COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Reigning Xtreme Bulls Tour Champion Chance Smart of Philadelphia, Miss., will undergo surgery on April 3 to repair damage in his right eye that has kept him on the sidelines for two months.
Smart suffered a severe concussion and a fractured right cheekbone at the Rapid City (S.D.) Xtreme Bulls Tour event, presented by B&W Trailer Hitches, on Jan. 31, and has been unable to return to competition because of vision-related problems he has experienced as a result of the injury.
Doctors have told Smart the injury is believed to be a torn muscle in his right eye, although it’s possible the problem could stem from his optic nerve. The true cause will not be known until the procedure is performed by Dr. Irene Ludwig in Huntsville, Ala.
If it’s a torn muscle, Smart said it could take up to a year to heal completely, but he should be able to compete within four weeks with little risk of aggravating the injury.
Smart plans to enter a few PRCA rodeos before making his Xtreme Bulls Tour return June 18 in Reno, Nev.
“My main thing will be staying positive and not worrying about what could happen or the bulls I might have,” Smart said. “I’m just going to worry about what I’m fixing to get done, because I’m fixing to win.”
Chance Smart, sidelined by injuries for a few weeks, plans to return to competition in late February. In addition, the reigning Xtreme Bulls national champion plans to wear a helmet for the first time in the pro ranks.
The Philadelphia, Miss., cowboy sustained a severe concussion and a fractured right cheekbone during the Rapid City, S.D., Xtreme Bulls, presented by B&W Trailer Hitches, tour event on Jan. 31. Smart was knocked unconscious, struggled with short-term memory loss and was hospitalized until Feb. 3.
“I think I am going to go to a helmet,” said Smart, who talked to fellow bull riders and helmet wearers J.W. Harris, reigning world champion, and Kanin Asay, about his decision. “Now that I’ve gotten hit, fractured a bone in my face, I thought it’s a good time to give it a try.”
Smart hopes to return in time to ride in the second San Antonio Xtreme Bulls Tour stop on Feb. 21. Last year, Smart won the first San Antonio Xtreme Bulls event, claimed the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo rodeo average and finished second in the final San Antonio Xtreme Bulls event. He was 8-for-8 in that 2008 magical run and won $67,807.
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Chance Smart released from hospital Feb. 3
By Johnna Espinoza, ProRodeo.com
Story updated: 11 a.m. - 2/4/09
Reigning Xtreme Bulls Champion Chance Smart was released from a Rapid City, S.D., hospital on Feb. 3 after sustaining a severe concussion and a fractured right cheek bone during an Xtreme Bulls competition, presented by B&W Trailer Hitches, on Jan. 31.
It is not known when the Philadelphia, Miss., cowboy will return to competition.
“(Doctors) are saying about three months, but they are leaving it up to us,” said Smart’s wife, Summer. “It’s going to be two or three weeks, I am saying, before we even think about him getting on another bull.”
Bleeding on the brain, in two spots, had stopped on its own, Summer said, but Smart still has some short-term memory loss which should diminish as the swelling of the brain goes down.
Smart, who finished second in the 2008 PRCA World Standings, was injured in the first Xtreme Bulls event of the 2009 season in Rapid City, S.D. He was struck in the head by a horn while riding Burns Rodeo Company’s Skunk Works and knocked unconscious. He remained unconscious until after he arrived at the hospital.
Smart had swelling of the brain and a subdural hematoma (bleeding on the brain). He fractured his cheekbone in two places, which resulted in his right eye being swollen shut.
Check back on ProRodeo.com for updates on Smart’s condition.
Smart listed in stable condition in Rapid City, S.D. hospital with severe concussion
Photo by Kerri Allardyce: Reigning Xtreme Bulls champion Chance Smart sustained a severe concussion and fractured right cheek bone and was stepped on in the abdominal area on Jan. 31 during the Xtreme Bulls, presented by B&W Trailer Hitches, Rapid City, S.D. stop. The Philadelphia, Miss., cowboy, was struck in the head by a horn while riding Burns Rodeo Company's Skunk Works, pictured here. Doctors estimate that Smart, who was knocked unconscious, is expected to miss at least two months of competition. |
RAPID CITY, S.D. -- Reigning Xtreme Bulls Tour champion Chance Smart was listed in stable condition Feb. 2 at Rapid City (S.D.) Regional Hospital with a severe concussion and a fractured right cheekbone suffered two nights earlier in Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.
Doctors are estimating he will be unable to return to competition for at least two months.
Smart was injured Jan. 31 at the season-opening Xtreme Bulls Tour event of 2009, presented by B&W Trailer Hitches, when he was struck in the head by a horn while riding Burns Rodeo Company’s Skunk Works.
Knocked unconscious, Smart fell under the bull and was stepped on in the abdominal area. He remained unconscious until after he arrived at the hospital.
Smart is suffering from swelling of the brain and a subdural hematoma (bleeding of the brain), according to hospital officials. The fractured cheekbone has resulted in his right eye being swollen shut.
“Me and Chance are running mates and we’re believers in God and we know that His Word triumphs over all,” said Bobby Welsh, fellow PRCA bull rider and a close friend. “Being behind him and being a believer, I’m not worried about it because the best care he can be in is God’s and that’s the care he’s in. He’s going to be just fine.
“Someone said it was severe, (but) that’s just a name and it’s a name below Jesus, so he’s going to be all right. I don’t have to worry about him. We’re praying for him and that’s the bottom line.”
Further updates on Smart's condition will be posted on www.ProRodeo.com, as they become available.
Bob Welch contributed to this story
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