A strong 2026 season will be paused for Saddle Bronc rider, Ryder Sanford, as he underwent surgery for abdomen injury.
Ryder Sanford started his 2026 season the way every cowboy hopes too. The 2023 NFR Qualifer has been on a heater since the very beginning of the season. However, an injury at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, that required surgery, will sideline Sanford for a few months.
Sanford is a Southeastern Circuit cowboy who calls Sulphur, Louisiana home. He had a great circuit finals back in November. This immediately got him started strong for 2026. He went on to have strong showings at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, and the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo too.
The year just kept clicking and Sanford stayed consistent. He took the win in Homestead, Florida followed by good money in San Antonio, Houston, and other big winter rodeos. In San Angelo, he was off to a good start. But then, an injury would change the trajectory of things a bit.
Fans knew something was off. The extent of the injury was later confirmed by Ryder's wife Skyler on social media.
The update read, "Not the update anyone loves to hear. Ryder is heading into srugery this afternoon where Dr. Echo will repair a tendon avulsion that happened in his lower abdomen while riding in San Angelo two weeks ago."
It is expected that Ryder will have to sit out for about 8 weeks. He is doing well in physical therapy now, and is eyeing a comeback mid summer.
Sanford has also had some great luck this year at the American Rodeo. He won the American East Regional finals and had punched his ticket to Arlington at the end of May. Through the highs and lows, a strong support system is a necessity of a rodeo cowboy, and Ryder clearly has that on his side.
Skyler continued, "We are so grateful for Dr.Echo & his amazing medical team and all the staff here at Houston Methodist! We're also so thankful for Dr.Mogonye in Fort Worth for taking the time to check Ryder out and identify the injury so quickly!! More than anything, we're so grateful to have such an incredible support system in our family and friends by our side while Ryder continues to recover and finish the 2026 season strong!"
Injuries are bound to happen at one point or another, and unfortunately Sanford is very well aware of that. In 2023, he had an amazing year. He came out as the Resistol Rookie of the Year, making his NFR debut and finishing 14th in the World Standings.
In 2024, he ended the year in the dreaded 16th spot and just narrowly missed his second NFR. In 2025, he was on the bubble once again. In September, at one of the last rodeos of the year, he broke his leg. This was not the way he had planned to finish the season.
After his leg healed, Ryder came back strong, hence the impressive start to 2026. Now, this injury is another setback. This timing is obviously less than ideal, however, he has a good start on the season, and will return to the arena at the perfect time to make big things still happen in his 2026 season.
Ryder still sits in the top 20 of the PRCA World Standings. The 27 year old still has a long successful career ahead of him, and will return to the arena in winning shape in no time.