The death of a talented young bull rider has brought on a wave of sorrow and grief within the rodeo community. Seth Saulteaux, a nineteen-year-old native of Alberta, met with a freak accident that cut short his promising career and life at the Stoney Nakoda Nation Rodeo. Seth joined the Rodeo competition on behalf of the Ermineskin Cree Nation. He had hoped to win the tournament, make a name for himself in the bull riding world, and bring pride to his community.

His tragic death during the Indian National Finals Rodeo (INFR) qualifier event will act as a reminder of the dangers of bull riding. His friends and family describe Seth as a fearless and determined young man with a deep passion for rodeo.

Seth Saulteaux’s Passion for Bull Riding from a Young Age

Seth Saulteaux developed a deep passion for bull riding when he was just 14 years old. He drew inspiration from his grandfather, Marcel Saulteaux, a well-known rider. In a Facebook post, Seth’s sister said her brother “had big dreams for himself”. Seth was on his way to achieving notable milestones in his career. He had qualified for the prestigious INFR held in Las Vegas on three occasions. He took on the top Indigenous bull riders from across North America. Seth desired to make it to the PBR circuit. But fate had other plans.

On July 2, Seth met with a terrible accident at the Chiniki Rodeo Grounds. While competing in a bull riding competition at about 5 p.m. on Sunday, the young cowboy was thrown off the bull and landed awkwardly on the ground. The impact was severe, and he died en route to the hospital due to a head injury.

In an interview with Okotoks Online, Homer Holloway, a member of the Canada Day Rodeo Committee and an eye-witness, said, “He had a helmet on, but the helmet didn’t even break”. According to him, Seth was hit with a bullhorn on the head and thrown off the bull’s back. When Seth got back on his feet the bull crashed onto his chest. The gatekeeper rescued him, and the EMS was called to the scene. His death is a great tragedy to the whole rodeo community.

The Rodeo Community Mourns the Loss of Seth Saulteaux

The spokesperson for the event, Reg Fountain, spoke to a reporter for CBC News and said, “The loss of somebody so young in front of friends and family was traumatic.” Some elders prayed for his well-being after Seth was hauled away in an ambulance. But that was all for naught.

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After the news of his passing, everyone on the scene was grief-stricken. The CPRA has also expressed deep sadness and sent its condolences to Seth’s family. Peter Holloway has promised to hold an event in his honor in the near future. This loss has brought the community together, who have offered unwavering support to Seth’s beloved family during this difficult time. This is evidence of Seth’s impact on the lives of those around him.

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