After a stellar regular season in 2024, bull rider Creek Young was set to qualify for his fourth straight National Finals Rodeo. When September 30 arrived, he was indeed inside the Top 15 in the World, however, an injury would sideline Missouri cowboy for the Super Bowl of rodeo.
After a successful surgery and the recovery that followed, Young is set to make his return to the sport of rodeo during one of the biggest rodeos of the year where he also happens to be the defending champion.
“That’s kind of what I figured. If I was going to have to sit out for the NFR I might as well take a good six months and come back at one of my favorite rodeos that I’ve had success at before,” Young said.
His RodeoHouston win was followed up with another huge win at The American. His winter in 2024 set him up for an easy season and while Young is off to a late start, a Gold Buckle is still the goal.
“I was very blessed to have a good start to the season last year. I think I only ended up going to 33 rodeos before I broke my leg so I had a really good year maximizing every out I got on and those big winter rodeos definitely helped that,” he said.
Young now has a rod through his femur down to his knee secured with screws on top and bottom. He was up and walking two weeks after surgery and has been at physical therapy twice a week for the last four months to get ready for this exact moment.
“I think I’m ready to go. It’s feeling strong, feeling good,” Young said.
A Gold Buckle is still the end goal for Young as he sets off on the 2025 season. It currently takes $25,513 to get into the Top 15 which is just a fraction of what Young could win with a successful trip to RodeoHouston
