ProRodeo Sports News - July 22, 2022

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Shadbolt says an opportunity like this is what it’s all about for him. “If we can come in here and brighten their day a little bit, give them some toys and some ice cream, give them an experience and something to think about, something to brighten their day, it’s definitely worth it,” he said. “Oh man, this has been such a humbling day to come to the Children’s Hospital here in Colorado Springs and see these kids,” said Jordon Briggs, current World Champion in Barrel Racing. “I asked them if they’ve ever seen the rodeo, you know get them involved in that. It’s very important to me. Just a great, humbling day.” In addition to the kids, the PRCA athletes were a big hit with hospital staff and parents. The mom of one young patient who met the athletes in the hospital atrium, said it was a nice, unexpected and fun experience before her daughter went back for three sedated procedures. She said her daughter absolutely loved the ProRodeo stuffed horse she was given and even took it into surgery with her. “These kids and their parents need something uplifting,” said Crawley, “so if we can be a little bit of a bright shine in their day, that’s our duty, so we’re happy to participate.” Rodeo season is relentless. Between travel and competition, hopping from one town to another, it leaves little time for anything else. On this beautiful day in Colorado Springs, there was a brief, meaningful respite from the rigors of rodeo. As JohnWayne once said, ‘life is getting up one more time than you’ve been knocked down.’ It’s something ProRodeo athletes and the kids at Children’s Hospital know all about and have in common. For these children who have been through so much, and for some the future is uncertain, hopefully the warm, western hospitality they received will give them the strength and resilience they need to fight the good fight another day. “We are ProRodeo,” said Feild, “to come in and put our stamp on this community, we are good people and when we come to town we do give back and we do care.”

PRCA ProRodeo photos Clockwise from top left: A patient gives a thumbs up after the visit from ProRodeo athletes, a Pikes Peak or Bust Girls of the West member and barrel racer Jordon Briggs give an ice cream sandwich to a young girl and ProRodeo athletes share a light moment with the staff at Children’s Hospital in Colorado Springs.

ProRodeo Sports News 7/22/2022

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