Tuff Hedeman Brings $50,000 purse to his bull riding in Hobbs

Trey Holston

hedeman Bull Riding at the Lea County Events Center

Tweet It: #TuffHedeman bull riding is back at LEA COUNTY EVENTS CENTER on Saturday, January 20, 2024. professional NFR qualifiers will ride it out for a share of the $50,000 prize money! Tickets are on sale now at the Lea County Coliseum Box Office or selectaseatlubbock.com, 806-770-2000.

HOBBS - The annual Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour is back in Hobbs for a one night only performance at the Lea County Events Center. Top-ranked bull riders will take on three bulls for a chance to win the lion’s share of $50,000. Doors open at 6 pm with a Stick Bull riding for kids under 7 followed by the bull riding at 7:30 pm.

Six National Finals Rodeo qualifiers including Tyler Bingham, Roscoe Jarboe, Braden Richardson, Trey Holston, Ricker Carter, and JT Moore are scheduled to ride at Tuff’s annual tour kick-off.

With one of the largest purses available this early in the season, a win in Hobbs would earn a pro cowboy enough money to launch their season and fund a bid for a 2024 gold buckle. Previous Hobbs champions who did just that include Sage Kimzey, Cody Teel, and Boudreaux Campbell.

"Riding bulls professionally costs money not just to enter but travel expenses stack up quickly and at my bull ridings if you ride a bull, you get a paycheck and that can make or break a bull rider's goals," said Hedeman.

The two-hour action-packed show will highlight 24 of the world's most skilled bull riders who compete in a three round sudden death style format. Each contestant hoping to begin their year with a prestigious win and launch their bids for a 2024 gold buckle.

In addition to the bull riding action NFR barrel man, J.J. Harrison will be roaming the arena entertaining and giving out prizes. Cowboy protection for the bull riders will be bullfighters Bryce Redo and Brody Smith.

"We love to kick off our tour season in Hobbs, we are excited to showcase the young up and coming bull riders pitted against the proven champions. In addition, we will have the bull team competition where the top bulls on the circuits today will be bucking it out for large purses alongside the riders.

“You don’t need to know anything about bull riding to get out and have a good time, we look forward to seeing the fans around town and it has been incredible to watch this event grow over the years," added Hedeman.

The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. with the Stick Bull Riding at 7 pm. Stick bull riders enter by emailing THTNow@gmail.com for Stick Bull Riders under 7 years old. The main bull riding event begins at 7:30 p.m.

EVENT LOCATIONS: Lea County Event Center, 5101 N. Lovington Hwy, Hobbs, NM 88240.

MEET THE COWBOYS pre party at Pacific Rim on Friday, Jan., 19 from 6-7 pm 1309 Joe Harvey Blvd..

TICKETS: Available online at selectaseatlubbock.com or Martin Boot Co.  or in person at the event center box office address above.

For more information, please contact: Leigh Ann Schroeder at 940.902.1112 or tuffhedemanpr@gmail.com

Hedeman was a founding member of the PBR (Professional Bull Riding Inc.) and has been at the helm of bull riding organizations for over 30 years. He is a 4-time World Champion bull rider, Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer, and one of the most notable cowboys in the world! In 2017, he founded the national Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour. The tour event is invitation-only for the bull riders to compete and the only way to get a back number is to get a call from Tuff Hedeman.