The footfall for rodeo sports keeps on increasing year on year. A big reason for the increase in participation is the development of amazing safety measures exercised by the organizers. However, even the strongest safety measures are never foolproof. 

A teenager in Oklahoma suffered a terrible fate after competing in a local rodeo event. The youngster had entered the competition of his own accord and had reached the finals. However, nobody expected the young boy to fall prey to such a brutal end.

Rodeo accident sends chills among spectators 

Derby Gearhart entered a local rodeo competition at McAlester in Oklahoma. The rodeo participant hailed from Coalgate and was 16 years old. Gearhart was one of the walk-in contestants of the event and had managed to clear all stages to reach the finals. However, things took a grim turn during his final ride. Gearhart was going strong when he suddenly lost control and fell off his ride. The fall was followed by a heavy and unfortunate stomp from the bull before Gearhart could recover from the fall. 

The downed Gearhart suffered a crushing injury as a result, and later, met his untimely demise. The devastating display in the rodeo arena sent chills to the spectators. Gearhart’s family was shattered by the news of their son’s demise. They revealed that their son would have celebrated his 17th birthday on 29th August had he been safe and sound. An arrangement was later made to celebrate the life of the departed youngster on his birthday. The Gearharts were helped with the funeral costs of their departed son. A First Bank account was opened in Coalgate by the Ward Rodeo Company for their son. While the Gearharts lost their son to a rodeo accident, a similar tragedy was prevented from happening by a bullfighter. His actions showed the commitment of rodeo events to the safety of their participants.

Bullfighter stands in the line of fire to save rider

Bullfighters are the first and the last line of defense between a rodeo and a bull. A young bullfighter displayed an exceptional show of heart, courage, and vigor when he saved a fallen rider. Austin Ashley stood like an Athenian shield between the rodeo and the bull till his fellow bullfighter came into action. 

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Ashley pushed against the galloping bull and stood his ground. In fact, he actually pushed the heavy beast back. The time he bought for his fellow bullfighters allowed them to pull the rider to safety. Ashley was appreciated for his efforts by the spectators as well as the people who watched him in action online. While this doesn’t disprove the argument that rodeo sports are dangerous, it eases the minds of the riders a bit.

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