2017 Cinch Timed Event Championships

Kimzey And Vastbinder Arrive In Las Vegas For Bull Riding Shoot Out

Kimzey And Vastbinder Arrive In Las Vegas For Bull Riding Shoot Out

Kimzey and Vastbinder Arrive in Las Vegas for bull riding Shoot Out

Mar 11, 2017 by Cassie Emerson Emerson
Kimzey And Vastbinder Arrive In Las Vegas For Bull Riding Shoot Out
Winning in Las Vegas seems easy for the top two ranked CBR cowboys who both have left Las Vegas with prize packages including new buckles, boots, and checks, but most importantly at this time of year, points. The CBR’s regular season is winding down and this week’s Road to Cheyenne stop is significant as the World title race turns the corner and prepares for the first of the final four events on the 2017 Road to Cheyenne televised professional bull riding tour.

Eli Vastbinder won the Tuff Hedeman Vegas Shoot Out in 2014 and feels confident about his chances on the dirt inside the South Point Arena. Vastbinder is 446.5 points, or five bull scores behind Kimzey who has been perched at the top since October. There are seventeen bulls left on the Road to Cheyenne and Kimzey knows how important each bull score can be at this juncture in the season with neither rider showing signs of taking his foot off the gas.

"Another good start to the year, usually I start a little 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 at the finals, but it is bull riding and anything can happen,” said Kimzey in January. Kimzey, the reigning CBR and Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) World Champion, lost the 2015 title to Cody Teel who beat him by one bull score in 2015 at the CBR World Finals at Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Four time World Champion and Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer Tuff Hedeman, one of the most recognizable cowboys in the history of rodeo, welcomes the five time World Champion Sage Kimzey together with the challengers, twenty four elite bull riding athletes, to the South Point Hotel Casino and Spa Arena. This annual classic event pits man vs beast in a two hour bull riding worth over $75,000 in cash and prizes and has captivated and entertained Las Vegas fans and visitors for ten years.
 “We have enjoyed an amazing partnership throughout the years with our friends at the South Point and we look forward every year to providing the Las Vegas community and guests with a top rated bull riding competition and some great entertainment and you don’t have to know anything about the sport to enjoy the show,” said Hedeman.

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 thirteenth stop on Saturday at the South Point Arena.

Tickets are on sale and fans will be treated to a highly charged competitive bull riding where the top five are battling the standings week to week in an attempt to position themselves for the final four events before the World Finals in July.

Fans will have multiple opportunities to see the cowboy super stars up close and personal as the CBR announces the appearance schedule.

Bring your memorabilia, hats, boots, shirts and anything you want signed as you will have several chances to meet and greet these rock stars of the rodeo world.  Tuff Hedeman and bull riders will be at the Texas Motor Speedway on Friday, March 10, from 3 to 5 pm at the South Point Hotel and Casino Booth.  On Saturday, March 11, Hedeman and the riders will be at Boot Barn on 7625 Warm Springs from noon to 2 pm. Following the event the riders and Hedeman will be in the arena for autograph signing and photos.

With riders from thirteen states scheduled to compete in Las Vegas, the CBR is rich in bull riding talent, but the cowboy everyone is talking about is Navajo Nation’s Cody Jesus who burst on the tour after winning the CBR event in Rio Rancho in January.  Jesus has several strong finishes and earned a top ten ranking on the CBR’s elite Road to Cheyenne.

Protecting the champs and the field of elite 24 bull riders will be J. J. Harrison, 2012 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Barrel man and entertainer. Harrison, 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. 

“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.
CBR features a three round tournament style event ending in a final four Shoot Out round worth $30,000 to the riders and $45,000 to the bulls who are competing alongside the riders. The list of riders and former World Champions reads like a list of Who’s Who of cowboy athletes including five time World Champion Sage Kimzey, ERA World Champion Chandler Bownds, IPRA World Champion Corey Bailey, National Finals Rodeo qualifiers, Jacob O’Mara, Cody Rostockyj, Jeff Askey, Tim Bingham, Rorey Maier and Navajo Nation Champion, Cody Jesus.   

Riders will again be making appearances around town signing autographs and hosting meet and greets at local establishments schedule listed below.

Schedule
Friday, March 10
3 pm to 5 pm -  Tuff Hedeman and bull riders, Las Vegas Motor Speedway at the South Point Booth, 7000 N Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89115
Saturday, March 11
Noon to 2 pm  Tuff Hedeman and bull riders, Boot Barn, 7625 W. Warm Springs, Las Vegas, Nevada 89119
6:30 pm             Doors Open at South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa Arena
7:00 pm             Bullfighters signing on Concourse
                            Cody Jesus signing, Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation Booth on concourse                                   
7:30 pm             CBR Tuff Hedeman Vegas Shoot Out
9:30 pm            Hedeman and riders Autograph Session on arena floor                  
TICKETS: Ticketing Link available thru TICKETMASTER or call 800-745-3000, Children 12 & Under, 1/2 Price - All Price Levels. $25 - $45, with Discount Coupons.
Ticket Locations: Boot Barn, 102.7 The Coyote, Discount Tire
DATE:       March 11, 2017
LOCATION:  South Point Hotel Arena and Equestrian Center, 9777 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV

For more information contact Leigh Ann Schroeder, 940.902.1112 or leighann@theshortround.com.

Courtesy of CBRBull.com