Making the 8 at the Mahindra Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge

(contributed by Kirby Smith)

Country artist Jason Brown and Championship Bull Riding rider Jake Littlefield held on for eight seconds apiece and defended their two-year winning streak at the Mahindra Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge Sunday afternoon, June 13, at CMA Music Festival’s Family Zone Fifth Avenue South Plaza. 

This year the duo defeated semifinalists Lee Roy of The Roys and CBR rider Wrangler Dunda.  Brown and Littlefield’s winning scores of 87 and 91, respectively, were enough to beat Dunda’s 90 and his partner Roy’s 0.  Roy failed to stay on the mechanical bovine and received no points in the final round.

The event paired five CBR riders with five CMA artists.  Each team member rode the bull; their scores were averaged to determine two semi-finalist teams.  Riders were judged on audience participation, style and technique.

Serving as judges were CBR Director of Corporate Partnership Scott Davis and CBR President and Board Member Tuff Hedeman.  A superstar of the sport of bull riding, Hedeman boasts three Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association World Champion Bull Rider titles.

However, not everyone in attendance has as large of bull riding repertoire as Hedeman.  Ruth Mastmeyer, 52, Berlin, Germany, had not seen a bull riding event until this one.  “This is my third year to attend CMA Music Fest, and I chose to watch this event for the cowboys and the musicians.”

Also participating in this event were Elaine Roy of The Roys (and sister to semi-finalist Lee) and CBR rider Cooper Kanngiesser; “Nashville Star” alum Jason Meadows and CBR rider Trent Cormier; and Bo Bice and CBR rider Luke Kelly.