A legendary bucking horse fought valiantly against illness, inspiring all with her spirit and athleticism. Her legacy in rodeo endures.
The bond between horse and owner is a special one, and the O’Connell family of Championship Pro Rodeo had an incredibly special bond with their bucking horse #445, Damaged Goods.
Sadly, this sweet mare suffered a colic attack on January 30, 2026. Since then, the nation has followed along with each medical update, praying for her recovery and offering words of kindness to the team supporting this mare. Unfortunately, on the morning of February 6, 2026, Will and Dusta Lee Kimzey-O’Connell announced this beloved horse has gone to meet her maker.
This white mare fought valiantly and received great care throughout her multiple surgeries and the interventions offered by the dedicated team at North Carolina State University School of Veterinary Medicine in Raleigh, North Carolina. The first few days of February offered moments of hope that this mare would pull through after all, but the circumstances simply overwhelmed her body despite how hard she fought.
Damaged Goods was labeled “a pleasure” to treat by the veterinary specialists at NC State, who noted what a smart and magnificent creature she was, breaking the stereotype surrounding the unease toward treating bucking horses. She is said to have met every ask with willingness to comply and gratitude for the help with her internal struggles. Her extensive treatment was also a testament to the lengths that owners and stock contractors go to, both financially, emotionally, and geographically, to protect and care for their livestock. The O’Connells are based out of Oklahoma, meaning her care in eastern North Carolina took place well over 1,900 miles away from their ranch.
She had been a fighter her whole life—not mean or aggressive, but simply tough to the core. Originally raised and consigned by Cleve Schmidt in South Dakota to the Benny Binion’s World Famous NFR Bucking Horse and Bull Sale through the Stace Smith Bronc Futurity in 2018, Damaged Goods enjoyed working under several stock contractors before landing in her final home with her O’Connell family at Championship Pro Rodeo.
She saw many top cowboys climb aboard her and was the horse everyone wanted to ride. Her movements were strong and her intent clear: to send the cowboy sailing through the air. Whether it was Cheyenne Frontier Days, Rodeo Houston, the Xtreme Bronc Finals, or the National Finals Rodeo (NFR), Damaged Goods came to perform.
Brody Wells scored a 92-point ride on her, and Rusty Wright scored a 91-point ride. She would twist and jive, moving her cream-colored body with the grace and agility of a true athlete.
The O’Connells have been open about their faith throughout this journey via the Championship Pro Rodeo Facebook page. They’ve expressed their belief that Damaged Goods has been used to touch many lives and now will leave a positive legacy for being such a good patient during the worst of times and such an incredible athlete in the time before she fell ill.
Her passing is a tremendous loss not only for her family but for the rodeo community and bucking horse industry. And yet her legacy will live on through the way she carried herself in the arena and pasture.