LAS VEGAS - Four men will be going head to head against some of the best Mexican fighting bulls in the world during Thunder EquiGames, all for a chance at the largest single paycheck available in the history of freestyle bullfighting.
The Rob Smets World Series Freestyle Bullfight Challenge features four of the top bullfighters in the U.S., and will be held during the Thunder EquiGames Grand Finale, Saturday, Dec. 13 at the South Point Equestrian and Events Center. Testing the skills of the bullfighters will be bulls from Lawrence Borba, that were born and raised specifically for the sport. Bullfighters include Dusty Tuckness from Meteetse, Wyo., Ross Hill from Muscle Shoals, Ala., Wacey Munsell from Ulysses, Kan., and Andy Burelle from Wilson, Okla.
“These are four great young guns,” said Smets who is one of the most decorated and respected bullfighters in the history of rodeo and bull riding. “I expect to see a lot of great action. These guys are going for a winner-take- all check, and they have a passion for the sport. There’s never been anything like this before in bull fighting. ”
The Grand Finale will start at 1 p.m. and will also feature top teams from the World Series of Team Roping, the fast times from the Charmayne James Invitational Barrel Race and the finals of the World Series of Mounted Shooting. Action will be called by Bob Tallman, distinguished rodeo announcer.
After winning five world championship buckles for his bullfighting prowess, Smets is now making a name for himself as an announcer. He will be sharing the microphone with Tallman.
“To be able to get on the microphone with the greatest announcer of all time, it’s going to be great,” Smets said. “I’m stoked about the whole thing. Thunder EquiGames is a great idea. There’s going to be something for everyone and they’ll get to see things they’ve never seen before.”
One of the things fans may be able to see at the Grand Finale of Thunder EquiGames is a freestyle bull fighter doing a back flip over a bull. Both Dusty Tuckness and Andy Burell have been successful. They stand about 20 feet in front of the bucking chute facing the crowd. At their signal, the gate opens and the bull comes towards them. When the bull gets close, the bullfighter leaps in the air and flips over the back of the bull. It has become a signature move for Tuckness.
“If I get the right bull, I’ll definitely try it,” Tuckness said. “These are really good bulls and when I find out which one I’m going to fight I’ll look him over and decide. I’m really excited to have this opportunity and anxious to see where it will go from here. “
Tickets for the Grand Finale of Thunder EquiGames are available at the South Point Box Office.
Learn more at www.robsmets.com or www.wstroping.com..
The following is a schedule of the Thunder EquiGames including preliminary activities that are open to the public at no charge.
Saturday, December 6th
8:00 AM - Judged Versatility and Timed Barrel Horse Preview
Sunday, December 7th
8:00 AM - Short Round of Versatility and Barrel Horse Competition
1:00 pm - Versatility and Barrel Horse Sale - Sale information www.doubledollar.com
Monday, December 8th
8:00 am - Roping Horse Preview
Tuesday, December 9th
10:00 am - Roping Horse Sale - Sale information www.doubledollar.com
Wednesday, December 10th
8:00 am- World Series Team Roping #13 Finale
Thursday, December 11th
8:00 am- World Series Team Roping #11 Finale
Friday, December 12th
8:00 am- World Series Team Roping #10 Finale
6:00 pm - World Series Mounted Shooting Preliminary
7:30 to 9:30 pm - Barrel Race Open Arena
Saturday, December 13th
8:00 am - Charmayne James Invitational Barrel Race
1:00 pm- Thunder Equigames Grand Finale
Sunday, December 14th
1:00 pm - Speed Williams Invitational Open Match Roping
