For Scottie Knapp, it was more about age than the injury. After breaking his leg in 2022, he has had to deal with the aftermath ever since.
His love of riding bulls never wavered at 33, but his body was failing him. After two years, Knapp is at last well and feels like himself.
At the Central Wyoming Fair & PRCA Rodeo in Casper on Saturday night, it was screened. Knapp finished fifth in the rally and rode to victory with an 87.5-point performance on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Ramrod, earning 170 points on two heads.
He was an excellent bull. I had watched his video. He was leaning slightly within the chutes. I managed to roll him up and get a decent shot.
Knapp, who won first place against Fulton Rutland and Ernie Courson Jr., remarked, “It was a lot of fun.” “I did believe that the draw would give me a chance to win.
And after receiving a low initial score of 82.5, I realized that I would need to either achieve an exceptionally high score or cause everyone else’s score to drop. It everything worked out, man.”
Knapp’s delight was evident when they spoke. The journey back to conflict and enjoyment has not been easy. If his leg had broken clean, there probably wouldn’t have been any problems.
But there were a lot of issues with his fracture. Knapp had three surgeries in a quarter of a century. Doctors initially inserted three screws and a rod into his tibia.
Eight months later, when those were removed, it became clear that his fibula had never healed. Thus, a plate was inserted into the bone and secured with eight screws.
Everything is different now. “I’m enjoying myself now. I’m not sure if I was concerned about it recovering. “It was more about whether I was still meant to do this,” stated Knapp, who made just one appearance at the National Finals Rodeo in 2016.
“I’m not a young person. The good Lord has mercifully brought me full circle.” Knapp turned a legendary high school race into a career and has been competing professionally since 2010. It’s impossible to imagine doing anything else.
As he made his way to the following event in Monte Vista, Colorado, Casper drove home this point.
It’s simply exhilarating. I’ve spent the bulk of my life doing it. Nothing compares to the feeling you get from riding a bucker, according to Knapp. “I adore riding a rank one, traveling, and living the lifestyle.” How thankful I am to be able to accomplish this is difficult to express.”
