Bull Riding Community Mourning Death of Blake Saylor

The bull riding community is mourning the loss of Blake Saylor, who died Saturday night after suffering injuries during a rodeo at Fox Hollow Rodeo in Waynesville, Ohio.

Saylor, 35, was injured during the Saturday night rodeo at Fox Hollow Stables. According to Clearcreek Township police, Saylor suffered severe chest injuries after being kicked or stepped on by the bull. He was wearing all necessary protective equipment.

As news of Saylor’s passing spread, friends, family, and members of the rodeo community shared their condolences and remembered the beloved man. Those who knew him described him as a man of faith who was passionate about bull riding and served as a role model for younger riders in the sport.

Bull riding demands a level of commitment that few people fully understand outside the arena. For Saylor, it was something he cared deeply about. His loss has left a hole in a community where riders share more than the risks of the sport. They build friendships, travel together and look out for one another through the highs and lows of rodeo. This is the reality of the sport we all love. There are risks just as any sport. 

Fox Hollow Rodeo shared a statement following the tragedy, remembering Saylor as one of its bull riders and “brothers in Christ.”

“Our hearts are absolutely broken following the tragic loss of one of our bull riders and brothers in Christ, last night at Fox Hollow Rodeo,” the organization wrote. “There are no words to express the sadness we are feeling.”

The rodeo extended its thoughts and prayers to Saylor’s family, friends, and everyone affected by his death, while asking the public to respect the privacy of those closest to him during this difficult time. The organization also urged the community to keep the family and loved ones left behind in its prayers.

Fox Hollow Rodeo hosts weekly rodeos throughout the year, bringing together amateur and semi-professional bull riders and other competitors. It is a place that Saylor loved. Fox Hollow Rodeo is a community in its own right. Everyone there shares that passion for bull riding and wants to help the upcoming generations in the sport. 

As friends and fellow riders remember Blake, his faith, his passion for bull riding and the example he set for younger competitors remain part of the legacy they carry forward.

The rodeo community is now rallying around his family and friends, offering support as they navigate an unimaginable loss. In a sport where competitors understand the risks every time they nod their heads, the loss of one of their own is felt throughout the entire community. The rodeo family will continue to show up, just like they always do. The sport truly is a big family and always shows up when needed most. 

Rodeo Roundtable sends our prayers and condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Blake Saylor.