Arkansas Teen Holden Hedgepeth in Serious Condition After Bull-Riding Accident

Arkansas teen Holden Hedgepeth in serious condition after being stomped in bull-riding accident, is it a safe sport for kids?

Holden Hedgepeth, 18, of Greenbrier, Ark., is in serious condition after being injured Monday afternoon during a bull-riding accident on the opening day of a youth rodeo at the Mississippi Fairgrounds in Jackson, the Clarion-Ledger said.

Holden Hedgepeth, 18, of Greenbrier, Ark., was rushed to the University of Mississippi Medical Center after his ride on a bull turned chaotic in a matter of seconds. Lee Cooke, vice chairman of the Cowboy Christmas Youth Challenge, said he did not believe Hedgepeth sustained life-threatening injuries. Seconds after Hedgepeth began riding the bull, he was bucked off, struck in the head by the bull's horns and stomped.

Clay Smith of Broken Bow, Okla., who witnessed Hedgepeth's accident from the stands, said bull riders wrap a rope around one hand to help them stay on the bull. Usually, a rider is able to let go of the rope once thrown off, but the way Hedgepeth fell, he was unable to open his hand, Smith said. The bull jumped around in circles, swinging Hedgepeth in the air with each turn. Source: Clarion-Ledger

Is bull riding really a sport or past-time for kids? I blogged about another incident some time ago in which the child died. Many have said it is too dangerous for kids but is it any more dangerous than other sports? I hope Holden Hedgepeth will recover from his injuries.