February 12, 2009
Episode 3 Recap: Tournament 2, Indianapolis, IN

A group of eleven cowboys, including an assortment of injured ones, gathered in the locker room as Commissioner Tommy Joe Lucia gave them the rundown for tournament 2. Tournament 1 winner Steve Woolsey was probably the least apprehensive of the bunch, having earned immunity from the Knockout Round this week. The rest knew they could face losing their shot at the ranch if they didn’t bring their best.

Bareback Bronc Round
New Mexico’s Jared Green led off the bone-jarring bareback bronc riding and showed he wasn’t going to let injuries slow him down as he set the bar high with 83 points. Green’s mark lasts only long enough for the indestructible Erik Wolford to tally an 86. After an unfortunate get-off, Wolford admits his shoulder “feels like hell.” But not even a broken collarbone will stop the little man who doesn’t seem to feel pain.

Strong and silent Charlie Barker is the next cowboy to take it on the chin — or face. After a well-executed bareback ride, Barker falls face-first to the dirt, a la Lance Kelly. Barker tries to remember where he is and stop his nose from bleeding while the sports medicine team evaluates him for a possible concussion.
The rest of the field does their best to stay out of the bottom two spots on the leaderboard as second-generation cowboy Ben Londo grabs third place with a textbook 80 point ride.

The final highlight in the bareback round is Texas native and full-time cowboy Chad Eubank. Eubank showed up for competition with a cast on his left hand to protect his left pinky-finger. Eubank nearly severed the finger while training a horse four days earlier. Proving he is tough as nails, he climbs aboard with his re-attached finger, and notches a 75 to put him in 6th place going into the saddle bronc round.

Saddle Bronc Round
Saddle bronc riding shows a clear line between good and bad rides. After an impressive 83 in the bareback broncs, Jared Green’s injuries are catching up with him and he is catapulted off his bronc well before the 8-second mark, securing only 15 points. Charlie Barker manages to clear his head long enough to rack up 59 points, but it’s obvious from all accounts his concussion is hampering his performance. Family man Dusty Elkinton manages no better than a 31, and underdog Mark Fisher jumps off early, placing him at the bottom after two rounds.

Meanwhile, confident and collected Bandy Murphy puts on another display of picture-perfect riding and ties the unstoppable Erik Wolford with a 79. Not to be outdone, Ben Londo lives up to his family reputation with the best saddle bronc ride of the night and 83 points. After two round Wolford is in the lead, but Murphy and Londo are biting at his heels.

Bull Riding Round
As the bulls are loaded into the chutes, there are at least four cowboys who are fearful of the impending Knockout Round. It appears the bull riding round is where ground is either gained or lost. The bulls definitely have their way with the cowboys in Indy. Only three competitors manage full 8-second rides. Bull riding star Steve Woolsey scores an 80, and 11th place Mark Fisher racks up a 72. But, it is all-business Bandy Murphy who turns in the most impressive ride of the night on a huge leaping and kicking bull and grabs the high score of 88 points.

After leading through two rounds, Erik Wolford is unable to hold off Bandy Murphy for the number one spot and Spike TV Host Brandi Williams announces Murphy is the winner of tournament 2. At the same time, Jared Green knows he’s in the Knockout Round and is waiting to see whom he is up against. Dusty Elkinton and Mark Fisher hold their breath as Brandi gives them each the once-over and finally tells Elkinton he’s safe—while Fisher prepares for the Knockout Round.

Knockout Round
Jared Green gets the draw first and a good bull to boot. If he can duplicate last week’s ride he should be in good shape to avoid elimination. However, bull riding is Mark Fisher’s best event and he is showing no signs backing down from the challenge. Green nods his head and the train comes off the tracks at 4 seconds for only 20 points. You can see the despair on Green’s face as Fisher rides the full 8-seconds, eliminating any doubt that the New Mexico kid has lost his jersey and his chance at the Wyoming ranch.

Tommy Joe Lucia pays a visit to a physically and emotionally spent Jared Green in the locker room and informs him his ride is over on Toughest Cowboy. Green, in true cowboy style, vows to be back next year to take another run at the Toughest Cowboy title.

Tournament 2 Summary – Indianapolis, IN

Tournament 2 Winner: Bandy Murphy, 246 points. Earns immunity from Knockout Round in next tournament.

Overall Results: 1. Bandy Murphy, 246 points; 2. Steve Woolsey, 214 points; 3. Erik Wolford, 191 points; 4. Steven Dent, 179 points; 5. Ben Londo, 177 points; 6. Charlie Barker, 170 points; 7. Chad Eubank, 170 points; 8. Lance Kelly, 165 points; 9. Dusty Elkinton, 155 points; 10. Mark Fisher, 142 points; 11. Jared Green, 134 points

Knockout Round: Mark Fisher, 62 points; Jared Green, 20 points. Green is eliminated.

Injury Report

Competitor: Eric Wolford
Injury: Fracture/sprain
Location: Left shoulder – broken clavicle and AC joint sprain
Status:  Will compete

Competitor: Chad Eubank
Injury: Laceration
Location: Left Hand / 4th & 5th Fingers    
Status:  Will compete

Competitor: Charlie Barker                
Injury: Concussion                    
Location: Head and Face
Status: Probable

Competitor: Steven Dent                    
Injury: Strain                    
Location: Left Shoulder
Status: Will compete

Competitor: Dusty Elkinton            
Injury: Sprain                    
Location: Left Knee
Status: Will compete