ProRodeo Sports News - January 10, 2020

WRANGLER NFR WRAP-UP

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Dan Hubbell Saddle bronc rider Bradley Harter, 38, will miss six months of competition after suffering an avulsion to his left hamstring at his 11th Wrangler NFR. His surgery on Dec. 28 found that his hamstring had separated 4 inches from the pelvic bone. Wrangler NFR injuries won’t hold back 2020 plans On the Mend BY MATT NABER A lifelong dream and years of practice can be gone in an instant when injury strikes. It’s not a matter of if, but when, in ProRodeo, and to be knocked out of competition at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is the worst possible time to be the Wrangler NFR. Harter initially tore his hamstring in the spring and sat out the month of May. During Harter’s Dec. 28 surgery, Dr. Tandy Freeman determined the injury could have happened at any time and that Harter’s hamstring had separated 4 inches from the pelvic bone.

“Come to find out after the surgery that I was operating on borrowed time,” Harter said. “Being face-to-face with the best surgeon in the world telling you that you can’t compete anymore is heart wrenching.” Harter is wearing a brace that extends from his ribs down through his hip to his knee and ankle. “It’s terrible,” Harter said. “I can’t really sit down. I just lay sideways, and it’s a constant thing.” Harter estimated he’ll be in the brace for about six weeks and that it will take six months for a full recovery. “It would be tough, but my family, friends, sponsors and Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund – I wouldn’t be able to do it without any of them,” Harter said. “With the PRCA and everyone out there calling to check on you and helping out – rodeo is a big world, but it’s a tight-knit world, and it’s cool to see everyone there to help out.”

put on the sideline. Several cowboys are on the road to recovery after incurring injuries at the 2019Wrangler NFR. Saddle bronc rider Bradley Harter, 38, missed the final seven rounds of his 11thWrangler NFR after suffering an avulsion to his left hamstring in Round 2. He went on to compete in Round 3 despite the pain. “Believe it or not it’s still like a bad dream, it’s like a nightmare,” Harter said Jan. 7. “I have been bucked off a thousand times before, and more violently. “For two weeks solid (after the Finals) I had a dream every night, and in my dream, I sat out two rounds and came back to ride, and then I’d wake up and realize it was a dream.” Despite missing most of the competition, Harter earned $28,192 at

ProRodeo Sports News 1/10/2020

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