PUEBLO, Colo. - PBR (Professional Bull Riders) today announced its support to the medical care and recovery of Zerrick Ponder, who was recently seriously injured during a bull riding scouting event. 
 
On March 22, Ponder, 23, who had competed at several PBR events, was attempting to ride a bull when he collided with the bull’s head and was thrown to the ground, fracturing his C6 and C7 vertebrae.
 
Ponder was transported to Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he underwent surgery and has been recovering. While he can move his upper body and extremities, Ponder was diagnosed with permanent paraplegia with limited finger function and he will not walk again.
 
To help aid in Ponder’s on-going recovery, the PBR is donating $100,000.

Fans can immediately help by donating to Ponder through the Western Sports Foundation at https://zerrick.givesmart.com or fans can text Zerrick to 76278.

Ponder is from Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico, where he quickly grew into a talented athlete and a dedicated farmer. Ponder began wrestling at 4 years old and developed a love for bull riding at 14. During his wrestling career, he participated in various tournaments and accumulated over 20 medals, including a fourth-place finish at the Rocky Mountain Nationals in Denver.

Ponder was also a talented football player, and he received a scholarship to play for New Mexico Highlands University before he moved on to receive a fire science certification at Garden City Community College in Kansas on a bull riding scholarship. Ponder then rode bulls for New Mexico Junior College, where he studied welding and eventually started his own business alongside fellow bull rider Hunter Salter.

Ponder learned the values of hard work and humility from his single mother, Kimberlee Kirk, and Zerrick takes tremendous pride in being a mentor and protectorate for his 6-year-old sister and 4-year-old great nieces on a daily basis and is looking forward to returning home to his family in the future.