Bull Riding Icon Launches Tour and Website
FORT WORTH, Texas - January 30, 2018 - Four time World Champion bull rider and Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer Tuff Hedeman announced today the formation of the Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour which includes Hedeman’s annual tour stops within the next 90 days in El Paso, Las Vegas, Bossier City, and Fort Worth. Tickets are on sale now and information available on www.tuffhedemanbullriding.com.
Hedeman recently made the decision to go out on his own after serving for a combined 23 years as the former head of the two nationally organized professional bull riding organizations (PBR and CBR) since his retirement as a rider from the sport in 1999.
“At this point in my life, it’s best for my family to be solely responsible for my destiny. My original goals have not changed since 1992. I’m still committed to producing bull riding events that give each bull rider entered the chance to win first and make sure the fans at every event are getting more than expected,” said Hedeman.
In today’s announcement Michael Gaughan, businessman and owner of the South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa in Las Vegas, called Hedeman a “pioneer of the sport” and is pleased Hedeman will be at the South Point to produce the Las Vegas Bull Riding at the South Point Arena on March 3.
The bull riding leader has been producing bull riding events that have been thrilling audiences with his two hour adrenaline rush entertainment style punctuated with the two things he knows fans want to see great bull rides and high scores.
For three decades Tuff Hedeman has been a part of providing opportunities for bull riders and the result is evident. Many of the bull riders who have earned the title of World Champion have benefited from his devotion to bull riders…on and off the chutes.
Hedeman was one of the original founders of the PBR and served as the first President of the PBR from 1992 to 2004 and he was President of the CBR from 2005 to 2011. Hedeman is a four-time world champion with three PRCA titles (1986, 1989 and 1991) and the 1995 PBR world champion. He was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1997 and awarded the PBR Ring of Honor in 1999. Hedeman retired from bull riding competition in 1998 after a neck injury.
Hedeman began his career in professional bull riding in 1981 and retired in 1999 and is recognized within the industry as a staunch supporter of the sport and the professional bull rider as a professional athlete. Over the past 28 years he has proven to be a tireless and versatile event producer with an incredible ability to connect with people and fans from all walks of life.
For more information, press credentials and interviews contact Leigh Ann Schroeder – 940-902-1112 or TuffHedemanPR@gmail.com. Follow Tuff and the tour on tuffhedemanbullriding.com. Facebook/TuffHedeman and @TuffHedemanofficial.
About Tuff Hedeman
Richard Neale "Tuff" Hedeman (born March 2, 1963, in El Paso, Texas) is an American retired three-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) World Bull Riding Champion as well as the 1995 Professional Bull Riders (PBR) World Champion Bull Rider, and a ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Bull Riding Hall of Fame inductee. Previously, Hedeman was the president of the PBR. He is one of the co-founders of the PBR. In 1999, the PBR honored him with the PBR Legends and Heroes Celebration: Ring of Honor. Followed by an affiliation with Championship Bull Riding (CBR) for 12 years. He is known for having been one of rodeo icon Lane Frost's closest friends as depicted in the film 8 Seconds and historic clashes with the infamous bucking bull Bodacious. He has three sons, Lane, Trevor, and Ryker and currently makes his home near Morgan Mill, Texas.
Awards
1986, 89, 91 PRCA World Bull Riding Champion
1987, '89 NFR Average Champion
1993 First $1,000,000 Bull Rider
1995 PBR Touring Pro Division Champion
1995 PBR World Champion Bull Rider
Honors
1988 Cowboy Capital Walk of Fame
1997 ProRodeo Hall of Fame
1997 El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame
1999 PBR Heroes & Legends Celebration: Ring of Honor
2002 Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame
2003 Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame
2010 Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame
2016 Bull Riding Hall of Fame
2017 Molalla Walk of Fame