sixth in the average with 338 points on four head and rank eighth in the world with $180,295.

He missed the NFR in 2018 when a pedicle fracture (back) sidelined him first for three months. He finished that year 35th in the PRCA World Standings with 2018 earnings of $54,355.

"They think it happened in Cheyenne (Wyo.) in 2017, but they're not really sure," Hansen said. "I just kept dealing with it, but they finally scanned where the pain was coming from, and they figured it out. I don't know if it was, but it got worse using it more and more, and they said it was bad enough toward the end to take three months off,” said Hansen to Prorodeo.com in August.

The injury set him back again last winter, so he was not sure what 2019 would bring. According to ProRodeo.com, Hansen’s scan also revealed an old break in his femur that hadn’t healed properly.

“I was out for the better part of the year,” Hansen said.

"The hip has been wrecked for some time," added Hansen, who lives in Ponoka now. "They were worried about my back, more than anything, so just making sure I took enough time to make sure that healed up,” said Hansen.

When returning, he scored early in July and kept the "cowboy Christmas" myth alive. But August in Utah will always be memorable for Hansen, who was ranked 24th with $48,832 going into that rodeo – still $17,629 out of the NFR qualifying top 15. He won $12,956 at the Mountain Valley Stampede Rodeo in Heber City, Utah, on Aug. 3. and the momentum endured.

 "There's a lot of rodeos left this year, and I've got a lot of bulls ahead," Hansen said.

He returns to the NFR in eleventh place with ten event titles on the season and $114,747.21 in the PRCA bank -  hoping to add to that after ten days in Las Vegas. Hansen earned money in  59% of the 66 rodeos, where he competed, proving his ability to maximize effort.

Hansen began his professional PRCA career when he joined in 2014 and has total recorded earnings of $313,400. He began competing in rodeo when he was 12 years old because his mom is a barrel racer and escribes his riding style as "unorthodox" because he goes to the front more, and his knees are drawn up further. Hansen holds a welding degree from Red Deer College earned in 2016.Stat

Stats courtesy of Prorodeo.com and the PRCA.

NFR Bull Rider Profile - Koby Radley

Koby Radley won his first major professional bull riding title at age 18 with Tuff Hedeman in command of the chutes.

 #Geauxtime

In 2018, Koby Radley, the 21-year-old Cajun Cowboy from Montpelier, Louisiana, rode with just one goal...qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo. With one NFR experience in the books, he heads back to Las Vegas as one of the elite PRCA bull riders in the No. 12 position and wearing back no. 38.

Competing in 104 rodeos, Radley qualified, winning nine rodeo titles and earned money in 45% of those rodeos. He eerily qualified in the same No. 12 position in 2019 as 2018 and won the same number of rodeo bull riding titles as in 2018.

If he mirrors his 2018 rookie NFR experience, he will place in three rounds and finish ninth in the average title race with 259 points on three head and a $62, 814 paycheck he picked up leaving Vegas.

Like LSU head coach Ed Orgeron, Radley, a 21-year-old die-hard LSU Tiger football fan, made significant adjustments in his approach to the game this season and it earned him over $17,000 more than last year.

 “The key difference from 2018 to 2019 is making more of my short round bulls count! Last year I let a lot of good opportunities slip through my hands, and as everyone knows, the money is in the short round,” said Radley.

2015 International Finals Rodeo Champion Bull Rider and CBR Horizon Series Champion - Koby Radley

"I had to prove myself last year, and I am ready to get after it for the richest ten days in rodeo," said an excited Radley.

Radley believes respect is the best cowboy tradition, and no doubt, he is respected by his peers after earning $114,554.21 on this year’s trail.

The Learning Curve

Radley's style is one of control and is known to be a student of the bulls and the sport, but now a three year veteran of the PRCA, he cited this as his plan for Las Vegas.

“No big changes to be made, I will try to keep things pretty simple, and if I can just go out there and take it one bull at a time I think things will work out,” added Radley.

What will Koby do between now and December?

I imagine Koby Radley will be getting on plenty of practice bulls in the upcoming weeks. Still, growing up in the "Sportsman's Paradise" state of Louisiana, there are a few other things to do in November, including his favs - duck hunting and fishing and cheering on the LSU Tigers.  

The Beginning

Radley is a past International Finals Rodeo (IFYR) Youth World Champion bull rider, where he was the only rider to cover three bulls at the 2015 Super Bowl of youth rodeo. He started riding calves when he was 8. He began competing and progressed in junior rodeo, including competing in high school rodeo in both Mississippi and Louisiana as a junior bull rider.

“I have always wanted to compete at the highest level and waited on this a long time,  it is my dream, I started riding when I was 8 or 9 years old when my Dad put me on for the first time,” said Radley.

Jacob O’Mara, Kortlin Radley O’Mara, Koby Radley

Radley won the Mississippi High School Rodeo title 3 times as a freshman, sophomore, and junior.

In Las Vegas, it will not be Radley’s first time listening to Tuff Hedeman on the bucking chutes.

In 2016, Koby Radley followed his dream and joined the PRCA and his brother in law as a professional bull rider. Radley’s sister Kortlyn is married to NFR qualifier Jacob O'Mara, and they competed on the road together, they massed seven CBR event titles with Radley winning the Salina Championship title, and the year-end Horizon Championship buckle and the bonus check. Radley also competes on the Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour.

Radley, who describes his ride style as "under control," is known to study bulls and prepare as much as possible.   

Follow Koby and the NFR bull riding on Facebook, Tuff Hedeman, Instagram, Tuff Hedeman Official, and Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding.

Professional

2019 Highlights

Ranked #1 Southeastern Circuit Standings - $20,788.52

• Won the Dodge City (Kan.) Roundup Rodeo

• Won the NE Mississippi (Tupelo) Championship Rodeo

• Won the Southeastern Livestock Exposition (Montgomery, Ala.)

• Won the Bill Hoy Kiwanis Rodeo (Clarksville, Tenn.)

• Won the Gladewater (Texas) Round-Up Rodeo

• Won the Lexington (Ky.) Rodeo

• Won the Parker County Sheriff's Posse Frontier Days And PRCA Rodeo (Weatherford, Texas)

• Won the Tri-State Rodeo (Fort Madison, Iowa)

• Co-champion at the Sikeston (Mo.) Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo

• 2017: Won Rapides Parish PRCA Rodeo in Alexandria, La., the Magnolia (Ark.) Stampede, and the Lea County Fair & PRCA Rodeo in Hobbs, N.M. Finished the season 28th in the world standings with $52,880.

NFR Bull Rider Profiles - Jeff Askey

Jeff Askey on the Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour - Hobbs, New Mexico

#Experirence

Good decisions come from experience, and experience comes from bad decisions. If you are not sure about that, just ask Jeff Askey

Askey suffered a shoulder injury when he was bucked off D&H Cattle Company’s Margin Call on August 9 at the Lawton (Okla.) Rangers Rodeo. He decided to leave the rodeo trail for a few weeks to heal up both his shoulder and knee. That decision paid off when he returned strong winning at Ellensburg, which kept him in the hunt for his third trip as a contestant to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

“I was, I think 12th when I went home for my shoulder. But I knew I didn't have enough won. When I came back a few weeks later, I was already 15th. So I knew I had to capitalize on some good rodeos late season. I tried not to get really concerned,” said Askey.

“ Ya, either make it or ya don’t.”

Competing in approximately 116 rodeos, Askey put a string of wins together earning money 52 times or 45% of the rodeos where he pulled his rope.

He earned six event titles, one Xtreme Bull Riding buckle, and won Ellensburg.

Citing debt as his number one inspiration for his 2018 seasonal success, Askey repeated the sentiment this year as well.

“I bought some more land back in February, and that wiped the accounts out. And it needed some work. So a lot of what I win rolls into working on my place."

Askey got in the invite back to Las Vegas to ride bulls on $113,694.46 in PRCA World Standings winnings. This solid year bumped his PRCA Career Earnings to $604,670.00.

Jeff and Tuff Hedeman should have plenty to talk about on the back of the chutes during CBS commercials. Askey enjoyed great success with Hedeman in front of the chutes. He earned titles and money on both the Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour and the CBR - one might even guess he his total career earnings from CBR, THBRT, and PBR make him a million-dollar cowboy.

In 2018 Askey placed in five rounds to rank third in the average at the Wrangler NFR with 424 points on five head. He finished the year ranked fifth in the world standings with $225,624.

2017 was full of injuries, and he finished the year a disappointing 36th in the world standings with $43,856.

2016 was his first NFR appearance and special after narrowly missing the previous three years. In 2015 he lost the NFR by $207, finishing 16th with $62,427. In 2014 he was 19th with $55,122, and in 2013 he came in 21st.

In his first NFR, he placed in one round to rank 14th at the Wrangler NFR. He finished 11th in the world standings with $134,993.

"Riding bulls is your life and lifestyle, and if you enjoy it, it's not a job. The riding itself is what you love to do and enjoy, and the planning is just tending to business."

 “I like them to keep me guessing,” said Askey about his style and bucking bulls.

 "I don't study bulls, I think it's a preference deal, I go at it bull by bull, and that seems to work for me," added Askey.

Askey, the 5'8, 155-pound thirty-one-year-old bull rider, won the College National Finals Rodeo bull riding in 2010 and holds an Animal Science degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Best Advice: Advice to the next generation of bull riders…

“You have to know what works for you and what your own mentality is and what is effective for you – take everything with a grain salt and find your own path,” Jeff Askey.

You can follow Jeff on Instagram and Facebook. For more information, contact Leigh Ann Schroeder, tuffhedemanpr@gmail.com or 940.902.1112.

NFR Bull Rider Profiles - Daylon Swearingen

#TheMulti-Tasker

The 2019 College National Finals Rodeo Champion, National High School Finals Rodeo Bareback Riding World Champion, Panola College Rodeo Team member, and the second-ranked PRCA Resistol Bull Riding Rookie, multi-tasker Daylon Swearingen has qualified for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo..

Swearingen led the Panola College (Carthage, Texas) winning the Bull Riding at the 2019 College National Finals Rodeo.

Qualifying in the #14 position on the NFR bull riding roster, Daylon (Day) Swearingen will leave his bareback rigging at home and compete as a left-handed bull rider from New York, now living in Georgia, during the 2019 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

A former high school wrestler, Day Swearingen, competed in 133 rodeos winning money in 54 or 48% of them. He earned a total of $111,837.17 in the bull riding column, Bareback money, $11,755.40, and Saddle Bronc, $366.6.

So why bull riding?

“I raise bucking bulls, I love being around them, riding them -I love everything about them and riding bulls is something I have always wanted –I just want to be a cowboy,” said the nineteen-year-old NFR Rookie.

The oldest son of Sam and Carrie Swearingen, owners of Rawhide Rodeo Company, Daylon balanced rodeo and rodeo production from an early age. While competing in High School Rodeo, he also rode in the SEBRA, IPRA, and APRA organizations.

Swearingen made his debut at the First Frontier Circuit Finals back in January in the bareback and the bull riding events. He left with the most bull riding earnings and title and the all-around cowboy title.

A student of the mental side of competing and a reader, Swearingen knows you can always improve. From yoga to YouTube motivation, the bottom line is he prepares.

Spare time he enjoys riding colts, mountain biking, and cross-fit.

The experts say Swearingen rides away from his hand, as well as he does into his hand, a factoid for the Las Vegas gamblers, and he rides rank bulls as well as spinners, but do not take my word for it, Google him!

Professional

2019 Highlights

• Won Rusk County PRCA Rodeo (Henderson, Texas)

• Won 67th Annual Mid Winter Fair and Rodeo (Lafayette, La.)

• Won La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros (Tucson, Ariz.)

• Split win at 91st annual Arcadia (Fla,) All-Florida Championship Rodeo

• Split win at Northwest Florida Pro Rodeo and Crawfish Festival (Fort Walton Beach)

• Won Mineral Wells (Texas) PRCA Rodeo

• Split West of the Pecos (Texas) Rodeo

• Split win at Livingston (Mont.) Roundup

• Won Black Hills Roundup (Belle Fourche, S.D.)

• Won Red Desert  (Rock Springs, Wyo.)

AMATEUR

2016 NHSFR Bareback Riding World Champion

2015 the NHSFR All-Around Rookie Cowboy

Qualified all three years for the National Junior High Finals Rodeo.

NFR Bull Rider Profiles - Trey Kimzey

Trey Kimzey riding 291 Son of Sam (Whisnant) at the Tuff Hedeman Fort Worth Bull Riding

#Earnit

The fifteenth bull rider in the 2019 PRCA World Standings at the end of September was Strong City, Oklahoma resident Trey Kimzey. Kimzey, enjoying his rookie year in the PRCA edged out veteran bull rider Parker Breding by $2,414.54, earning his first seat at the National Finals Rodeo table.

I first saw Trey Kimzey as a professional pulling his rope with Tuff Hedeman holding the gate latch at the Tuff Hedeman South Point CBR event in March of 2017 - his World Champion brother at his side making sure his first pro out was clean. In 2018 he won six PRCA rodeo titles and competed on the Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour while on his permit. In 2019 he played to win, netting three Xtreme bull riding titles, 10 PRCA rodeo titles, and as a result will wear back number 113 as a contender at his first NFR.  

Being a winner is the obvious way to compare the younger Kimzey bull rider to his 5-time PRCA World Champion brother Sage. Still, the differences define him as an individual and a professional athlete.

Like in any sport, in any era, some families are just built to create dynasties. For any parent, getting one of your kids into the top ranks of professional sports has to be considered a fantastic accomplishment. The amount of time, energy, and luck involved make the odds against it happening astronomically high. For more than one kid to make it defies pretty much all logic.

Trey Kimzey

For some families, though, simply "making it" isn't enough. They not only have to make it to the show, but they also have to set all kinds of records once they do…enter the Kimzey family.

20-year-old Trey takes a lot of pride in following in Sage’s footsteps and having success in his own right, so let’s take a look at what sets him apart from not just Sage, but many others.

TREY KIMZEY

#1 Trey's loose riding style is entirely different than Sage's. Trey's style comes from his competing in not only bull riding by trick riding, trick roping, tie-down, and team roping. The youngest son of a longtime rodeo clown and NFR barrelman, Ted Kimzey, Trey grew up at the rodeo, and he shares this trade secret with his older brother.  

"Nothing matters until you make the big show; once you get there, ten days in Vegas fits my riding style, so we'll see who wins."- Trey Kimzey.

#2  - Trey is the life of the locker room, always finding time to greet and joke around behind the chutes. He never met a stranger and has the gift of gab. I met him about the same time I met Sage and knew him better instantly. Trey earned $108, 160.37 to claim the #15 rank, and bid to his first NFR, and I am guessing developed a big fan base and substantial social media accounts along the way.

# 3  - Trey does not take himself too seriously and jokes with the press – regularly and sometimes at our expense. Some might not know how to take his jovial responses, but knowing him since high school, I have enjoyed receiving and reading his quotes. Trey once told a budding ten-year-old reporter, "Yes, we get in fights, but we just wrestle it out. But the quote of the Trey Kimzey NFR rookie year…

"If you think about riding bulls all the time and being good, you will be --  right?”

The similarities are easier to recognize. They both began their careers riding with Tuff Hedeman at the helm. They are both confident and remain in control and not easily influenced.

But what stands out the most is the core attitude they both seem to embody.  Trey’s last twitter post was “Defy the Odds, Set the Standard, Step Up.”

My guess would be this sign hung above both their baby cribs! 

Tuff Hedeman and Trey Kimzey

IN HIS OWN WORDS

“This year has been a roller-coaster,” Trey Kimzey said. "I jumped in with Sage right at the start of the summer, and it was truly a blessing. He's helped me out a lot. He knows how to rodeo, and that's a crucial part of it. I can't thank him enough. Sage and I and Tyler Bingham are traveling together, and all we think about is riding bulls.”

 “Sage is one of the best bull riders in the world, and he’s helped me out a lot to get me to where I’m at today,” Trey said. “It’s not a competition between us. We literally go up and down the road helping each other out, trying to get better at bull riding.”

Brothers and Boxing Heavyweight fighters Vladamir and Vitali Klitschko never had to fight each other in the ring. Sage and Trey Kimzey don’t have that luxury of deciding who they can and can't compete with, but if I were a betting writer (which I am), I would say one will be pulling the other's rope in Las Vegas – the ultimate sign of trust for a bull rider.

IN THE BEGINNING

Trey is the son of Ted and Jennifer Kimzey.  At Cheyenne High School, Trey lettered in basketball four times, and baseball three. He represented Cheyenne High School at the National High School Rodeo Finals and in 2017, joined the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Rodeo team.

CAREER PRCA HIGHLIGHTS

2019 Highlights

PRCA 2019 Resistol Rookie of the Year – 3rd Place

• Won the Lea County PRCA Rodeo (Lovington, N.M.)

• Won the Comal County Fair & Rodeo Xtreme Bulls (New Braunfels, Texas)

• Won the Woodward (Okla.) Elks Rodeo

• Won the Magnolia (Ark.)Stampede

• Won the Xtreme Bull & Broncs (Lincoln, Neb.)

• Won the Panola County Cattlemen's ProRodeo (Carthage, Calif.)

• Won the Flint Hills Rodeo (Strong City, Kan.)

• Won the Bennington (Kan.) PRCA Rodeo

• Won the Lea County PRCA Rodeo Xtreme Bulls (Lovington, N.M.)

• Won the Sanders County Fair & PRCA Rodeo (Plains, Mont.)

In 2018 he won 6 bull riding titles while on his permit.

Throughout bull riding history, there have been many sets of brothers who have proven to come from merely a better gene pool than most of us mortals. Twenty years ago, I began covering bull riding watching Cody and JW Hart, Adam and Gilbert Carrillo, Cory and Evan Rasch, followed by Ardie, Corey, and Rorey Maier, Tyler and Tim Bingham, Joe and Josh Frost, and now Sage and Trey Kimzey.

Trey Kimzey on Funky Boots, Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour

Jeremy Clements Racing joins Tuff Hedeman Granting Western Wish at Texas Motor Speedway

Carmon Box, Seymour, Texas will be given All Access to Jeremy Clements Racing at the Texas Motor Speedway XFINITY race on Saturday.

FORT WORTH, Texas - Like most cowboys, Cameron Box of Seymour, Texas loves to wear his boots and western hat and of course, NASCAR. Watching NASCAR on television can provide hours of distraction and joy while dealing with disabilities and hospitals. Cameron will have another distraction on Saturday, Nov. 2, when he joins pro bull rider Tyler Taylor and professional race car driver Jeremy Clements at the Reilly Auto Parts Challenge at the Texas Motor Speedway as a special guest.

The 17-year-old will spend the day at the track with Jeremy and Tyler as a gift from the make a wish style foundation that is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year.  The goal of both Hedeman and Clements is simple; give him courage, support, and joy to persevere in his personal fight.

Pro bull rider Tyler Taylor

Tuff Hedeman selected Cameron and granted this wish in conjunction with Western Wishes, a non-profit founded by Donnalyn Quintanna, former wife of the late PRCA World Champion bull rider John Quintanna.  Hedeman, a frequent face at the Texas Motor Speedway, selected Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Champion Tyler Taylor to represent him upon learning of his scheduling conflict. Taylor, Stephenville, Texas, will join Cameron and his family and Mandy Shaff of Westernwishes.org. at the XFINITY race on Saturday.

Jeremy Clements Racing and Tuff Hedeman granting Western Wishes at the Texas Motor Speedway

Cameron will begin his day getting to know the Jeremy Clements Race Team and touring the “hauler” and his car 51. Later he will be trackside for driver introductions and proceed to the JCR pit box to watch and listen to the JCR team and learn how race-day is from behind the scenes.

Cameron’s Story

Cameron Box of Seymour, Texas, is 17 years old and lives on a farm. During his mother's delivery, he suffered an injury to his brain.  As an infant, he had seizures, which caused further damage.  A direct result of brain trauma is a condition known as Development Delay, Microcephaly, and a form of Cerebral Palsy that results in the inability to build muscle.

“Cameron has the best heart and has been a huge blessing to our family," said his mother, Jennifer.

Cameron works hard to overcome disabilities and is focusing on progressing his necessary life skills. He attends high school, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

Cameron's interests are much like most boys his age; he is interested in driving and hopes to have a job in the near future and hangs out with his Dad, who is a mechanic. 

Mandy Shaff of Westernwishes.org will join Cameron and Taylor at Texas Motor Speedway for a day of behind the scenes and a view from the pits as the race XFINITY Series kicks off on Saturday afternoon.

For more information on JCR see Jeremyclements51.com.

Mason TaylOr Taps Two to Win Nicky Wheeler Memorial Bull Riding

Taylor Claims his first Tuff Hedeman event title and checks from the Wheeler family, Tuff and Ryker Hedeman, Jeff Harris and Haley and Brian Beasley. Photos by Todd Brewer.

Tuff Hedeman Breakout Series Bull Riding

JACKSONVILLE, Texas - With the dream of becoming a professional bull rider since he was four years old, nineteen year old Mason Taylor thrilled the packed house outlasting forty cowboys as the only bull rider to ride two to claim the 2019 Nicky Wheeler Memorial Bull Riding title, a Tuff Hedeman Breakout Series celebrating the life of Nicky Wheeler, a cowboy, a hero and a legend of the bull riding industry.

“Both of my bulls were just what you want, plenty of kick and spin, and I was really glad to string two together to get the win,” said Taylor of Maypearl, Texas.

Taylor was in complete control both times the gate latch cracked earning him a combined 170.5 points on two bulls. Taylor was all smiles as he accepted his first check signed and presented by four-time World Champion and Pro Rodeo Hall of famer, Tuff Hedeman, Beverly Wheeler, and event producers Jeff Harris and Haley and Brian Beasley.

Taylor, the 2019 IFYR Bull Riding Champion, says when the gate opens the nerves go away, and he proved that Saturday night in front of a packed house in the Jacksonville Rodeo Arena.

Mason Taylor rides Mike Rawson’s 08 8 Ball to win the Nicky Wheeler Memorial

Forty bull riders joined Tuff Hedeman to pay tribute to Nicky Wheeler, a champion bull rider who rode nine out of ten bulls at the 1977 PRCA National Finals Rodeo. Wheeler was a pioneer in the bred to buck bloodlines of today’s premier bucking bull athletes as well as a proud father, businessman, and rancher from Flint, Texas. Wheeler passed away in the spring of 2018.

Riding two Taylor earned the $2,134.40 paycheck plus a $2,500 bonus to take home, a Corientea Silver custom buckle, and prize package paycheck of $4,634.40.

ROUND ONE

Matched against donated bucking bulls brought to Jacksonville to assist the youth fundraising effort, stock contractors Mike Rawson, Lyndal Hurst, Terry Williams, and Jeff Harris squared off with the veteran and young gun bull riders. 

Jeff Harris presents trophy buckles to Tuff Hedeman and stock Contractors Lyndal Hurst, and Mike Rawson thanking them for their time and efforts in supporting the event that serves as the primary fundraiser for the Cherokee County 4-H and FFA Scholarship programs.

Braden Richardson quickly took control of the event winning the long round 87.5 points on 93 Banana Split of Jeff Harris Bucking Bulls.

Taylor on long round bull Wack A Do, Hurst Pro Rodeo

A pair of bulls sired by the legendary Mooseknuckle and owned by Hurst Pro Rodeo powered the second and third place rides of round one. Laramie Mosley was on Richardson’s heels with an 87 on Hurst’s 6188 Guitar Man and Mason Taylor’s 85.5 on 5713 Wack A Do put him in at third in the long round.

Braden Richardson wins the long round with 87.5 points on 93 Banana Split, Harris Bucking Bulls

Championship Round

With twelve qualified rides in the long round including scores from veteran riders Tyler Taylor, 85 points on 72 Yellow Belly (Harris) and Dantley Eldridge earned 85 on Terry Williams Buzz Zaw. Dane Doggett rode 607 Spook for 84.5, and former Jacksonville Champion Austin Patterson covered Hurst's Mojo.

Ten riders came back to compete in the final round with Reginaldo DaSilva being the last rider to qualify for the championship round with an 83.5 in round one.

After a heartfelt tribute to the Wheeler family and a presentation from the Harris and Beasley families, event co-producers, the bulls were once again locked and loaded and this time…in control.

Five consecutive buck-offs before Taylor would ride Harris’s 103 Pancho Villa for 85 points. Taylor was in control from the beginning stepping off easily when he heard the whistle.

Taylor, a decorated junior rider began his professional career in the fall of 2018 and in April won his first major career win, the Sioux Falls PBR.

Co-producers Haley and Brian Beasley, and the Jeff Harris Family organize the annual bull riding event as the primary fundraiser for the 4–H and FFA Youth Scholarship programs of Cherokee County.

“Nicky Wheeler is remembered as a "great guy," a dedicated father and husband, a superior bull riding judge, a bucking bull-man, rodeo producer, and talented fundraiser, and I was proud to call him my friend, said Jeff Harris, co-producer of the Nicky Wheeler Memorial.

Beverly Wheeler and Tuff Hedeman

Nicky Wheeler Memorial Bull Riding Results

1, Mason Taylor, Maypearl, Texas, 170.5 on two, $4,634.40. 2, Braden Richardson, Jasper, Texas, 87.5 pts, $2,097.60. 3, Laramie Mosley, Palestine, Texas, 87 pts, $1,361.60. 4, Dantley Eldridge, Yoakum, Texas, 85 pts, $662.40, 5, Tyler Taylor, Stephenville, Texas, 85 pts, $662.40. 5, Dane Doggett, Ft. Worth, Texas, 84.5 pts, $294.40.

$5,000 Bounty Bull Added to Nicky Wheeler Memorial Bull Riding

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.

Weaver and Garcia Master Hedeman's Wicked Rank Midwest Swing

Waterloo Optimist Blue Army Bull Bash

Tuff Hedeman Break Out Series

Waterloo, Illinois - Breakout Out bull rider Matthew Weaver wins Blue Army Bull Bash, the finale of the Wicked Rank Midwest Swing.



WATERLOO, Illinois -  (September 22, 2019)  – According to Matthew Weaver’s social media he lives on a dairy farm and likes to ride horses, but on Saturday night he showed the Blue Army Bull Bash record-breaking crowd just how much he LOVES to ride bucking bulls.  

“Glory to God it was a blessing to win the event I had two good bulls drew Saturday night one from Cory Check Bucking Bulls and another good bull from Randy Littrell’s Shop Creek Cattle Co. I just kept my hand shut and got them rode, and the rest fell into place. As for what's next for me, I have a few goals left for the end of the season that I'd like to accomplish. And just anywhere where the road takes me.”  

Matthew Weaver accepts the win from Jim Probst, Waterloo Optimist Club

Winning his second title this year at a Tuff Hedeman Breakout Series event, Twenty-year-old Matthew Weaver of Grovespring, Missouri outlasted twenty-two contestants to get his portion of the $10,000 added money payout.  With only six qualified rides, Weaver was the only contestant to ride two and earned the event title with an average score of 159.5 and took home the lion’s share of the money, $3,220.80.

 The night began with a packed house as earlier in the week, organizer Jim Probst of the Waterloo Optimist challenged the community to fill up the stands for this charity fundraising bull riding.  

"We began this event nine years ago with the dream of selling out to raise money to support the youth of this community and each year we get a little closer, this year exceeded my expectations and a big thank you to everyone who assisted this effort," said Probst following the event.

Round one winner was last year's Midwest Swing Champion Matt Palmer who jumped out to the lead with an 86.5 performance on SC 115, a re-ride bull. On his heels was the second-place Adam McConnell with 82.5 on HS 148 Rio Bravo. Weaver took third as he hung on for 72 points on CC61 Rich and Famous.

 Round two was a repeat with only three qualified rides. Breakout rider Javier Garcia not only won the round but earned the highest score of the night with 89 points - riding away from his hand - on Motley Crew.  Weaver stayed steady with 87.5 on Guard Rail while 2018 Breakout rider Brandon Davis posted 85.5 points on HS 391 Mad Money.

Javier Garcia accepts the Championship win, check, and saddle from Jim Probst.

Accepting the win from Probst Weaver stood in front of the chute gate and received the check, trophy saddle, buckle, and championship title of the finale of the Tuff Hedeman Breakout Series Midwest Swing Bull Riding Series.

“I would like to thank Matt Noble for the great series of bull ridings and giving us an opportunity to compete. I have been fortunate to draw really good bulls and to ride in front of a sold-out crowds at each city gives me the confidence I needed," said Weaver.  

The Wicked Rank Midwest Swing Series tour is a five-event bull riding series produced by Matt Noble, Next Level Bull Riding and sanctioned by the Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour as a Breakout Series event. The Illinois events are held in Belvidere, Woodstock, Big Rock, Morrison, and Waterloo.

 The Tuff Hedeman Break Out Series continues next weekend in Jacksonville, Texas at the Nicky Wheeler Memorial Bull Riding on September 28.  For more information and ticketing, links see www.tuffhedemanbullriding.com.

               Blue Army Bull Bash Average Results

1, Matt Weaver, Grovespring, MO 159.5 points, $3220.80. 2, Javier Garcia, Mexico, 89 points, $2,440.00. 3, Matt Palmer, Chelsea, OK,  86.5, $2049.50. 4, Brandon Davis, 85.5, $976.00. 5, Adam McConnell, 82.5, $1073.60.

 Midwest Swing Series Champion - Javier Garcia of Mexico, $10,000 bonus check

 CONTACT: Matt Noble, matt@nextlevelbullriding.com or call 815-651-6661.

Tuff Hedeman interviews or information contact Leigh Ann Schroeder, tuffhedemanpr@gmail.com – 940.902.1112. Bull Rider entries and inquiries matt@nextlevelbullriding.com.

LeBaron and Garcia Set for Battle in Hedeman's Midwest Swing Breakout Series Finale

The Waterloo Optimist Blue Army Bull Bash presented by Rural King

WATERLOO, Illinois – (September 18, 2019) – Last year’s Waterloo Optimist Blue Army Bull Bash bull riding champion, Matt Palmer has turned his truck north and on his way to Waterloo to defend his title of the Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour’s (THBRT) Midwest Swing championship held at the Monroe County Fairgrounds at 7 pm on Saturday, September 21.  

THBRT Champion Matt Palmer returns to Waterloo to defend his title at the Waterloo Optimist Blue Army Bull Bash

But Palmer has his work cut out for him as he is three bulls behind Albert LeBaron and two bulls behind Breakout rider Javier Garcia. The friendly foes are getting set to compete in Waterloo for the finale of the THBRT Wicked Rank Midwest Swing sponsored by Rural King.

Waterloo fans should be watching for Breakout bull rider Caleb McCaslin who went 90 points last month at the THBRT in Huron.

The 2019 Bull Bash, sanctioned by Tuff Hedeman Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour (THBRT) is chocked full of hopefuls squaring off with the veteran riders. The talented bull riders are all headed to Waterloo this weekend in hopes of pocketing the largest purse and final prize package of the Wicked Rank Midwest Swing.

Veteran rider Albert LeBaron leads 2019 Midwest Swing

 “All the riders have their sights set on winning the Midwest Swing and joining Tuff’s top tier tour event schedule that kicks off again in January,” said Noble.

This finale event offers this year's pool of talented bull riders an opportunity to earn an invitation from Hedeman to compete at his top tier televised tour events.

“We are in our ninth year of producing a good family-friendly time while supporting the area’s youth, new this year we are a pink event with $1 from each ticket going to the St. Judes Children’s Hospital,” said organizer Jim Probst.

“Fresh faces packed with talent, consistent veteran riders, and awesome pen of bulls from some of the best bull men in the business is what the fans can expect to see in Waterloo,” said Hedeman.

According to the committee, the annual Optimist Blue Army Bull Bash is now on the must-see events of the fall for Waterloo families and sports enthusiasts.  Growing each year, Probst's sets his sights annually on selling out, and each year the attendance climbs, allowing the Optimist Club to spread good work.

For the second year, the tour has carried the Tuff Hedeman brand. Hedeman, who for 23 years piloted the PBR and CBR, and in 2017 formed the tour in his name. The Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer announced in addition to lucrative prize money, bull riders competing in Waterloo have the opportunity to be crowned the Series Champion which comes with a check, custom trophy saddle, and engraved silver trophy buckle.

Immediately following the action is the Blue Bash After Party and an opportunity to meet and take selfies with the bull riders.

The Midwest Swing produced by Matt Noble of Next Level Bull Riding had its own dog fight in the trenches this season with LeBaron’s consistency rising to the top with 340.5 points. Second is Javier Garcia with 261.5 and third is Jake Weber. Cory Atlwell and Adam McConnell round out the top 5.

“It is a close race, and any of the top ten have a shot at winning the Series finale and taking home the title,” said Noble.

Javier Garcia enters Waterloo with 261.5, one bull behind the leader Albert LeBaron

Riding on confidence instilled from his first televised tour win in Huron, South Dakota in August and his success on the Midwest Swing, the adrenaline, points, and the bucks keep coming for nineteen-year-old Matt Palmer where he hopes to repeat.

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 Silver trophy 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 dog fights 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.

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.

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 Midwest Swing Bull Riding Finale Returns to Waterloo

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.

Palmer Survives Shoot Out to Win Red Wilk Construction Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash

HURON, South Dakota – (August 30, 2019) – With South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem watching the action from atop the bucking chutes, 20-year-old Matt Palmer electrified the packed house at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds with an 89.5 ride aboard 505 Outer Limits in the Shoot Out round to claim the event title of the prestigious Red Wilk Construction Bull Bash.

Palmer was the lone survivor of the four-person Shoot Out round as he claimed his first Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour event win and a $2,000 bonus check from Panhandle for winning while wearing Rock N Roll Denim jeans..  

 “I have been trying to win one of Tuff’s events for what seems like forever and last year here in Huron, I was three seconds away from winning it and bucked off and this time I just kept telling myself just don’t let go – don’t let go,” said the determined young bull rider from Chelsea, Oklahoma. 

Palmer then found his way to the winners circle to accept the custom created ring, trophy buckle and the $22,750 check from Tuff Hedeman and Red Wilk.

For two days the bucking bulls enjoyed the spotlight ruling over the 73 outs. Twenty-one riders posted qualified rides with Matt Palmer and Javier Garcia finishing at the top of the results sheet for the two nights in the crisp cool Huron weather.

Javier Garcia wins night one of the Bull Bash in Huron with a 91 point ride on C415 Rag Doll (Baker).

ROUND ONE

After Governor Noem circled the arena horseback with the American flag, the action got underway. Round one produced eight qualified rides with a pair of 90 points rides splitting the round win. Two Oklahomans shared the spotlight in round one. Caleb McCaslin, Jones, Okla., rode 334 Poke N Grit (Show Me Rodeo) and Palmer began his night with 90 points on the cowboys favorite 9100 Kojak (Rawson).

"I was excited to draw Kojak for the first time, and he felt great, and I knew I should ride him, so it was in my head…like you just don't want to buck off," laughed Palmer.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem carried the flag to open the 2019 Red Wilk Construction TH Bull Bash

Caleb McCaslin splits round one with a 90 point ride on Sho Me Rodeo’s Pok-N-Grit..

 Lane Nobles finished second in the round with an 89.5 on 119 Chicken George (Burrus) followed by Cory Atwell 89.5 on 309 One Boot (Show Me), Joseph McConnel 89.5 on B7 Nightmare (Richardson Land and Cattle),Patterson Starcher, 88 pts on C415 Rag Doll, Albert Lebaron 86.5 725 Running Through The Jungle (Rockin C Harris), and Cody Rodeo Tyler 85.5 on 44 Magnum (Rockin C Harris). The heartbreak of the night was Lucas Mooningham, a rookie who was 7.5 seconds on 2801 Speckled Chicken (Rawson).

Semi-Finals

With a cool breeze blowing thru the pens, the bulls took the power back as they attempted to shut out the 24 bull riders. With eight qualified rides in round one, Hedeman would have to draw back four riders on time ridden to advance to the semi-final round. It was Garrett Jones of Devers, Texas who saved face for the cowboy athletes posting an 86 point ride on 556 Monster Mash (Tom Baker Bucking Bulls).

Shoot Out Round

The four top scores of the night and four strong Scott Burruss buckers were now on the Shoot Out roster as the cowboys huddled behind the chutes with Hedeman to select their winning ride. PRCA Extreme Bull champion Lane Nobles was the first man out, and he experienced a quick 3.38 buck off of Spin City. 

Cory Atwell advances to the four-man Shoot Out round with 89.5 points on 309 One Boot

The North Carolina cowboy Cory Atwell was next up on Slapping Bo. He was also up and out in less than 3 seconds.

Matt Palmer selected 505 Outer Limits after according to Palmer, Noble took his first pick.

"I knew the two previous had bucked off, my bull felt really good, and I was just determined to stay on and win one of these events," said Palmer about his 89.5 ride.

Red and Jenny Wilk with Tuff Hedeman and Matt “Bubba” Palmer

Caleb McCaslin, the only man left who could steal the title from Palmer was next, and he was up and down in 2.98 seconds on Red Cloud.

 Tuff Hedeman Bull Team Challenge Competition

Sho-Me Rodeo from Buffalo, Missouri won their first THT Bull Team competition in Huron. With two qualified rides and a total score of 280.5, the father-son flanking team of Joe and Cody Anderson took home a check for $24,000 and a custom trophy buckle from Tuff Hedeman.

Sho-Me Rodeo WIns Tuff Hedeman Bull Team Competition on night two of the Bull Bash in Huron. Show-Me is owned by Joe Anderson of Buffalo, Missouri.

"The win is great, but the crowd and the way you pay tribute to the veterans makes this event really special...and the weather,” laughed Andeson.

Anchoring the team win was Caleb McCaslin’s 90 point ride on 334 Pok-n- Grit for the round one win.

"We bought him as a two-year-old, and he has progressed to a perfect bull team bull," added Anderson.

Two of Sho-Me’s bulls came from Lonnie Austin’s pastures. 309 One Boot and semi-final bull Gambler are half brothers. Cory Atwell was 89.5 in round one on 309 and McCaslin bucked off Gambler in 2.98 seconds in the final Shoot out round.

The rank score of the night came from 831 Restraining Order as he bucked off Cason Bronson in 2.54 seconds during the semi-final round.

The Red Wilk Construction Bull Bash celebrated its 16th year as the opening show that kicked off the 136-year-old State Fair tradition in South Dakota.  Four-time World Champion and Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer Tuff Hedeman and local businessman Red Wilk produced the fan-favorite two-night event featuring a passionate patriotic American Hero Ceremony celebrating the lives of 24 Veterans of War.

 “We would not be in Huron without Red Wilk, we share the same ideas and values in producing great entertainment and the ceremony honoring the freedom that we all experience every day is truly amazing and honoring the service record of some of the most decorated war heroes,” said Hedeman.

Red Wilk Construction Bull Bash Results

August 29, 2019 - THT Tour

1, Matt Palmer, Chelsea, Oklahoma, 89.5 on 505 Outer Limits owned by Burruss Bucking Bulls, $22,750. 2, Caleb McCaslin, Jones, Okla., $1,500. 3, Cory Atwell, Moravian Falls, NC, $1,500. 4, Lane Nobles, Midlothian, TX, $1,500

August 28, 2019 - Breakout Series

1, Javier Garcia, 91 points on C415 Rag Doll (Tom Baker) $3,061.60. 2, Cory Atwell, 90 pts on 119 Chicken Falls, (Burruss), $2,225.60. 3, Joseph McConnel, 89 pts on 2602 Sharky (Major League), $1,369.60. 4, Matt Triplett, 88.5 pts, $941.60. 5, Lane Nobles, 88 pts on 51 Canto Tomado. 6, Matt Palmer, 88.5 pts, $470.80. 1,

Bull Team Results

August 29

1, Joe Anderson - Show Me Rodeo,  280.5 points, $24,000. 2, Rawson Bucking Bulls, 279.83 pts, $18,000. 3, Burruss, 278.09, $12,000. 4, D4/Tomaski Rodeo, 276.97 pts, $6,000.

Aug. 28

1, Tom Baker, 280.68 pts, $24,000. 2, Major League/Cantankerous LLC., 280.26 pts, $18,000. 3, Burruss, 278.52 pts, $12,000. 4, Rawson, 273.23 pts, $6,000.

Chase Foutch accepts the win for Tom Baker Bucking Bulls at the Red Wilk Construction Bull Bash. Foutch hauled and flanked the first and second place teams on night one in Huron..

This Party Will Rock On Wednesday Night at the South Dakota State Fair

The Red Wilk Construction Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash

When renown stock contractor Garrett Burruss of Burruss Bucking Bulls in Bradford, Arkansas, describes his unridden bucking bull, 401 Party Rock, it is like describing the heavyweight boxing champion of the world. His 1,600-pound gray bovine is 15 and 0 in the ring and already resting in Huron to try and make it 16 on Wednesday night at the Red Wilk Construction Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash.

Five year old 401 Party Rock, sired by Jack Daniel’s After Party has been selected by Hedeman as the Bounty Bull for the Red Wilk Construction Bull Bash at the South Dakota State Fair

Four-time World Champion bull rider and pro rodeo Hall of Famer Tuff Hedeman selected 401 Party Rock to be the last bull out on Wednesday night at the Bull Bash when the bull rider with the highest score in the first performance will have the opportunity to ride him for a $10,000 bounty. If he hears the 8-second whistle while still on the bulls back, he gets the paycheck.

"A really, good bull, in my opinion, comes out and does his job -- which is to buck, getting points for the cowboy," said Tuff Hedeman. "It's the cowboy's job to ride them."

What is in store for the fans is an exciting attempt or possibly even the first qualified ride for this bull in over two years. 

“Cowboys like to get on rank, hard-to-ride bulls, and not get thrown off,” said event promoter Red Wilk.

According to the bull’s owner, matching him move for move will be the only way a bull rider hears the whistle while still on his back at the opening performance of the Bull Bash.

“He goes both ways, you never know if he is coming out to the left of the right which makes it difficult to predict, “ said Garrett Burruss, the bulls owner, chauffeur and personal trainer.

Party Rock does not discriminate, and he can't read a cowboys resume. He bucks of World Champions and rookies with the same style, a big jump and lots of speed with intensity and boasts an average 42.5 bull score in 2019.  His statistically rankest trip this year was with two-time NFR qualifier Boudreaux Campbell at a rodeo in Jackson, MS where he was marked 45.5.

A good bull is said to have heart.  They are genuine athletes — each with their own attitude and personality.  Most buckers prefer to spin either left or right and determine their own "pattern." According to Burruss, this bull is undecided at the moment, which is the challenge the cowboy has to accept.

The bull named Party Rock is a bred to buck performer with a pedigree to match his ability. He is sired by the infamous PBR bucking bull Jack Daniels After Party.

 "You can train a bull to buck to the extent you can train a coon or rabbit dog," Burruss said. "But it's bred in them, although maybe you can tweak it a bit, tweak a few things."

Garrett and Scott Burruss, Bradford, Arkansas accepting round win buckles for the bucking stock at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

401 was recently nominated to be on the list for the top 15 professional rodeo cowboys in Las Vegas at the National Finals Rodeo in December, one of the highest honors a bucking bovine can receive. He has probably earned that right after two years of unanswered career outs on the professional tours.

“There are no tricks about that really good bull of Burruss he is just really rank,” said the last rider who attempted 401 in Cheyenne.

The bull earns half (50) of the 100 points score available to the bull rider in competition.

 “You know I expect the guys to ride him more than they do, he’s got something about him and he just really bucks,”  laughed Burruss, trying hard not to “jinx” the bulls’ performance by talking too much about him before the chute gate swings open.

Bull Riding and Rodeo participants have chosen Burruss' pen of buckers for both the National Finals Rodeo of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association held each December or the World Finals of the Professional Bull Riders each November, both held in Las Vegas.

"Scott and Garrett Burruss are on my list as top bull men in the business, and they see hundreds of bulls each year -- literally hundreds of animals and they have a great eye for livestock, added Hedeman."

Garrett Burruss and Party Rock will be waiting patiently in the back pens in Huron to see whose name will survive round one and who will get the chance to put their bull-rope around him, slide up and nod.\

About Red Wilk Construction Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding

The Red Wilk Construction Bull Bash South Dakota State Fairgrounds, 1060 3rd St. SW.  Tickets are on sale. Tickets are $12 for youth and $20 for adults and are available by calling 866-605-FAIR, or online www.sdstatefair.com. A list of contestants will be available at a later date.

Media contact and press credentials:  Leigh Ann Schroeder, 940.902.1112 or tufhedemanpr@gmail.com or www.tuffhedemanbullriding.com. Follow Tuff Hedeman on Facebook and Instagram @TuffHedemanOfficial

$50,000 Cash Money Up for Grabs for the top hands headed to Huron

The Red Wilk Construction Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash

HURON – $50,000 is up for grabs as professional cowboy athletes make their way to Huron for the 2019 Red Wilk Construction Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash.  Returning for two performances, the Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding tour is the lead Grandstand event at the South Dakota State Fair on August 27 and 28 at 8 pm. The 2019 edition features a fierce battle of great bulls matched up against top riders - wrapped around upbeat music and enthusiastic fans.

The Bull Bash is a fifteen-year-old tradition at the fair with Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer and four-time World Champion Bull Rider Tuff Hedeman commanding the chutes since 2005. The pioneer of the sport of bull riding returns with 40 professional bull riders this year, veterans and young guns who will face the top bulls on tour to kick off the fair with the fabulous family-friendly good time event.

“I am never happy with just good, our team works harder each year to bring a better experience to the fans," said Hedeman, who has been producing bull riding since 1992.

New this year at the fairgrounds will be the Tuff Hedeman Stick Bull Riding competition. Hedeman invites boys and girls six years of age and under to strut their stuff before the professional cowboys take the dirt. There is zero entry fee for the budding bull riders, and girls and boys are welcome — entries email Jacey.Hupp@state.sd.us.  

In addition to the bull riding action, Red Wilk will introduce a Western Wish grant recipient and honor veterans at the American Hero Award ceremony, at an extraordinary intermission rite.

“The true meaning of the American Hero award is Red Wilk, proving that people care about these guys and what they did. It's unbelievable how important that is, and this ceremony reminds people as a country we can never forget and never let them think we don’t care,” said Hedeman.

Three South Dakota bull riders attempting to make a name for themselves and pick up a hall pass to the Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour will compete in Huron on Wednesday and Thursday night against the field of champions and top-ranked bull riders.

“Greatness is earned and not given and these new riders, some from South Dakota, that show up here and have talent, we give them an opportunity to compete, they are earning it,” said Hedeman.

South Dakota bull riders Trevor Easton, Wessington Springs, Dustin Hall of Redfield, Dillan Cronk of Mitchell, will compete against athletes from 10 states and Mexico. Young hotshots like to compete and you betcha the local fans will be cheering to help them make 8. The Red Wilk Construction THBR Bull Bash at the South Dakota State Fair is the only Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding stop in South Dakota.

A few of the contenders entered this year include Foster McCraw, Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo bull riding champion, Clancy Hart, son of 1999 PBR World Champion Cody Hart. The only bull rider to win the National High School and College bull riding finals, Trey Holston, returns after winning in Huron in 2017.  Isanti Pro Rodeo champ and Cheyenne round winner Matt Palmer and Cheyenne top 5 finisher Joseph McConnel, to name a few.

In addition to the bull riding action Red Wilk will honor veterans at the American Hero Award ceremony, at an extraordinary intermission rite.

Night one will include a $10,000 long round and a bounty bull worth $10,000, but the highest score from round one rider has to hang on long enough to hear the whistle if he plans to collect the cash. The bounty bull is selected by Hedeman and will be announced at a later date.

Thursday night’s lineup will follow Hedeman’s three-round tournament-style format which is popular with fans as it allows them to see their favorite riders challenge as many as three bulls in one night. As the bull riders progress each earning money for their qualified rides, the final four-man Shoot Out round determines the winner and the bulk of the $30,000 prize money.

The stick bull riding will begin at 6:30 followed by the bull riding action at 8. This year’s line-up includes barrel man extraordinaire Johnny Dudley and the Tuff Hedeman cowboy lifesavers, bullfighters Bryce Redo and Beau Schueth.

The competition is also part of the Tuff Hedeman Bull Team Challenge. Bull owners will bring three bulls featured during the first two rounds of competition with $50,000 up for grabs for the teams with the highest scores.

Immediately following the bull riding, fans will get a chance to meet and get autographs from the bull riders and Tuff Hedeman.

The Red Wilk Construction Bull Bash will be held at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds, 1060 3rd St. SW.  Tickets are on sale. Tickets are $12 for youth and $20 for adults and are available by calling 866-605-FAIR, Red Wilk Construction Bull Riding tickets or online www.sdstatefair.com.

A list of contestants will be available at a later date.

For interviews, press credentials and additional information please contact Leigh Ann Schroeder, 940.902.1112 or tuffhedemanpr@gmail.com.