Bull Rider Tuff Hedeman Out
For Season With Neck Injury

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Tuff Hedeman, a three-time PRCA world champion bull rider and ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee, is out for the remainder of the 1998 rodeo season after suffering a neck injury at a bull riding event April 3 in Odessa, Texas.

The injury occurred when Hedeman, of Morgan Mill, Texas, landed on his head after dismounting a bull. An MRI confirmed that Hedeman has a herniation of the disc between the C6 and C7 vertebra in the neck. The injury is similar to one Hedeman suffered at the 1993 National Finals Rodeo, an injury that left him temporarily paralyzed.

Hedeman, 35, is a 12-time NFR qualifier. He won world titles in 1986, ‘89 and ‘91, and was inducted last summer into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. He was ranked third in the world bull riding standings at the time of his injury.

Little has changed in the all-around competition. Ty Murray, Stephenville, continues to outdistance his closest competitor with winnings to date totaling $61,823. He is followed by Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, with $35,751; Herbert Theriot, Poplarville, Miss., $24,933; Joe Beaver, Huntsville, Texas, $23,628; and Kurt Goulding, Duncan, Okla., $23,370.

Standings by event:

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Dan Mortensen, Manhattan, Mont., $47,515; 2. Ty Murray, $36,041; 3. Billy Etbauer, Ree Heights, S.D., $22,856; 4. Jess Martin, Dillon, Mont., $21,794; 5. T.C. Holloway, Eagle Butte, S.D., $20,352.

Bareback riding: 1. Deb Greenough, Red Lodge, Mont., $32,117; 2. Clint Corey, Kennewick, Wash., $27,348; 3. James Boudreaux, Hackberry, La., $21,690; 4. Marvin Garrett, Belle Fourche, S.D., $20,196; 5. Rocky Steagall, Sanger, Calif., $19,801.

Bull riding: 1. Blu Bryant, Nacogdoches, Texas, $27,204; 2. Robert Bowers, Duchess, Alberta, Canada, $25,001; 3. Tuff Hedeman, $20,468; 4. Mark Ward, North Platte, Neb., $20,078; 5. Ty Murray, $19,840.

Calf roping: 1. Johnny Emmons, Grandview, Texas, $32,649; 2. Cody Ohl, Orchard, Texas, $30,303; 3. Fred Whitfield, Hockley, Texas, $23,969; 4. Chris Neal, Muldrow, Okla., $22,694; 5. Joe Beaver, $20,143.

Steer wrestling: 1. Steve Duhon, Sonora, Texas, $41,960; 2. Lee Graves, Calgary Alberta, $21,004; 3. Jeff Corbello, Iowa, La., $20,839; 4. Kurt Goulding, Duncan, Okla., $19,575; 5. Roper Myers, Van, Texas, $18,705.

Team roping (heading): 1. Speed Williams, Jacksonville, Fla., $26,298; 2. Bret Boatright, Mulhall, Okla., $22,509; 3. Charles Pogue, Ringling, Okla., $21,836; 4. J.P. Wickett, Muldrow, Okla., $18,999; 5. Todd Arthur, Waller, Texas, $16,827.

Team roping (heeling): 1. Rich Skelton, Llano, Texas, $26,298; 2. Britt Bockius, Claremore, Okla., $21,836; 3. Kory Koontz, Sudan, Texas, $20,147; 4. Trevor Brazile, $18,999; 5. Twister Cain, Ivanhoe, Texas, $16,827.

Steer roping: 1. Trevor Brazile, $10,442; 2. Mark Freeman, Freedom, Okla., $6,306; 3. Bucky Hefner, Chelsea, Okla., $6255; 4. Buster Record Jr., Buffalo, Okla., $5576; 5. Jim Davis, Abilene, Texas, $5545.

Barrel racing: 1. Sherry Cervi, Midland, Texas, $40,708; 2. Kristie Peterson, Elbert, Colo., $26,493; 3. Gail Hillman, Waller, Texas, $21,403; 4. Molly Swanson, Simms, Mont., $21,022; 5. Melissa Hubier, Cleveland, Texas, $21,078.