Top-level bullfighter, Tucson Rodeo staple Dusty Tuckness back again for 99th La Fiesta de los Vaqueros

Going on a quarter century as a bullfighter, there’s not much that throws Dusty Tuckness for a loop.

Except bulls, of course. And they tend to leave a mark.

Speaking of leaving a mark, there’s Tuckness, a 10-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Bullfighter of the Year. He’s basically made a second home out of Las Vegas for the annual National Finals Rodeo, the season-culminating championship for the sport that only invites the best and brightest.

And he’s made a third home of Tucson, where he returned this year for yet another go-round at the La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros. The 99th iteration of the Southern Arizona staple event, also known as the Tucson Rodeo, concludes its nine-day 2024 run Sunday (final day tickets are sold out).

At 37 years old, at an age when bumps and bruises and aches and pains can start taking anyone out — even if they don’t battle with bulls for a living — Tuckness is still going strong.

“Overall it’s still great,” he said. “I always feel like I’m still learning, improving and growing. This sport offers that every year. I’m still loving it and still taking it all in. There are highs and lows; you have to embrace both and find the joy through all seasons.”

• • •

Tuckness laughs.

“You find out quick if this is for you.”

And in some cases, you find out young.

Tuckness was just 12 when he took up the sport, courtesy in part of watching his bullfighting father.

In some ways, he learned the hard way. Then again, is there any other way to learn bullfighting?

But now he’s a lifer. Near-lifer, at least — two-thirds of his life has been spent dipping and dodging hulking, snorting and snarling bulls.

There have been countless highs. And too many lows to count.

But, he said, “You have to enjoy the valleys. The aches and pains. You have to find the joy in it. You have to have a regimen to get through it. It’s part of the game. Some days are just not all that enjoyable. You have to be able grind, to find a way to push through that adversity.”

The last few years have had plenty of that.

In late 2021, on the sport’s grandest stage, Tuckness suffered a terrible broken leg while attempting to avoid the wrath of a bull named Bouchon. It was the ninth round of the prestigious event. Tuckness knew in a hurry that there wouldn’t be a 10th for him.

This was far worse than a bump and drastically worse than a bruise, and the recovery process wasn’t much better.

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But in typical Tuckness fashion, he bounced back in a hurry, relying on his faith and his fortitude.

“There’s a reason for it,” he said. “I believe it’s will of God and that he will heal me and will be with me every step.”

In recent weeks, Tuckness has been nursing a broken arm he suffered a month and a half ago.

“Winter was a little more challenging,” he said. “But you can’t let it break you down. You have to keep a sound mind.”

And more than a sound body.

* * *

Tucson Rodeo committee chairman Jose Calderon was feeling a little sluggish.

This was new to him.

He’s been to countless NFRs in Las Vegas, and not once had he brought gym clothes.

But he’d made a commitment to himself and his health after seeing Tuckness will his way back from his brutal broken leg.

He wasn’t going to give up now.

“I owe it to Dusty,” Calderon said of his lifestyle change. “I saw how he came back after the broken leg. In unbelievable shape. Just unbelievable shape. I told him personally when I feel like I’m getting lazy and tired, I think of him. That’s just another person who wears his hat a certain way.”

Tuckness was touched when told about Calderon’s commitment.

“If me going through something motivates someone else, it’s all worth it,” Tuckness said.

Photos: The 99th Annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros- Tucson Rodeo

Photos: The 99th Annual La Fiesta de los Vaqueros- Tucson Rodeo parade

Photos: Tucson Rodeo Parade participants decorate their floats