Round 6 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo took an unexpected turn when Kansas bull rider JR Stratford was transported out of the Thomas & Mack Center on a stretcher following his not so graceful landing in the bull riding. However it looked quite routine on the TV, but then proved to be more severe.
Stratford,who won Round 5 with a 90.5-point ride on Rafter H Rodeo’s Deal Me In, was matched with Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s ETO for Round 6. The bull picked him up and slammed him to the dirt fairly quickly, and he looked to have landed on his head.
While viewers at home saw Stratford walk out under his own power, rodeo journalist Kendra Santos revealed the true extent of the situation. Santos posted a detailed update on social media, calling for prayers and describing what she saw as Stratford exited the arena:
“His head was wrapped in a mile of gauze… mummy style. One eye was covered, and the other looked well on its way to swelling shut… JR felt good enough to fire off a few texts while he still could. And he waved to the rousing reception by the taxi line before being loaded into that ambulance.”
Stratford, a two-time NFR qualifier at just 23 years old, has been having a great week. He has won or placed in three of the first four rounds, earning $97,530 in Las Vegas alone and sitting #5 in the world standings and #3 in the NFR average going into Round 7.
Morning Updates
The Justin Sportsmedicine Team released an early update reporting a “facial forehead laceration.” His official status for Round 7 is still questionable.
Despite the severity of the injury, the tone remains hopeful. Stratford is alert and well but whether he nods his head tonight is still uncertain.
With five rounds remaining, the bull riding race is still wide open, but Stratford’s status could dramatically affect both the average race and his world standings position. His toughness is unquestioned, but safety will be the ultimate deciding factor.
Several Cowboys Battling Injuries
JR Stratford isn't the only cowboy pushing through pain this week. The 2025 NFR has turned into a showcase of resilience across multiple events:
Steer Wrestler Stetson Jorgenson has been competing with an extremely torn MCL in his left knee suffered on opening night. Despite this, the 6 time NFR qualifier he is sitting 2nd in the average after a series of consistent runs.
Dakota Eldridge, 12-time NFR qualifier, broke a bone in his foot after dropping a heavy panel on it before the Finals began. Eldridge has continued to compete nightly, gritting through the pain and still placing in rounds.
After his Round 1 victory, Cooper Cooke disclosed issues with an injured foot he came into the finals with and a knee dislocation suffered after his round win. Even so, he rebounded for a second-place finish in Round 6 with 87.75 points.
Hudson Bolton took a brutal hit in the bull riding two nights ago but bounced back quickly. The 19-year-old is sitting 4th in the average, and is still fighting for that rookie of the year title.
Every contestant knows that stepping into the arena means accepting the risks that come with it. But when the lights of the Thomas & Mack are on and world titles are on the line, toughness is the expectation. They won't quit unless they are forced too because cowboy tough is a different kind of strength, especially with a gold buckle in play.