Turner Morris, a 17-year-old Burns High School senior who had been competing in saddle bronc and bull riding, is continuing rehabilitation three months after a fall at a Georgia rodeo left him without movement below his waist and with limited use of his hands. His stated priority is to pursue therapy and recovery as aggressively as possible.
The accident happened on June 13 at a rodeo in Conyers, Georgia, when Morris's saddle bronc horse laid down awkwardly coming out of the bucking chute and flipped him headfirst, fracturing his C6 vertebra, according to Wise News Network. Per Queen City News, Morris's stirrup popped off as he came out of the chute, and he bailed off the horse before the fall compressed his spinal cord and he realized he could not move. He was airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, where he underwent emergency treatment.
Morris spent time in intensive care at Grady while awaiting a referral to the Shepherd Center, then continued rehabilitation in Atlanta.
A Rising Rodeo Career Interrupted
Before the accident, Morris was competing at an elite level. Official International Professional Rodeo Association standings published this month ranked him sixth in the Southeastern Region for bull riding, with $8,006.13 in season earnings, and 12th in saddle bronc riding, according to the organization's published standings. He had also qualified for the National High School Rodeo Finals in July and planned to pursue collegiate rodeo at Oklahoma State University or Tarleton State University, the station's report noted.
Morris now travels between his home in Shelby and rehabilitation care in Atlanta, Queen City News reported. His mother, Amanda Morris, told the outlet that he has continued participating in therapy and hopes to walk again, while acknowledging that his future recovery remains uncertain.
Why Cervical Injuries Carry Such High Stakes
A June 2025 study examined equestrian spine injuries, according to research published by MDPI. Separately, a 10-year trauma center retrospective study found that rough-stock events were typically associated with more injuries; head injuries were the most common, and half of the 70 patients were injured by direct contact while 34 were injured by falls, per findings published on PMC.
What Protective Gear Can—and Cannot—Do
A 2025 review of equestrian sports published by PMC found that helmets protect against skull fractures and traumatic brain injury. The review found no demonstrated reduction in spinal-cord injuries from vests, although vests may protect the thorax.
The same review cautioned that no piece of protective equipment had been shown to prevent spinal-cord injuries, underscoring the limits of applying general equestrian safety gear as protection against spinal damage.
Community Rallies Around the Morris Family
Support for Morris has poured in from across the region. A community benefit rodeo held August 29 at Price's Arena in Bessemer City, North Carolina, raised more than $15,000 to help the family with ongoing medical and therapy expenses, according to Wise News Network's coverage of the fundraiser. Morris attended the event himself, and Queen City News reported that donations toward his medical bills continue to be solicited through a Venmo account.
Since returning home to Shelby in late August, Morris has also received support from his high school community. He was named Burns High School's 2026 homecoming king and delivered a motivational address to the school's varsity football team, according to a Facebook post from Burns High School. In comments to Queen City News, Morris said he has learned to adapt to different situations since childhood and that support from his community will help him through recovery.
Next Stop: Specialized Therapy in Fort Mill
The Morris family plans to send Turner to a neurorecovery center in Fort Mill, South Carolina, next month, Queen City News reported. The visit is part of the family's planned approach to his ongoing rehabilitation.
Morris has said he is trying to focus on the future rather than dwell on the fall in Conyers. His mother told Queen City News that the family's medical bills are overwhelming as he continues working through an uncertain recovery.
