TV star Woolsey wins bull riding
by Rodney Haas on Feb. 23, 2009, under Sports
Woolsey
Wesley Silcox had the lead in bull riding for all but a few minutes Sunday at the Tucson Rodeo.
However, Silcox’s traveling partner, Steve Woolsey, bested him by a point, scoring an 82 to win.
“I don’t know about dinner but I might be buying some beer,” said Woolsey, 23, of winning.
Woolsey, of Payson, Utah, qualified for last year’s National Finals Rodeo, where he placed fifth. This year he has been splitting time between competing at rodeos and competing in Spike TV’s reality show, “Toughest Cowboy.”
“If you get on a bareback first then a bronc (then a bull) . . . and then can’t get on and compete (after that), you’re automatically out,” Woolsey said.
“The bareback riding, it abuses you. It’s probably the easiest to stay on but it abuses your body and it doesn’t feel good.
Woolsey leads the “Toughest Cowboy” competition.
The winner of the show wins a ranch in Laramie, Wyo., along with $45,000.
“The bronc riding is the hardest to pick up and get the hang of and probably the most difficult,” Woolsey said.
Despite the double duty between the regular PRCA rodeos and the “Toughest Cowboy” competition, Woolsey tries not to think about the risk of injury.
“It’s always there but you just put that in the back of your mind and don’t worry about it,” Woolsey said. “Just nod your head and try.”
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84th ANNUAL LA FIESTA DE LOS VAQUEROS
Where: Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. Sixth Ave.
Monday-Tuesday: Pro time even slack competition, begins 8 a.m.
Wednesday: Pro barrel racing slack competition, 8 a.m.; Gold Card team roping, 10-11:30 a.m.; Mike Cervi Jr. Memorial Team Roping, noon-5 p.m.
Thursday: Tucson Rodeo Parade, 9 a.m.; Pro competition, 2-4:30 p.m.
Friday: Pro competition, 2-4:30 p.m.
Saturday: Pro competition, 2-4:30 p.m.
Sunday: Pro competition finals, 2-4:30 p.m.
Tickets: Advance, $12-18, call 520-741-2233 or 800-964-5662
Web: tucsonrodeo.com
