An injury sustained during his first National Finals Rodeo apperance in December led Frost to undergo surgery recently.
Bareback rider Jacek Frost underwent a successful left shoulder surgery Tuesday morning, This was an important surgery aimed at ensuring long term health after battling a tear in his labrum.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Travis Kieckbusch in Arizonia. The injury occurred during the NFR, where the 21-year-old California native continued to compete despite ongoing pain and weakness.
Frost entered the finals after a very strong regular season but struggled to perform at the level he had shown throughout the year while dealing with the injury. He ultimately finished 13th in the world standings at his first appearance.
With longevity in mind, Frost and his team elected to address the issue now rather than continue to ride compromised. His struggle during the finals showed that it was not feasible to wait any longer.
The timing of the surgery allows Frost to focus fully on recovery with the goal of returning at full strength for the summer run. His target is to be back in competition in time for the Fourth of July, a stretch of big rodeos that often plays a significant role in shaping the remainder of the season.
This time a year ago Frost was getting ready to get on at the Fort Woth Finals.
At just 21 years old, Frost has already shown what he is capable of. This season marked his first trip to Vegas, and despite the setback, he proved he belongs among the top competitors in the event. He rode great all of the 2025 season.
He picked up major wins at some of the biggest stops, including the Pendleton Round-Up, the Marysville, California Stampede, Puyallup Washington, and the Walla Walla Frontier Days.
The success carried into early 2026 as well even while hurt. Frost has already added to his earnings after competing at the California Circuit Finals, giving him a head start while sidelined during recovery.
Rodeo runs deep in the Frost family. His father, Jason Frost, competed for years as a professional steer wrestler, and his younger brother, Jasper Frost, is now riding saddle bronc in the PRCA. With a strong foundation and a proven track record, Frost’s focus now shifts to returning healthy and building on the success that carried him to Vegas in the first place.
The decision Frost made to step away briefly reflects a bigger picture approach to a very successful career ahead.