Twelve of the premier Cowboys that the rodeo world has to offer survived the first test and have earned a jersey for the third season of “Toughest Cowboy.” They are part of an elite group that make-up the 2009 Toughest Cowboy competition field.
Unlike other rodeos where riders usually compete in just one discipline, Toughest Cowboy presented by Jägermeister, the triathlon for rodeo, is an unprecedented test of endurance as all competitors must ride in three disciplines in one night (Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding and Bull Riding). The ultimate Toughest Cowboy Champion at the end of the seven tournament series will win the deed to a spectacular ranch in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming.
For the first time in the history of the Toughest Cowboy Tour, Spike TV will follow these cowboys every step of the way, searching for the next big superstar in rodeo. Toughest Cowboy, the new sports-competition reality series, will consist of one-hour episodes, airing every Thursday at 11 p.m. ET/PT produced by the world-renowned Mark Burnett. Burnett has produced popular shows such as Survivor, The Contender and The Apprentice. This series will be Rodeo through the eyes of the cowboys. Their Grit. Their Blood. Their Voices. The World’s only all-around roughstock competition, told in a unique way where the cowboys and coaches will walk the viewer through the unbelievable journey these twelve cowboys will travel.
It was not easy to get a spot on tour, as standouts like 2008 world champ Justin McDaniel and others were turned away. The talent is deep as this year’s field consists of 2007 Toughest Cowboy champion Bandy Murphy of Morgan Mill, Texas; the young and crazy Cajun Trey Broussard of Estherwood, LA; making their third consecutive appearance on the Tour are cool and collected Chad Eubank of Cleburne, Texas, and the human wreck reel Erik Wolford of Adrian, Mich.; returning for a second straight year Jared Green of Socorro, N.M., and Dusty Elkinton of Moundville, Mo.; and making their Toughest Cowboy debut are Steven Dent of Mullen, Neb.,Steve Woolsey of Payson, Utah, Lance Kelly, the Australian who is tough as leather, newcomers Ben Londo of Athena, Ore., Charlie Barker of Terrebonne, Ore., and Mark Fisher of Weatherford, Texas.
Dent and Woolsey are fresh off competing at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Dent finished the 2008 season as the #2 PRCA bareback rider but does he have what it will take to be crowned the 2009 Toughest Cowboy? Woolsey, who is best known for his bull riding and finished the 2008 season fourth in the world, will have to do more than ride bulls well to win a piece of America. Both will be tested by Murphy, who won it all in 2007; Londo, who is strong in both the bareback riding and saddle bronc riding and has two College National Finals all-around titles to his name; Broussard, who has come within inches of two Toughest Cowboy titles and Lance Kelly, who won bareback and bull riding titles in Australia before coming to the United States and settling in Texas.
Their first test will come in Raleigh, N.C., where all 12 will ride a bareback horse, a saddle bronc horse and a bull. The cowboy with the highest combined score in all three events will be that tournament’s champion and will earn a free pass from the knock out ride, meaning they can’t be eliminated at the next event.
The two cowboys with the lowest combined score will ride in the knock-out ride, which consists of an additional bull ride. In this head to head match, the losing cowboy loses his jersey and his shot at winning the ranch. Each week someone will be eliminated with the Final Four competing at the finals in Chicago, Ill.
Cody Snyder of Medicine Hat, Alberta, and Pete Hawkins of Weatherford, Texas, will serve as the coaches for these 12 guys. Snyder and Hawkins will be with the competitors every step of the way giving them pointers and advice that might just be the difference in them moving on or being eliminated.
Be sure to catch all the exciting action of Toughest Cowboy, where you can be a part of the most unique and provocative rodeo broadcast in history every Thursday night on Spike TV. It is sure to change your definition of TOUGH.
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