Kirchenschlager Loses Thumb Practicing

by Justin Shaw | Oct 14, 2016

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Team roping heeler Dakota Kirchenschlager, 25, suffered an injury to the thumb on his (right) roping hand Oct. 13 while practicing.

The Morgan Mill, Texas, cowboy wrote the following on his Facebook page Oct. 14: “Lost my thumb yesterday while practicing, had surgery last night, and just about ready to head home today! Will be a super quick healing process, so no worries! Will be back in the practice pen before you know it and get ready for the NFR!”

Kirchenschlager qualified for his third Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER by finishing 10th in the regular-season team roping heeling WEATHER GUARD® PRCA World Standings.

He will be roping with partner Tyler Wade, of Terrell, Texas, who finished 13th in the heading standings. The pair won the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days in July.

Kirchenschlager also made trips to the WNFR in 2012 and 2014, finishing 12th and ninth in the world, respectively.

Courtesy of PRCA