Leighton Berry wins our Borla Performance of the Week Award for his extraordinary work outside the arena. Undergoing spinal surgery this past Monday, the young bareback rider is already up and walking, and he updated us on his progress with a video from the hospital.
Coming off his first Wrangler NFR in 2020, where he placed second in three of the first four rounds, Leighton Berry had big goals for 2021 — to not only make it back to the Finals in the bareback riding but also compete in the tie-down and steer roping, and try to win the Linderman Award, which recognizes cowboys who perform at both ends of the arena.
Unfortunately, those plans have been put on hold due to an injury incurred in Odessa, where he he suffered torn ligaments in two different parts of his spine when crushed in the bucking chute.
Amy Wilson, who was onsite in Odessa when Leighton was injured, said, “You knew right away that something was wrong because he sat up and double grabbed instantly when that horse left the chute.”
Berry suffered injuries to his T12 and L1 vertebrae and underwent surgery Monday, January 25, in Austin, Texas. He’s expected to be out for 6-8 months.
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