Jason Vaclavek
01-06-2008, 12:14 AM
I was inspired by the other 'Rodeo' photo and Al's question of "Do they fall often?" to post this image. And as a former part time Bull Rider, I can assure you they do fall often and very hard! I know I did, dislocated my right wrist and shoulder during one ride. But man! it sure was fun to do all that!! I took this photo at last years PRCA sanctioned Lakeside Rodeo.
Many years ago at this rodeo location, I was witness to the death of two different people. One of them was during a halftime show where there was a very experienced drill team call the Rainbow riders, all ladies doing a a figure 8 type drill and one horse was off step by what seemed to be mere fractions of a second and collided head on with another horse and the two riders met face to face. One rider was instantly killed and the two horses and other rider where ok.
The other death was a friend of mine through bull riding, Paul. He was hung up in his rope and repeatedly step on by the bull, suffering some massive trauma, he died later that night in the hospital.
Sorry about wondering down a dark road, those memories just kinda came flooding back to me.
In the photo below, this guy picked himself up and did what all the Cowboys do, waived to the crowd and went back to get on another one!
Many years ago at this rodeo location, I was witness to the death of two different people. One of them was during a halftime show where there was a very experienced drill team call the Rainbow riders, all ladies doing a a figure 8 type drill and one horse was off step by what seemed to be mere fractions of a second and collided head on with another horse and the two riders met face to face. One rider was instantly killed and the two horses and other rider where ok.
The other death was a friend of mine through bull riding, Paul. He was hung up in his rope and repeatedly step on by the bull, suffering some massive trauma, he died later that night in the hospital.
Sorry about wondering down a dark road, those memories just kinda came flooding back to me.
In the photo below, this guy picked himself up and did what all the Cowboys do, waived to the crowd and went back to get on another one!