ProRodeo Sports News - Sept. 7, 2018

Amazing Comeback

Bull Apollo’s Ghost back after suffering broken ankle three years ago bull’s co-owner Danny Reagan, of United Pro Rodeo, is to the right in the royal-blue shirt. Dale Hirschman photo Jeston Mead had an 86.5-point ride on United Pro Rodeo’s Apollo’s Ghost at the Eureka (Kan.) PRCA Rodeo, Aug. 17. Mead placed second, but the bigger story was the return of the bull, who broke his back-right foot above the ankle three years ago. The

BY TRACY RENCK A s a 3-year-old, United Pro Rodeo bull Apollo’s Ghost – the son of decorated bull Apollo – was shining with star potential. That changed in an instant when the bull broke his back-right foot above the ankle in the practice pen. “He was so dang mean, when you got done bucking him when he was 3 years old, he would try and tear everything up. Somehow, he broke his foot right above his ankle from it,” said Danny Reagan, owner of United Pro Rodeo, based in Palestine, Texas. “I didn’t think he would ever walk again or do anything. Most people would have put him down, but I just kept trying to take care of him, hoping he would get better, because he was unreal as a 3-year-old. He bucked so good. I never saw a young bull buck as hard as he did.” A cast was put on Apollo’s Ghost’s foot. Almost two years after the accident, Reagan had X-rays taken. He received some unexpected news. “Everything grew back solid,” Reagan said. “So, it was stronger than it ever was, but there was no bend at the bottom part of that ankle. We were just taking things slow with him, using him as a breeding bull.” However, that isn’t where the story ended. “Three years after his injury, we started bucking him again, and he’s as good as he ever was,” Reagan said. Reagan co-owns the bull with JeffMedders. “Apollo bucked so hard, and he was spectacular,” Medders said. “(Apollo’s) Ghost is a lot like him. Danny was really patient with him (Ghost), and I’m really excited to have him back. When I brought him to Danny and he walked off the trailer, I think Danny was blown away. It was like Apollo was unloaded into his pen. I know Danny was super excited and then super down when Ghost got injured.” LONG ROAD BACK Reagan acknowledged that bucking the 1,600-pound Apollo’s Ghost again seemed improbable. “The vet said (Ghost’s) foot was solid and stronger than the other three put together, but he walked a little stiff on that leg,” he said. “I never would buck him because of the way he walked. Come to find out, he was walking like that because he had done it for so long. When I started hauling and handling him and bucking him, he quit that limping. He went to walking normal.”

ProRodeo Sports News 9/7/2018

ProRodeo.com

44