High Scores and big checks are what 24 professional cowboys are hoping to earn as they head west for the Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding at the South Point Hotel & Casino Equestrian Center.
On March 4, elite bull riding athletes will try to advance their Saturday night payday in the adrenaline rush event brought to Las Vegas annually by four-time World Champion and Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer, Tuff Hedeman.
The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will feature a field of 28 elite bull riders in a three-round tournament-style competition that will end in a sudden death final four Shoot Out round, worth at least $30,000 to the riders and $50,000 in competition prize monies for the bucking bull athletes.
Hedeman has announced that the seven-time NFR qualifier and million-dollar earner, Trey Benton, will lead the roster in experience but Kaiden Loud, the 18-year-old who won Hedeman’s season opener in Hobbs in January, will be trying to knock Benton and the other seasoned pros off the winner’s stand.
“These guys all have what it takes to ride at the highest level, you never know on what night who is going to make a great ride and then again it is Vegas where we usually have some surprises too,” said Hedeman.
Bull riders have a chance to win large amounts of cash on Hedeman’s tour stop at the South Point, making competing a priority to help finance their dreams of returning to Las Vegas in December for the National Finals Rodeo. Fans who were not able to attend NFR in December can take this opportunity to see several of the industry’s perennial stars and see the industry’s young guns at the South Point.
The four-time World Champion bull rider and Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer Tuff Hedeman, who presides over the annual event, confirmed that among the highlighted riders on the roster thus far are NFR qualifiers, Tyler Bingham, John Crimber, Brady Portenier, Ricker Carter, Kaiden Loud, Cannon Cravens, JT Moore, and Mason Spain, who is a past Steer Riding Champion of Hedeman’s tour.
Hedeman’s event also features the other side of the ride, the invitation-only THBRT Bull Team competition highlighting the first two rounds of competition where superstar buckers including World Champion and NFR bulls will compete in teams of three. The bulls are also looking for cash as they compete for over $50,000.
Additionally, Hedeman announced the return of J.J. Harrison, rodeo’s top award-winning entertainer and barrelman will be back at South Point. Harrison will be signing autographs before the performance, roaming the crowd with merchandise giveaways and entertaining the crowd with his spontaneous humor.
Fans can catch Hedeman and the bull riders in person for selfies and autographs at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Friday, March 3 from 3—5 p.m. at the South Point Booth and at Boot Barn on Saturday March 4, from 11 a.m.—1 p.m.
Tickets start at $23 for the event at 7 p.m. at South Point Arena on March 4 and are available here.