Bull riding is one of the most dangerous sports on earth. In a blink of an eye, a bull can charge at a defenseless rider in a split second after the ride is over. However, the bull riders are never alone in the arena; they have two fearless life savers, known as bullfighters, waiting in the wings who are ready to dive into immediate danger to protect the bull riders. Sometimes this means the bullfighters even have to get in the way of a bull’s dangerous horns or hooves by any means necessary. With the best bucking bulls and bull riders in the world at Vernal’s Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo, we need two of the best bullfighters in the world: Dusty Tuckness and Weston Rutkowski.
Dusty Tuckness
Referred to as the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time), Dusty Tuckness is the most decorated bullfigther in the history of ProRodeo, having received the PRCA Bullfighter of the Year Award 10 times in his career and protecting cowboys at the National Finals Rodeo 16 consecutive years. 
Dusty Tuckness grew up in the small town of Meeteetse, Wyoming and as a young boy knew that bullfighting would be his future. His dad was also a bullfighter, so the rodeo life was nothing new to him. He is a man of great faith and is one of the best bullfighters in the industry with a great future still ahead of him.
When asked who Dusty looked up to as a young boy he responded “A lot of people inspired me growing up. My dad fought bulls, and he’s still a barrel man. I grew up around it. I looked up to guys like Rob Smets, Miles Hare and Rex Dunn. Those guys were the foundation of what bullfighting is today.”
Everyone’s number one question is always, what made you decide to become a bullfighter? His response, “At a young age, I enjoyed watching bullfighting. It was something I knew I wanted to do, but I didn’t realize at the time it would turn into a career. God gave me a strong heart to not quit on anything, so I have stuck with it. He has put the right people in my life, and I am very thankful and blessed to be where I am today.”
Weston Rutkowski
Weston Rutkowski is a world-renowned freestyle bullfighter, celebrated for his agility, bravery, and intensity in the arena. Born on May 10, 1989, in Texas, he grew up immersed in rodeo culture, influenced by his family’s deep ties to the sport. Though he initially pursued bull riding, his true calling emerged when he stepped into the role of a bullfighter—a decision that would define his career.
Rutkowski began bullfighting in 2010 and entered his first professional event in 2013. His talent quickly gained recognition, and by 2014, he was competing in high-profile freestyle bullfighting events, including Bullfighters Only. His ability to anticipate a bull’s movements and execute daring maneuvers set him apart, earning him four Bullfighters Only World titles and the distinction of being the highest-ranked bullfighter in the world.
Beyond his athletic prowess, Rutkowski is known for his dedication to the sport and his commitment to protecting bull riders in the arena. His career has been marked by intense competition, injuries, and triumphs, but his passion for bullfighting remains unwavering. With a growing fan base and a legacy of excellence, Weston Rutkowski continues to inspire the next generation of bullfighters while solidifying his place as one of the greatest in the sport.
The bullfighters and the Save of the Night are sponsored by:
