To say injuries are a part of the sport of bull riding is an understatement. They happen year-round, and both riders and bulls are affected. With all the talk of Code Blue returning next week in Nashville, it made me start thinking of some key riders who have also been missing in action. Some of the injuries have been worse than others, but each rider has missed a significant amount of time in the process. Here are four PBR riders I can’t wait to see back in action on a week-to-week basis.
Kody Lostroh
Kody Lostroh is the reigning PBR World Champion, yet fans have only seen him ride at nine BFTS events in 2010. He battled injuries in 2009, but he gutted it out and won the title. He had surgery late in the year, and he returned early this season. After fighting more pain, he decided to get everything fixed. While we saw him at nine events, it seems longer than that because the last one was Glendale in March.
As far as I know, Lostroh is scheduled to return to action in Uncasville the first weekend of October. That will give him two BFTS events before the World Finals. If he is fully recovered and healthy, he is going to be pretty tough to beat in Vegas. I figured it would be tough for him to back up his great 2009 season, but injuries derailed that anyway. That being said, it will be a pretty big shock if he isn’t in the thick of the 2011 World Title race.
Brian Canter
Brian Canter is another member of Team Enterprise, and he has been fighting the injury bug for the last year or so. He has been to 11 events in 2010, and he actually just rode in Tulsa a few weeks back. However, he hasn’t been himself since early 2009. He won three events early last season, and he was a top-10 guy in the standings because of it. He hurt himself shortly thereafter, and when he was getting ready to return at the 2009 PBR World Finals, he messed his knee up riding dirt bikes. He still competed, but he probably shoudn’t have.
Fast forward to the 2010 season, and the injury problems have been the same. Canter competed the first couple months before undergoing surgery to repair his meniscus, ACL, and hip. He returned to compete in Tulsa, but his hip wasn’t quite ready yet. I don’t have any update on when Canter will return to BFTS action, but it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to start fresh in 2011. This guy has as much talent as anyone in the sport, and bull riding is better when he is making the whistle.
Ryan Dirteater
Ryan Dirteater debuted in late-2008, but he really burst onto the scene in early-2009. He immediately accumulated a huge following after winning in Dallas and staying near the top of the world standings in the process. That’s when things took a turn for the worst. He broke his femur in Tacoma, but he made a quick return late in the year. After dislocating his left knee in Uncasville in October, however, he was forced to miss significant time.
J.W. Hart stated on PBR Now the other night that Dirteater is competing again, but he isn’t planning on coming to the BFTS until 2011. He still has injury exemptions, so that will give him a fresh start on the new season. It’s hard to remember someone so talented have this hard of luck within his first year at the BFTS level. People are constantly asking about him, so he is definitely an important piece in the organization. Hopefully he will return and pick up where he left off in early-2009.
Paulo Crimber
Paulo Crimber has been a BFTS regular for over a decade, and he was a part of the World Title race in 2008 before going down with a series of serious injuries. He fractured a neck vertebrae in March of 2008, and upon returning he reaggravated the neck injury. That injury has kept him out of action for over two years, and his his return is still up in the air. It’s a shame because he was always a joy to watch.
Crimber has stayed optimistic about a possible return in the future, and I’ve even heard rumblings about 2011 being a possibility. He just turned 30, so he will have a little time left if he indeed gets cleared to return to competition. His story definitely has the makings for one of the most inspirational in PBR history if he ever returns to action. It will be a little scary if it ever happens, but it will be one of the most anticipated for sure.
The Final Say
It’s pretty certain we will see both Lostroh and Canter back on a consistent basis in the near future, but there is more uncertainty with Dirteater and Crimber. Dirteater’s injury was career-threatening, and while he is already riding again, it will be interesting to see if he will ever be the same as he was prior to the setback. Crimber’s injury, on the other hand, was supposedly career-ending. It remains to be seen if he returns, and if it’s in his best interest to retire, I won’t hold it against him one bit.
It’s your turn to tell me what you think about these four riders. Do you think Crimber should ever return to competition? Also, which other riders would you like to see return from injury in the near future? If you have anything to add, please comment below or email me at: [email protected]. Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend!
Beau Lindley ended his career with a neck injury. Mine ended with back to back injuries VERY similar to Ryan’s (wasn’t on tour at the time anyway). I thought Willy Ropp was done after losing a kidney in Febuary but he’s back at NFPB events for now. Lots more guys “get” retired due to cumulative injuries than really want to quit. Mark my words, Robson Aragao and Clayton Baethge will likely end up with a bad wreck due to a spur in the rope sooner or later if they don’t change styles also I’m afraid the sport will end Ednei’s career before he quits more than likely. I hope none of this comes true but I could see it happe
It is a sad fact and I hope they do not happen either, like Barney. I’m sorry to hear about what happened to you, Barney.
And didn’t Brock Mortensen get forced to retire after numerous concussions?
Also, is Lee Akin’s career over after his horrifying wreck in ’07?
Whatever the case, I wish all these guys well.
As far as Dirteater goes…..He was at a local event by my house over the weekend, along with Skeeter (for moral support I guess, as Skeeter is currently out with an injury) and let me tell you….his ride brought the house down. Pretty darn good pen of bulls by JC Rodeo and less than average riders. He was the only rider to get a score in the long go, an 88 I might add. He did buck off his short go bull, but so did all the other riders (Including some riders that were former PBR Finals qualifiers). I talked to him after the event & he was kicking himself for not making the whistle on his short go bull, said it was a dumb mistake on his part. I told him, your just getting back into the swing of things, there is bound to be some rust & things you need to get ironed out.
His long go ride was picture perfect. Correct form, threw in some money chops and got away with a clean dismount. I don’t see any reason he can’t pick up where he left off when the 2011 season rolls around.
I never got to see Paulo ride. The only time I did was his last ride, which I believe was his first ride back after being injured when the bull fell on him and reinjured his neck. From what I have heard I really missed a lot. As far as him coming back, I would love to see him ride, but not sure it is a smart idea.
As far as the other three.. Ryan Dirteater – I was at Dallas when he won in 2009. It was my first BFTS event. I became an instant fan of his, and am very anxious to see him return. He has had to overcome two very serious injuries in a short time period, but he is young and determined and I think he will be one vying for that title one day.
Brian – I love to watch Brian ride. He is so small, but really looks great riding. He has so much talent and I can not understand how he even holds on.. Really looking forward to him getting healthy and coming back!
Kody – Well, what can I say, he is the reigning world champion and I believe he is an awesome rider. He looks so great on a bull and makes it look so effortless. I love his perfect form and his attitude. 2009 was my first year to watch the entire season and I was fortunate enough to attend the Finals and see Kody win! I think the fact that he had to battle through the injuries throughout the year and never gave up made it that much sweeter of a victory! I am looking forward to Kody’s return the most, and I can see Kody winning several more gold buckles!
Cody – Really enjoyed this article.