Sage Kimzey Conquers two unridden bulls to win second Bossier Title with Tuff Hedeman

SHREVEPORT, La. - March 18, 2018 - PRLog -- Fifteen qualified rides kept the crowd on the edge of their seats as seven-time World Champion Sage Steele Kimzey, the competitor Tuff Hedeman refers to as the "best bull rider on the planet", delivered a three punch to the field that included four World Champions and a host of NFR contenders.

Riding two unridden bulls Kimzey, standing in the spotlight next to Hedeman, accepted the $22,000 check and left the Century Link Center as the only cowboy to ride three bulls earning him the Eldorado Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour title. Kimzey who began his bull riding career in 2014 on an invitation from Hedeman had this to say about the victory.

"It's what Tuff always promises, great bull riders, great bulls and a great bull riding for us and the fans," said Kimzey picking up a few icepacks after landing on the chutes instead of the dirt while dismounting in the first round.

For 18 years Tuff Hedeman has been bringing elite bull riders, world-class bucking bulls and family-friendly entertainment to the devoted bull riding fans, western lifestyle enthusiasts, and guests of the Eldorado Shreveport and
Saturday night's performance stood the test of time with fifteen qualified rides including four 90 point plus scores and a win from the reigning World Champion.

Round One

Eleven riders heard the whistle in the long round with Trey Kimzey setting the pace spurring a 90 point ride on 435 Time to Shine.

NFR qualifier Boudreaux Campbell would follow Kimzey and advance on 253 Tombstone with 89.5 points. Tyler Taylor, the 2017 Bossier Champion began his bid for a second title with 87 points on 9100 Kojack.

Duncan, Richardson, Yeary, Pitts and Travis Briscoe would post scores to advance but it was two veterans that took the top two scores and the hearts of the fans in round one.

With a host of Barksdale Air Force airmen cheering him on, United States Army Veteran Juan Alonzo thrilled the crowd with a high flying 91 points on 22 Cowboy Cut.

Competing in the final section, Sage Kimzey's 92.5 scored ride left no doubt he was back and ready to win his first THBRT title after healing from an early injury in the first quarter of 2018.

"I was excited to have Hellfire after seeing him in Las Vegas at Tuff's event, he really bucked hard and he's one everyone wants to have, he stood still and I got out on him clean and good," said Kimzey.

Semifinal Round

Fourteen riders advanced to the second round of the sudden death competition with Florida cowboy John Pitts the first one to ride two. Pitts was 84.5 on 101 Grafitti giving him the early lead with 171 on two.

"I drove all night to get here, but the caliber of bulls here is consistently great, Tuff stepped them up for sure and it's really worth the trip," said Pitts.

PBR World Champion Mike Lee would answer with an 85 on 312 Blackie and steal the average lead with 172 points.

In a contagion of buck offs, the Louisiana crowd fell silent as Briscoe, Taylor, Campbell, Richardson, Duncan,Trey Kimzey, and Juan Alonzo fell short of the whistle in the semifinal competition.

Kimzey would bring the fans back to life with an 89.5 on 026 Coalface setting up the four-man battle pitting two riders looking for their first title win against two seasoned World Champions – Mike Lee and Sage Kimzey.

Shoot Out

With only three riders covering two bulls, Juan Alonzo would advance on his 91 in round one.

Kimzey who was the average leader with182 points earned the first bull selection. Kimzey, known to have a strategic plan in place before the national anthem, selected Bumble B.. Kimzey, who has earned over 4 million riding bulls, explained his thought process on selecting his final bull was as much about Juan Alonzo's riding strength into his hand as it was about himself.

"I saw him (67B) in Vegas and he's a really good bull, I knew he was probably the rankest bull in the pen and if I rode him I would for sure win, he has a little more timing and spends it in the air, but I thought I would have the best chance to win on him. All the other riders were left-handers and while I have had success on Yellowhair, I thought I would leave him in the mix for one of them to try and get by," smiled the strategic bull rider.

Second to ride would be John Pitts.

"I let Tuff pick for me and he asked me how I liked them, he picked a great one and I just got bucked off a great bucker," said Pitts.

Mike Lee was next and he took 52 Lil Fool which left 3728 Yellowhair for Alonzo – advantage Kimzey.

The bulls took control and bucked off the first three riders leaving Kimzey with the chance to take home the lion's share of the $30,000 purse. Persevering thru the pain of the shoulder and hand that collided with the chutes earlier in the competition, Kimzey delivered Hedeman's promise to the crowd giving them an elite ride on world class bull as he rode Bumble B for 90 points, the never before ridden bull who is nicknamed "stinger".

"It feels great to come here and win my second Bossier title in front of such a great crowd, I had to keep moving on that last bull to keep up but the amazing fans here pulled me through to the whistle, " said Kimzey.

Round by round scoring available on tuffhedemanbullriding.com

THBRT Bossier Results

1, Sage Kimzey,  272 on 3 bulls, $20,500.00. 2, Mike Lee, 172, $2,250.  3, John Pitts, $2,250. 171, 4, Juan Alonzo, 91 $1250.

THBRT Bull Team Results

1, Scott Winston/Melton Bull Co.  281.90 points, $28,000. 2, Universal Pro Rodeo, 280.75, $21,000. 3, Barrett/Willis, 280.02, $14,000. 4, Bob Whisnant/Shaw, 279.96, $7,000.