I don't really know how to write this.
I just got off the phone with Teddy Boggs who is having a difficult time with last night's tragedy. He called to let me know that Stoney Covington did not survive his injuries and that sadly we've witnessed his final bullride. Sitting four rows up above the chutes, our view was unobstructed. The man's last moments, his final bullride were truly unforgettable.
As Teddy said in this morning's phone call, this kind of thing isn't supposed to happen in Newport.
In honor of Stoney, we will not post any shots of this weekends rodeo until tomorrow.
Stoney drew a bull named Snake Eyes and rode without a helmet. The minute the bull orbited out of the chutes, Covington was in trouble. The bull jumped straight up and then swung right, as Covington took two massive blows to the head. Tumbling off in front of the bull, we watched in horror as the bull's hooves then came down on top of him, crushing his skull. He also sustained a punctured lung, and a ruptured spleen.
Stoney Covington passed away somewhere between Newport and Spokane in the Lifeflight Helicopter shortly after midnight.
Stoney will be missed.
We ask that you lift up his family in your prayers, as well as his riding partner, who demonstrated the truest cowboy up! spirit.
Faced with the difficult proposition of being the final bullride of the night, after Stoney was transported out of the arena, his riding partner turned back to the business at hand, tied himself in, nodded, and launched out of the chutes the minute the gate doors opened.
He did his best in honor of his fallen friend. Although he did not cover his draw, if anyone deserved a buckle last night, it was this man.
We also ask that you keep our community in your thoughts today as the final rodeo event will be held this
afternoon at 2 pm. It's going to be a tough day for everyone at the Newport Rodeo. From those who will be working the chutes, announcing, and competing, to the spectators, the biggest challenge will be to try to focus on the days events while never forgetting Stoney.
Many parents are having to explain mortality to their children, answering difficult questions, while trying to keep it together themselves. WE are a tight and supportive community. Events like last night shake us to the core and Rodeo in Newport is never going to feel quite the same.
Although we know that rodeo is the most dangerous sport in the country, this is true cattle country up here, and people practise these ranching skills day in and day out in making a living. The arena doesn't seem as perilous here because this is our way of life. Yet regardless of event, any time cowboy or cowgirl enters the arena, the chance for a life altering or life ending mishap is very real. Even the non roughstock events are not without risk. For instance last year twelve team ropers died in rodeo arenas across the nation.
We have many rodeos left ahead of us on the PRCA/WPRA circuit schedule, including Newport's Bullarama to be held on July 16th, the Cheney and Springdale Rodeos held in July, as well as the Pend Oreille County Fair rodeo to be held in mid August. Please keep all of these competitors in your prayers. These are not just faceless cowboys with big egos entering the arena. They are our friends and neighbors, and from the demonstrations of the tears shed last night, these men and women boast some of the biggest hearts on the planet.
Today we are all heartbroken.
As a final note, we'll keep folks posted on any memorial funds that might be set up in Stoney's honor as details become available.
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