Twenty-one-year-old Gunnison saddle bronc rider Coleman Shallbetter is recovering after a Friday night wreck at the National Western Stock Show rodeo in Denver that left him with multiple broken ribs and a punctured, collapsed lung. The rookie competitor was taken to a Denver hospital and underwent surgery after the incident.
Wreck in the Coliseum: Thrown, Then Stepped On
According to CBS Colorado, Shallbetter was thrown from a horse named Hillbilly Havoc during Friday night’s performance and was stepped on when the animal lost its footing. Medical crews moved him to a local hospital, where imaging showed multiple rib fractures and internal injury.
From Hospital Bed to Prime Time Plans
From his hospital bed, Shallbetter told CBS Colorado, “It was a good horse,” and described feeling his side give out when the horse’s hind feet made contact. He told KDVR that he underwent surgery Friday night and that a breathing tube had been placed; in the interview, he thanked fans and his fiancée for their support.
Rising Bronc Talent Already Posting Big Scores
Shallbetter had been posting strong scores on the circuit and logged a high-marked ride the night before the crash, per event scoring. The National Western lists him among the saddle bronc field, and his collegiate pedigree riding for Tarleton State is outlined by Tarleton News.
Discharged and Eyeing a Fast Comeback
Shallbetter has since been discharged and is recuperating, and he told KDVR he hopes to be back competing by the end of February. Team and rodeo officials say they will clear him to return only after medical staff sign off.
Stock Show Officials Point to Safety Protocols
The National Western stresses animal wellness and safety protocols and says it works with veterinary partners and state officials during the Stock Show; organizers maintain procedures to respond when an athlete or animal is hurt. Rodeo remains an inherently risky sport for competitors, and on-site medical and animal-care teams are standard at major PRCA and NWSS performances.
