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Rodeo sued after bull named Party Bus jumped into stands, injuring crowd members
12News Arizona ^ | June 11, 2026 | Alma McCarty (KGW)

Posted on 06/11/2026 10:24:20 AM PDT by fidelis

SISTERS, Ore. — Two spectators injured when a bull leaped over an arena fence and into the crowd at the Sisters Rodeo two summers ago have filed lawsuits against the rodeo and its livestock contractor. According to KGW, the lawsuits are seeking more than $11 million in combined damages.

The bull, named Party Bus, cleared the fence during his first rodeo appearance at the annual event in Sisters, Oregon, and charged into the bleachers and concession area, trampling both plaintiffs before the animal was contained.

In the first lawsuit, Allison Hickey is seeking $9.25 million, alleging the bull knocked her to the ground, crushing her right shoulder and right calf. In a statement released through her attorney, Hickey said she filed suit "not only for myself, but to help ensure no one else — certainly no child or elderly person who may have stood in my place — has to endure what I have."

Hickey's lawsuit also alleges the rodeo later profited from the incident by selling Party Bus-branded merchandise and using the bull to market future events.

The second lawsuit was filed by Kristin and Andrew Wert, who are seeking more than $2 million. The complaint states Kristin Wert was "violently attacked from behind, bucked into the air and trampled" when Party Bus jumped the fence into the crowded bleachers.

Corey and Lange, the livestock contractor that provided Party Bus and other rodeo stock, has denied the allegations in a court filing, arguing that the Sisters Rodeo Association bears primary responsibility for any injuries and damages.

The Sisters Rodeo Association did not respond to a request for comment made by KGW.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Pets/Animals; Sports
KEYWORDS: bulls; oregon; rodeo

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Video at link. My favorite part was:

Hickey's lawsuit also alleges the rodeo later profited from the incident by selling Party Bus-branded merchandise and using the bull to market future events.

1 posted on 06/11/2026 10:24:20 AM PDT by fidelis
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To: fidelis

Did the Six Flags guy also make an appearance?


2 posted on 06/11/2026 10:27:10 AM PDT by HombreSecreto (The life of a repo man is always intense)
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To: fidelis

So, I guess that any pro/college athlete program, auto racing, tennis, golf or whatever where a player or ball that goes off in the stands on a play and hits or runs over someone can be sued?


3 posted on 06/11/2026 10:32:17 AM PDT by Resolute Conservative
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To: fidelis

Good thing it wasn’t named SUV.


4 posted on 06/11/2026 10:33:38 AM PDT by Kudsman (Codify the 80% of an 80/20 issue; receive 80% support. )
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To: Kudsman
Good thing it wasn’t named SUV.

or Florida man

5 posted on 06/11/2026 10:35:07 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
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To: fidelis

Well the bull jumped that barrier like it was nothing.

I’d say the rodeo is liable , not the animal supplier.


6 posted on 06/11/2026 10:37:48 AM PDT by OldHarbor
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To: fidelis

I wanted to get on the Party Bus. I missed out.


7 posted on 06/11/2026 10:38:13 AM PDT by BipolarBob (Call my personal secretary, Jennie, at 867-5309.)
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To: 1Old Pro

Oh they have event insurance so if this happens they are protected & the injured Medical bills & unemployment time is paid. I used to provide contract security at Mexican rodeos 35 yrs ago. :-)


8 posted on 06/11/2026 10:41:05 AM PDT by Pol-92064 (tax)
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To: Resolute Conservative

Eh, an errant ball is expected risk. You sign up for that.

A bull in the stands? The wall was too low.

I’ve done my share of rodeoing and can’t say I’ve ever heard of a bull in the stands except at extremely low rent facilities.


9 posted on 06/11/2026 10:43:20 AM PDT by TheThirdRuffian (Orange is the new brown)
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To: Resolute Conservative

Eh, an errant ball is expected risk. You sign up for that.

A bull in the stands? The wall was too low.

I’ve done my share of rodeoing and can’t say I’ve ever heard of a bull in the stands except at extremely low rent facilities.


10 posted on 06/11/2026 10:43:21 AM PDT by TheThirdRuffian (Orange is the new brown)
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To: Resolute Conservative
So, I guess that any pro/college athlete program, auto racing, tennis, golf or whatever where a player or ball that goes off in the stands on a play and hits or runs over someone can be sued?

They usually have signs in front of the seats nearest the playing field in hockey arenas and baseball stadiums that say:


11 posted on 06/11/2026 10:52:04 AM PDT by fidelis (June is the Month of Devotion to to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Pass it on!)
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To: fidelis

I’m calling bull s””t. 😎


12 posted on 06/11/2026 10:57:13 AM PDT by Hyman Roth
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To: fidelis

13 posted on 06/11/2026 11:14:33 AM PDT by Libloather (Why do climate change hoax deniers live in mansions on the beach?)
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To: fidelis

14 posted on 06/11/2026 11:15:39 AM PDT by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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To: fidelis
Hickey's lawsuit also alleges the rodeo later profited from the incident by selling Party Bus-branded merchandise and using the bull to market future events.

Yeah, that was my favorite part too. Might have been a little indiscreet under the circumstances...

15 posted on 06/11/2026 11:18:40 AM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: OldHarbor

Those are standard 7.5” barriers. It’s standard, but on the low side of normal.

A rodeo bull can jump that pretty easily, although I’ve never seen it happen, and I’ve been in or going to rodeos since I was little kid.

The stands are supposed to start as high or higher, with a space between the barrier that is too small for the bull to get going again, but large enough to land in.

From looking at the picture, the stands were both too low and too close, so the bull landed in the stands on the first jump.

They’re going to get toasted.


16 posted on 06/11/2026 11:19:52 AM PDT by MeanWestTexan (Sometimes There Is No Lesser Of Two Evils)
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To: MeanWestTexan
7.5"? Heck, a chihuahua can jump that.


17 posted on 06/11/2026 11:41:51 AM PDT by Rinnwald
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To: Rinnwald

7’5”


18 posted on 06/11/2026 11:43:16 AM PDT by MeanWestTexan (Sometimes There Is No Lesser Of Two Evils)
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To: MeanWestTexan

Yeah, I know what you meant, but I couldn’t resist.

Still, that’s some high jumping bull.


19 posted on 06/11/2026 12:09:31 PM PDT by Rinnwald
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To: fidelis

I used to go to the Sisters rodeo when I lived in that part of Oregon. Never saw a bull get into the stands (at that or any other rodeo), though I did see one escape from the arena during the Prineville rodeo one year. A couple of cowboys went out and rounded him up in a nearby field.


20 posted on 06/11/2026 12:51:03 PM PDT by HartleyMBaldwin
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