Saturday night at the Caldwell Night Rodeo is the night of champions as the cowboys looked for their best ride and hoped to collect the biggest pay day. Before some of the riders even step foot in the arena to put their body on the line they went through some of the best medical care so that they would be able to put on a show for the crowd.
It’s common knowledge among rodeo fans and competitors alike that injuries can happen, but when they do, it can be serious.
“The way the bucking stock has evolved, the way the competition is, you’ve got to be on top of your game every single time you go to ride because just an okay ride usually doesn’t win money,” said Bareback Rider Joel Schlegel.
When those injuries do happen, Justin Sports Medicine is at the rodeo arena ready to help with massage therapy, taping and wrapping muscles and anything else to do with medicine.
“(The athletes) are very competent individuals as far as taking care of themselves but they realize the extra help the Justin Sports Medicine Team can provide them provides them that ability to perform better,” said Justin Sports Medicine Program Director Rick Foster.
Joel Schlegel from Colorado has had several injuries in his time in the rodeo business from six surgeries to compound fractures in his arms and wrists. Let's just say you could call him the six million dollar man.
Without the help from Rick and his team, Joel wouldn’t be able to do what he does day in and day out in rodeo.
“Just getting things loosened up stretched out, you look in here when the rodeo gets going and there will be clothes and people just scattered all through it. Either just getting on or just getting off coming down to ice down or just to stay healthy,” said Schlegel.
For the Justin Sports Medicine Team, their Rodeo Journey will pack up this evening and follow some of the Cowboys onto the next rodeo.
