Bareback Rider Larsen, Bull Rider Stratford Out of 2022 WNFR

LAS VEGAS – Bareback rider Orin Larsen, who is making his eighth Wrangler NFR appearance, and bull rider JR Stratford, who is making his NFR debut, both are out for the remainder of the 2022 NFR according to Dr. Tandy Freeman, the co-medical director and orthopedic surgeon for Justin Sportsmedicine.

Larsen doctored released out of Round 5 and as such had to miss Round 6 because of a broken right thumb. Larsen broke his thumb during his 63-point ride on Legends Rodeo Stock’s Illegal Smile in Round 3. Larsen is 14th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $133,784. He has earned $22,125 at the NFR, highlighted by him taking fourth in Round 1 with an 86-point ride on Harper & Morgan Rodeo Company’s Sippin’ Firewater.

Stratford suffered a left ankle injury during Round 4, when he failed to make the whistle aboard Stace Smith Pro Rodeos’ Con Air. Stratford, 20, doctored released out of Round 5 and had to miss Round 6. Stratford is ninth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $142,943. He has earned $35,882 at the NFR, highlighted by him splitting the Round 3 win with a 90-point ride on Pete Carr Rodeo’s Curly Bill.

Also, no further information is being released at this time on bull rider Reid Oftedahl, who was sidelined for the remainder of the 2022 NFR because of the injuries he sustained during Round 2 on Dec. 2 while aboard Rafter H Rodeo Livestock’s Under the Influence. Oftedahl, who was wearing a helmet, was admitted to the ICU at UMC Trauma Center Dec. 2 with a head injury and neck injury.

Courtesy of PRCA