Purse Doubles as Hedeman Primes Bossier for Fifteen-Year-Old Bull Riding Classic Worth $48,500
Top ranked bull riders will return to the CenturyLink Center for one night only as four time World Champion and Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer Tuff Hedeman, one of the most recognizable cowboys in the history of rodeo, fetches four World Champions to compete in the classic event that pits man vs beast in a two hour bull riding that has captivated and entertained local fans for fifteen years. Twenty-four bull riders will be competing for over $48,500 due to last week’s event in New Mexico that left money in the bank when no rider covered their bull in the Shootout Round.
In addition to great bull riding, special guest country music artists Cody Cooke and the Bayou Outlaws will immediately follow the bull riding action with their brand of southern country rock.
“We have enjoyed an amazing partnership throughout the years with our friends at the Eldorado and we look forward every year to providing the Shreveport and Bossier communities with a top rated bull riding competition and great entertainment,” said Hedeman.
Hedeman returns to Bossier with his signature event, the Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport Tuff Hedeman Championship Bull Riding, and the number one bull rider in the world. Sage Kimzey from Strong City, Okla., will be defending the title won here last year as the event kicks off inside the CenturyLink Center on Saturday night at 8 p.m.
After retiring from rodeo and riding bulls in 1998, Hedeman has in recent years made a name for himself in the production of great bull riding events, including the CBR Road to Cheyenne televised tour, which will make this season’s tenth stop next week at the CenturyLink Center Arena.
The 2017 Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport Tuff Hedeman Championship Bull Riding tickets are on sale now and fans will be treated to a stellar field of bull riders as the reigning and four-time World Champion bull rider Sage Kimzey will ride past a few talented Louisiana cowboys and a Texas rookie that is knocking on the door of the number one ranking.
“Another good start to the year, usually I start slower, this year I have put in more preparation and am a lot more determined to get that good start and not be shooting behind the 8 ball, but it is bull riding and anything can happen,” said Kimzey who won the 2017 season opener in Enid, Okla., on Jan 7.
North Louisiana is rich in bull riding talent as it has produced several World Champions, but the cowboy everyone is talking about is Prairieville’s Jacob O’Mara. O’Mara and his bull riding brother-in-law, Koby Radley finished first and second in the CBR’s Horizon Series with Radley earning the Championship. Jeffrey Ramagos, the third Louisiana cowboy riding is from Zachary and he rides in Bossier looking to add to his strong first half of the season and is working towards qualifying for the CBR World Finals at Cheyenne Frontier Days in July.
Barrel Man Cody Sosebee, one of the top rodeo entertainers in the business, will be the funny man around town and in the arena giving away boots, jeans, and finding dance partners. While he is dodging the bulls, kids and adults will enjoy his multiple comedic routines from in and around the barrel.
The four-time World Champion, and Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer, Tuff Hedeman will be in town for the fifteenth year heading up the high energy production and handling every detail from the bulls to the intermission entertainers of the event to assure bull riding fans enjoy the two hour adrenaline rush show.
“It’s a combination of a great rock and roll concert and a heavy weight prize fight and refereed by Tuff Hedeman,” said CBR Chief Executive Officer Benny Cude.
Individual tickets for the CBR’s Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport Tuff Hedeman Championship Bull Riding tickets start at just $25 and provide fans with multiple ticket options for individuals and families.
The Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport Tuff Hedeman Championship Bull Riding features a field of 24 elite bull riders in a three round tournament style event ending in a final four Shootout Round worth $48,500. The list of riders and former World Champions reads like a list of “who’s who” of cowboy athletes including four time World Champion Sage Kimzey, ERA World Champion Chandler Bownds, PRCA World Champion Wesley Silcox, IPRA World Champion Corey Bailey, and National Finals Rodeo qualifiers, Jacob O’Mara, Cody Rostockyj, Jeff Askey, and Tim Bingham.
Saturday, February 4th, 7:00 p.m. – Stick-Bull Riding for kids 6 & under on the arena floor at the event center. To enter, contact Cheryl: stickbullrider@aol.com
Riders will again be making appearances around town signing autographs and hosting meet and greets at local establishments, schedule listed below.
TICKETS: Ticket Link or Box Office at CenturyLink Center, 2000 CenturyLink Dr, Bossier City, LA 71112 (318) 747-2501, or Box Office at Barksdale Air Force Base
LOCATION: CenturyLink Center, February 4 at 8 p.m.
Appearances and Autograph Sessions
Tuff Hedeman and Bull Riders
Friday – February 3rd
5 – 7 p.m. Pre-Party at the Celebrity Lounge at the Eldorado Resort
7 p.m. Bullfighter of the Year, Brandon Loden and Bull Riders
Eldorado Resort Casino, 451 Clyde Fant Parkway, Shreveport, LA 71101
Saturday – February 4th
11 – 1 p.m. Cavender’s Boot City, 7850 Youree, Shreveport, LA 71105
1:30 -3:30 p.m. Landers Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, 2701 Benton Road, Bossier, LA 71111 featuring
6:30 p.m. Doors Open at the CenturyLink Center
7 p.m. Stick-Bull Riding for Kids 6 and Under
8 p.m. Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport Tuff Hedeman Championship Bull Riding
10 p.m. Autographs – Tuff Hedeman and Bull Riders in Arena
Courtesy of CBR