Fundraiser will support recovery of cowboy Briggs Madsen
EBS STAFF
Editor’s note: Outlaw Partners is the publisher of Explore Big Sky.
Big Sky PBR producer Outlaw Partners has launched an online fundraiser powered by nonprofit Western Sports Foundation to support the recovery of bull rider Briggs Madsen, who suffered serious injuries after being bucked from a bull on Thursday, July 17, the first night of the three-day event in Big Sky.
After being carried from the arena on a stretcher and receiving care at the Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center, Madsen was eventually airlifted to Idaho Falls, where he received urgent care for a collapsed lung and a brain bleed. The “sobering moment” served as a reminder of the risks these cowboy athletes take, according to the fundraiser website.
“In bull riding, there’s no safety net, no guaranteed income, no coverage for steep medical bills when competition comes to a halt,” the website states. “These are athletes who push their limits for the love of the sport, and now, they need us.”
Outlaw Partners noted that funds raised will be collected directly by the Western Sports Foundation, a nonprofit focused on supporting Western athletes through injuries, career development and other challenges of the sport.
“Our bull riders and cowboys are some of the last folks to ask for help when they need it most—but that’s exactly why we’re proud to step in,” said Megan Paulson, co-founder and CMO of Outlaw Partners. “These athletes have families, jobs and real-world responsibilities beyond the arena, and as a community, we’re here to support them however we can.”
