Ronnie Kitchens Tops Field Friday At The Tuff Hedeman Championship Challenge

Although The Tuff Hedeman Championship Challenge did not begin until Friday  night fans at Billy Bob's got an extra treat when CBR President Tuff Hedeman tried to teach CBS Features Reporter Dave Price to  rope a  dummy steer and ride a real bull during the two hour live coverage of the rodeo at Billy Bob's Texas. On Friday morning the CBR  got free coverage on The CBS Early Show when their fans and all viewers got a real surprise when they were shown the video of Price and Tuff . Price referred to Tuff as "the Michael Jordan of the rodeo world ". I think he has that backwards as Tuff attained World Champion status way before Jordan .As far as this reporter is concerned Michael Jordan is the Tuff Hedeman of the Basketball world! And Tuff,who just turned 43 a week ago is the Dick Clark of the rodeo world!
Tuff, who has become very at ease behind the mike made some cute remarks as he tried to get Price to mount Jerry Nelson's World Champion bull Big Bucks.Tongue in cheek he said"I've got all the confidence that you can be the first guy to ride him this year - successfully,"as Big Bucks acted antsy in the chute and Price got nervous.You can go to the CBR site and  click onto the live coverage of the video.Fans will love it!
At the actual event country newcomer, Columbia Nashville  artist Trent Willmon sang The National Anthem.With Tuff for all pre and post event  activities was his close friend Nashville singer/songwriter Charlie Robison.If the last name is familiar to you it may be because  Charlie's beautiful ,talented wife is Emily Robison of The Dixie Chicks.
On Friday night it was veteran rider Ronnie Kitchens who took the lead with his round winning ride aboard Blackberry Wine for 92.5 in the short go.Ronnie had  181.5 for the night. Although Friday night  is a prelim to the Saturday/Sunday event Ronnie could win an additional $20,000 if he were to win all three days.Just one of the many bonuses Tuff and his longtime partner Ron Pack  have for the riders.
Friday night always is loaded with fun for the fans . At intermission  the Celebrity Butt Busters was held.Brother Van of KSCS won the event for the second year in a row with 86 points.After his ride  he put a bike helmet on and got into the barrel for the remainder of the contest.
Past Champion Dave Lieber(FW Star telegram) was second with 84 points while Dave Coker (Coors) finished 3rd with 82.Crown royal's Dan Shuff was 4th with 78 points and  Jeremy Robison(96.7-The Twister)was 5th with 76 points.Radio Disney's Jay Jenson took a reride and was fouled so no score .
Excitement was fueling the crowd as they watched the Friday event.Going into the short go the leader board read:
COOPER KANNGIESSER,Zenda,KS Ladies Man  OW 90 $1,207.80
RONNIE KITCHENS,Mansfield,TX Cat Daddy TW 89 $915.00
JARROD CRAIG,Hillisboro,TX El Lobo B/G 88 $549.00
KOLT MILLER,Converse,TX  Billionaire DB 88 $549.00
J C BEAN,Goldendale,WA Show Off R/W 87.5 $256.20
DUSTIN ELLIOTT,Tecumseh,NE Camo Kat CWL 87 $183.00
WESLEY SILCOX MOON KAT LRR 86.5
ZACK OAKES SNORTIN HORTON TW 86
CODY HANCOCK BLACK SABBATH SO 85.5
CURTIS SEAMANS RATTLER FR 85
The short go really had fans on the edges of their seats as there were three 90+ rides and three high eighties rides plus some  energetic buck-offs.Jerry Nelson's Calif Dreamin made quick work of  Cole Echoles while Harlan Robertson/Henry Wilson's Mean Machine  sent Marcus Michaelis off early. Lee Woolsey  was a victim of R/W's Cajun Moon and Vernon Guidry's energetic Snuff's Hot Damn sent Curtis Seamans flying.Kevin Loudamy's Cha Ching got the best of Wesley Silcox and DB's Smokin Gun won the match with JC Bean.Kolt Miller  was bested by R/W's Georgia Sun while Wes Bruce's Dash Cat got Jarrod Craig.Cooper Kanngiesser who lead going into the short go was knocked out of that lead by R/W's Apache.
The first qualified ride in the short go was McKennon Wimberley's great looking 91.5 ride aboard BR's Copperhead Slinger.McKennon  rode Frontier Rodeo's Who Would Know for 83 points in the long go and tied for 3/4/5 in the average with 174.5 on two head and I bet daddy Joe was grinning from ear to ear.He was followed by one of my all time favorites at Tuff's event ,former event champion Dave Samsel.Dave scored 90.5 aboard CBR World Champion Bull R/W's Biloxi Blues.Incredible  trip! Dave has been riding hot  in the CBR and  he could give the top runners a real run for their money.Dave rode Owen Washburn and the Five ladies' Ladies man  for84 points in the long go.Third man in the tie was PRCA World Champion Cody Hancock and he had a great night with first his solid 85.5  ride aboard SO's Black Sabbath and then his 89 point ride aboard WS' Stacy's Pet.Good going Cody! Zack Oakes was 6th in the average with  86 aboard Terry Williams' Snortin Horton and rode R/W's Roscoe for 87 in the short go.PRCA's 2004 World Champion Dustin Elliott was  6th on the leader board  with 87 on CWL's Camo Kat going into the short go but scored 89.5 aboard JS' Cooter in the short go to finish  in second place with 176.5.Then came Ronnie Kitchens great 92.5 ride aboard BW's  Blackberry Wine.What can I say.That gave Ronnie a whopping 181.5 on two and the win.If he should win Saturday and Sunday he would win a bonus of $20,000. I have to say Ronnie is riding hot right now.And its great to see a rider overcome the injuries and complications that Ronnie has overcome. I wish him the best.