Proctor captures win in Raleigh, Murphy remains atop standings for Jäger Ranch
Anne Bleiker

RALEIGH, N.C. – The 2008 World’s Toughest Rodeo^™ featuring Toughest Cowboy^™ presented by Jägermeister made its way east to the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C. for stop number two on the nine stop ironman of rodeo series. Bandy Murphy of Weatherford, Okla., entered the night as the top ranked cowboy after capturing the first tournament win in Kansas City, Mo.

Murphy was matched against Danny Ward of Mabank, Texas. He swept his match going three for three and picking up a bonus win after tallying 240 points on the night. With the standout performance, Murphy remained atop the standings for Jäger Ranch with a total of seven wins on the season.

Shane Proctor of Powell, Wyo., had the best night finishing with four wins and a total of 253 points, surpassing Murphy for the tournament title.

“It was an outstanding feeling to finally get a win under my belt,” said Proctor of his victory in Raleigh. “This is one step closer to my goal of winning the title and Jäger Ranch.”

Proctor was matched against Wade Sundell of Boxholm, Iowa, who unfortunately was eliminated from the competition after falling into one of the two bottom holes in the standings. The rules for Toughest Cowboy are that after two tournaments the field is cut to 10. Therefore, Sundell and Danny Ward of Mabank, Texas, were dropped to the alternate pool and are only able to return to the Tour if one of the remaining 10 gets injured. However, it was Sundell that was the first cowboy to be added to the injured list. In Raleigh, he reinjured his right shoulder and the Toughest Cowboy sports medicine team has diagnosed his injury as a linear fracture of the clavicle bone with possible tearing of the muscles surrounding the area. He will be out 4-6 weeks and his return to the series is questionable.

Toughest Cowboy presented by Jägermeister is revolutionizing the sport by introducing an exciting and innovative format to audiences across the United States. Unlike other rodeos where riders usually compete in just one discipline, Toughest Cowboy is an unprecedented test of endurance as all competitors must ride in three disciplines in one night (Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding and Bull Riding). The events feature head-to-head matches throughout the season leading to the playoffs and championship…ultimately crowning someone the Toughest Cowboy Champion.

Jägermeister, the country’s best selling shot brand and top selling imported liqueur, is the first presenting sponsor of the Toughest Cowboy rodeo competition and tour in 2008. The Champion at the end of the season will be awarded the deed to the beautiful Jäger Ranch located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

The next televised stop on the Tour will be from Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Be sure to tune in to FSN next week to see if anyone can knock Murphy off the top of the leaderboard. For more information on this popular event visit www.toughestcowboy.com.