ProRodeo Sports News - October 5, 2018

PRCA NOTES

the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (2012-14, 2016-17), described what happened. “It was just one of those fluke deals,” said Vezain, 26. “She was supposed to be a great horse. She was bucking good, and I was riding her good. We were probably going to be a lot of points, and she bucked back into the bucking chutes and reared up and reared over. I’ve had horses flip on me before, and I can usually get out of the way, but this one, she reared up and she didn’t come over right away. She spring loaded herself and then jumped in the air. When she came over, I was just like a sitting duck, and she smashed me.” Vezain knew immediately he was severely injured. “My legs went numb, but I’m not going to lie to you, I was in the zone,” Vezain said. “It was super surreal. I heard a voice, and it said, ‘You can either accept your back’s broke, your legs don’t work, your career is ending and your life is over. Or, you can start praying and accept that I’m a great healer and start asking for prayer.’ I started praying right away and people came running out, asking what I needed, and I was screaming, ‘I just need some prayer.’ I’ve been at peace about it the

whole time.”

Vezain was flown to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston. On Sept. 23, he had emergency surgery. Vezain was 14th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $78,376 as of Oct. 1. A GoFundMe page has been set up for Vezain at https://www.gofundme.com/65w85a0. Vezain and his wife, Shelby, who live in Melstone, Mont., are expecting their first child in May. Vezain’s faith is helping him. “You can have two attitudes, you can either look to blame and get mad and ask why, or you can make the most of it and find the positive and start working to get better,” he said. “This has been humbling. I’m at a loss for words to see how many friends I truly have and everybody who has stepped up to help me out. The calls, the fundraising came together so fast, and all I can say is thank you to everybody. I do believe the good Lord will make something good from this, and I will be a walking miracle here before too long. I want to be the story that changes lives for the better. That to me is way more exciting and way more important than any gold buckle that can be won.”

BRIEFS Bareback rider Vezain addresses back injury

Veteran bareback rider J.R. Vezain suffered a back injury while competing at the Pasadena (Texas) Livestock Show & Rodeo while riding Frontier Rodeo Company’s Brazos Bash, Sept. 22. On Oct. 4, Vezain posted on social media that he had been moved to the rehab center and has some feeling in his knees. “They did do some tests and I could feel when they would hit the reflexes in my knees,” Vezain told ProRodeo Sports News . “My foot wouldn’t kick, but I could feel the reflexes and I could feel when they would flick my kneecap. They also determined that my main muscles are still working. God has miracles in the making.” On Sept. 26, Vezain, a five-time qualifier for

ARRIVALS

ELLIE MARIE IRWIN Born Oct. 1 to PRCAWrangler National Finals Rodeo- qualifying steer wrestler Kyle Irwin and his wife,

Randa of Westville, Fla., a girl, weighed 10 pounds and was 20½-inches long. Ellie is welcomed by brother, Tripp, 1.

Irwin

REMINGTON K. FEILD

Born Sept. 22 to four-time PRCAWorld Champion Bareback Rider Kaycee Feild and his wife, Stephanie, of Genola, Utah, a girl, weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and was 19½-inches long. This is the couple’s third child. Remington was welcome home by older sister, Chaimberlyn, 5, and brother, Huxyn, 3.

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Gene Hyder photo

Dalan Duncan had a 79-point ride on Diamond G Rodeo’s Make-N-Magic at the Sheriff’s PRCA Rodeo in San Bernardino, Calif., Sept. 28. Duncan placed sixth at the rodeo. Magic Ride

ProRodeo Sports News 10/5/2018

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