PUEBLO, Colo. – It may have been easy to focus on the massive bandage on Keyshawn Whitehorse’s forehead on Saturday night at the Bad Boy Mowdown in Little Rock, Arkansas, but it would be the 2018 Rookie of the Year’s riding and grit that would be front and center by the end of the weekend.

Whitehorse overcame a sprained right MCL, possible broken right foot and a lacerated head, according to Dr. Tandy Freeman, to finish second in the 15/15 Bucking Battle and ninth overall in the event.

The 24-year-old was injured on his first bull of the weekend when he got hung up, stomped and flung around like a rag doll by Knee Deep in Round 1. It appeared on first look that Whitehorse’s weekend would be over, but the McCracken Springs, Utah, native tried to wave off the PBR Sports Medicine team and wanted to walk off the dirt under his own power. He also quickly made sure everyone knew he wanted his re-ride option.

Whitehorse got his wish and was cleared by the sports medicine team to attempt to ride Uncle Gangster, and he did not disappoint. Whitehorse rode his re-ride for 88.25 points and a fifth-place finish in Round 1.

He did not stop there, either.

Whitehorse came right back for the 15/15 Bucking Battle and rode HomeBru for a season-best 90.5 points.

“I am hurting, but sometimes you just have to be cowboy, and my dad taught me a lot about how to be tough and deal with situations at hand, and I thank him for that,” Whitehorse told Kate Harrison on CBS national television.

Whitehorse tried to compete on Sunday, but he eventually doctored out of the championship round after he aggravated his foot when The Kickin’ Chicken bucked him off in 3.01 seconds during Round 2.

Whitehorse posted his first Top-10 finish in the world standings last year (No. 7), and he will head into next weekend’s PBR Ariat Music City Knockout, presented by Cooper Tires, ranked eighth in the world.

The three-time PBR World Finals qualifier has ridden six of his last 11 bulls.

“I just kept believing,” Whitehorse said. “Nothing has changed. I have kept the course, and you always have to believe.”

ADDITIONAL INJURY UPDATES

2019 Rookie of the Year Dalton Kasel missed the 15/15 Bucking Battle with a sprained left wrist (riding hand) he sustained in Round 1, but he returned to competition on Sunday afternoon with an 87.25-point ride on RLC 604.

Ezekiel Mitchell also sprained his riding hand (right wrist) in Round 1 attempting to ride Night Stalker (6.75 seconds). Re-ride bull First Down bucked Mitchell off in 3.42 seconds during Round 2.

According to Dr. Tandy Freeman, Derek Kolbaba was unable to take his re-ride option on Sunday in Round 2 because of a concussion after Jumanji took him down in 6.1 seconds.

Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media