A 24-year-old professional bull rider lost his life Thursday, April 3, after suffering injuries during a rodeo event in Wharton, Texas. Dylan Grant was competing in the second round of the Wharton County Youth Fair Xtreme Bulls event when he was thrown off a bull named Commander and subsequently injured.
According to his father, Wade Grant, the young rider sustained neck injuries when the bull stepped on him. “He got his neck stepped on,” Wade told ABC News. “He ran out of the arena and straight to the ambulance with these injuries, but Dylan was double tough.”
Despite immediate medical attention at the scene, Grant’s condition required him to be airlifted to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston, where he later died from his injuries. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) confirmed his passing in a statement expressing condolences.
Grant, a native of Laramie, Wyoming, had been involved in bull riding since 2018 and had been competing professionally for just over a year. He obtained his PRCA permit in 2018 and purchased his PRCA card in February 2024, marking his official entry into professional competition.
Throughout his career, Grant had amassed $15,710 in earnings, including $3,760 in the current season. His accomplishments included winning the bull riding title at the Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo in 2021, showcasing his talent in the sport.
The young athlete was also a graduate of the University of Wyoming, where he had competed on the university’s rodeo team. He graduated in 2023 with a degree in Physical Education Teacher Education.
Wade Grant referred to the incident as an unforeseen tragedy, highlighting his son’s compassionate nature. He expressed the deep sorrow it brought, emphasizing that his son was characteristically kind-hearted.
According to Grant’s family, he was aware of the inherent dangers of bull riding and took precautions by wearing protective gear, including a hockey helmet and Kevlar vest, during competitions.
The PRCA is investigating the incident to take every possible step toward protecting the safety of both contestants and animals. A spokesperson explained that the findings of this investigation could lead to financial penalties or disqualification from future events if deemed necessary.
Bull riding is considered one of the most dangerous rodeo events, with studies showing higher injury rates compared to other rodeo competitions. According to research published in Sports Medicine, bull riding has an injury rate of 28.5 to 48.2 per 1,000 competition exposures, significantly higher than other rodeo disciplines.
A systematic review of rodeo injuries found that concussions account for up to 77% of injuries in roughstock events like bull riding. The most common injuries include sprains, strains, and fractures, with many resulting from impact with the ground or contact with the animal.
Despite these risks, fatalities in professional rodeo remain relatively rare. According to data from rodeo safety analyses, the sport sees an average of 1-2 deaths per year at PRCA-sanctioned events, with approximately 21 deaths reported across the entire rodeo circuit between 1989 and 2009.
The rodeo community has responded with an outpouring of support following Grant’s death. The University of Wyoming Rodeo Team expressed their heartbreak, describing Grant as “a champion of life inside and outside of the arena.”
Grant’s death follows other recent serious injuries in the sport. Less than two weeks earlier, another bull rider, Tyler Kippes, was nearly killed in a similar accident at Rodeo Austin. Last month, bull rider Zachary Naegele was gored in the neck by a bull at an event in Florida, though he is expected to make a full recovery and plans to continue competing.
Last year, the rodeo community also lost bull rider Peter De Luna, who was killed in a competition in Bandera, Texas.
Despite ongoing safety concerns, the sport continues to maintain its popularity while governing bodies work to implement stricter regulations and improved safety protocols. The use of protective equipment such as helmets has increased over time, though adoption rates vary among competitors.