January 29, 2009
Episode 1 Recap: Tryouts

Forty rodeo cowboys from around the world gathered at Mesquite Rodeo Arena in hopes of winning one of twelve positions on the Toughest Cowboy tour.

To be awarded a jersey, a chance at the Toughest Cowboy Championship, and the grand prize Wyoming ranch, they will have to impress a three-judge panel consisting of Toughest Cowboy Commissioner, Tommy Joe Lucia; 8-time World Champion Bull Rider, Donny Gay; and former bareback bronc riding champion, “Pistol” Pete Hawkins.

Day 1 Competition
Competition begins with Saddle Bronc riding and it quickly becomes clear that some of the competitors are not proficient at this event. Many contestants are bucked off prior to the 8-second whistle. However, a few cowboys are shining and separating themselves from the pack.

Next the bulls are loaded into the chutes for the most dangerous event in rodeo — bull riding. Steve Woolsey, who finished 4th in the 2008 World standings in bull riding, turns in an impressive 8-second ride. Veteran Toughest Cowboy competitor, Erik Wolford also puts together a textbook perfect ride. Another Toughest Cowboy veteran, Clovis Crane, gets bucked off and then gets his leg crushed by the bull’s hoof and broken in multiple places. Determined to continue competing, even with a broken leg, Crane finally relents to the advice of Commissioner Tommy Joe Lucia and exits the competition.  Newcomer, Cody Cabeen also suffers a nasty wreck as a bull stomps and kicks him in the head. Cabeen lays motionless for a few tense moments, but as the sports medicine teams reaches him he regains consciousness and is wheeled off to the training room. After being diagnosed with a severe concussion, he also reluctantly bows out of further competition.

After bull riding the first round of eliminations and jerseys are handed out. Gone are a handful of competitors including 2008 World Champion Bareback Rider, Justin McDaniel. Erik Wolford and Steven Dent are handed jerseys and exempt from the rest of tryouts.

As Wolford and Dent look on, the rest of the cowboys get ready for bareback bronc riding. This event goes much the same as the first two, the gap between top and bottom is growing and the coaches call for another round of elimination. As they send more guys packing, four more cowboys are added to the 2009 roster.  2007 Toughest Cowboy Champion, Bandy Murphy; Ben Londo; Charlie Barker; and Australian Lance Kelly get handed jerseys as day one of tryouts comes to a close.

Day 2 Competition
Twelve cowboys remain and will be battling for those last six spots. The second day of competition adds a new twist. Four competitors at a time will ride all three events — one right after another. Changing disciplines fast is a true test of physical and metal toughness, as each event requires a different technique to turn in a proficient ride. The first four cowboys ride and the judges have not seen anyone who deserves a jersey — yet.

After the second round the judges have made some decisions and Jared Green, Chad Eubank, and Steve Woolsey have made the cut. The rest of the guys are going to have to sweat it out and wait until the final four competitors finish their rides. After the rides are complete, Dusty Elkinton and Mark Fisher are handed jerseys and three more cowboys are eliminated. The final three cowboys are just too close in talent to pick the final Toughest Cowboy competitor, so the judges decide to let a final bull ride decide their fate. The cowboy with the best ride gets a spot on tour.

None of the three cowboys manage to make an 8-second ride, so the judges have to deliberate and finally choose Trey Broussard to get the last jersey and the final spot on the Toughest Cowboy tour.