Dylan Grant, a 24-year-old professional bull rider from Wyoming, tragically lost his life during a rodeo event in Texas on April 3, 2025. The incident occurred at the Wharton County Youth Fair Xtreme Bulls event in Wharton, Texas, southwest of Houston. Grant, a rising star in the bull riding community, was competing in the second round when he was bucked off by a bull named Commander. After being thrown, the bull stepped on him, reportedly on his neck, causing severe injuries.
Medics at the scene quickly intervened, rushing Grant to an ambulance where they worked to stabilize him. He was then airlifted to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston. Despite these efforts, Grant succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) confirmed his passing, expressing their deep condolences to his family, friends, and the tight-knit rodeo community.
Grant was a talented and passionate cowboy who had made a name for himself in the sport. Originally from Pavillion, Wyoming, he grew up riding bulls and became a state champion for Jackson Hole High School in 2018. He later competed for the University of Wyoming Rodeo Team, graduating in 2023 with a degree in Physical Education Teacher Education.
During his career, he achieved notable success, including winning the bull riding title at the Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo in 2022. Grant had earned over $15,000 in his professional career, with more than $3,700 in the 2025 season alone, according to the PRCA.
His father, Wade Grant, described the incident as a “freak accident,” emphasizing Dylan’s toughness and kind-hearted nature. The University of Wyoming Rodeo Team mourned his loss, calling him “a champion of life inside and outside of the arena.” Friends and family remembered him as compassionate, family-oriented, and a vibrant presence in the rodeo world.
Bull riding is known for its high risk, and Grant’s death underscores the dangers athletes face in the sport. Despite wearing protective gear like a vest and helmet, which are standard for professional riders, such equipment could not prevent this tragic outcome. The rodeo community continues to grieve, with many sharing tributes to a young man who lived his dream until the very end.