The ProRodeo Sports News - April 19, 2019

On the Mend SHORT ROUND

J.R. Vezain continues rehab after breaking back

V eteran bareback rider J.R. Vezain continues to make progress after suffering a broken back while competing at the Pasadena (Texas) Livestock Show & Rodeo, Sept. 22. The injury that occurred when he was riding Frontier Rodeo Company’s Brazos Bash required surgery and has left him with mobility issues from the waist down. “I was rehabbing at Neuroworx in Sandy, Utah, since November,”

said Vezain, 27. “They have upgraded me to taking steps with bodyweight support. My wife (Shelby) is getting ready to have a baby boy (the couple’s first child) May 14, so the closer that (date) came the more we were wanting to be at home. I talked to the therapist, and we did some new testing. They set me up with an at-home program to come to do some strength training for the next six to eight weeks until after the baby comes. Then we will touch base and make a new game plan after that. My in-laws turned the garage into a gym, and we have a bunch of equipment set up.” Vezain, a six-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, returned home to Melstone, Mont., April 5. “I have been back rehabbing, and I elicit my own steps,” Vezain said. “My hip flexor is firing, my quads are firing, my glutes are firing, and those muscles are flexing. I can elicit my own steps, but my leg muscles are still so weak that I can’t hold myself up yet without assistance. I’m making progress daily.” Vezain got on a horse for the first time since his injury April 6. “I rode a horse around the place here (in Melstone), and that sure was great,” Vezain said.

Re-ride In the March 8, 2019, digital edition of ProRodeo Sports News on page 41, saddle bronc rider Jake Watson was misidentified.

Red Bluff native wins Red Bluff Round-Up Top Hand Award

Cody McKenzie was awarded the 2019 Red Bluff Round-Up Top Hand Award. The award is given to a volunteer who has dedicated their time and talents to the Round-Up. McKenzie, a Red Bluff native, has been volunteering at the Round-Up for more than 20 years. He started out helping longtime director Harvey Camacho with

the timed-event cattle. About 10 years ago, he began helping with the track events: the horse and mule races and the wild horse race. Round-Up director Zane Glines is in charge of the track events and considers McKenzie his “right-hand man,” he said. McKenzie helps Glines with all parts of the races. “Basically, everything on the track,” he said.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/19/2019

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