(PBR release)
ARLINGTON, Tex. – 2017 World Champion and world No. 1 bull rider Jess Lockwood winced in pain while PBR Sports Medicine director Rich Blyn adjusted the sling in which Lockwood’s left arm rested.
Lockwood had just broken his collarbone 30 minutes earlier attempting to ride Wild Goose during Round 1 of the WinStar World Casino & Resort Global Cup USA, presented by Monster Energy.
The 21-year-old was disgusted with himself as he talked about the ride attempt that went wrong and knocked him out of the competition, and potentially for the next few weeks as well.
Wild Goose came hopping out of the chutes and eventually lunged forward to rocket Lockwood forward, connecting the world leader’s left collarbone with his horn.
It was apparent right away to those on the back of the chutes that Lockwood likely broke his collarbone, which Dr. Tandy Freeman later confirmed.
“He didn’t have his day, but I didn’t either, and he got the best of me,” Lockwood said. “He kind of reared up and wasn’t his usual self and shot ahead, just a freaking 50-foot, and jerked me down.
“If I’m trying hard and get bucked off, that’s one thing. I’m still pissed, but I’m even more pissed when they hurt me in the process of bucking me off. So I just feel like I’m useless.”
Lockwood will now meet with Freeman in Dallas on Monday and get X-rays to determine the extent of his injuries and if surgery will be necessary.
The Volborg, Montana, bull rider has a 967.5-point lead on No. 2 Joao Ricardo Vieira in the world standings.
Team Australia’s Nathan Burtenshaw broke his collarbone last season, and is out once again with a broken collarbone, and missed 46 days following surgery.
2016 World Champion and fellow Team USA Eagle Cooper Davis broke his in 2016 and only missed two weeks.