RC Landingham is a four-time National Finals Rodeo bareback rider. The first year he went to Las Vegas was in 2016 and it turned into a special trip as he mother, who was battling cancer, got to attend before she passed away in early 2017.
It was in that same year that Landingham was sitting at the top of the World Standings when a horse fell with him and injured his shoulder. He decided to take a few months off after cinching a spot in the finals. The 2017 NFR did not go in Landingham’s favor and shortly after, he had shoulder surgery.
That held up for a while and Landingham made it through the spring season feeling less than 100% percent. In Sisters’ Oregon, Landingham completely dislocated his shoulder on Corey and Lange’s Trip Wire. Then it was time for Dr. Tandy Freeman to help.
Landingham took time to heal again but a check up at Dr. Freeman’s showed that Landingham needed yet another surgery. It was third times the charm and they got his shoulder right.
In 2021, Landingham’s season took a turn for the better over the Fourth of July and went up from there and he cinched his third NFR.
“Just to be able to compete at this level again was just a huge weight off my shoulders. And then to have that much success in the summer and get back to the NFR was like the first time all over again. Now, knowing that I can do it and I’m healthy again and that I can ride as good as I ever have, I have the confidence to be a World Champion again and that’s what I’m looking for now,” Landingham said.
Although he has a new perspective Landingham is still chasing the dreams he’s always had and he will make his fifth NFR appearance on December 1.