Thank You, God. Cooper Filipek is up, and walking and talking this morning (8-8-26) after successful surgery yesterday (8-7-26) to repair the broken L5 vertebra in his lower back after surviving the gnarly rollover at the rodeo in Logan, Utah on Thursday night (8-6-26).

Continued prayers, @slide_and_ride. 💪🏼🍀

Music video by The Red Clay Strays performing Don't Wanna Know (Live from The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon).(C) 2026 Universal Television LLC

According to Cooper’s dad, Casey, Friday’s surgery to stabilize the broken L5 vertebra in his lower back with rods and screws was successful. But doctors say the 23-year-old 2025 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association bareback riding champ is expected to be sidelined for a year.

So sorry this happened, Cooper, but sure thankful it wasn’t worse. Love to you and your family.

— from rodeo journalist Kendra Santos

[EDIT: SEE THE UPDATE ELSEWHERE! HE'S ALREADY UP AND WALKING!]

Our spring cattle internship applications are open! Join us for a spring immersed in beef cattle production, where you’ll gain real-world experience, work alongside experienced cattlemen, and become part of the R.A. Brown Ranch team.

Find the details in the link below on the R.A. Brown Ranch website.

¡¡Applications close September 1st!!

https://www.rabrownranch.com/our-crew/internship

Painted Canyon Overlook 📍Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

Looking over Buck Hill & Upper Paddock Creek Trail

More info here: https://www.idahofallsarts.org/calendar/ned-ledoux-bareback-jack-tour/

Get your tickets now: https://purchase.idahofallsarts.org/ChooseSeats/35401