HURON – Four-time World Champion bull rider and Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer, Tuff Hedeman, announced today he has selected Jeff Harris’s 727 Soldier Boy for the Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Bounty Bull on night one of Wednesday night’s competition of the Annual Red Wilk Construction Bull Bash at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron.  

The Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour rolls into town this week unloading top-ranked buckets pitted against 24 of the country’s elite bull riders to kick off the South Dakota State Fair at 8 p.m. today at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds.

Tuff Hedeman announced Tuesday that an eight-second ride aboard the famed Texas bucking bull Soldier Boy tonight will earn the top-scoring bull rider in tonight’s performance a $10,000 paycheck that Tuff Hedeman and Red Wilk are anxious to award to the bull rider who hears the whistle while still on this famed bucker’s back.

Thursday night’s lineup will feature more rounds where fans will see their favorite riders challenge as many as three bulls in one night. As the bull riders progress each earning money for their qualified rides, the final four-man Shoot Out round determines the night’s winner.

The action gets underway at 8 p.m. with 24 bull riders doing their best to stay on for eight seconds.

In March, 727 was the winning ride for John Crimber as he rode the six-year-old bucker for 91.5 points to win the Tuff Hedeman Las Vegas Shoot Out. Can he repeat it for the South Dakota fans? Not only is Soldier Boy worth coming out to the Fairgrounds to see, but Crimber is the second-generation bull rider and son of retired PBR superstar bull rider, Paulo Crimber.

Second generation bull rider John Crimber celebrates his winning ride on 727 Solider Boy in Las Vegas
In livestock terms one would describe Solider Boy as sired by Sheperd Hills stock and Page breeding. Jeff Harris describes him as a little bull with a big heart.

Jeff Harris acquired this West Texas-born and raised bull as a fixer upper from the competitive bucking bulls circuit of young bulls. “He bucks really hard and is just an honest bucker. If the rider doesn’t get out of shape you will win some money when you hear the whistle because the longer you ride him the harder he bucks,” said Harris who already has his prized bucker resting in Huron for the big night.

“If you are left-handed, he usually goes to the left and you might have a better chance of staying on, but you better give it 110 percent because 727 will be at 110% every trip,” added Harris.

The best advice from the bull riders who have attempted 727 is to stay small and stay as close to him as possible, if you are out of shape at all you won’t ride him.

Who does Jeff Harris think might have a shot, Why of course John Crimber?

The Red Wilk Construction Bull Bash will be held at the South Dakota State Fairgrounds, 890 3rd Street SW, Huron, SD 57530. Tickets are available for adults and youth by calling 866-605-FAIR, or online at www.sdstatefair.com.

Editor’s Notes: The rider with the highest average score on Wednesday night will be the bull rider to advance to attempt the Bounty Bull. If he rides him for 8 seconds he will be awarded a $10,000 check from Tuff Hedeman.