Number One Bull Rider in the World Sage Kimzey Set to Compete in Laughlin
LAUGHLIN, NEVADA – (September 6, 2017) – All eyes are on Laughlin, Nevada as three World Champion bull riders roll into town for the Colorado River Chute Out presented by the Laughlin Tourism Commission on Saturday, September 9 at the Laughlin Events Center.
The CBR announced today the number one ranked bull rider in the World, Sage Kimzey will be joining the tour in Laughlin to launch his bid for an unprecedented fourth CBR World title, but more importantly he will be attempting to right what was wrong when he left the event last September. Kimzey finished second behind Eli Vastbinder in last year’s Laughlin match and from that moment on the battle continued for twelve months on the Road to Cheyenne until Kimzey won his third CBR World Championship, beating Vastbinder by a mere six points in Cheyenne.
You can bet the stage is set and the battle of the 2017 Colorado River Chute Out is brewing as Kimzey returns to correct his record with the Laughlin bull riding fans and Vastbinder, who rides over 70% of the bulls he attempts, is set for revenge on his 2018 comeback.
Kimzey is currently having a stellar year winning over one million dollars riding bulls since January 1 including winning the $100,000 CBR World championship bonus, the $100,000 Calgary Stampede, and a recent $20,000 paycheck from a match ride with Berger’s legendary bucker, Black Pearl. Kimzey leads the PRCA standings and is on pace to win a fourth PRCA gold buckle.
“Kimzey is an impressive guy,” said Tuff Hedeman, the 4 time world Champion and Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee who now produces the nationally televised Road to Cheyenne Tour events.
“Kimzey makes the whistle when it matters the most and that makes him a winner and Kimzey is a rare talent, probably the most talented bull rider I have seen in the history of the sport and it is a great opportunity for the fans to see such a great athlete who has won nearly 4 million dollars riding bulls since turning pro three years ago,” added Hedeman who produces the sixteen city nationwide tour.
Challenging the champ will be a field of gladiators led by former CBR World Champion Josh Barentine, 2016 Laughlin Champ Eli Vastbinder, and Navajo champion and CBR World Finals Champion Cody Jesus. National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifiers Chandler Bownds (2016 ERA Bull Riding World Champion), Cody Rostockyj and Jacob O’Mara are on the roster that is full of veteran talent and rookie riders including Oklahoma’s rising star, Matt Palmer who burst on the scene riding all three bulls and earning over 15,000 behind Campbell in Window Rock.
The competition will feature the CBR 8 Second Format which features a three round no guarantee tournament style format; the only way for cowboys to earn a paycheck is to ride better than the qualified contenders. The field of competition starts with 24 riders, the top 12 scores return for the semi-final round and then four man Shoot Out where they will battle for the lion’s share of the $30,000 in prize money. The format appeals to new spectators and established fans alike because riders can challenge as many as three bulls in one performance.
The dirt is being hauled in and the Laughlin Events Center arena will be ready for the twenty four top ranked Championship Bull Riders (CBR) who have qualified to compete as the CBR brings the third stop of the 2017-18 Road to Cheyenne televised professional bull riding tour to Nevada. Bull riding fans will be treated to two hours of live family friendly entertainment dedicated at preserving the best elements of the sport of bull riding, and don’t forget the heart pounding nonstop action, 8 seconds at a time.
With 30 years of bull riding history on his resume, Tuff Hedeman is one of the most recognizable cowboys in the history of rodeo, but he defers to the young super stars as the best bull riding talent he has seen in years.
The competition is also part of the CBR Million Dollar Bull Team Challenge. Bull owners will bring three bulls that are featured during the first two rounds of competition. Those bulls receive points for their performance in the arena. Additionally, the time the bull rider stays on is added to the bull’s score. At the end of the night, the owner with the three highest-scoring bulls will receive a $20,000 check for his bulls’ performance. A total of $45,000 is awarded to the bulls and their owners.
Both the riders and the bull team winners go home with a prize packages that includes a custom engraved Hy O Silver trophy buckle, a custom engraved pair of Fenoglio boots, and an American Hat Co western hat. The doors will open at the Laughlin Events Center at 6:30 pm with an autograph opportunity for fans with the CBR Bullfighters Brandon Loden, Bryce Redo, and Beau Schueth. Bull riding action gets underway at 8:00 p.m. Hedeman and the bull riders will be signing autographs on the arena floor immediately following the event. This year’s arena entertainment is barrel man extraordinaire, Hippy Engelkes who will you keep you laughing in between sections and scoping the crowd for giveaways.
CBR has become known for their action-packed performances on the sixteen city nationwide tour and the entertainment will keep fans on the edge of their seats and with a new show debuting in Laughlin, this year’s Colorado River Chute Out is set to impress. From having great bulls matched up with super star riders, to upbeat music and enthusiastic fans there is something for everyone at the CBR Colorado River Chute Out.
Tickets being at $30 with a variety of options available.
TICKETS: Ticketing Link or Laughlineventscenter.com 877-344-1187
Location: 500 E. Bruce Woodbury Drive, Laughlin, NV 89029
For interviews, press credentials and more information please contact Leigh Ann Schroeder at 940.902.1112 or leighann@cbrbull.com
Courtesy of CBR