Saddle Bronc Rider Wade Sundell to Miss Remainder of WNFR with Back Injury

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Veteran saddle bronc rider Wade Sundell will miss the remainder of the 2021 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo after suffering a back injury.

The injury occurred on Monday when Sundell was thrown off a horse during the Grand Entry for Round 5 while carrying the Iowa state flag.

“I ended up having a fracture in my spine,” said Sundell, the 2018 PRCA World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider. “Absolutely (it’s heartbreaking), but it’s just part of it. Being around this sport things are going to happen like that.”

Sundell won Round 4 of the 2021 Wrangler NFR with an 89.5-point ride on Powder River Rodeo’s Bet The Ranch. He was sitting 14th in the average headed into Tuesday. He is expected to be sideline for two to three months.

“It’s going to be one of those deals where we just wait and see,” he said. “The doctors said I will most likely be out 8-12 weeks.”

Courtesy of PRCA