Good Morning, fellow FLexers!
This will be my last post, from the 2018 Falklands Rodeo. But it is a more
serious one, than most.
First up is my favourite shot of a bull rider, at Falkland.
http://www.furnfeather.ca/look/Pozzy23.html
You'll notice, on his protective vest, a patch that reads "Pozzy23". That
patch can be seen on almost every Bull Rider's vest, these days... across
North America. It remembers Ty Pozzobon, and "23" was his placement, in the
world standings, at the time he died.
Ty Pozzobon is/was a Bullrider based in Merritt, just 30 minutes away from us,
by car. I never met the man, but everybody "knew" Ty. He had a reputation for
being a decent, kind hearted man. Well liked, recently married and a new
father.
Sadly, Ty suffered so many knocks & concussions, in his short career, that he
became Rodeo's first confirmed case of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE),
the degenerative neurological disease that claims the lives of hockey tough
guys and football players who suffer too many blows to the head.
At what seemed the peak of his career, Pozzobon committed suicide Jan. 9, 2017,
at his ranch, some 25 kilometres west of his hometown of Merritt, B.C. He was
25-years-old.
I've talked a lot on this list, about the dangers of Rodeo... not to the
animals, which are very well cared for, but to the cowboys, who take the risks.
If you want to know more about the people and the sport, I encourage you
read the excellent article put out by the Globe & Mail .. it will tell you
more about Ty, the other riders and a lot about the risks, and the rewards, of
rodeo, in general.
A note of caution. It contains a 17 second video, of Ty's head getting smashed
by a 1500 pound bull. It's hard to watch, so if you're squeamish at all, don't
watch it. (you have the option.)
The article is here: https://tinyurl.com/Pozzy23
One bright spot in Pozzy's story, is that his mother, Leanne, has started a
foundation in Ty's name, which is doing a lot to promote safety within the
sport.
As well, Ty had already been preparing for his post-rodeo life and was raising
bucking bulls for use at rodeos and in the PBR. His dad has continued that
project and both the Deadman's Creek Rodeo and the Falkland Stampede featured
Ty Pozzobon Bulls, this year.
Thanks for reading. And for looking.
David.
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