Championship Bull Riding Kicks Off South Dakota State Fair

HURON, S.D. - Aug. 12, 2015 - PRLog -- The CBR spotlight is pointed towards Huron, South Dakota for its 2016 season opener. On July 21st, CBR crowned its 13^th World Champion, Cody Teel of Kountze, Texas at the Frontier Park arena after two days and five rounds of non-stop action. Teel, who rode five for five at the 2015 Mahindra CBR World Championships in Cheyenne, pocketed a check for $108,00, an eMax 22 Gear Mahindra tractor, a custom saddle, custom Fenoglio boots, and a Hy O Silver gold buckle.

But in Huron it will be the reigning Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) and 2014 CBR World Champion Sage Steele Kimzey, who will be gunning for his first opportunity to reclaim the title from Teel. The two rivals will no doubt add excitement to the twelve month 2016 Mahindra Road to Cheyenne Tour which begins on September 2^nd in Huron. Twenty-five bull riders, 80 bucking bulls personally selected by Tuff Hedeman, and the Evan Williams Bullfighters will be featured during the two day, five round, heart pounding nonstop action that is Championship Bull Riding.

But if the World Champions plan on keeping their titles, they will have to get around several South Dakota champion bull riders. Kritter Lamb from Whitehorse, the 2014 Horizon Series Champion, the NFR qualifying Maier brothers from Timber Lake, and Tanner Bothwell, the young superstar from Rapid City, will be among the 24 bull riders expected to compete with the mega star World Champions as CBR takes returns to Huron as the lead Grandstand event of the South Dakota State Fair on September 2^nd and 3^rd.

The Red Wilk Construction CBR Bull Bash presented by the South Dakota State Fair will begin on Wednesday, September 2nd^h at 8 PM with the CBR Horizon Series event which will include a long round followed by the $10,000 bounty bull ride of the night. The high scored rider from round one will be awarded the opportunity to earn the additional $5,000 by getting on a bounty bull name that is personally selected by Tuff Hedeman. If he makes the whistle on the bounty bull he puts the entire $10,000 in his pocket.

 Thursday night’s lineup will follow the revolutionary 8 Second Format featuring a three round tournament style competition. The action gets underway at 8 p.m. with twenty-five bull riders doing their best to stay on for eight seconds in round one so they can advance to the semifinals. The 12 top scores get to ride in the semifinals with the best four advancing to a Shoot Out round where the bulk of $30,000 in prize money is paid.

Making the trip to Huron this year to witness all this action and crown this year’s champions will be the reigning Miss Rodeo America, Lauren Heaton. “As part of a fifth-generation family with roots in farming, ranching and rodeo, I have a passion for America’s unique Western heritage and its character traits and positive habits that have been fundamental to our nation’s past and keys to its future. Younger generations, whether associated with rodeo or not, can catch onto the responsibility, independence, initiative and self-reliance embraced through professional rodeo.” Miss Heaton and Miss Rodeo South Dakota, Kendra Peterson, will both be joining Tuff Hedeman signing autographs on Thursday night.

CBR has become known for their action-packed performances that keep fans on the edge of their seats. That is largely due to the influence of four-time world champion bull rider Tuff Hedeman who coordinates every element and attends to the smallest details. From having great bulls matched up with super star riders, to upbeat music and enthusiastic fans, the CBR Bull Bash in Huron will be second to none.

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 bull’s performance. A total of $45,000 is awarded to the bulls.Immediately following the bull riding, fans will get a chance to meet and get autographs from Tuff Hedeman and the champion bull riders of the CBR.South Dakota State Fairgrounds, 890 3^rd Street SW, Huron, SD 57530.  Tickets start at just $12 and free admission to the fair is included if purchased before Wednesday September 2^nd, 2015. For tickets call: 866-605-FAIR, or online at sdstatefair.com.