County Fair Rodeo Ends With “Tragic Loss” Of 2 Horses
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Over the weekend at the Humboldt County Fair in Ferndale, California, two horses were put down following injuries sustained during rodeo events.
This occurred on Saturday, Aug. 15, which was the penultimate day of the 130th annual fair.
Just two years ago, in 2024, the Humboldt County Fair had a similar incident, also resulting in the loss of two horses.
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About The Injuries Sustained By The Horses
During the Outlaw Rodeo section of the rodeo events on Aug. 15 at the Humboldt County Fair, college students were given the chance to compete at the rodeo with bucking broncos.
According to a witness, two horses broke their legs within the first 30 minutes of the event.
The publication Local Coast Outpost received an email statement from the College of the Redwoods rodeo team’s coaches regarding the incident, confirming the horses were put down.
The coaches for the rodeo team wrote, “College of the Redwoods is deeply saddened by the loss of two horses following injuries sustained during Saturday’s Outlaw Rodeo.”
The coaches added, “We recognize how difficult this was for everyone who witnessed the incidents and for those who care for and work with these animals.”
While video and photos of the injured horses have not been shared online, there is video of one of the horses repeatedly falling before it reportedly broke its legs.
That video can be seen, here:
Several witnesses to this incident at the Humboldt County Fair spoke out about it, with Local Coast Outpost interviewing an attendee of the fair named Krista Catlett, who said, “It was absolutely horrible. I’ve been to so many rodeos, went to the PBR [Professional Bull Riders] finals in Las Vegas three or four times, and I’ve never witnessed anything like this before. I don’t understand.”
Continuing, Catlett hypothesized to the Outpost that perhaps Flying U Rodeo Company had the horses “cinched too tight,” adding, but “Every horse that came out of that chute took off full force and just bucked or rolled, ended up on ground or hit the rail.”
When the two horses broke their legs, she recalled that many in the audience began leaving, saying:
“People were just leaving … Girls were just crying everywhere. One girl … was just sobbing. It was horrendous. Just awful.”
On the other hand, one Facebook user, named Cathy Randall, wrote on Outlaw College Rodeo’s Facebook post about the Aug. 15 event:
“Accidents like these happen. I was there I saw it. It’s Rodeo. The horses gave their all as did the competitors. Did anyone want this to happen? NO. Could anyone have known it would happen? There is always a possibility. Is it anyone’s fault? NO. You come to rodeo knowing you could see some horrible things hoping that you don’t and all rides are clean and both athletes do well.”
The coaches for College of the Redwoods did not go as far as some audience members did in making an assumption as to what led to the injury, but offered a more measured statement.
The coaches for the college’s rodeo team told the Outpost, “CR is not in a position to speculate about what caused the injuries. The horses were owned and supplied by Flying U Rodeo Company, a nationally recognized and well-respected professional rodeo stock contractor. Questions regarding the horses or the circumstances surrounding their injuries are best directed to Flying U.”
Noting that they are confident in their coaches and the team’s “commitment to taking appropriate precautions to protect the health and safety of their student-athletes and the animals involved in the sport,” the College of the Redwoods concluded its statement by saying:
“The tragic loss of these two horses weighs heavily on everyone involved, and we remain committed to supporting our student-athletes and continuing to build a strong and responsible rodeo program at [College of the Redwoods].”
She added, “It’s really a watch at your own risk kind if situation. If it’s too much for you to see then don’t go.”
As of the afternoon of Monday, Aug. 17, the Flying U Rodeo Company has not given a statement about the incident online.
It was noted by the Redheaded Blackbelt that in 2024, the Humboldt County Fair had two horses break their legs during a horse race, with both horses being put down.
This is a developing story.
Here’s another video of a bucking bronco acting sporadically during the Outlaw Rodeo event on Aug. 15:
