Two of rodeo’s brightest young stars are facing lengthy absences after suffering significant injuries within days of each other. Reigning World Champion Rocker Steiner and reigning All-Around runner-up Wacey Schalla are both expected to miss approximately three months, creating major questions in the bareback riding, bull riding and All-Around races heading into the summer.

The 2025 Bareback Riding World Champion, Rocker Steiner, is facing a major setback in the middle of another standout season. The 20-year-old underwent successful neck surgery on June 4 to repair two herniated discs that are pressing against his spinal cord.

Steiner told Cowboy+ that he first noticed severe numbness and weakness in his left arm while attempting to play guitar, prompting an immediate medical evaluation

The young phenom is expected to be sidelined for at least three months following the procedure.

Despite the hiatus, Steiner remains in strong position to qualify for his fifth consecutive NFR. He currently leads the World Standings with $122,132.36.

Since qualifying for his first NFR in 2022, Steiner has improved his season-ending finish every year. He finished 10th in 2022, fifth in 2023, second in 2024 and captured his first World Championship in 2025. Along the way, he set a bareback riding single-season earnings record with $507,532.60.

Before the injury, Steiner was putting together another dominant campaign. He leads all bareback riders with three rides of 90 points or better and owns the highest average score as well at 86.46 points. Eight of his 24 rides this season have resulted in round wins, highlighted by a 90.5-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Disco Party to win RodeoHouston.

It is not the first extended injury absence of Steiner’s career. Previous leg and foot injuries have forced him to miss significant time, but with a sizeable lead in the standings and a substantial bankroll already earned, he remains firmly in the hunt for a second consecutive World Championship.

Meanwhile, Three-time NFR qualifier Wacey Schalla suffered a broken left femur Saturday at the Music City Rodeo in Nashville, Tennessee.

Schalla’s leg was stepped on by Diabolical during the bull riding competition.

The 20-year-old underwent successful surgery Sunday morning, during which a rod was inserted into his left leg. He is also expected to miss roughly three months while recovering.

Schalla entered the weekend in the middle of another remarkable All-Around campaign. He currently sits second in the World All-Around standings with $116,598.18. He is also third in the PRCA Bareback Riding Standings with $109,045.83 and 33rd in the PRCA Bull Riding Standings with $36,617.95.

The Arapaho, Oklahoma, cowboy finished second in the 2025 All-Around race after earning a career-best $611,708.87. He also finished fourth in bull riding and fifth in bareback riding, qualifying for the NFR in both events for the first time.

While Schalla’s position in the bareback riding appears secure for now, the injury creates significant uncertainty in his pursuit of another NFR qualification in bull riding. It is likely that Schalla’s bids for an All-Around or a Bull Riding World Title are over in 2026.