On Sunday, an Alberta bull rider was fatally injured while competing in the four-day Mini Thni Rodeo at the Chiniki Rodeo Grounds on the Stoney Nakoda First Nation.
Nineteen-year-old Seth Saulteaux was struck in the back of the head by the bull’s horn after being thrown off during the event. After being helped up, Saulteaux exited the arena.
“He had a helmet on. The helmet didn’t even crack or anything… (he) went behind the bucket chutes, and that’s where he collapsed,” Homer Holloway, a member of the Canada Rodeo Committee, told the Calgary Herald.
On-site paramedics treated Saulteaux before transporting him to the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary. His death was confirmed by Phil Dais, Alberta Health Services EMS spokesperson.
Our boy left this world doing what he loved and always said if I die riding bulls always remember that’s the best way to leave this earth for a cowboy like me,” commented a relative of Saulteaux.
Saulteaux was one of the final participants in the Mini Thni Rodeo, a qualifying event for the Indian National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas next October.
The Ermineskin Cree Nation of Maskwacis shared their condolences alongside photos from family members and friends of Saulteaux on their Facebook page.
“A devastating loss for the family and for the rodeo community; along with our nation members, friends and families who loved and supported this young cowboy…Prayers to all who are grieving the loss of this fine young man,” posted the Nation.
Even at such a young age, Saulteaux was a skilled bull rider. In 2018, he was crowned the Siksika Junior Bulls Champion at the Siksika Rodeo.
“People say Bull Riding is the most dangerous sport in the world…why do we allow our sons to climb on the back of an animal? Because we love the sport, because they love the sport,” explained rodeo mom Lizabeth Fox.
According to Dale Butterwick, a sports epidemiologist with the University of Calgary, almost 20 of every 100,000 rodeo contestants will suffer a “catastrophic” injury.
He describes a catastrophic injury as one where a rodeo contestant either dies or has their life altered in a significant way. Comparatively, the catastrophic injury rate in football is less than one in every 100,000.
“I haven’t seen any sport that comes close to that. In a scientific setting, alarm bells go off,” Butterwick said in an interview with The Canadian Press.
Saulteaux was always aware of the risks associated with bull riding, but his passion for the sport burned brighter. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.
