One could argue that it’s risky for a child to cross a busy street on his way to school each day, but I’m sure you wouldn’t keep your kid home from class just because you were afraid that he might get run over in the process.
Likewise, when it comes to kids and extra-curricular activities, most parents examine the risks of each prior to allowing their child to sign-up. That said
there are safer classes to enroll your young child in than say, alligator wrestling.
Or riding angry bulls.
Just ask Richard Wayde Hamar’s parents. Sadly, the 12-year-old’s mom and dad were forced to bury their young son recently after the 2,000-pound bull he was riding on in a rodeo competition threw him off, and then trampled his chest and stomach.
According to reports, Richard’s mother, father and 10-year-old brother (who was also competing that day), witnessed the entire incident and were powerless to intervene.
Interestingly, even after several media outlets picked up the story of Richard’s horrific death, his grieving mom defened the activity that caused her son’s untimely death. In fact, Angie Hamar told a local Colorado paper that she never once considered keeping her young boys from riding bulls.
“It was nobody’s fault,” Hamar told reporters. “It could have happened on a horse as easily as it did riding his bull.”
Richard’s mom went on to say that her son rode his first calf when he was just six years old and that he had been competing in rodeos almost all of his life.
“Richard had a real passion for rodeo, that’s what that kid lived to do,” Hamar shared.
She also added that Richard had been wearing a helmet and protective vest when the bull crushed him.
I was not able to access records on how many children have died in accidents similar to the one that claimed the life of little Richard Hamar. However, National Little Britches Rodeo Association officials claim the numbers are low (they wouldn’t disclose exact numbers) and have been on the defensive since Richard’s death.
The manager of the fairgrounds where the rodeo took place told news reporters that everyone “did their job accordingly,” and “I don’t know what else a person could have done, really.”
I suppose when you have grown men dying from being trampled on by bulls, what are the chances that a 12-year-old could survive after a 2,000-pouind animal stomps on him?
Still, Richard’s mom wants the world to know that she holds no grudges against the Little Britches Rodeo Association telling news reporters, “We just want to make sure nothing negative is said about the sport of rodeo or bull riding.”
Hamar’s mother also added: “You can’t keep your kids locked up in a closet. There are some kids who take motocross racing, and we take our kids rodeo riding.”
I’m all for kids finding a sport they love and for parents to support their children’s passion, but at what point do you draw the line on risky activities? Attaching a little boy to an agitated animal that weighs at least 20 times more than he does seems a bit much, even for an adult, who has the capability to make his own decisions regarding high risk activities.
What do you think about parents allowing their kids to enroll in activities that would potentially kill them?
Related Articles:
Who’s Teaching Your Child How to Drive?
Does Your Child Suffer From Rapunzel Syndrome?
Do You Curse in Front of Your Kids?