By: Kendra Santos
Missouri bull rider Cole Fischer has experienced rodeo’s highest highs and lowest lows firsthand this year. He was riding the Top 15 wave most of the 2022 season, then tore the cartilage off of his ribs last month at the Calgary Stampede up in Canada. But winning is always the best medicine, and the $34,750 Fischer fetched at the $562,500 Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City sure sweetened up those salty wounds.
“This is absolutely the best year in my career,” said Gold Medal Bull Rider Fischer, who’s currently scratching and clawing his way back up the world bull riding standings charts from 22nd place. “I came here two years ago, and they made pretty short work of me. “Not this time. Money comes and goes. This gold medal is why I’m here.”
Fischer, who lives in Jefferson City, Missouri, grabbed the gold with 90 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Geronimo. Rodeo Corpus Christi bull riding champ Deklan Garland of Marlow, Oklahoma, was a very close second with 89.5, and Wellington, Utah’s Dalton Rudman was the bronze medalist.
“I love the WCRA (World Champions Rodeo Alliance),” Fischer said. “It gives us a second opportunity to win more money, and these majors pay life-changing money.”
