Young bull rider’s courageous spirit
TOWNSVILLE young gun bull rider Riley Schmidt has been given the PBR Be Cowboy Award by his idol champion bull rider Lachlan Richardson.
It has been a tough year for the young bull rider first having his left thumb torn off by a kicking bull in February and then, having recovered from that injury, breaking his leg riding a mini-bull at Mt Carbine in September.
The fourteen-year-old was presented with the prized buckle at the Townsville Entertainment Centre ahead of the PBR grand finals this weekend. The Be Cowboy award is given to those who display the qualities of a true cowboy being hardworking, honest, tough, brave, and putting themselves in harm’s way to help someone else.
Schmidt had his thumb completely severed when a bull went after one of his mates during a practice session in Townsville for the rodeo season.
He got the animal’s attention and drew it away before running and leaping over the fence but his thumb got stuck and a stray kick from the bull tore it off.
“It was just another day in the practice pen and I didn’t
think anything was going to happen,” Schmidt said.
Since the accident he has had to relearn how to ride a bull using his right hand to hold on tight.
“I rode bulls with my left hand for eight years then I had to change it, it is a big difference and I had to spend six hours a day sitting on my bucking drum at home and going to the gym trying to be better.
“I was feeling really confident and got on 12 bulls after losing my thumb and changing hands then broke my leg so hasn’t been the best year but it is what it is.”
Schmidt said he had no plans to stop riding bulls.
“What is the worst that can happen at least I am going to die doing what I love.”
He will be back on a practice bull this Sunday for the first time since breaking his leg to prepare for the coming season.
Schmidt said it was special to receive the award from his idol Lachlan Richardson.
“I was a six-year-old watching him every week on the TV and I met him here and it was awesome because he was my idol.”
Richardson said he had known the young bull rider for eight years and Riley was one of his biggest fans.
“I always knew he was a tough little kid and he’s not much bigger but he’s definitely got a big heart and he is very deserving of this award.”