Bullfight added to Roundup mix

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Dusty Tuckness battles a bull during a recent Bullfighters Only event in Cedar Park, Texas. Tuckness will be one of the bullfighters featured in Dodge City Roundup's A Whole Lotta Bull on Tuesday, Aug. 2. (TODD BREWER PHOTO)
Dusty Tuckness battles a bull during a recent Bullfighters Only event in Cedar Park, Texas. Tuckness will be one of the bullfighters featured in Dodge City Roundup’s A Whole Lotta Bull on Tuesday, Aug. 2. (TODD BREWER PHOTO)

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Dodge City Roundup is getting a little more extreme.

By teaming with upstart Bullfighters Only, the annual rodeo is bringing back the tradition of freestyle bullfighting in conjunction with its Xtreme Bulls Tour event for the inaugural A Whole Lotta Bull.

“For a long time, Roundup was a major stop on Wrangler Bullfights Tour,” said Dr. R.C. Trotter, president of the committee that produces the annual rodeo. “When that tour stopped, I think there were a lot of people who wanted to see it back in Dodge City.

Tim Bingham
Tim Bingham

“Will Bullfighters Only coming on the scene, we thought now was a great time to bring the bullfights back. That’s why we developed A Whole Lotta Bull.”

Xtreme Bulls will kick off the festivities at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, at Roundup Arena. This marks the third year for event to be part of the annual celebration and features the top bull riders in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

Two seasons ago, Utah cowboy Tim Bingham capitalized on his win in western Kansas to qualify to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the first time. A year ago, Louisianan Jacob O’Mara claimed the title and nearly $5,000; he finished 2015 19th in the world standings, just missing out on the NFR.

“We’ve had great success in the Xtreme Bulls,” Trotter said. “By bringing in the bullfights, I think it adds another element to our Tuesday night performance that our fans will really enjoy, and that’s our primary purpose at Roundup.”

Nate Jestes
Nate Jestes

Bullfighters Only was established about a year ago, and the tour was developed this year. The Dodge City competition will feature five competitors in a showcase of athletic maneuvers waged against aggressive fighting bulls. The three men who serve as cowboy protection for the Xtreme Bulls – Wacey Munsell of Ulysses, Kan.; Nathan Jestes of Douglas, Wyo.; and Dusty Tuckness of Meeteetse, Wyo. – will make up part of the field.

“When Dodge City showed interest in having some freestyle bullfights, they contacted Tuckness and I,” said Jestes, who then guided the rodeo committee to the BFO.

Said Tuckness, “Bringing in the freestyle action with Bullfighters Only is something I think everyone will enjoy. I’m excited to get there. It’s another great rodeo that we get to be part of.”

Bullfighters Only features the top men in the game. With more than 30 events on the tour, the competition in Dodge City is a vital stop on the BFO’s tour.

“I came to Dodge City for the first time last year, and I didn’t know what to expect,” Jestes said. “I knew it was a great and prestigious rodeo, but throughout the six days I was there, it quickly became one of my favorite rodeos all year. The committee treats me very well and puts on a great rodeo.

“It’s one of the best rodeos in the industry, and it’s a huge honor and dang sure a feather in my cap for my career to be there.”

Winning the inaugural Bullfighters Only title in Dodge City would just add more feathers.

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