A 35-year-old bull rider has died after suffering a traumatic chest injury during a Saturday night event at Fox Hollow Rodeo in Clearcreek Township, Warren County. Clearcreek Township police identified the rider as Jason Blake Saylor.
First responders were dispatched at about 7:41 p.m. Saturday to Fox Hollow Stables, 1909 E. State Route 73 near Waynesville, for a bull rider with a traumatic injury, according to Clearcreek Township Fire Capt. Levi Sargent. Police said Saylor was kicked or stepped on by a bull and suffered severe injuries to his chest, although he was wearing chest protection.
Medics treated Saylor at the scene before taking him to Atrium Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said. Authorities are investigating the death as accidental, according to reports from the scene.
Fox Hollow Rodeo confirmed the loss in a Facebook post, writing: “Our hearts are absolutely broken following the tragic loss of one of our bull riders and brothers in Christ, last night at Fox Hollow Rodeo.” The post added, “There are no words to express the sadness we are feeling. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and everyone affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.”
Fox Hollow holds events every Saturday night at 6 p.m. throughout the year, according to the rodeo’s website, offering semi-pro and amateur bull riding, barrel racing in the summer, and calf and sheep riding for kids. Saturday’s event was part of that regular series at the venue, roughly 40 miles northeast of Cincinnati.
Fellow riders and friends remembered Saylor online as a man of strong faith who loved the sport. No further official details about the circumstances of the ride had been released as of Monday morning, and the investigation by local authorities continues.