It takes tenacity, determination, and a positive outlook to reach the eight second mark in bull riding. After recuperating from his most recent injury, Jestyn Woodward, a 20-year-old cowboy from Custer, South Dakota, had his abilities put to the test.
After suffering a horrific injury in February at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Woodward was carted out of the arena by Justin Sportsmedicine and had doubts about his future as a rider.
I’ve had to perform a lot of brain PT since then. A number of brain stems in my head were attempting to die, and I ultimately developed second impact syndrome,” Woodward remarked.
“I couldn’t concentrate on more than one thing at once. I would simply faint out as my body shut down due to a cognitive overload.” A person who has a second head injury before fully recuperating from a previous head injury is said to have second impact syndrome. Woodward sustained his prior injuries soon before San Antonio at the Fort Worth (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo. He went into this season believing that he could, even if there was a risk he would be informed he couldn’t.
“After being diagnosed with second impact syndrome, several doctors told me that I would never be able to ride bulls again. It feels great to be back.” Regaining my mental clarity and ability to ride has been a huge relief “, Woodward remarked.
Woodward returned to the game as soon as he was able following his road to recovery. His two most recent contests gave him a satisfying sense as he moves on.
After competing against Championship Pro Rodeo’s Blowin Smoke, Woodward earned $7,896 and left Black Hills Roundup (S.D.) with a score of 87.5. After winning, he participated in the Home of Champions Rodeo Xtreme Bulls (Mont.) where he placed second with a score of 86.5 and took home $4,129.
With an accident like Woodward’s, healing is not always an easy task. He attributes his ability to persevere through difficult times to his family’s and his community’s legacy.
“My grandfather and father rode bulls. In high school, my father won a national championship and went on to race professionally. When I was younger, they served as my inspiration,” Woodward remarked. It was just something I always wanted to accomplish and something that was a part of my life. They helped me as I ascended, and then it was all over.”
The inspiration to continue to compete lies within his love for the sport and his brother.
“The only reason I compete is because I genuinely love the sport and can’t see myself doing anything but rodeoing and riding bulls. Woodward added, “I have a little brother at home who always tells my parents he wants to be just like me when he grows up.”
As Cowboy Christmas approaches, Woodward anticipates attending several rodeos. “Although I’m a little sore, I feel great, confident, and eager to carry on and see where I can go for the remainder of this month. Being back to my former self feels incredibly fantastic,” Woodward remarked.
All-around cowboy Cole Fulton took home $2,327 for winning the tie-down roping and steer wrestling, while bareback riders Mason Clements (88 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Smoke Wagon), Orin Larsen (88 points on Fettig Pro Rodeo’s Hot Money), and Bradlee Miller (88 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Cajun Queen) took home the other awards at the $190,241 rodeo.
Steer wrestler Justin Dahl finished in 4.4 seconds, team ropers Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili (4.5 seconds), saddle bronc rider Sage Newman (90 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Smoke Wagon), barrel racer Tayla Moeykens (17.02 seconds), and steer roper Jess Tierney (32.2 seconds on three head).
