Tuff Hedeman announces entertainment highlights for upcoming Hobbs bull riding

Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour Returns to Lea County Event Center

HOBBS - Bringing elite professional bull riders and entertainment together for over 30 years, Tuff Hedeman announced today the entertinament highlights of his Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour’s season opener held on January 18 at 7:30 pm at the Lea County Event Center.

2019 Hobbs THBRT Champion J.T. Moore accepting check from Hedeman

“We are excited to announce The Justin Kemp Band will be playing immediately following the bull riding on Saturday night, so come enjoy the bull riding and the band,” said Hedeman.

Justin and the band tour nationally and perform as a trio with David Kemp (Bass) and a fiddle player. They have opened for many major acts, including Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, Josh Abbott Band, Kevin Fowler, and Wade Bowen, to name a few.

In addition to a good concert, Hedeman knows what’s important to the bull rider athletes. Following money and momentum is the goal is to provide both the young gun cowboys and veteran athletes who are looking to begin, build, and fund a successful season and a financially lucrative start to their year.   

“The prize money available next weekend will help several cowboys fund their rodeo season, giving them money to travel and pay entry fees to their next event while pursuing their dreams," said Hedeman.

“It pays to come to Hobbs,” continued Hedeman, who produces the annual bull riding in Hobbs.  Hedeman, who recently commentated on the National Finals Rodeo for CBS, is considered the pioneer of the sport of bull riding, and he continues to lead the way with additional opportunities for the cowboy athletes and their four-legged opponents.

Before the chute gates open this year, you can win two VIP tickets to the bull riding, meet Tuff and the boys and enjoy the Justin Kemp Band at the Rockwind Grill, 5001 Jack Gomez Boulevard, on Friday, January 17 from 6 to 9 pm, presented by Pacific Rim.

Tuff Hedeman also announced today that Backflip Johnny Dudley, a retired US Marine sergeant, will make his debut in Hobbs as the funny man in the barrel man.

“Johnny’s probably one of the hottest talents in time-honored western entertainment, his quick wit and off the cuff banter is headed to Hobbs, he always has enough time to visit with every kid and fan,” said 5-time World Champion and Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer Tuff Hedeman.

The four-time World Champion and Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer has 24 bull riders lined up to take a shot at this year’s prize purse worth $30,000 to the riders and $50,000 to the bulls.

Hedeman brings the family-friendly event to Hobbs with fun for the entire family. Kids 6 and under can get in on the action and win custom trophy buckles and prizes at the stick bull riding, which begins before the show. Email stickbullrider@aol.com to enter, and it's free!

Hedeman, who has produced the annual event in Hobbs for 11 years, brings a two-hour adrenaline rush event featuring a star-studded line up of world-class bulls pitted against the proven champs and the hottest bull riders on the tours today.

The doors will open at 6:00 pm, and the competition will get underway at 7:30 pm.

Event Location: Lea County Events Center - 5101 N Lovington Hwy, Hobbs, NM 88240 (575) 391-2900

Date: Saturday, January 18, 20120

TIME:    7:30 pm

TICKETS: Hobbs Ticketing Link (selectaseatlubbock.com) or Lea County Events Center Box Office (575) 391-2900.

For interviews, press credentials, and more information, please contact Leigh Ann Schroeder 940.902.1112. tuffhedemanpr@gmail.com. Or www.tuffhedemanbullriding.com.

Photo Credit: Todd Brewer or Courtesy of THBRT

Tickets NOW on Sale for Hobbs Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding

Tuff Hedeman Brings Top Flight Bull Riding Back to the Lea County Events Center

THT Hobbs Champion and 3-Time NFR Qualifier Boudreaux Campbell

HOBBS, NM - December 13, 2019 – Stuff your cowboy and cowgirl stockings with tickets and make your plans to attend the Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding at the Lea County Event Center on January 18, at 7:30 pm.

Four-time World Champion and pro rodeo Hall of Famer Tuff Hedeman presides over the tour's elite 24 riders matched to the industry's best-bucking bulls. The one night only performance features a three-round tournament-style event that ends in a four-man Shoot Out round worth $30,000.

Hobbs can jump start your year if you are a bull rider. If you are glued to your seat watching the National Finals Rodeo, you have noticed that several former Hobbs Champions are currently winning in Las Vegas. Hedeman’s former champs of this Hobbs event include 3-time NFR qualifier Boudreaux Campbell, 5-time PRCA World Champion Sage Kimzey, Indian National Champion Cody Jesus, and four-time World Champion J.W. Harris. NFR qualifiers Trey Benton, Koby Radley, and Jeff Askey are regular Hobbs contenders.

3-time NFR qualifier Jeff Askey in Hobbs

“There are two things fans want to see, big rides and high scores and we provide both in a star-studded entertaining event with the veteran and up and coming riders," said four-time World Champion and Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer, Tuff Hedeman who oversees the production.

Bring your young bull riders, boys and girls, to jumpstart their career. The stick bull riding competition is for six years old and under, and the competition gets underway before the opening of the show. Request entry form at stickbullrider@aol.com. It's free to enter, and the kids will have a blast as they come out of the pint-size bucking chutes complete with the announcer, cowbells, and bullfighter's protection.

Tickets on Sale Now at selectaseatlubbock.com or at the Lea County Center Box Office - (575) 391-2900.

You and your family will enjoy the THBRT bullfighters, entertaining barrelman, and grand pyrotechnics introductions. This family-fun entertainment is a jammed packed two-hour adrenaline rush show.

With 30 years of bull riding history on his resume, Tuff Hedeman is one of the most recognizable cowboys in the history of rodeo. Still, he defers to the young superstars as the best bull riding talent he has seen in over 15 years.

Guaranteeing you see a great show that is steeped in the deep roots of western tradition is none other than four-time world titled Hedeman, who has made a name for himself in the production of great bull riding events. Hedeman is on the dirt as the “chute boss” and television commentator during the live production.

2-time NFR qualifier Koby Radley

Come early and enjoy the pre-event activities that include a stick bull riding for the kids, great food, cold beer, shopping, and autograph opportunities.

Bull riders and Hedeman’s appearance schedule for Hobbs will be released at a later date.

Tickets Selectaseatlubbock.com or call 806-770-2000

Location: Lea County Events Center, 5101 N Lovington Hwy, Hobbs, NM 88240

Advertising opportunities and VIP seating contact Cheryl at 254-459-9205 or cfhedeman@aol.com

WEBSITES: Selectaseatlubbock.com; TuffHedemanbullriding.com

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

NFR Bull Rider Profile - Sage Steele Kimzey

Five Down Three to Go

Leading the PRCA World Standings in bull riding for five consecutive years on opening day of the National Finals Rodeo, ten days later Kimzey always leaves Las Vegas with a world title victory.

Starting with his record-breaking rookie year in 2014, Sage Steele Kimzey has dominated the regular season in earnings and titles won. His total PRCA Career Earnings are a staggering $1,829,933.00.

NFR CBS Sports commentator Tuff Hedeman should have plenty to talk about and with Sage Kimzey.

Two bull riders have seriously challenged Kimzey’s Gold Buckle at the NFR. Trey Benton in 2017 and last year rookie NFR rider Chase Daughtery, but in the end, the champ always finds a way to walk out of the Thomas and Mack with the Gold Buckle.

Not only has Sage been the PRCA superstar, but he has also enjoyed tremendous success in the bull riding only category. He broke the CBR held the record for World Championships in 2016, winning for the third time. (2014, 2015, 2017.) At the American he went head to head with the PBR superpowers and defeated them at the Dallas Cowboys AT&T Stadium.

“Kimzey’s gold-paved 2017 regular season reads like a never-ending highlights reel, and includes the W at two of the richest rodeos on the planet—The American, where he won $433,333.33 in February, and the Calgary Stampede, where he earned $108,000 up in Canada in July. For those into bantering about whether or not Kimzey could cut it against PBR cowboys, there was a PBR contingent at both of those rodeos, and you’ll get nothing but mutual respect out of the bull riders themselves on that subject.” - written by Kendra Santos.

“I’m kind of bridging the gap,” Kimzey said. “And I think that’s good for every part of the sport. You have PRCA fans watching the PBR now, and vice-versa. The division is starting to go away, and I think that’s a good thing.”

In the 2019 season, he competed in 92 rodeos and won money in 59, or 64%. He ranks nine percentage points above the second-best percentage – or efficiency in bull riding. Kimzey won 15 bull riding event titles, and 2019 total earnings are logged in his PRCA bank are $245,537.78. He is looking to earn his sixth World Championship. If you are new to the sport, you should know that when he was ten years old, he told 8-time World Champion Donnie Gay that he was going to beat his record…and if you are a betting man in Vegas, it’s considered one of the safest bets in town!

A few things to know when watching Sage Kimzey:

1.      It doesn’t matter to him what his bull draw is – he finds a way to hear the whistle while still on their backs.

2.      It doesn’t matter to him what anyone else on the roster drew – he rides against himself, not the others on the back of the chutes.

3.      Heads up judges and officials – he knows the rules of the sport and the event – probably better than you. He will fight for what is right at all costs, sometimes with and for other cowboys in other events.

4.      While it takes money to succeed in rodeo, with Sage, it's all about the personal success. But for the record, he became the youngest millionaire in PRCA history during the 2016 Wrangler NFR, at 22 years, three months and two weeks old.

Sage Kimzey enjoys a minute with rodeo royalty before the Hedeman Fort Worth Challenge Bull Riding

  NFR HISTORY

In 2018, he won Round 10, split the win in Round 3, and placed in four rounds to rank fifth in the average at the Wrangler NFR with 347 points on four head. He finished the year at the top of the world standings for the fifth consecutive year with $415,263.

In 2017, he won Rounds 5 and 10, split the win in Round 3, and placed in five rounds to rank first in the average with 601.5 points on seven head. He finished the year ranked first in the world standings with $436,479. 2016:

In 2016, he won Round 1 and placed in five rounds to rank third at the Wrangler NFR and claim his third consecutive world champ title with $311,462.

In 2015, Kimzey placed in seven rounds at the Wrangler NFR to finish second in the average and win his second consecutive world championship with $327,178.

2014 was Kimzey’s rookie season, and he rode for an event-record-tying four rounds of the Wrangler NFR to secure the average title and become the second rookie bull rider to win a gold buckle, following Bill Kornell (1963). His total NFR earnings of $175,466 was the highest of any competitor in Las Vegas, giving him the RAM Truck Top Gun Award and allowing him to finish with a rookie record total (any event or combined) of $318,631.

His first year as a professional was 2013. He set a PRCA record for most money won on a permit in a single season with $47,726. That same year he qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo as a freshman in 2013 and finished fourth. Many industry insiders questioned his decision to leave Panhandle after just one season…for about a minute.

NFR Bull Rider Profile - Stetson Wright

Stetson Wright - 2019 Tuff Hedeman Fort Worth Challenge Champion

#Wrighton

20-year-old Stetson Wright began his rodeo career in the fourth grade. He is the only member of the infamous rodeo Wright family to compete in bull riding in addition to saddle bronc riding. He is making his first appearance on the dirt of the Thomas and Mack as the No. 2 ranked bull rider, but he is no stranger to the hallowed halls of the NFR.

His career began competing in steer riding with Utah's junior associations when he was in elementary school. He moved through the ranks of the Junior High Rodeo Association, Utah High School Rodeo Association, Rocky Mountain Pro Rodeo Association, and other local rodeos. Unlike the other well-known members of the family, Stetson's favorite event is the bull riding, and he committed to riding both bulls and broncs as a professional.

“My Dad (Cody Wright) stresses to stay positive, and you can do anything you want," said Wright before his winning performance at the Tuff Hedeman Fort Worth Challenge in April.

Stetson is the son of two-time World Champion Saddle bronc rider (2008-2010) Cody and ShaRee Wright. His brothers are Rusty, Ryder (2017 World Champion saddle bronc), and Statler and sister is Lily. He is the nephew of World Champion saddle bronc riders Jesse Wright (2012) and Spencer Wright (2014 and his uncles Jake, Calvin, and Alex all compete as well.

Stetson with bullfighter Bryce Redo celebrating riding a perfect night - he rode three for three to win THBRT Fort Worth.

Determined to follow in the footprints of his clan, Stetson achieved his goal of being a contestant earning $152,421.60, and eleven bull riding event wins, including the prestigious Cheyenne Frontier Days in 2019. In the bull riding, he rode in 69 events winning money in 38 or 57%.

He won five rodeos titles in the saddle bronc earning an additional $74,419. He picked up 11 All-Around Cowboy titles, winning both categories at several rodeos.

Sounds like a dream season to most rookie riders looking to get their first back number in Las Vegas, but Stetson's season had its ups and downs like most rodeo professionals experience at some point in their careers.

In April, Stetson was on top of his game, healthy and happy with the first half of his NFR qualifying timeline. He won the Tuff Hedeman Fort Worth Challenge Bull Riding, which bankrolled the second half of his season.

Wright vividly remembers meeting Hedeman as a child at the NFR when he was signing autographs and then again last year at the NFR, but was excited to get the call to come to ride at a tour event.

 "Anytime Tuff Hedeman is standing by the chute, you better show up and try. It fired me up, and I knew I had to cock my hammer, show up and show out or maybe never be invited back," said Wright.

On July 31, Wright was injured in Dodge City following his 86-point ride on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Last Cigarette. He returned from the broken jaw injury on August 31 in Ellensburg to ride in the saddle bronc, but not in the bull riding. Before his injury, Stetson was in the lead for bull riding and all-around in the PRCA | RAM World Standings and was ranked 16th in saddle bronc riding. He was also leading the PRCA | Resistol Rookie Standings for saddle bronc riding and bull riding.

"My hand hung in my rope, and his horn caught me underneath my helmet and broke my jaw by my chin," Wright said. "They didn't wire my jaw shut because it didn't break in the back; it was all upfront. They did have to put plates and screws in it, but it could have been a lot worse. It has not been fun (having a broken jaw) because I enjoy food, and I have had to drink everything."

 “The recovery of my jaw has been good, but it is not something I ever want to do again,” said Wright.  "It's been healing. I had to get four teeth in the bottom front of my mouth pulled because of the wreck, and I'm going to have to get some implants, I don't know when. I think I will be fine (competing). I'm just going to go out there and ride and hope for the best. I'm looking forward to getting back out there."

Wright stayed in shape by riding a bicycle, but losing 25 pounds is a challenge when your career is built on body strength.

Wright joined the PRCA in 2018. He is a graduate of Milford (Utah) High School, where he competed in football and wrestling. He enjoys ranch work when he's not on the road. Being away from home is one of the things many cowboys find challenging about the rodeo lifestyle, but for Stetson, it's a different story.

“You're around friends, and my whole family is there.”

Like most bull riders of his generation, his favorite movie is "8 Seconds," and like most brothers, he enjoys  “bothering the heck" out of Ryder while traveling. He's not old enough to gamble, so you might find him at a Sushi bar, bowling, or Top Golf while in Vegas.

2019 Highlights

All-Around

• Won the Spanish Fork (Utah) Fiesta Days Rodeo

• Won the St. Paul (Ore.) Rodeo

• Won the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo (Vernal, Utah)

• Won the Ogden (Utah) Pioneer Days

• Won the Rodeo de Sante Fe (N.M.)

• Won the Clark County Fair & Rodeo

• Won the Pony Express Rodeo (Eagle Mountain, Utah)

• Won the Cody (Wyo.) Stampede

• Won the Oakley Independence Day Rodeo (Oakley City, Utah)

• Won the West Jordan (Utah) Western Stampede

• Won the Red Desert Roundup (Rock Springs, Wyo.)

Bull Riding

• Won the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days

• Won the California Rodeo Salinas

• Won the Spanish Fork (Utah) Fiesta Days Rodeo

• Won the Los Fresnos (Texas) Rodeo

• Won the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo (Vernal, Utah)

• Won the Clark County Fair & Rodeo (Logandale, Nev.)

• Won the Angelina Benefit Rodeo (Lufkin, Texas)

• Won the Pony Express Rodeo (Eagle Mountain, Utah)

• Won the Sisters (Ore.) Rodeo Xtreme Bull Riding

• Won the Oakley Independence Day Rodeo (Oakley City, Utah)

• Won the 2018 Permit Members of the Year Challenge in Las Vegas, Nev.

• Co-champion at the win at the Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo

Saddle Bronc Riding

• Won the Ogden (Utah) Pioneer Days

• Won the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo (Vernal, Utah)

• Won the Big V Feeds Pro Rodeo in McAlester, Okla.

• Won the Livermore (Calif.) Rodeo

• Won the Sheridan WYO Rodeo

NFR Bull Rider Profile - Trevor Kastner

5-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier Trevor Kastner

#Thewildcard

32-year-old Oklahoma cowboy Trevor Kastner sets one goal each year…to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo. The son of a saddle bronc rider, Kastner, is now a five-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier and among the rodeo elite athletes that will take center stage in the Thomas and Mack Arena on Thursday night.

He’s listed as an Okie on bio’s, but he should arrive wearing a Houston Texans jersey. Competing in approximately 56 rodeos this season, Kastner’s lifetime profile would indicate he likes “big time” rodeos where he rides and finishes strong. 

He seems to shine in the Lonestar state, winning not only Rodeo Houston this year, but also is a two-time winner of the Fort Worth Livestock Show and Rodeo. Riding in 56 rodeos, he won seven rodeo titles this year, earning money in 50%.

Kastner said the deep history of RODEOHOUSTON makes a championship win more rewarding for the athletes and himself.

“The money stands out for sure, but the history of it has been going on here forever,” Kastner said. "To put your name next to the guys that have won, it is awesome."

Kastner enters Las Vegas as the number three ranked bull rider with total earnings this season of $149,100.17. He is now a five-time NFR qualifier, and to the NFR aficionados, he is a wild card if you are gambling on bull riding. Statistically, Kastner is even in Las Vegas odds, riding 4 out of 10 bulls all three times he has competed at the NFR.

In bull riding only competitions, he has competed on the Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour and competed in PBR and CBR tours. Kastner joined PRCA in 2008 with PRCA Career Earnings of $763,996.00.

He is the reigning Rodeo Houston Champion, which came with a $58,000 check that skyrocketed him to the top of the PRCA. 

He qualified for the NFR for the first time in 2011, finishing 12th in the world standings with $101,202. He placed in two rounds of his Wrangler NFR debut and had six event titles that season.

His best PRCA finish was in 2012. He was at the top of his game in the Thomas and Mack, winning $58,895 in round 9 as he was the only qualified score in the “rank pen” of buckers. Kastner won two rounds and placed in three rounds, finished fifth in the PRCA world standings, and third in the NFR average with $80,096 for total earnings of 2018 earnings of $168,553. 

In 2013 he won round 6 and tied round 9, placed in one other round to finish eighth in the world standings with $129,434.

In 2014, he broke a bone in his hand that is considered the slowest healing bone in the body, and that break sidelined him for the rest of the year.

In 2015 won he won three titles, finished 20th in the world standings with $56,157.  He would fight back from injury to qualify in 2018 after narrowly missing - 16th in 2017 and 23rd in 2016.

In 2016 - Finished 16th in the world standings with $74,143.

In 2017 he finished 23rd in the world standings with $63,883 and ten event titles.

In 2018 he dislocated his shoulder in round six and left with $10,000, the amount of the bonus check for qualifying and in 15th place. He ranked 15th in the average with 76 points on one head.  

Kastner’s amateur career including two Intercollegiate Rodeo Association College National Finals Rodeo qualifications in 2009-10.

NFR Bull Rider Profile - Clayton Sellars

Clayton Sellars in Las Vegas at the South Point Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding in March where he finished third..

#WELIVEITEVERYDAY

Clayton “Bo” Sellars missed the 2018 NFR by four slots, but in 2019 he buckled down and proved he was supposed to be at the back number ceremony on Wednesday night at the South Point. After an impressive season, he is the number four man on this year’s bull riding roster on opening night, where he will carry the State Flag of Florida.

Sellars, a 21-year-old bull rider from Florida now living in the cowboy capital of the World, Stephenville, Texas, earned $129,190.89 from competing in 115 rodeos. The 2018 RAM Rookie of the Year earned money in 46 or 40% of the events where he got on a bull and won five event titles.

He stays in shape, getting on and competing, including a recent stop at the Battle of the States, where he represented Texas on the winning team. The team went 5 for 5.

"The main muscle you use is in your head," Sellars said. "It's a 98 percent mental game — two percent talent. You've got to want it, and you've got to like it. It's not something you're going to do if you don't love it."

Clayton’s journey began when he joined the PRCA in 2017; his talent was evident as he won the RAM Rodeo Permit Standings the same year. He set his sights on Las Vegas in December but would fall short of the money earned needed to qualify for the NFR.  This former baseball and football player finished 19th with $90,863 for the 2018 season winning nine events including the Comal County Xtreme Bulls in New Braunfels and the Deadwood (S.D.) Days of ’76 rodeo.                               

Bo's career began at seven years old when he decided to ride bulls like his Dad, brother, and cousin. He eventually would ride colts as well.

"It seems normal really," said Sellars, who hails from a family of rodeo competitors. "I don't know any different."

He qualified and competed at the National High School Rodeo finals for Leesburg High. Bo's father rode for Troy (Alabama). Still, the program was disbanded, and with zero school in Florida offering rodeo scholarships, he was recruited and signed with Western Texas College in Snyder, Texas, where he qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo in 2017-2018, finishing second overall in 2018 in the bull riding. He went on to graduate with a degree in Agriculture Science.

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.