A moment of excitement at a Texas rodeo turned devastating, drawing an outpouring of grief from the bull riding world and the young athlete’s family.

Dylan Grant, a rising star in the professional rodeo world, died following a tragic accident during a bull riding event at the Wharton County Youth Fair in Texas. The 24-year-old was bucked off and fatally injured during the second round of the Xtreme Bulls competition on April 3.

Medics rushed to the arena, quickly loading Grant into an ambulance and attempting to stabilize him before he was airlifted to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston. He passed away shortly after.

In a statement, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association extended its condolences to Grant’s loved ones and the broader rodeo community. The PRCA confirmed that Grant first obtained his permit in 2018 and officially became a cardholder in February 2024.

Over the course of his career, he competed in numerous PRORODEO and Xtreme Bulls events, earning more than $15,000 in total prize money. Grant’s father also spoke out following the incident.

The mourning father called his son “double tough” and emphasizing how rare such a tragedy is in the sport. “What happened to Dylan last night was very, very, very, very rare,” he said. “It was a freak accident.”

Back in 2021, while representing the University of Wyoming, Grant claimed the bull riding title at the Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo with 169.5 points on two head — a highlight in what many saw as a promising career.