August 1, 2008

Top all-around NHSFR cowboy is awarded Toughest Cowboy™ buckle and scholarship

Farmington, NM - Cameron Hopper-Craig of Battle Mountain, Nevada became the first recipient of the Toughest Cowboy High School Scholarship on July 27th. The award, which includes a $1000 scholarship and a championship buckle, honors the cowboy with the highest overall average on two or more roughstock events during the annual National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR). Hopper-Craig captured the prize and the 2008 all-around cowboy title with a score of 1131.25 points, well ahead of second place Travis Whitlow of Queen Creek Ariz. at 790. Hopper-Craig finished ninth in bareback with 186 points, sixth in bull riding at 154 and eighth in saddle bronc at 179.

“I wanted to try-out for Toughest Cowboy before I even knew about the scholarship”, said Hopper-Craig. “When I heard about the scholarship and that I won it, I was very excited.”

The 17-year-old Hopper-Craig will have to wait a year to try-out for Toughest Cowboy to meet the age requirement of 18. That’s not stopping him from traveling around the West competing in all three roughstock events wherever he goes.

Hopper-Craig began riding at the age of 8, with guidance from his father, Mike Craig. As a sophomore he was riding bulls and bareback horses and this year began honing his saddle bronc skills. When asked why he chose to be a three-event roughstock cowboy he stated, “I want to beat Ty Murray’s record.”

20-year-old Seth Glause of Rock Spring, WY was awarded the 2008 Toughest Cowboy College Scholarship at the National College Final Rodeo (CNFR) in June. Glause, a second year general studies major at Central Wyoming College (Riverton, WY) finished third in bull riding with 205 points and 30th in saddle bronc with 72.

Toughest Cowboy began the scholarship program for both the high school and college level to promote all-around roughstock competition at both these levels. “Toughest Cowboy is an innovation in rodeo that has rekindled a dying breed — the three-event roughstock cowboy”, said Toughest Cowboy Executive Vice President, Tommy Joe Lucia. “The scholarships are meant to encourage younger competitors to excel as three-event cowboys and become Toughest Cowboy competitors.”

Toughest Cowboy will be holding try-outs for the 2009 season this September. If you’re a two or three-event roughstock cowboy and think you have what it takes to be a Toughest Cowboy competitor, click here to sign-up for try-outs. Applications are due August 29th, 2008.