Red Wilk announces inaugural Trophy Belt for 2018 Bull Bash

HURON — Partnering with Red Wilk Construction, the Tuff Hedeman-led marquee bull riding tour is preparing to open the South Dakota State Fair later this month
Those in attendence will experience two nights and five rounds of family-friendly, action-packed adrenaline rush entertainment wrapped around a traditional western show on August 29-30, beginning at 8 pm.
New for 2018, Red Wilk Construction is proud to introduce to the Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash a one-of-a-kind inaugural, custom-crafted trophy belt.
The annual bull riding competition features more than 30 riders and three bullfighters, all matched to animals of superior strength.
Hedeman, known for lining up elite riders to face off with world-class bucking bulls brings the new “invitation only” format to the Fair’s Grandstands for the first time.
The pre-Labor Day weekend celebration includes the much anticipated American Hero Award Ceremony held each night during the intermission, honoring 24 deserving United States veterans of war.
Wilk, a Vietnam veteran himself, has honored 100 plus South Dakota Veterans since beginning this much-anticipated ceremony in 2013.

“The sacrifice these men make for our country is how we are able to do what we do today, right here in this very arena, and it is our honor to stand down and be part of this great rite of passage and remember why we can celebrate the freedoms we enjoy,” said Hedeman.
In the arena the only way to get on the roster at Huron’s elite event is by invitation from four-time World Champion and Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer Tuff Hedeman.
His invitation-only event format yields the best roster of elite bull riders, facing off with world-class bucking bulls in five rounds of intense, high energy battle. 
The Red Wilk Construction Bull Bash has been thrilling audiences in Huron for 15 years including wins by bull riding greats including four-time PRCA World Champion Sage Kimzey (2015), IFYR World Champ Koby Radley (2017), Corey Maier (2014) of Timberlake, as well as NFR qualifiers Aaron Pass (2013) and Ardie Maier (2012) to name a few. Many riders have gotten their breakout start at this event including the current number three ranked PRCA bull rider in the world, Boudreaux Campbell, who placed third here in 2016.
Thus far in 2018, fans have watched the cowboy athletes battle in seven different cities with payouts exceeding $200,000.
The tour rolls into Huron for stop number eight on the season led by THBRT Fort Worth Champion and PBR World Champion Mike Lee - the complete roster of contestants are expected to be released at a later date.
With its thrilling 8-second attempts and two hours of impressive athletics, the newly created THBRT is trending, setting local attendance records and drawing packed grandstands nationwide and soon to be available for millions of viewer audiences on cable television.
The bull riding action begins with performance 1 at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 29, and Performance 2 on Thursday, Aug. 30. Forty bull riders will get on one bull each in Wednesday night’s Breakout Series event followed by the highest scored rider in the round getting on the Tuff Hedeman selected “bounty bull” for an extra $5,000.
Performance 2 on Thursday is the three-round tournament style event, the riders’ individual score advances them thru three rounds, hopefully earning a coveted slot in the final four-man “Shoot Out Round” where the bulk of the prize money, championship title, and custom prizes are earned.
Immediately following the bull riding, fans will get a chance to meet and get autographs from Tuff Hedeman and the bull riders.
Tickets for the two-day event are on sale now and start at $12 for youth and $20 for adults. Tickets are sold in either grandstand reserved seating area or in the standing room area located in the party pit. 
They can be purchased at the S.D. State Fair Office, or by calling (605) 353-7340, or online at www.etix.com/ticket/v/12046/south-dakota-state-fair.

PHOTO COURTESY OF TUFF HEDEMAN BULL RIDING TOUR
Bull rider Mike Lee competes at the Las Vegas stop on the Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour earlier this year. Lee is one of the riders expected to compete at the Red Wilk Construction Bull Bash, which opens the S.D. State Fair later this month.