The ProRodeo Sports News - April 19, 2019

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Wrangler NFR bull rider retires Bull riding is all Cody Rostockyj has known. However, after a recent injury scare, Rostockyj, who qualified for the 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, is retiring from bull riding at the age of 29. “I was riding at the Waxahachie, Texas, rodeo a couple of weeks ago and I got hit in the head with a horn to the face,” said Rostockyj, who started his two-year term as bull riding representative on the PRCA Executive Council, April 1. “It didn’t look like a bad wreck at all, but it kind of stunned me and Rostockyj hangs it up

BY THE NUMBERS 13 The number of times saddle bronc rider Billy Etbauer won Round 10 at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. He competed in the final round 20 times in his illustrious career (missing one final round due to injury in 2002). He also placed in Round 10 two other times. During his career, Etbauer earned a check in 75 percent of his Round 10 performances. He was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2012. $15K The amount of money, $15,020, J.W. Harris earned after winning the George Paul Memorial Division 1 Xtreme Bulls event last April in Del Rio, Texas. The 2019 42nd annual George Paul Memorial event was April 26-27 and likely will be a factor in the final Xtreme Bulls standings.

paralyzed me for two minutes. I came back to after a couple of minutes and was able to move my body again, but it was tingling from my neck to my toes. The tingling went away except for my arms and my hands. I went to the ER that night and I didn’t have a broken neck or back, but they wanted me to go see a neurologist, so I did. They did an MRI and told me I bruised my spine. “The way they explained it was

Greg Westfall photo

Steer wrestling horse Cadillac retires Star steer wrestling horse Cadillac has called it a career. Cadillac, the PRCA | AQHA Horse of the Year in 2014 and 2016, retired following Rodeo Austin, March 30. “Cadillac is 21, and he chipped a bone in his stifle in (November 2017),” said Mark Wallace, Cadillac’s owner. “He recovered good, but in the last five or six months he started getting sore in the other stifle and compensating for his injury. His vet, Marty Tanner, and I talked about it and thought it was time.” Steer wrestler Tyler Waguespack rode Cadillac to the world championship and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo average crown in 2016. “Hass was full of praise for Cadillac. “Cadillac was a life-changing horse for me,” Hass said. “He turned things I thought were dreams into reality.” Moving on Tyler Waguespack on Cadillac in 2016.

Roctockyj

that it was kind of like a concussion, once you get one, they can come more frequently and easier. The same thing with my back, that I might get hit again and nothing could happen or it could bruise it easier or I could get paralyzed.” That latter possibility was what led to Rostockyj walking away from the sport. Rostockyj joined the PRCA in October 2009 and earned $363,734. He was 47th in the April 15 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $11,486. “I like holding my wife and kids, and I figured I would be smart and retire,” Rostockyj said. “Bull riding is not a forever job, you are going to have to retire one day. I think I had a couple of years left in me but would rather leave knowing I could go play catch with my kids and take them to do stuff. Having a family made it a lot easier to make this decision. The thing I will miss the most is the camaraderie between the bull riders and getting to see them and joking and cutting up.” Three Hills Rodeo Spring Buck Out on tap in May The 2019 Spring Buck Out is scheduled for May 10-11 at the Three Hills Ranch in Bernard, Iowa. The Buck Out is an annual event where Three Hills Rodeo purchases the PRCA permits for five contestants in each of the roughstock events. Not only does each contestant get their permit bought but also their entry fees paid at all Three Hills Rodeo summer rodeos. During the two days, cowboys can get on as many horses and bulls as they choose. Buckles will be awarded to the top hand in each event. For more information, contact Courtney at 563.249.1536 or Courtney@threehillsrodeo.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/19/2019

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