Bullfighter helps keep rodeo competitors safe

Courtesy photo

Henderson resident and bullfighter Dan Snyder keeps a bull from attacking its teenage rider in a rodeo in Hurricane, Utah, in 2005.

By Brent Hinckley

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008 | midnight

Every time Henderson resident Dan Snyder goes to work, he knows he's putting his life on the line.

Snyder, 31, is a Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association bullfighter. When a bullrider is bucked off his horse, it's his job to keep the bull from injuring the rider.

"We're like the Secret Service for the cowboys. You have to be willing to take the hits for them," Snyder said. "My job is to prolong their careers."

It's a career he knows can end in death.

His best friend, Donnie Martin, was fatally injured in June at the California High School Rodeo state finals in Bishop, Calif. Snyder's girlfriend, Tiffany Blades, saw the accident happen.

"It was the worst thing I've ever seen," she said. "It was one of the nicer bulls, you could actually go pet him. He got out of his pen, saw he was free and just took off. Don tried to stop him but got knocked to the ground."

Martin was flown to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno and diagnosed with a brain injury. He died two weeks later on July 1.

"When that happens, your head starts playing games with you. You ask yourself if can that happen to me," Snyder said.

Snyder's dealt with numerous injuries in his 11 years as a bullfighter. The most serious occurred in 2005 when he was working the Nevada High School state finals. Snyder suffered a collapsed esophagus and a broken jaw when he was kicked in the throat by a bull.

"It took a while to recover. I still have a problem eating. It's going to be a lifelong injury," Snyder said. "Some mornings are a little tougher than others to get out of bed."

Despite the injuries, accidents and loss of his friend, Snyder said he still enjoys being in the arena, knowing he is responsible for someone else's safety.

"It's an adrenaline rush saving someone," he said. "When the cowboys get off their bulls they can be disoriented, not know where they are. You have to distract the bull away from the cowboy and if it means taking a hit, you take a hit."

Snyder works about 38 rodeos a year, ranging from high school rodeos to professional events across the country. He enjoys working the high school rodeos more than any others.

"You're saving kids. They're not that experienced, so you're helping them out more than guys who have been around forever," he said.

Cowboys can request which bullfighters they want working with them. Snyder said it's an honor every time he gets requested and another reason he prefers working with at the younger levels.

"They're going to be the next champions. So, if you're helping them out an the intermediate level, when they go pro they can bring you along," Snyder said. "I've been fortunate to have quite a bit of success."

Brent Hinckley can be reached at 990-7822 or brent.hinckley@hbcpub.com.