WHARTON COUNTY, TX — April 4, 2025 — A tragic accident at the Wharton County Youth Fair has claimed the life of 24-year-old Dylan Grant, a professional bull rider from Wyoming, who died Thursday night after being bucked off and stepped on by a bull during the Xtreme Bulls competition.
The incident occurred during the second round of the event, which draws top-tier rodeo athletes from across the country. According to officials, Grant was thrown from the bull and suffered critical injuries when the animal stepped on him inside the arena. Emergency personnel on-site rushed to provide life-saving aid before Grant was airlifted to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston. He later succumbed to his injuries.
Grant was a rising talent in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), having joined the circuit in 2018. His skill and determination were evident early on, and in 2021, he earned the bull riding title at the Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo while competing with the University of Wyoming rodeo team.
The PRCA released a statement expressing their condolences: “The PRCA would like to send its thoughts and prayers to bull rider Dylan Grant’s family, friends, and the entire rodeo/bull riding community after Grant passed away after suffering injuries Thursday night during the Wharton County Youth Fair Xtreme Bulls event in Wharton, Texas.”
Rodeo officials have not released further details about the bull involved in the incident or any planned safety reviews. The Youth Fair continued with a moment of silence Friday, as the community mourned a young man known for his grit, sportsmanship, and love of the sport.
Grant’s death follows a similar tragedy in 2024, when 22-year-old Peter De Luna of Bandera, Texas, was killed in a bull riding accident. Both incidents serve as a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in the sport.
The rodeo world has rallied around Grant’s family, with condolences and tributes pouring in from across the country. Plans for a memorial service have not yet been announced.
