MEMPHIS, Tenn. (August 22, 2010) - The latest news regarding Code Blue is that the reigning World Champion Bull has been transported home to Lexington, N.C., and will be examined Monday morning by Dr. Truman Sanner.
According to his co-owner Rick Wagoner, Code Blue spent the 11-hour trip from Memphis, Tenn., “relaxing on the trailer.”
Code Blue was used in the short round Saturday night, and moments after being ridden by J.B. Mauney for 89.5 points, Wagoner said, “It looked like his back legs came out, but when they loaded him up on the trailer, it looked like it was in his hip.”
Wagoner said he’s been in contact with Sanner throughout the day, and said he was told by the doctor that Code Blue’s ability to swing his tail is a good sign that the injury doesn’t have anything to do with the bone. Although they won’t have a definitive diagnosis until Monday, the injury is believed to be an issue related to a nerve that spans from one side to the other, across his far backend.
Sanner, who works out of the Rocky Creek Vet Service, is certified by the ABBI, and is located in Olin, N.C., which is approximately an hour east of Wagoner’s ranch.
Originally, Wagoner and Jimmy Walton were thought to be hauling Code Blue to a clinic at the University of Tennessee. However, according to Wagoner, Sanner was unable to contact a large-animal vet from the facility, and told the co-owners, “Instead of stressing (Code Blue) out, go on and get him home.”
Code Blue returned to the Built Ford Tough Series last week in Nashville, Tenn., where he bucked off Sevi Torturo and scored 45.25 points. He had been out of competition for the past four months after injuring himself while running off a hauler at a Touring Pro event in North Dakota.
He made his BFTS debut last year in Winston-Salem, N.C., and was unridden in 14 outs en route to winning the world title. This year, he’s been ridden twice in 13 outs, and both qualified scores have been earned by Mauney.
Chad Berger and Clay Struve are also part owners of Code Blue.
More information regarding Code Blue’s condition will be posted as it becomes available.
