Championship Bull Riding, Inc. (CBR) is pleased to
announce its new television partnership with RFDTV,
beginning March 5, when the first of many
action-packed professional bull riding competitions
explode on your TV screen.
CBR president and bull riding icon Tuff Hedeman
said he is excited about the new television
opportunity.
Hedeman, a four-time world champion, said, “The
CBR produces one of the best professional bull riding
competitions in the country.We match top-notch
bucking bulls with many of the best riders in the
sport and then combine that with an entertainment
atmosphere that the fans can enjoy. The ability to air
our events on a network that targets the agricultural
community and cowboy lifestyle is a perfect match
for the CBR.”
The CBR began in 2002 as an alternative professional
bull riding organization to give riders more
opportunities to earn a living riding bulls. Since its
inception, the CBR has enjoyed continued growth in
prize money, sponsors, riders and events while
sustaining the founder’s vision of equality and
honesty in the business.
The CBR was created in Carthage, Texas, by
legendary stock contractor TerryWilliams and
businessman Joel Logan, who were the first two
stockholders. Today, the CBR is owned by eight
stockholders who all serve as board members.
Hedeman joined the CBR in 2005, becoming a
stockholder, board member and president of the
organization.Williams remains chairman of the
board. Recently, the organization moved its corporate
headquarters to Waxahachie, Texas.
Hedeman was the original president and a founding
member of the Professional Bull Riders Association
(PBR), so he understands the sport extremely well.
“These bull riders have a limited career, time-wise,”
he said. “It is very important that we continue to
provide them with the most quality opportunities
that we can for them to compete as full-time
professionals, and help them earn as much money as
possible while they are competing.”
"The major expansion
of quality, first-class
proven programming
continues on RFD-TV
and RFD HD with the
addition of
Championship Bull
Riding", stated Patrick
Gottsch, Founder &
President of Rural
Media Group, Inc
(parent company to
RFD-TV and RFD HD).
"Our demographics
are a perfect match
for CBR. We share the
vision of Tuff, and
look forward to
working with CBR to
take their distribution
and viewership to the
next level."
Hedeman also knows first-hand what it is like to earn
a living on the road. Beginning his rodeo career at age
4, Hedeman rode his way through the ranks of rodeo
as a youngster and eventually earned the New Mexico
High School Rodeo Association Championship in
1980. He won numerous titles in the collegiate
ranks in bronc riding, bull riding, team roping
and steer wrestling. After winning the National
Collegiate Finals Rodeo title in bull riding in
1982, he turned pro, and began traveling and
competing with the legendary Lane Frost.
During that time, Hedeman became the
PRCAWorld Champion Bull Rider in 1986,
1989 and 1991 while earning the 1987 and
1989 NFR Average.
In 1995, Hedeman won the PBRWorld
Championship title despite his infamous headon
collision with the legendary bull Bodacious.
It was a wreck that resulted in over 13 hours of
reconstructive surgery. Just two months later,
Tuff entered the 1995 NFRWorld Finals
determined to claim the title. However, as fate
would have it, Hedeman had the misfortune of
drawing Bodacious in the final round. This
time, Hedeman rescinded the challenge and
waved his hat at the powerful beast as
Bodacious left the chute without him.
Forfeiting his chance to win the 1995 NFR
Championship title, Hedeman earned an
ovation as understanding fans applauded his
modesty.
Hedeman grew up in El Paso, Texas, home of
Sunland Park Racetrack, where both of his
parents were employed. He worked as a groom
and exercised colts, dreaming of becoming a
jockey, but fortunately for the sport of bull
riding Hedeman got too big to ride racehorses.
Racing remains an interest for Hedeman, and
to this day, fans might occasionally spot him in
the saddling paddock or clubhouse of Ruidoso
Downs or Sunland Park.
As changes and growth occur in the CBR,
Hedeman remains focused, committed and
busy. “My goal remains simple: to create the
best events possible that fans, riders,
contractors and now RFD-TV viewers won’t
want to miss.”
CBR will premiere Wednesdays on RFD-TV, and Thursdays on RFD HD.
The CBR began in 2002 as an alternative professional
bull riding organization to give riders more
opportunities to earn a living riding bulls. Since its
inception, the CBR has enjoyed continued growth in
prize money, sponsors, riders and events while
sustaining the founder’s vision of equality and
honesty in the business.
Hedeman grew up in El Paso, Texas, home of
Sunland Park Racetrack, where both of his
parents were employed. He worked as a groom
and exercised colts, dreaming of becoming a
jockey, but fortunately for the sport of bull
riding Hedeman got too big to ride racehorses.
Racing remains an interest for Hedeman, and
to this day, fans might occasionally spot him in
the saddling paddock or clubhouse of Ruidoso
Downs or Sunland Park.
