March 23, 2006 - The last couple of months have been tough for Texas bull riders and bull fighters during PBR (Professional Bull Riding) competition.

To begin, DeKalb’s Mike White was injured during the Mossy Oak Shootout following the second round of the PBR event in Kansas City, Mo., March 11. The bull rider was bucked off, landing on his head. He was taken to a nearby medical center where X-rays revealed a cracked first cervical vertebra at the base of the skull, and broken third and fourth thoracic vertebra located between the shoulder blades. He sustained no neurologic damage, according to the PBR website.

On March 13, White was fitted with a custom brace to stabilize the neck and upper body region. He was released from the hospital late March 14, returning home. He is expected to wear the brace for three to four months.

Also on the injured list is bull fighter Rob Smets who fractured his seventh vertebra during the Reno-Tahoe Invitational, March 3. Smets, of Merkel, was upended by a bull, landing on his head. According to Dr. Tandy Freeman, Justin Sports Medicine Team’s medical director, the injury to the C7 vertebra in Smets' neck caused associated nerve compression, shoulder pain, numbness in the small finger of his right hand, and weakness in his right hand.

Smets underwent surgery on March 8 in Dallas and is reported to be doing well. This is the third time during his 27-year career the bull fighter has broken his back. He is expected to be out for 8 to 12 weeks. 

Other Texas bull riders who have been injured are Fabricio Alves of Keller (expected to be out three to four months with a left elbow injury) and Colby Yates of Fort Worth (who is continuing to compete with a separated left shoulder).